M14 Newbie OpRod Question

[berger]

I am just wondering if the operating rod, when pulled back, is supposed to lock back easily? When I pull the rod, I kind of direct it up (very slightly) and it catches and holds. Is this correct? I find if I just pull it straight back without a slight guide up, it will release forward again.

I can only compare this action to my Garand, which locks back quite easily....but now that I think of it, it is held back until you depress the clip follower and release the op rod forward. Maybe I just answered my own question....?

 

[45ACPKING]

do not do what you are describing
the oprod on an m14 should only lock back by means of the rifle's bolt stop, located on the left side. what you are feeling is the recess for oprod removal. What you are doing by description.... is causing undue stress on your oprod tab and this recess...... this is NOT GOOD. Pull oprod back with slight downward rear motion and let fly home. To lock open, do same but once at rear of travel, push and hold bolt stop and let go of oprod..... it should remain locked back. to release simply pull back slightly on oprod and release, bolt stop will disengage by itself

 

[roberti11]

I am not quite sure I understand why you are doing it that way, is it hard to get it to lock back/release by simply pulling straight back?

I had an M1A with this problem, it turned out the recoil buffer was too thick, and it would hold the op rod firmly against the release. This made it really hard to pull back that little bit needed to get it to release. I solved the problem by sanding the buffer so it was a bit thinner. This was a Marstar buffer, I noticed that the one I got from brownells was a bit thinner so you could either replace it or sand it.

 

[berger]

do not do what you are describing
the oprod on an m14 should only lock back by means of the rifle's bolt stop, located on the left side. what you are feeling is the recess for oprod removal. What you are doing by description.... is causing undue stress on your oprod tab and this recess...... this is NOT GOOD. Pull oprod back with slight downward rear motion and let fly home. To lock open, do same but once at rear of travel, push and hold bolt stop and let go of oprod..... it should remain locked back. to release simply pull back slightly on oprod and release, bolt stop will disengage by itself

Hey 45....Don't I feel like a complete horse's arse!!

Thankfully, I haven't done it too much. Haven't fired it yet either...waiting to get her all assembled.

Thanks again!