M14 Receiver Separation

jgass

jgass

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I am tossing this one out for comment:

I have owned a Century Arms M14 for quite a few years and about 10 years ago the rear of the receiver separated and gave me a bruise that I will not forget. Up to that point I estimate I had fed it 500+ rounds.

The cause, I deduced from Page 252 of the Kuhnhausen shop manual, was that I have a 'soft' Federal Ordinance Inc. receiver. The receiver is stamped Fed Ord.

That incident led the injured rifle to the deepest and darkest corner of my gun storage area, and in a housecleaning campaign today it surfaced. This rifle has the most attractive walnut stock I have ever seen on a military rifle and all parts appear in new condition. Except for the receiver of course.

I had contemplated welding or receiver replacement but M14 receivers are next to impossible to purchase, except for the Norinco line, and when found are very expensive. Also, once replaced, I doubt I will have the guts to stand behind it again.

I use a M1 Garand, a bunch of M1 Carbines, an AR-15, and tons of BA military stuff from the Lee Enfields to the K98's so I am not shy of most cartridges, however, I cannot get that slap from the M14 out of my mind.

In a similar position what would other military rifle fans do ? Peddle the parts ??
 
I also bought a Century arms M14 with 1-20 rnd & 2-5 rnd mags in the mid 90's for $469.00 retail, but it had no fed Ord stampings, it was a Norinco but without the Norinco stamping. It came with a very soft bolt that I later replaced with a TRW Z bolt/complete I bought NIW from Marstar for $80.00 bucks :eek:. It also came with a USGI bayonet lugged FS - non welded. Some of the trigger components were soft also and were replaced with NIW TRW hammer and trigger. The gas piston and front sights were soft and replaced with USGI parts. Back then I bought a NIW GI stock from Century Arms in Montreal for $40.00 with all the metal. :D Once I NM accurized and scoped the rifle it would shoot consistantly inside of an inch. The receiver is forged and I gave it the file test and it appears to be of a hard enough material. Ah those were the good ol days when parts were cheap.:)
 
Thanks for the replies folks. It all helps.

Hey WW111; It seems we have the same piece of gear except Norinco was unheard of when I got this one. No question on accuracy. I have some 100 yd. targets from before the 'separation' episode and 1 inch was no problem even with open sights. (Younger eyes then of course :))

Great piece of gear but my bruise was also 'great'. For several months folks around here believed I had taken up a challenge with Mike Tyson.
 
I also have a century arms/federal ord. m14 and after hearing horror stories like yours or worse I too am a little leary about standing behind it. I am going to the Burlington "Hungry" M14 clinic where I hope to get some answers and figure out what I want to do. It's a decent shooter and a lot of fun but not worth getting hurt for. I had about 500 rounds of 180 gr rounds through before I found out there not designed for bullets that heavy. Should have done my homework first. Lucky it didn't blow. I'll let you know what Hungry say's on the 28th.
 
jdass,

Thanks for your post and sharing your experience!

Do you mind to post a pic or two how the receiver looks like after the incident?

I remember someone did mentioned orded a stripped Norinco M14 receiver from Marstar recently so may be that's an option for you.
 
A few years ago, I sold 2 x M1 carbines to a gent down east who sent me pictures of this exact mishap with a FedOrd M14. (maybe you? too many years ago for me to remember). Anywho, as I recall, many parts of the FedOrd builds were USGI. If I were you, I'd either sell off the parts and buy a Norinco M305 with money left-over or just buy a new norinco and swap-out all the Chinese parts (except the receiver) with the USGI parts. Then sell the left-overs to off-set the price of the Norinco. You would have a truley superior rifle to what you had originally.
 
Onebarfly just ead my mind!! Buy yerself a Nork M14 complete and we can help you swap whatever USGI parts were on the Fed Ord.... For around $ 400 for the Nork M14, you can likely recover all yer money by selling the leftover M14 Norc parts. No joking!! :D
 
M14 Separation

Hey OneBarfly, yes that was me !!! How have you been ?

Your M1C's are still performing great along with six of their mates (7 counting Plainfield post war, which I don't). I manage to dump a couple of thou. rounds of M1C ammo a year. There are more empty H110 cans in my garbage than milk cartons.

And the same M14. I don't remember the year but I do remember the M14 bruise had healed by then :)

The Norinco idea is a good one but I am not over the beating I took. That scared me. When I see another M14 configuration at gun shows I get chest pains.

Good to hear from you.

Spcammo and Carbonrod: I have difficulty understanding how to post photos here but will give a try later.

Everyone: Thanks for all the feedback.
 
M14 Separation

jgass_photo
 
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I thought that was you. I've been fine, thanks for asking.

That was a nasty separation of the heel from the rest of the receiver as I recall - don't blame you for being hesitant about the M14. The good news is that all the other parts should still be OK and likely USGI manufactured. The Federal Ordance receivers were investment-cast and not forged like the Norinco receivers. Like the original USGI type, forged receivers are much tougher than investment cast and likely would not have failed like your Fed Ord receiver did. You could sell all the USGI parts and afford to buy two Norincos with the proceeds! If I were you, I would just swap all the USGI parts over to the Norinco receiver and sell off the rest. Like Hungary said, you would likely break even.

A board member here (Different) has written extensively about the M14 and their derivatives. I'm sure he could comment better than I about the quality of the Federal Ord. receivers (or lack thereof)
 
jgass,

I don't see the pics on the thread but however I do see it thru the link on the notification email I received.

Do you want me to post it for you for others can see?
 
M14 Separation

Thanks DaveGP. I don't know what you did but thanks. I must study this.
 
Well Folks, it's decision time:

As this puppy has intimidated me to a very large degree as far as standing behind it is concerned, and as my parts sales ability sucks, and as this is a fine looking sample and does represent a small period of military arms development, I have decided to relegate it to the "wall hangar" section of my collection. (right under the Brown Bess :))

The major bruise episode will serve well as a topic of conversation when the gun talk tails off and the beer is served.

My sincere thanks to all who have replied to this thread. All good stuff and very much appreciated.
 
It's your rifle. Personally, I sold a rifle once when silly young me back in the day was shooting at a scrap car axle at 20 feet with a .308. A hunk of shrapnel came back and is still in my leg for some 20 yrs now. I did not want that rifle reminding me the time I spent in the hospital again.

That receiver looks like it was cast or like you said soft. Too bad, but the parts are worth something. Not a total loss.

I saw some pics of a Springfield Armory cast bolt that come apart and a no name barrel that blew apart and completely destroyed a NM 14. Not pretty for the owners.
 
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