M14 Shim Set? We don't need no stinking shim set..... A solid gas system is here...

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Mods: Please feel free to unlock and slide this post with the FAQ section up above (Tips, tweaks) that Skullboy started and I got going.

Been a few years since I posted M14 fun as a Super Mod, since then I've been Tactical Teacher. Lately since Wolverine Supplies (board sponsor) has imported all those IDF M14 Parts Kits, It's like back to the future for me (1985-86) and I'm working with REAL USGI parts from Israel once again. What's not to like? :cool:

How to Avoid using SHIMS to tighten up your gas system.... FOREVER!

Most of your parts kit owners have realized that the USGI M14 gas system assembly and front band come very loose from the factory. Hey, it's a battle rifle, what did you expect?? :(

So the US AMTU Teams developed techniques to tighten things up under the front band and the barrel shoulder. Well the weakness of shims is the rapid corrosion that occurs when burned powder residue reacts with water (carbon attracts water, get it ?). :mad: So what to do?

I use a series of gas cylinder locks (bought in large quantity from Brownells) and trial fit once and then 180 flip trick until I get the perfect fit. Of coure with a Norinco, where does one obtain these spare gas cylinder locks? We trade around at my clinics (presented across the country since 2003) among you Norinco owners. You will be surprised how neat and easy this works for Norinco barrels and gas systems. :dancingbanana:

Now back to the American barrels and USGI parts kits from IDF / Israel...

Here is a picture of my attempt to trial fit gas cylinder lock(s). Examine the picture for the numerous different gas cylinder locks:





My USGI gas cylinder from Israel had a gas cylinder lock that tightened the entire gas system and ended up clocking (position of the gas cylinder lock using clock ray method) at around 12 o'clock, almost TDC, top dead center.

So by fitting and examining where your different gas cylinder locks clock, one can try and obtain the tightest fit. Which happens to be "Contact at around 4 o'clock and rubber mallet into position at BDC, bottom dead center, or 6 o'clock. :d


NO shims needed Forever! Besides, I broke my tools.... :mad:

Here I am at BDC (bottom dead center with a tight fit on my SAK USGI barrel):




Have a look at the colour or finish of the gas cylinder lock from Brownells (blued) versus the worn stainless steel USGI gas cylinder. Hey, who cares about the finish? I'm (ok, I was...) a match shooter so finish don't matter to me....

My offer, You are welcome to send me your barreled receiver and I can do this operation for you. We just swap ONE for ONE, gas cylinder locks. For those of you in the GTA, drop me a line and swing by my workshop and we can do this operation FOR you! :dancingbanana:

Questions ? Bring them on....

Cheers and enjoy the M14 addiction :wave:

Barney
 
Hey T/T (barney) what I have noticed with my G.I. gas locks (4) to try they all start and finish identically. Even turned over they fit/ tighten the same. And all three of my Idf gas systems are loose. At this point I was forced to shim. Using the last few I had from you! How do you like that grease I sent you.

On another note did you get those T-shirts built or have they come and gone already ?
 
brutus460 said:
Hey T/T (barney) what I have noticed with my G.I. gas locks (4) to try they all start and finish identically. Even turned over they fit/ tighten the same. And all three of my Idf gas systems are loose. At this point I was forced to shim. Using the last few I had from you! How do you like that grease I sent you.

On another note did you get those T-shirts built or have they come and gone already ?
Click to expand...

I have found the same thing. All the IDF gas locks all clock pretty much the same. And I have 8 kits to play with.... it wouldn't be so bad, but the darn things are out to much to do my stand-by "peeling" trick to take up the slack. They seem to be out 20 tho.

John
 
brutus460 said:
Hey T/T (barney) what I have noticed with my G.I. gas locks (4) to try they all start and finish identically. Even turned over they fit/ tighten the same. And all three of my Idf gas systems are loose. At this point I was forced to shim. Using the last few I had from you! How do you like that grease I sent you.

On another note did you get those T-shirts built or have they come and gone already ?
Click to expand...

I'm down to Large and XL tshirts left. Can you see your Ultra Slick grease tube in the background? I'm putting it to good use and also paying it forward to other M14 lovers (syringes...)

John: I agree the M14 USGI locks time up around 12 noon and that's a PITA. When clinic attendees say Norinco rifles are loose and sloppy, I have a story for them. And here it is in the form of IDF parts kits. Surprise!!! :eek:

Cheers, and keep on rocking in the free world.... :wave:

Barney
 
I'm still amazed at how little effort I.M.I. and the I.D.F. armourers put into accurizing their marksman rifles, especially given that most of these techniques just aren't that much work. I've had several Norinco rifles which were much better screwed together than these were, though the quality of the parts in these kits is unquestionably superior by comparison.
 
I just posted this in the IDF pictures thread....

Just thought I'd share!

m14medic.ca said:
Here's a side note.....

Just finished pulling apart a LB parts kit (customer supplied) this will be the last one I do before taking a week off in mexico...

As I was disassembling the the kit to toss it in the parts washer I noticed right away 3 things.....

1- the FH was bored out to NM specs. This was a "shocker" for me. I assumed, as an issue military weapon, the flash hider would remain as a useable FH, for obviuis reasons. NM conditioning a FH, would keep the look but not the function of the FH.

2- the barrel gas system keyways have been peeled over, the gas system was TIGHT! And there was a .028" shim between the barrel band and the barrel shoulder. Another first for these IDF kits!

3- the Troat erosion on the TRW barrel was under .5 on a 0-10 scale. Judging by the look of the gas port and other "wear" areas on this barrel, I bet it has seen under 500 rounds. I wouldn't be surprised if its seen less than 100.....

I am a little surprised at the "lack" of wear. I am also surprised as the electro penciled #s do not match on this kit. Not a single one! And the parts are a mixed bag! TRW bbl, Win bolt, H&R trigger and a SA op-rod..... a real mixed up mixed bag!

My mind wandering...... but I wonder if this was some IDF armorers pet project back in the mid '80s....

John
Click to expand...
 
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