My M14 needs a new bolt

triden

triden

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My Norinco M305 (2010 vintage) has been giving lots of problems lately. First 300 rounds were flawless, and then one day I was shooting and the bolt self disassembled itself - flew apart. After that, I rebuilt the bolt with new internals: firing pin, extractor, ejector, spring, etc. 20 rounds after that it flew apart again.

I have a feeling that something is out of tolerance, and I figure the best way to fix it is just to buy a new bolt. This brings me to some question:

  1. Where do I buy a new bolt?
  2. Is it just 'that' easy? Is there more to it than dropping a bolt in?

An alternative is that I heard Springfield extractors have a deeper dimple in them to help retain them in the bolt better. Wonder if that would work...can you buy those somewhere?

I would really like to fix this rifle, but I'm going to need some advice from you guys.
 
It's not as simple as dropping a new bolt in. The headspace dimension may change. The SAI extractors seem to have their fair share of problems. Not sure if a USGI extractor will fit but you may be able to try that. Someone here will know.
 
What's a headspace and why is that important? When I attended Barney's clinic he said something about go no go. I mentioned he was speaking Greek and he said not to worry about it. Also when I got my rifles tuned by 45acpking he had some numbers written down but I didn't pay any attention to it. I've heard it mentioned before on this forum but not sure what that means. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere other than the m14 threads so is that a m14 only thing?
 
Seafury said:
It's not as simple as dropping a new bolt in. The headspace dimension may change. The SAI extractors seem to have their fair share of problems. Not sure if a USGI extractor will fit but you may be able to try that. Someone here will know.
Click to expand...

When I rebuilt the bolt, I replaced all the parts with USGI from Treeline.
 
infidel29 said:
What's a headspace and why is that important? When I attended Barney's clinic he said something about go no go. I mentioned he was speaking Greek and he said not to worry about it. Also when I got my rifles tuned by 45acpking he had some numbers written down but I didn't pay any attention to it. I've heard it mentioned before on this forum but not sure what that means. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere other than the m14 threads so is that a m14 only thing?
Click to expand...

Read this...
http://m14forum.com/gus-fisher/66601-little-bit-everything-do-headspace.html

Watch this...
[youtube]F3cCFXuohWQ[/youtube]

Tony.
 
If your lucky enough to get a used USGI bolt, you can pretty much drop them, just have to make sure bolt lugs make proper contact.

Any other bolt you will have to lap in. My headspace went from 1.647 to 1.631. I left it there and undersize my brass by two thou.

With what Tony has said, a large percentage of Norcs are running large chambers which would swallow the field rejection gauge. As far as I know, no Norc has ever had issues from this.
 
I wouldn't give up on the original bolt so quickly. A bolt replacement seems like an expensive and drastic step to deal with extractor issues.

Could the install that you did have had any issues like the extractor protruding below the bolt body? Maybe you can have someone check a new install for you.
 
PitBull1973 said:
Thanks for the video. Question for you . I've got a SM and I'm curious to preform some of the checks you advise. But people are suggesting not to separate the reciever from the stock. So what can I do.?
Click to expand...

Thanks! It's safe to do it upon initial purchase and after every 1500 rounds or so. If you decide to strip the bolt, have an extra extractor plunger handy.

Tony.
 
Pr589 said:
Could the install that you did have had any issues like the extractor protruding below the bolt body?
Click to expand...

This seems most likely to me, it can happen with USGI extractors too. You should be able to run your finger over the bottom of the bolt where the extractor hole is and feel no protrusion whatsoever, even the smallest amount can be enough to launch that sucker.
 
Pr589 said:
I wouldn't give up on the original bolt so quickly. A bolt replacement seems like an expensive and drastic step to deal with extractor issues.

Could the install that you did have had any issues like the extractor protruding below the bolt body? Maybe you can have someone check a new install for you.
Click to expand...

That was the first thing that I checked after it happened the first time. There is not part of the extractor that protrudes enough to get bumped out. I'm really at a loss as to what it could be because it's hard to tell if every is kosher just by a visual inspection.

Does anyone know where I can get an SA extractor? Apparently they have deeper dimples and retain themselves better.
 
triden said:
That was the first thing that I checked after it happened the first time. There is not part of the extractor that protrudes enough to get bumped out. I'm really at a loss as to what it could be because it's hard to tell if every is kosher just by a visual inspection.

Does anyone know where I can get an SA extractor? Apparently they have deeper dimples and retain themselves better.
Click to expand...

try ordering directly from SA. Ask for Kelly. She handles international sales to Canada
 
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