New M14S front sight tilted

J

jacobkatz

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Just got my first rifle in, m14 from marstar. The front sight is tilted to the right about ~3 degress. Just wondering what the fix was for this and if any one could provide a link or some detailed info on how to do it. Thanks
 
if you gonna use scope, just leave it alone....indexing is not gonna harm your scope shooting performance....
my M14 has the same problem....I don`t use a scope, just open sight...
200,300,400, even 500m no problems at the silhoette range....5 out of 5...
regards
 
It seems to be a common thing with the norcs. I know both mine are like that. Easiest fix if its not on target is to drift the sight & base over as required. It wont look pretty since a small part of the base will be overhanging, but it'll be on target and functional.

Only other thing is to get a receiver wrench and turn the barrel as required. HOWEVER, this might negatively affect your headspacing depending on which way you need to rotate. So unless you know what your doing and what the results will be, be careful.
 
Turning the barrel 3 degrees would change headspace 0.00083". Indexing does require a receiver wrench, a barrel vice, and parallels (or some other method of checking alignment). There are enough reports of 305 barrels sloppily indexed to suggest that it is not uncommon. I'll be darned if I can figure out why the things can't be indexed correctly when assembled. That, and headspace should be checked prior to delivery.
 
pilgrim said:
if you gonna use scope, just leave it alone....indexing is not gonna harm your scope shooting performance....
my M14 has the same problem....I don`t use a scope, just open sight...
200,300,400, even 500m no problems at the silhoette range....5 out of 5...
regards
Click to expand...

If your barrel indexing is off, then the alignment of the op rod/op rod guide/gas cylinder & piston is off.This can cause uneven wear on the parts.

LeftFootOfDoom said:
Easiest fix if its not on target is to drift the sight & base over as required. It wont look pretty since a small part of the base will be overhanging, but it'll be on target and functional.
Click to expand...

This still doesn't solve the problem, plus having the front sight overhang the base is wrong.Read any of the M14 guides.

The only solution to a canted front sight is to re-index the barrel properly.If you have the proper tools, it isn't hard to do.Do a headspace check afterwards.The headspace should be fine as the Norcs are a little generous in that respects.

SKBY.
 
So if I get a barrel wrench I can just turn the barrel at bit??? Seems like indexing wont be effected that much. Where can i get a barrel wrench. And what is the tool that comes inside the M14 stock?
 
The combination tool is used for stripping the rifle. It is not worth getting a barrel vice and action wrench to do just one job. Where are you located? There may be someone nearby who has the tools. Also, look at the right side of the receiver ring, under the operating rod. If there is a setscrew there, it will have to be backed off before the barrel can be turned. It may be staked in place, and will need to be drilled out.
 
Located in London, If I losen the barrel set screw can I carefully rotate the barrel with a cloth and vice grips or is this dangerous?
 
You will do damage if you try to turn the barrel in the receiver without proper tools. The barrel is torqued in too tight. I wonder if there is anyone in the London area set up to do this.
 
Mine front sight looked slightly tilted to the left when I got my norinco. On closer inspection, I found out that the actual front sight was bent. It was nothing to do with the barrel at all...
 
m14s

Just got my 2x m14s in the mail today YAHOO....

only to find that BOTH barrels are canted to the left!!!

Anyone in the Calgary AREA (or close) that can reindex both barrels for me?

ANYONE?

dont really want to purchase all the parts to do this myself.

HANS
 
Last edited:
Skullboy said:
If your barrel indexing is off, then the alignment of the op rod/op rod guide/gas cylinder & piston is off.This can cause uneven wear on the parts.
Click to expand...
I figured that would be a problem too, so I haven't tightened up the op-rod guide until I get my barrel re-indexed.

I have been thinking of facing the barrel shoulder because mine is too tight to turn any farther according to K at Milcun. (we tried!)

Or....just get a good barrel and get started on my winter project!!!! :D
 
If the barrel is almost but not quite turned in far enough, and just cannot be tweaked that little bit extra, a SLIGHT cut on the shoulder face might be in order. Keep in mind that you are looking at .00028" per degree of rotation. If the barrel is only a few degrees short of index, very little material must be turned off. You don't want the barrel to turn in too far. Were you able to break the barrel loose, and unscrew it? Sometimes you can just loosen and tighten a few times, exercising it so to speak, and the barrel can be indexed. That darn set screw on the right side of the receiver ring doesn't make things any easier.
 
Right hand thread. If the sight is off to the left, when viewed from the rear, the barrel has been turned in too far.
 
tiriaq said:
Right hand thread. If the sight is off to the left, when viewed from the rear, the barrel has been turned in too far.
Click to expand...
One would hope that people are looking over the rear sight, and not down the barrel!:D
 
Some noob Questions

Where can the barrel tool be purchased???

What is barrel indexing?

If I want to shorten the barrel to 18.5, Should it be cut down with a lathe or a saw? If I do that, are there sights and flash suppressors that will go on with set screws?

Just trying to learn the basics.
 
Tools can be purchased from w ww.brownells.com. Probably more folks make them, though. Contact "Hungry" by PM, and buy a copy of his DVD set on the M305 workshop.
The barrel can be cut with a hacksaw. The muzzle should be crowned using a lathe, though, taking special care because of the chrome plating in the bore. It can be threaded for a comp. at the same time. There are front sight units that replace the gas cylinder lock.
 
My experince has been that the norinco barrels are not only set with that nasty little set screw, they also have some nasty stuff on the threads. Put the propane torch to the receiver for a bit and all kinds of smoke will come out of the threads. While the receiver is hot, you should be able to break the lock on the threads, spin the barrel off, clean up the threads, and then spin it back on. If it still won't index right, with the torch heat the receiver up again and apply pressure with the receiver wrench while the receiver is hot. This should allow that little bit of extra rotation you need to index your barrel correctly.

Good luck....

Brobee
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom