Norinco M14 Gas Cylinder

slushee

slushee

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I have a question about the Norinco Gas Cylinder. I know that this part is to run dry (read: no oil or lubrication of any kind), but I was curious, what is the Gas Cylinder and piston made of that allows it not to rust? Is the material Norinco uses for these parts different then say Springfield?

I only ask because I read a long time ago on a thread on this site of someone complaining of rust on their piston and inside their cylinder.

Thanks in advance.
 
The ones compaining of rust are shooting corrosive ammo. The piston's made of good hard stuff. That's why it doesn't flare at the end when firing. The gas cylinder is bronze. The piston's steel.
 
USGI pistons ANd cylinders are made of heat treated 416 Stainless Steel. They generally will not rust and are run DRY.

Norinco pistons are made of some type of carbon steel alloy, as are their gas cylinders. On the Norinco, the piston itself is chrome plated where it contacts the op-rod and where it rides on the inner diameter of the cylinder.

You can clean it with solvent, but wipe it dry afterward.
 
Fair enough, though those two alloys are quite similar :)

The main differences between 416 and 420 is that 416 is free-machining and is what modern producers seem to be favoring (i.e. SAI, 762mmfirearms, etc.). 420 is harder to machine well and harder on tool life.

420 is SLIGHTLY more corrosion resistant, and I do mean slightly, and can be hardened to a bit harder rockwell value, though both can meet GI hardness specs.
 
browningautorifle said:
The ones compaining of rust are shooting corrosive ammo.
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Sorry. Nope. I took mine hunting in the pouring rain, didn't get it cleaned right away, and had to clean some corrosion out of the gas cylinder. It wasn't major but it was there and I have NEVER shot corrosive ammo in any of my 14s.
 
powmia56 said:
Sorry. Nope. I took mine hunting in the pouring rain, didn't get it cleaned right away, and had to clean some corrosion out of the gas cylinder. It wasn't major but it was there and I have NEVER shot corrosive ammo in any of my 14s.
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Actually this was something that I was interested to hear. I have always worried about shooting out while its snowing or raining, having a little bit of water somehow infiltrate the gas system without me knowing about it, and eventually turn into rust. I know that the gas system stays hot and should, in theory, evaporate any little bits of water that may get in there, but it is always a fear of mine.

i think I would have been happier if my gas system was made out of stainless, or something a bit more rust resistant then what the chinese decided on making it out of.
 
slushee said:
I know that the gas system stays hot <snip>
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You don't want to go hunting with my friend. Not only did the gas system not stay hot, it never got hot, because we hiked all over creation in the pouring rain, much of it in the pitch black of the "Oh my God, it's early" morning, getting lost several times in the woods because he didn't actually know where he was going even though he seemed to be the fount of all knowledge prior to the trip. If my gas system had gotten hot (ie saw a buck) it might not have rusted. Instead, well, you know the ending to this story. :)
 
powmia56 said:
Sorry. Nope. I took mine hunting in the pouring rain, didn't get it cleaned right away, and had to clean some corrosion out of the gas cylinder. It wasn't major but it was there and I have NEVER shot corrosive ammo in any of my 14s.
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How do you like it as a hunting rifle? Been toying with the idea of picking one up for the fall.
 
steamy teabag said:
How do you like it as a hunting rifle? Been toying with the idea of picking one up for the fall.
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Hunting for me seems to consist of "hiking with a rifle". I've never actually shot a deer. I've never actually seen a deer while hunting. I guess I am just not very good at it. I do, however, enjoy it (mostly) (see previous story for counter-example).

Claven2 said:
As a hunting rifle for actual walking, there are lighter choices. For a stand gun, it would be just fine.
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My only response to that would be to "man up". :)

I carried a Winchester M1917 the first time I went hunting. You want to talk about lugging a heavy gun around all day. The M-14 was a breath of fresh air.

But seriously, it is heavy, but it really isn't that big a deal. I never really noticed the weight and since I take my shorty with me it is nice when clambering through heavy brush. Doesn't snag up on stuff.

Had my choice I'd have a nice Remington 700 with a synthetic stock for hunting, probably in 7mm but maybe 30-06. Beautiful gun, tack driver accuracy. Lighter, less susceptible to weather. Unfortunately, I can justify spending $1000 on a Springfield but so far haven't been able to justify spending $500 on a Remington. Not sure how that works. Probably something wrong with me. :)
 
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