Norinco m14s questions

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nastycleavage

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I jumped on the m14 bandwagon last year around August when Marstar said there'd never be more coming but they found 100 tucked away. I've fired about 300 rounds down the pipe and find it to be generally accurate for a semi. I do have some observations and questions about this rifle..

Bamboo wood, what's the deal with this stuff? I can sink my thumbnail into it like butter. I put a bipod swivel stud in the drainage hole to hook up a 9-13 harris, and the entire front end broke off. I've been checking out some replacement ideas. Laz had that prototype stock at the Victoria gun show, M14doc's listing show a composite pistol grip stock for about $500, sage has that AR-like stock for about 1200, or I could just go with a plastic norinco for $60 or a Boyd's walnut for $200. All I'm after is a pistol grip / AR stock that has bedding blocks, does anyone have suggestions?

The next thing I noticed is the mis-alignment of some parts. My front sight leans to the right almost 10 degrees. Why is this? Obviously something isn't straight, but does it matter? The next piece that's crooked is in the gas system, where the piston hits that rod. The rod is kind of off center, is this a big deal? The last observation is regarding the side drilled/tapped scope mount hole. I purchased a Leaper's scope mount from fabsports. It was the 3 point model. The dang screw would only work in half the m14s's at the gun store and we tried 7 of them. It didn't work on a real m14 either. I had to get a bigger hole drilled into my receiver and a new side screw installed just to get the mount on! Is this just Leaper's in general? Or is this some kind of weird chinese metric system?

My last question/observation is regarding the semi-auto gas system. I have tried the federal fusion 165g bullets, along with the same weight reloads w/ RL15 and IMR4895 and I keep getting this issue where the action feeds the next round, but it's not all the way in the chamber or something. The trigger goes click but the primer isn't getting hit.
 
I am FL resizing DA1965 brass with a hornady SP bullet. The actual surplus I fired to get the brass worked perfect, as well as the 147g PPU fmj's. Is this a pressure thing?

All in all i'm impressed by the accuracy of this rifle. 2 inch groups @ 100 with 1965 surplus and 1.5 inches with 43.5g RL15 in the DA brass. Next up i'm trying some BLC2 and H4895 with hornady 150g fbsp's and winchester brass.

I was running a 3-9x40 bushnell banner but recently upgraded to a sightmark 4-16x44 IR mil-dot scope. I can't seem to zero it at 25y, the elevation knob won't turn any further. Will lower rings help?

I typed this all out on my phone, sorry about the terrible formatting!
 
Incorrect barrel indexing is affecting both the front sight and the gas system position. You need someone with an M14 barrel wrench to set the position correctly.

A pistol grip stock is going to be either expensive or a lengthy wait or both. I like the USGI fiberglass stock. They often sell here for around $120 or less.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
Incorrect barrel indexing is affecting both the front sight and the gas system position. You need someone with an M14 barrel wrench to set the position correctly.

A pistol grip stock is going to be either expensive or a lengthy wait or both. I like the USGI fiberglass stock. They often sell here for around $120 or less.
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But the indexing is all cosmetic though right? I mean it shot well with irons while crooked. Will this cause some kind of abnormal wear on my gun or should I wait until I replace the barrel to fix the aethsthetics?
 
If its functioning fine, I wouldn't worry about it. The offset gas system from the op rod might cause some added friction and wear. That's a question for the experts.
 
I took this to the gunsmith first thing to have it inspected. He checked the headspace with some gauges and said it checked out. He also told me the indexing was off and that I could get it fixed if I wanted, but he never told me if it was necessary. I'm guessing not.
 
holy hell batman, a smith' checks headspace on a norinco m14, and says its GOOD. Nice, usualy they say its so bad that if you shoot it, your #### will fall off. No, really, it will. The Barrel index issue could cause cycling problems and accelerate wear. It also, IIRC, could cause op' rod damage in some cases. I mounded an ARMS 18 scope base last week and didnt run into your problem with the threads in the reciever. For stocks, I waited for a looooong time to get mine, bout would do it over again with out question. I got my pistol grip stock from the M14 Doc. Quality is top notch, well built and solid. Any AR pistol grip and buffer tube will fit. He has a few options when it comes to rails as will.
 
nastycleavage said:
I took this to the gunsmith first thing to have it inspected. He checked the headspace with some gauges and said it checked out. He also told me the indexing was off and that I could get it fixed if I wanted, but he never told me if it was necessary. I'm guessing not.
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That's good that the headspace is a go, but AFAIC the barrel should be re-indexed. It shouldn't cost too much to have a gunsmith do it for you. Also, I would recommend shimming the gas system and replacing the op-rod spring guide with one of the ones from Rauch Tactical. With this, you should see your groups tighten up even more.

As for stocks, I've had both the chu wood (came stock on both my 07 norcs), and I replaced one with a USGI fiberglass one and the other with an aftermarket norc polymer stock. For the cost of a replacement norc stock, I'd go for it over the USGI one (although I liked the grip on the USGI stock more).
 
I did actually get a new op rod spring guide. Didn't change my groups at all but whatever, it looks pretty cool haha.

does the norinco plastic stock have bedding blocks? I'm realitically trying to get 1.25 inch groups @ 100 w/ reloads. I figure if I get it bedded and shim the gas system that should be obtainable, considering I can already get 1.5 without.
 
Indexing? Yer #### won't fall off if you don't sort it out. If you are adding optics, then the indexing is a moot point. The slightly mis-aligned gas piston to op rod contact is normal. Many of you :eek: will say, "WTF isn't it perfectly aligned?"

Frankly, almost every single (real USGI) M14 I've owned back in the 1980's (read: Duran Duran) was off center and hence, quite acceptable. So I would not worry about it.

Stocks ? I just use a USGI glass stock. The Norc/Poly black plastic stocks are decent and not laced with PCB, health hazmat, WHMIS (MSDS sheet missing) toxic oil that WILL cause yer #### to fall off, those chu wood stocks are great for a winter firepit burn. Just warn all the skiers to stand back. Keep the fire extinguisher handy. ;)

Handloaded match bullets will shrink your groups as will shimming your gas system and then greasing all the moving parts.

Now have you downloaded (FREE :D) my 2004 Abbotsford Clinic? It's found in sticky(ies). Ensure you do this download so that yer #### don't fall off :eek:

Cheers,

Barney
 
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