Sadlak pistons for M14 ...

Otokiak

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
93   0   0
Location
Leduc, AB
I purchased a Sadlak piston for one of my M14 builds from a fellow CGNer ... my question is are they the only people who manufacture a aftermarket piston? This thing is gold and shiney ... :D

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
Last edited:
I bought my tin coated one (gold) from 7.62mm, in fact I got my complete gas system from them. Lots of companies sell pistons, but I haven't seen anyone else selling a National match piston designed for heavier bullets.
 
7.62 does ship to Canada no problem, but they tag on a much higher shipping/handling cost then Brownells. A minor downer is that of the two orders that I have placed with them, they have managed to screw up both... I'm still waiting a month later to see how they correct the last mix up. Perhaps I mumble on the phone.
 
Thanks twoguntim ... I gotta check out Brownells as I keep hearing good things but never surfed their site.

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
Ok Brownells says they will not ship Sadlak gold tin pistons to Canada ... who else sells this type of aftermarket product? That sucks ass as it would be less than $100 for two pistons ... :(

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
Try treeline, they ship to Canada and carry Sadlak stuff. I had no problems at all with 7.62mm, in fact the shipper phoned me to verify my postal code.
 
Whats the deal with the GROOVED gold version?

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
Its Match Grade but according to THE DOC you should replace your whole gas assembly to SAI for it to work properly in a NORC. Apparently they are just a tad undersized for the NORC and you can get short cycling with it. I bought one from treeline but have not tested it yet. Some guys say they had no problem with it in the Norc, although when I did the tilt test with it, it had no suction whatsoever. BTY if you get the Sadlak piston cleaning bits they also wont fit the NORC piston. Different diam.
 
I'm building 2 projects ... 1 has a LRB complete system, the other USGI ... match grade meaning??? I'm just tryna understand the grooves purpose?!

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
If you have a USGI gas assembly it should be no problem the other one not sure. Im not a specialist in this stuff. Speak to the DOC. The grooves are for the same reason that the NORC piston has grooves, i.e. to control the gases going through the gas cylinder, timing of the recoil etc. Match grade means you spend more money on a better quality dimensioned part for a rifle that is tuned for it.
 
my question is are they the only people who manufacture a aftermarket piston?

SEI has two versions available...
The original version is on the left and it has over 2K rounds on it.
The new radial groove piston is on the right.

SEIpistons.JPG
 
There are several manufacturers of pistons for usgi spec cylinders. Some are TiN coated some are not.
Sadlak has their normal pistons that are coated and the "NM Grooved" . This piston has a specific purpose and is not a standard NM upgrade. It's purpose is to operate with bullets weighing over 176gr. So unless that's yer plan, stay away from the "NM grooved" pistons.
Otherwise, unless you prefer a certain manufacturer, you some choices out there, other than sadlak. As H20 Man mentions, smith enterprise makes some awfully nice pistons :D , check brownells for availlability.
And for those who are gonna ask, NO these american made pistons are NOT compatable with MOST chinese cylinders.
 
I got my Sadlak TIN piston from Fabsports for about $50 last year. You could inquire if he is going to get anymore in.

In my earlier post I didn't intend to discourage you from dealing with 7.62 Firearms. They aren't crooks, they simply lack the organization of a larger outfit like Brownells.
 
... BTY if you get the Sadlak piston cleaning bits they also wont fit the NORC piston. Different diam.

This takes some of the joy out of the arrival of my Sadlak cleaning tools yesterday. :(

At least the Sadlak gas cylinder wrench is just the right size for working the Norc safety back and forth without wearing your thumb off. :)
 
How much HEAVIER can we go with these GROOVED piston? What would be the max bullet weight to try?(curiousity's got me here)

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
How much HEAVIER can we go with these GROOVED piston? What would be the max bullet weight to try?(curiousity's got me here)

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA

I've got Applied Balistics out. If I'm not mistaken the twist is 1 in 12.

From that Ideal to marginal conditions, Hornady 178 Match, 178 A-Max, 168 A-Max, and Sierra 190 SMK.

Any condidtions Sierra 175 SMK, 180 SMK, Hornady 168 Match.

Acoording to Mr. Litz unless conditions are idea there will be stability issues with the first ones I listed. My experiance with the best/marginal bullets in other rifles is he is right on.

There's a few Bergers you could use too also some heavier Sierras you could shoot under ideal conditions. Common wisdom is nothing over 175 gr with standard gas system. I'm going to be shooting 175 SMK's. I think you'd be hard pressed to do better.
 
Thanks redshooter, I'm basically better off just getting a regular tin piston and shoot 150-170 fmj and 168 bullets eh?

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
Thanks redshooter, I'm basically better off just getting a regular tin piston and shoot 150-170 fmj and 168 bullets eh?

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA

I'm getting a heavy spring because some of the reading I've been doing claim that the Jarheads had durability problems shooting 175 SMK's long term. I really like SMK's, always had good results with them in my .223, can't say the same for Hornady. I've been having better lots lately though. I haven't fired enough out of my M-305 to say anything definatively but 155 A-Max shot well so far. The 168 gr SMK and Hdy Match should be great performers as well. Everything I've seen (and my first few groups) regarding the 175 Match King is good.

Here's some choices that should shoot well at 40 c or -20 c. I've given both G1 and G7 BC in case you have a ballistic program you want to compare them with.

Berger 155 BT G1/G7 .438/.224
Berger 168 BT G1/G7 .452/.231
Berger 175 Tactical G1/G7 .506/.259
Sierra 155 Palma 2155/2156 G1(G7) .417(.214)/.449(.229)
Sierra 168 MK G1/G7 .427/.218
Sierra 175 MK G1/G7 .475/.243
Nosler 155 CC G1/G7 .415/.213
Nosler 168 CC G1/G7 .426/.218
Hornady 155 A-Max G1/G7 .415/.212
Hornady 168 Match G1/G7 .433/.222
Lapua 167 Scenar G1/G7 .423/.216

I also left out some that would likely work under most conditions. There is also some hunting bullets I left out like Sierra's 165 Game King. I'm also not sure if all these are still available.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom