Ok, I know about using the grease for the moving parts on the '14. But I'm wondering what tips you guys have to help keep these rifles lasting longer.
The other day I noticed someone's post about M-1911 handguns and making them last longer. One guy's advice was that on less expensive guns, replace the 1911's slide stop and the springs, especially the recoil spring, with high quality springs. The theory being that a cheap spring won't be perfectly consistent in the amount of tension, and if weaker than a quality one, may allow the action to beat itself to death early through higher cycling velocity and less resistance.
Now, I know that springs do vary quite a bit in quality, something about the...um...silica content (?) greatly affecting spring life and behavior, like premature weakening, and even springs shortening over time. And since automatic firearms (be they semi or full) are VERY dependent on springs to get things done properly, I'm thinking it's only natural to select quality reputable springs if one wants to let his '14 last.
Now..for my M-14 I'm not gonna spend big bucks to buy all sorts of aftermarket muzzle brakes and pistons and cylinders...but this got me thinking about the notion that buying top quality M-1A or USGI springs wouldn't be very expensive...kinda cheap insurance, if unclear if it actually helps it age better.
But then I wondered about the operating rod...and whether buying a genuine USGI op rod might have better geometry than a stock Chinese clone...or am I being silly about that?
And what are your thoughts about the notion of replacing the springs for high quality units from possibly Wolf Springs, or Springfield (which are...well, I dunno but I'm guessing they might be either Woff, or USGI or maybe even some other mfg?)?
What about extractors and firing pins?
The other day I noticed someone's post about M-1911 handguns and making them last longer. One guy's advice was that on less expensive guns, replace the 1911's slide stop and the springs, especially the recoil spring, with high quality springs. The theory being that a cheap spring won't be perfectly consistent in the amount of tension, and if weaker than a quality one, may allow the action to beat itself to death early through higher cycling velocity and less resistance.
Now, I know that springs do vary quite a bit in quality, something about the...um...silica content (?) greatly affecting spring life and behavior, like premature weakening, and even springs shortening over time. And since automatic firearms (be they semi or full) are VERY dependent on springs to get things done properly, I'm thinking it's only natural to select quality reputable springs if one wants to let his '14 last.
Now..for my M-14 I'm not gonna spend big bucks to buy all sorts of aftermarket muzzle brakes and pistons and cylinders...but this got me thinking about the notion that buying top quality M-1A or USGI springs wouldn't be very expensive...kinda cheap insurance, if unclear if it actually helps it age better.
But then I wondered about the operating rod...and whether buying a genuine USGI op rod might have better geometry than a stock Chinese clone...or am I being silly about that?
And what are your thoughts about the notion of replacing the springs for high quality units from possibly Wolf Springs, or Springfield (which are...well, I dunno but I'm guessing they might be either Woff, or USGI or maybe even some other mfg?)?
What about extractors and firing pins?
