Well, I sure had a great time, as usual. Didn't get a chance to shoot (Thanks Satain for planning ahead and bringing ammo for me to shoot, maybe another time) but the rifle work just keeps going and before you know it, time to leave.
We got to install a shorty barrel on a rifle. Been a while since we did a barrel install at a clinic so I was a bit nervous and decided to let M14Doctor do the honors. New barrel indexing gauge set (Badger Ordinance's as recommended by Kuhnhausen) was pretty cool although the level seemed a bit "too" accurate. 0.005" per foot for each graduation. Maybe more than needed for accurately indexing a barrel. I probably just need to play around more. Maybe do a bunch of barrel installs with it.
As usual, we removed four or five flash hiders. The biggest surprise was the rifle that didn't have welds. Gave it a good tap and it just flew right off. It also included a bayonet lug so looks like they changed up the flash hider set up on some of them.
Did lots of bolt dis-assembly, cleaning, and inspection. M14Doctor's tool for disassembling bolts is pretty cool. My GI one is a bit quicker but you have to be pretty proficient to use it whereas the Canadian made version holds your bolt together while you #### around with it. I did discover recently that if you have a GI bolt tool wrap a zip tie around it. That holds the clamp down so you don't need a third hand while you assemble. When you are ready to remove the bolt you just slide the zip tie down and it releases everything. I am using one of the really heavy duty zip ties so no chance of it snapping under pressure.
Hmmm. What else. Crappy scope mounts that are only held on by the two side screws with no support on top. I suggested a drill and tap to add a set screw above the front of the receiver. Cheaper than buying a proper mount for now.
Center punch didn't make deep enough divots on at least one rifle for conditioning the op-rod guide. Had to use a hammer punch on that one. I guess it depends on how loose the op-rod guide is to begin with.
Gas system cleanout tools: Easily made with a "file handle set" from your local hardware store and the appropriate drill bits. You'll need a letter size P, and number size 15 and 26. The size 15 bit should be an aircraft 6" or it won't reach the bottom of the gas piston. There was one other size for cleaning the plug but I can't remember what size it was off the top of my head. I'll edit the post later.
Hope to see more of you at the next one and maybe I can get out in time to do some shooting. Have a Merry Christmas.
