What are the most useful M-305/M14S mods?

Cocked&Locked

Cocked&Locked

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I am going to pick up a m-14S and am on somewhat of a budget. What are the most useful modifications for improving accuracy, function and ergonomics? I see people replacing all parts but the reciever with USGI stuff, is this needed? What do you gain by replacing the bolt for example? If anyone has time to do a detailed list it would be most appriciated and others than me would probably find it useful as well.

PS Is there any difference between the M-305 and M-14S?
 
I guess that the M305 is what is offered for sale now. The M14S is the older blued mode.

The most useful mods. are shimming the gas system if needed to tighten it up.
Indexing the barrel if needed.
Getting rid of the softwood stock and getting the rifle into fiberglass.
If using iron sights, either repairing or replacing the original rear sight since it doesn't seem to want to tighten up or stay tight.
Maybe getting a NM op. rod spring guide since they are made of round bar stock vs. the stamped metal original. This is for more consistant performance.

Replacing the bolt is more of a headspace issue. The USGI bolts will bring it from a 7.62 standard to the .308 standard usually.

As you can see, you don't need much money to improve the already fine performance of these rifles. Some of us do the other mods. because we can. :D

My own M305 has a fulton armory barrel, trw bolt, hr-n trigger group, fiberglass stock, USGI gas system, NM op. rod spring guide and NM piston. It shoots extremely well. You don't need all that. I don't need all that. I want all that.
 
it should probably be said that all the mods aren't necessary to have a decent shooting rifle, right out of the box, but if you are someone who can't leave well enough alone hehehehe there are many mods that can be done to improve function, accuracy and durability. I love to tinker and personalize my firearms, where i can and when i can so the norc m14s (m305) fits that bill perfectly. Some rifles are just not worth the time and $$$ to upgrade, these rifles are.
As far as the differences with m14s and m305.... there are none, but the name. Mine is brand new, purchased a couple months ago and just says m14, no "s" . it is the identical, greyish parkerized rifle as my friends brand new m305 stamped rifle.
 
As to re-stocking the rifle, is there a prefered stock? I see the sage they talk about but something tells me this is not a cheap upgrade, is there something that will give better performance in fiberglass that isn't worth more than the rifle originally? Not that it isn't a nice stock, I just can't afford it at present...

How hard is it to scope the rifle? Can it be done without drilling?(I hope)
 
your best bet is a usgi fiberglass stock. Sometimes availlable here in the parts exchange, expect to pay anywhere from 100 to 150. depending on the stocks condition. The sage stocks are 600.00 plus and VERY tough to get your mits on in canada. As far as scoping, the springfield armory generation 3 is reasonably priced, not super hard to find and like most other m14 mounts requires no gunsmithing ie; drilling /tapping /grinding of the receiver. There are better mounts but these seem to perform very well for the average m14s owner.
 
Recomended M14/M305 mods:

1) Replace wood stock with fiberglass or aftermarket wood
2) properly index the gas lock and/or shim the gas cylinder
3) Replace rear sights with USGI sights (M1 Garand sights will fit)
4) Replace op rod guide spring with a USGI spring
5) replace spring guide with a National Match version

The above mods are the ones mostly done by M305 owners.

If you are on a budget, #1 & #2 are the ones I would do first.Followed by #4 & #5.

As to stocks, USGI fiberglass stocks are getting hrad to find and will run you roughly $100.00 to $175.00 depending on condition.

The Sage stock will run you around $1200.00 Cdn if you can find one in Canada.

Further accuracy improvements:

6) Replace bolt with USGI bolt. This will toghten up the rifle's headspace.This Mod requires fitting and should be done by someone who is experienced with working on M14 rifles.
7) Replace trigger group with USGI group.Straight drop in swap.
8) Replace Op rod. Really unneccessary as the Norc op rod is forged, but some like the look of the cutout for the connector arm.
9) Replace barrel. Serious shooters will replace the stock barrel with a heavier match barrel.This is a big job that requires special tools and know how.
10) Bed the reciever.Glass/steel bedding of the reciever helps with accuracy and forms a nice tight interface between the stock & reciver.Again a big job that requires proper tools and know how.

The above Mods will get you a nice tight shooting match rifle, but you will take a good hit in the wallet.

For decent range shooter/plinker, #7 to #10 mods don't have to be done.However the above is a basic list to build and accurate, consistent match rifle.

My Custom M14 only has the Norinco reciever remaining, and would cost around $5000.00 Cdn to build (without optics/mounts).

SKBY.
 
What don't you guys like about the factory stock? I was considering spraying it truck bed liner then roughing it on a wire wheel. Of the recommended mods above, what kind of cost can I expect to have a smith charge me?
 
Another useful recomendation is a recoil buffer, i didn't see that mentioned anywere here. Recoild buffers soak up a lot of slam on the receiver when fired, i also added a rooster33 Op rod spring guide as well and found it further smoothened up the firing. I can set you up with a sullier in saskatewan were i have been buying the recoil buffers from, little pricy but worth it if you shoot as much as i do. and as far as the rooster stuff you can get that right here on this site. Just my 3 cents, and hope it helps you, i did these most as a method of protecting my investment. and so far i am terribly impressed with the results. You want anymore info in regards to the rest of the mods i have done to mine just PM. me

P.S. yah, the guys are right man, get rid of the factory stock and go fibreglass. I can email you some pics of mine if you want to, just PM your email address...
 
Kwattro said:
What don't you guys like about the factory stock? I was considering spraying it truck bed liner then roughing it on a wire wheel. Of the recommended mods above, what kind of cost can I expect to have a smith charge me?
Click to expand...

The factory stock is REALLY soft wood.The area where the trigger assembly contacts the stock will compress easily due to the pressure the trigger group applies when the trigger group is locked down.Once the wood in that area compresses, the fit of the reciever & trigger group to the stock gets sloppy and loose.

It is recomended that if storing a wood stocked M14 for and extended period of time, to unlatch the trigger group to relieve the pressure on the stock (this applies to USGI & match wood stocks as well).

I am not sure what shops are actually charging for the above listed Mods (I do all my own work ;) ), but I think the hourly rate will roughly run around $75.00 to $85.00 per hour.

SKBY.
 
The first thing the M14 *NEEDS* is a really good cleaning. Be prepared to strip the bolt and trigger mech. When my rifle arrived the firing pin was quite stiff with debris, which is a bad thing. Then carefully lube and assemble.
A USGI or Wolffe operating spring and a shok-buff, for insurance, then shoot it. You might just be surprised.

<<edit>> Oh and after you shoot it, send 5 empty cases to Skullboy or Hungry (depending who is closest) for them to check your headspace.
 
Rooster33 question and stocks

While I wait patiently for an email response from Rooster (he must be very busy - especially now), is anyone willing to tell me what Rooster charges for the bolt stop/release, the cheekrest, and the rod spring guide? Please PM me if you prefer not making it public.

Also, has anybody had sucess ordering a stock from Boyd's or Fred's? Boyd's says on the website that orders less than $100 do not require an "import permit". I think they mean an export permit, but I understand their meaning. Is anyone else in Canada able to supply USGI Synthetic stocks right now? I understand Skullboy is not taking orders currently.

Thanks!

Edit: Just ordered a pepper laminate stock/handguard from Boyds over the phone. The total price before shipping comes to US $102.19. I called to ask if they could reduce the price by $2.20 to come in under the $100 permit limit and then just increase the shipping cost. NO GO. It's not worth it for them. I do understand, but what a PIA! Anyway, I just asked that the stuff be sent in two separate shipments. They will be here well in advance of my M-305 order from Marstar.
 
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The cheekrest is $55, as I recall, and the op rod spring guide is $60. Both are very well made... the op rod spring guide especially.

He isn't the best at customer service, and he's really slow, but in all honesty it's worth the wait!

If you 'need' the parts on any kind of a defined timeframe, you best look elsewhere.
 
canucklehead said:
The cheekrest is $55, as I recall, and the op rod spring guide is $60. Both are very well made... the op rod spring guide especially.

He isn't the best at customer service, and he's really slow, but in all honesty it's worth the wait!

If you 'need' the parts on any kind of a defined timeframe, you best look elsewhere.
Click to expand...

That's very helpful, thanks!
 
Freds

FredsM14 does ship to Canada. I emailed them to check about a month ago, they confirmed that they did it a lot. Then I ordered a synth and birch stock and some small stuff, cleaning kit, sling. Took about 1 1/2 wks to get to me in Toronto. They even sent a free handguard and a whole bunch of flyers, ads, how to use/care for the stocks, targets etc to build up good word of mouth reputation. So, I whole heartedly recommend fredsm14 stocks. The synth stock with all metal was $50 USD. You can get brand new stuff all the way to banged and bruised stuff.

lfod
 
LeftFootOfDoom said:
FredsM14 does ship to Canada. I emailed them to check about a month ago, they confirmed that they did it a lot. Then I ordered a synth and birch stock and some small stuff, cleaning kit, sling. Took about 1 1/2 wks to get to me in Toronto. They even sent a free handguard and a whole bunch of flyers, ads, how to use/care for the stocks, targets etc to build up good word of mouth reputation. So, I whole heartedly recommend fredsm14 stocks. The synth stock with all metal was $50 USD. You can get brand new stuff all the way to banged and bruised stuff.

lfod
Click to expand...

Fred's service to Canada is REALLY inconsistent.

Some people get their orders in a reasonable amount of time, while others have had their credit card billed and two years later STILL no stocks showing up.:eek:

Ask Hungry about that one.:confused:

If you buy from Fred's, do so at your own risk.


SKBY.
 
Where to get Shok-Buff in Canada/USGI sights - anywhere?

Wilsoncombat has the Shok-Buff in the US. Anything "local"?

Also, Skullboy mentioned "Replace rear sights with USGI sights (M1 Garand sights will fit)" on page one. Where can one get one of these commercially?

Anyone have an opinion on the sights at XSsights.com for the M-1A? Are these a possible replacement for the sights on the M-305, or would these only be suitable for CQB?

I have ordered two M-305's. One I would like to suit with iron; the other will be scoped.

Thanks.
 
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Marstar has Garand rear sites listed for 69.95(??).I have no idea how many they have but, they are listed in thier gun parts inventory.
Scott
 
Sharkson, Have you received your Boyd's stock? I ordered a ross stock a few days ago for a 700LA... Depending on how this one works out, I may look at getting their walnut stock and handguard for my 305.
 
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