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Posted: 11/23/2010 5:42:25 AM EDT
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Found an unfired M-14S for a grand and bought it. Other than the bolt are there any other parts I need to replace with USGI? Also, what parts do I need to replace to make sure I won't have any problems when I replace that hideous fake flash suppressor?
TIA, Marty |
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Potential problem areas for the M14S are these. Potential because not all of them have problems, but you can expect them.
#1. Sight knobs may be soft, and won't hold zero. Fix: Replace. You can replace with USGI M14 or M1A knobs, or with USGI Garand knobs. Difference between M14/M1A knobs and Garand knobs are that M14 knobs are marked in Meters and Garand knobs are marked in Yards. Note also, that ALL Chinese made knobs are marked WCE. But not all WCE marked knobs are Chinese. When the Chinese reverse engineered the M14, the copied the knob markings as well. You don't want tp spend the money to replace your Chinese WCE knobs with other Chinese made WCE knobs. I did use one WCE knob on mine, but it is marked in Yards(Garand) so it is okay. BM59 sight knobs will work also. #2. Trigger and hammer may be soft. Fix: Replace with USGI M14 or commerical M1a, or with USGI Garand parts. Garand sear is shaped differently, as the M14S uses the sear designed for full auto use. But the Garand unit works just fine. #3. Replace the op rod recoil spring. Chinese made units tend to be a bit smaller in diameter and slightly shorter in length. $3. Stock. Stock is made from some ugly Chinese wood called "chu" wood. Only advantage is resistance to mildew. But they are soft. Fix: Replace with USGI or Commercial. However, if you do, check the connector lock pin(holds the op rod spring guide in place). USGI stocks are cut for the disconnector lever and the longer USGI pin. Many Chinese pins are shorter, and with the length difference there is a gap that allows them to work/walk out. Which can cause malfunctions. Fix: Put some form of epoxy release on the pin and the receiver and but a dab of epoxy on the inside of the stock where the pin is at. That will prevent the pin from walking out. The CMP is selling surplus USGI M14 stocks now at a decent price, and you can usually find them all over eBay. As for the muzzle threads. When you change the flash hider, you don't have to change any parts, but the FH itself. The muzzle threads are metric, but you will be reusing the castle nut anyway, so there is not need to change that. Reportedly, a USGI castle nut will work. threads are close enough that a USGI will thread on if done slowly, and it will act as a thread chaser and reform the threads to USGI. I haven't tried this, so I cannot comment on how well it works. Just reuse your old castle nut. Stock fix: 
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As much as I agree with whats been posted already, try shooting the thing first to see if it even needs it. Yes the inner workings are softer than the USGI ones, but if they work, why change. I didnt change mine, I havent had a problem with it. Had it over a year now. |
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I've fired several thousand rounds from a Poly M14S...if the trigger group is working..I wouldn't mess with replacing anything. I can see some wear on the bolt..but don't look like it will cause any problems anytime soon, if ever.
The recoil spring/mainspring needs to get replaced for sure....The Chinese spring is seriously crap. The stock should probably go to..mine got loose in the wood pretty quick. The recoil spring in my first Poly(I own 2 of these, plus an M1A)..went to shit quick...Lost substantial length and power in like 400 shots! 
The second Poly was slightly used when I got it. No idea how many rounds through it....seemed like a better spring...but I stuck a new one in anyhow since the first rifle's spring died so quick! |
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But don't I have to replace a certain number of Chinese parts with US parts to put on a real flash suppressor? Marty Yes you do. best things to do with a poly IMHO (Mainly for US parts count and because I think the stock is made from balsa lol) US hammer US trigger with sear US stock US muzzle device US handguard All can be done for about $100 if you shop wisely. Next pick up a replacement spring kit and swap them out and never look back. Now you can use any mag that you run across that works without breaking 922R 
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Heck yeah, another polytech user enters the game!
The stock and spring replacements are a must IMHO. My spring was seriously 2 inches shorter than the USGI replacement. Stock is just crap, but the metal wasn't bad. I got a fiberglass USGI, but I'm thinking of walnut next 
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So, if I replace the stock with a USGI or commercial equivalent, can I use a USGI trigger group? That would solve the hammer and trigger problem but would it also solve the disconnector pin problem? Marty You don't need to change the trigger group. If it will make you feel better, use an M1 rifle (Garand) hammer, trigger and sear. They fit perfectly. |
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But don't I have to replace a certain number of Chinese parts with US parts to put on a real flash suppressor? Marty Yes you do. best things to do with a poly IMHO (Mainly for US parts count and because I think the stock is made from balsa lol) US hammer US trigger with sear US stock US muzzle device All can be done for about $100 if you shop wisely. Next pick up a replacement spring kit and swap them out and never look back. Now you can use any mag that you run across that works without breaking 922R The number is 10. Add a US made magazine, with follower and floorplate, and that adds 3 more to the list already given. US handguard (a) No person shall assemble a semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun using more than 10 of the imported parts listed in paragraph (c) of this section if the assembled firearm is prohibited from importation under section 925(d)(3) as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes. (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (1) The assembly of such rifle or shotgun for sale or distribution by a licensed manufacturer to the United States or any department or agency thereof or to any State or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or (2) The assembly of such rifle or shotgun for the purposes of testing or experimentation authorized by the Director under the provisions of Sec. 478.151; or (3) The repair of any rifle or shotgun which had been imported into or assembled in the United States prior to November 30, 1990, or the replacement of any part of such firearm. (c) For purposes of this section, the term imported parts are: (1) Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings or stampings - YES (2) Barrels - YES (3) Barrel extensions - no (4) Mounting blocks (trunions) - no (5) Muzzle attachments - YES (6) Bolts - YES (7) Bolt carriers - no (8 ) Operating rods - YES (9) Gas pistons - YES (10) Trigger housings - YES (11) Triggers - YES (12) Hammers - YES (13) Sears - YES (14) Disconnectors - YES (15) Buttstocks - YES (16) Pistol grips - no (17) Forearms, handguards - YES (18 ) Magazine bodies - YES (19) Followers - YES (20) Floorplates - YES |
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snip . . . We are aiming for 10 here (1) Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings or stampings - YES (2) Barrels - YES (3) Barrel extensions - no (4) Mounting blocks (trunions) - no (5) Muzzle attachments - YES (6) Bolts - YES (7) Bolt carriers - no (8 ) Operating rods - YES (9) Gas pistons - YES (10) Trigger housings - YES (11) Triggers - YES (12) Hammers - YES (13) Sears - YES (14) Disconnectors - YES (15) Buttstocks - YES (16) Pistol grips - no (17) Forearms, handguards - YES (18 ) Magazine bodies - YES (19) Followers - YES (20) Floorplates - YES Red parts to be replaced by US parts Struck through the parts that dont apply in GI form. I ordered my hammer, trigger, sear from 7.62mm firearms. They are US made and a fair price IMHO. I will post back how installation goes. I figure its better to have to many US parts than to few. |
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Let me make sure I understand this. If I go by the list, the minimum parts I need to replace with US made so I can add the USGI flash suppressor are
The ones everyone says to replace: 1. Buttstock 2. Handguard 3. Bolt and, of course, a mag 4. Magazine Body 5. Follower 6. Floorplate That will just leave the following Chinese parts: 1. Receiver 2. Barrel 3. Operating Rod 4. Gas Piston 5. Trigger Housing 6. Trigger 7. Hammer 8. Sear 9. Disconnector |
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Chi com Rifles are junk. If you ship it to me I will spare you the embarrassment of owning it Sure Brother. Glad you got my back!
Marty ......Gotta try. As far as stocks go. I like the Springer wood the best. They are fat though. Next up I like USGI walnut. For an all around stock that will take the abuse. Hard to beat USGI fiberglass. But the forearm is flimsy and it's hard to get proper tension on the ferrule which often leads to poor accuracy. SA synthetic rank last with me close to USGI but not the same. Now if you want to spend big bucks. There are a few options out ther that I do not have any experiance with but someone who does will chime in soon. It come's down to what you want to do and how much you are willing to spend.
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K guys. School me on stocks. Should I go with USGI or commercial? Wood, fiberglass or synthetic? What do I need to look for? Marty What do you want your rifle to do? Is it going to be a standard, service grade rifle? Then USGI wood or fiberglass will do just fine. They are getting more expensive every day. The Chinese wood stocks can be made to look good with a little refinishing skill. |
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K guys. School me on stocks. Should I go with USGI or commercial? Wood, fiberglass or synthetic? What do I need to look for? Marty What do you want your rifle to do? Is it going to be a standard, service grade rifle? Then USGI wood or fiberglass will do just fine. They are getting more expensive every day. The Chinese wood stocks can be made to look good with a little refinishing skill. It's going to have a stock service rifle appearance. Every now and the I may take it to shoot a high power match. Marty |
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There is only one thing I would change on that rifle - I'd take the flash hidder to a machine shop and have all the fake slots milled out except the 2 or 3 on the bottom. This will give you better controllability on rapid fire than a GI with open slots all the way around.
I would then shoot the rifle untill a problem developed - could be 500 rds, more likely to be 5000 - and then change that part. I know of chicom M14/S rifles that have 10K rds thru them and are still just like they came out of the factory box. I also know of 2 chicom M14 select fire rifles with 30K thru them and still factory original. Change when necessary is smart. Change for change sake is Stupid!!! It sure does make the rebuilders happy though! sarge |
Now for a stock, hand guard and flash suppressor. Got a line on the flash suppressor.
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But don't I have to replace a certain number of Chinese parts with US parts to put on a real flash suppressor? Marty I put on a USGI stock, USGI handguard, and the US made flash suppressor/bayo lug. That, and only using US made mags are really all that is required to be 922 compliant. The flash suppressor/bayo lug counts as one of the US made parts. I check mine with a NATO gauge, not a SAAMI gauge, as it's made to NATO specs. So far, so good and I have had mine for about 5 years or so with quite a few rounds downrange. |
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Let me make sure I understand this. If I go by the list, the minimum parts I need to replace with US made so I can add the USGI flash suppressor are The ones everyone says to replace: 1. Buttstock 2. Handguard 3. Bolt and, of course, a mag 4. Magazine Body 5. Follower 6. Floorplate That will just leave the following Chinese parts: 1. Receiver 2. Barrel 3. Operating Rod 4. Gas Piston 5. Trigger Housing 6. Trigger 7. Hammer 8. Sear 9. Disconnector No, you don't have to change the bolt to be 922 compliant. See my other post. |
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Ordered an Excellent Plus Birch stock with a new buttplate, a solid hand guard and a couple of recoil springs from Fred's this morning. Now I just have to wait for everything to come in. Comeon comeon comeon comeon. Why aren't they here yet?
Marty If you ordered from Fred's, don't be in a hurry. They take their time.
My USGI fiberglass stock is from Fred's, but it took a while. |
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I couldn't find any on their site. Marty http://estore.odcmp.com/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=product&ID=PS113&item=&sfv=&cat=PAS&desc=&udc=&mct=&vndr=&ba=&pmin=&pmax=¬e1=¬e2=¬e3=¬e4=¬e5=&max= |
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