UPDATED: M-1A/M-14 Type Rifle Tune Ups & Improvements

by
Black Jack

Over the years I've been experimenting with the M1A/M14 type rifles with minor internal replacements of after market parts from places like Smith Enterprises, Fulton, Armory, Sadlak Industries and a few others. While not spectacular in impact when taken one by one, these small changes to the rifle have really made a significant overall difference in performance especially when applied to rifles tuned to NM specs with optics such as M-21 type rifles. On standard battle rifles, they add a degree of operational sustainability and improve the inherent accuracy of the rifle. So much so that one’s peace of mind is enhanced to the point of not feeling obliged to carry a complete armory in one's ruck sack when in the field. So, here are some ideas you may want to try out if the wallet will allow. Prices fluctuate, so act accordingly.

 

Fulton Armory: http://www.fulton-armory.com

  • Chrome firing pin - They have really gone up in price--$39.95--when I got mine they were about $15 each. You can sometimes find them on gunbroker.com for $30 or so now if you’re lucky! Price aside, it does a great job of helping keep carbon off the one part that can get "goobered up" and need cleaning in the field, which is a bitch unless you have:

  • Garand/M1A Bolt Disassembly Tool - $69.95. This is a must have if you ever foresee yourself having to take your bolt apart for any reason (like annual cleaning). Makes taking either bolt apart a LOT easier, especially in the field, and helps you ensure you don't lose the extractor, extractor spring, ejector spring, etc.

  • Extractor - These have gone through the roof price-wise, too. About $25 each, but these are the one part I've had fail on a M14 type rifle. Either you have a spare bolt head spaced to your rifle (about $200 now) or you spend the cash and get a couple extra extractors and associated springs (the ones from Woff Springs are best).

  • Bolt Roller Greaser - $8.95. Worth its weight in gold! Just a dab of whatever lube you like and apply it right over the bolt roller. Apply pressure until you see your lube come out the other side, and there you go! Perfect lube job to keep that roller working like it's supposed to work! This one is nice because you can store it in your cleaning rod handle in the butt stock storage compartment and use the lube in your cleaning kit (When it comes to the M1A/M14 type rifle, “lube” means grease—not oil!!)

     

    Smith Enterprise: http://www.smithenterprise.com/products03.html

    Tritrium Bar Combat Sight (front) - $75. Worth it. Gives you complete night engagement capability without widening the front sight blade any more than the standard issue blade. I’ll be happy to see them come out with a rear peep with dots on either side of the aperture. SE, are you reading this?

    Trigger, Hammer Pin & Hammer Spring kit -These are much improved trigger and hammer pins as well as a special hammer spring for the M1A/M14 type rifle. The pack costs $35. The trigger and hammer pins are made from proprietary hardened steel and ensure that (unlike issue pins) over time the wear and tear from operating will not wear the pins out. I've had a set in mine for over 18 months now, and they don't even show wear yet! I ordered another set yesterday for my spare trigger group. The hammer spring, according to SE, gives more power when the hammer is released to ensure full strike against the firing pin, and takes less pressure to get the hammer back into full position. This also helps with wear and tear on the trigger group (and most likely the op rod, from logical extension of operation). These are superb, by the way. I’ve installed them in my own rifles in both NM and standard configuration, and the trigger operation is much smoother! Very, very worth the money!!

    Extended Bolt Release - $60. Smith makes a superb extended bolt release that allows you to reload much faster as it functions like that of an AR. You save much time doing tactical reloads, believe me! This is truly a product improvement and well worth the money.

    Vortex Flash Suppressor - SE is now charging a flat $125 for this thing, but it is worth it. It eliminates ALL flash at night! I couldn't believe it! Well worth the money. The only fly in the ointment is that for a battle rifle, you cannot attach your bayonet as there is no lug and its diameter is too big to fit the knife on the flash unit anyway. But, as most folks aren't trained in bayonet fighting, it's not a huge issue.

    I haven't experimented with the gas system sight platforms they offer as of yet because I don't want to give up sight radius. The longer sight radius is part of the rifles inherent accuracy potential, and I'm just not sold on it yet. Maybe some day as my eyes get worse and I can't shoot at 500 yards with iron or a low powered scope anymore.

     

    SADLAK Industries: http://www.sadlak.com/si_rifle_parts_main.html

    NM Gas Piston, TiN coated - These are right at $44 each including the NM alteration. Basically, they cut a groove along the long axis of the piston which helps the gas spread out in an even manner which smoothes out the function and helps squeeze out that extra bit of accuracy the rifle is capable of when in the hands of a rifleman. The TiN coating resists most all carbon adhesion to the piston itself, which keeps it working lots longer without cleaning. I still clean mine every 1000 to 1500 rounds or so, but have found the piston to be dramatically easier to clean. I've put them in both my rifles. Just particular that way, I guess. Well worth it.

    NM Op Spring Guide - $38. Expensive, but well worth it as it keeps the op spring straight during compression and therefore reduces friction wear and your spring lasts longer. Additionally, the Sadlak model is milled, which means it comes from a single piece of steel. Much stronger—much more durable.

     

    Wolff Gun Springs: http://www.gunsprings.com/1ndex.html

    Operating Spring (they call it a "recoil spring") - Well worth the $14 because it lasts longer and has extra power. You can feel it the first time you pull the op rod handle to the rear. Get 2!!

    Ejector & Extractor Springs – These are great quality, also. I have a couple in my field kit for the “just in case ‘oops’ situation”. Worth the few bucks they cost.

     

    The cumulative affect of several or all of these product improvements will be worth their weight in gold in the field. While no system is perfect, and I still carry a mini-armorer's kit in my ruck (different subject for a different day), my rifle functions fairly flawlessly, is not prone to stoppages because of parts failure, and is a lot easier to clean.

    See you in the field.