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Fred's
FAQ
M1A Spare Parts
M14/M1A Spare Parts Kit Recommendations
by Clint McKee
[from rec.guns... What spare parts ought the shooter keep on hand for basic operator maintenance of his M14/M1A rifle?]
Depends on how much you shoot, and, how long you want to maintain the rifle. With the current import restrictions, you may want to get a deep & thorough spares inventory. The original G.I. stuff is dwindling fast, and lots of rewelded, commercial cast reproductions, Chinese, worn out, etcetera, parts are becoming, sadly, commonplace.
Keep in mind that a bad spare part is NO spare part.
First line (bare bones minimum):
* extractor
* extractor spring
* ejector & spring
* firing pin
* hammer
* hammer spring housing
* hammer & trigger pins
* trigger & sear
* bolt roller & retainer
* front sight screw
* flash suppressor nut
* flash suppressor set screw
* gas piston
* spindle valve spring
* spindle valve pin
* spindle valve
* connector lock
* connector lock pin
* op rod spring
Second line (preferred), and to include the items above as well:
* bolt complete (headspaced to your rifle)
* bolt stop, pin & spring
* elevation knob
* rear sight cover
* windage knob
* op rod guide & pin
* trigger guard
* trigger spring
* safety
* safety spring
Third line (deep support for the future), and this includes the 1st & 2nd lines above:
* op rod
* trigger housing
* trigger guard
* flash suppressor
* front band
* gas cylinder
* gas cylinder plug
* gas cylinder lock
Hope this helps!
Thanks again for the kind interest!
--Clint McKee
[Fred]: This is truly an exhaustive list. If you are just starting out, an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM is a new Op Rod Spring, along with a new firing pin, extractor, extr. spring, and ejector/spring, plus, if you currently have a wood stock, a synthetic stock for when the wood breaks. Hollow out a space under the buttplate for the firing pin, etc. because that is where you will want to have the parts - with you when/if they break. You'll probably never NEED any of the spare parts, the M1A is such a reliable rifle - just like you will never need your fire insurance - but you have it anyway, right? The op rod spring is usually the first thing to need replacing, and the first thing you notice when you put a new one in is the extra zip of the bolt closing! But even then I have seen them break in the middle, and still keep working the rifle. |
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