M1A Gas Cylinder Wrench

[VanRaily]

Hello-

I'd been wanting to get an M1A for quite some time, and it just so happened that my friend brought one over on the weekend and let me shoot it. It shot like a dream, so I knew that I had to get one. On the way back from the range we stopped at Gander Mountain and it just so happened that they had a walnut-stocked M1A Scout (the only time I've ever seen an M1A there) and it just so happened to be on sale so I just so happened to buy it. I'm now one of the members of the proud M1A/M14 club.

This is my question:
When we got back to my place, my friend offered to loosen my gas cylinder with his USGI tool since I didn't have any of the required supplies yet. It took both of us to get it off: me holding the stock and him turning nut. We didn't have to hammer on it or put it in a vise or any of the other crazy things I've heard about the Springfield cylinder nuts, but it did take a sufficient application of force. Now, we didn't use a cylinder wrench when we did this. After reading up on the M1A some and how to clean it, everybody says to use a cylinder wrench to stabilize the cylinder when removing the nut or you'll loosen the stock, torque your cylinder, wreck your barrel splines, destroy your gun, etc. Is this really true? Did I possibly damage my gun in some fashion by not using a cylinder wrench when doing this, or is this wrench thing blown out of proporation? I didn't see anything about this wrench in the Springfield or the USGI manual.

 

[GCBurner]

It's good to use the proper tool for the job, as you can mess things up some if the plug is hard to remove, and you put enough muscle in it to twist the gas system out of alignment. You can always improvise something, but the tool only costs about $10. The M1A has a few specialized tools that make things easier for working on various things.
After you get the gas plug out the first time, cleaning the threads and putting some anti-seize compound on them when you screw it back in will make it easier the next time; it really doesn't need to be taken apart that often.

 

[rehorne]

Gas Cylinder Wrench

Seldom have I ever had to clean the gas cylinder or piston on my M1A. I shoot it often in HiPower matches. If you do the tilt test that will let you know if it needs cleaning.

Tilt Test... Point the bbl up about a 60 degree angle the point it down about 60 degrees. Listen for the piston to slide back and forth in the cylinder. If you hear it it's ok, if not the cylinder and piston needs cleaning. Use the proper tools to take it apart or you will risk damage to the gas system.. Don't ask me how I know this !

Robert

 

[VanRaily]

Do you have any recommendations on which wrench is the best? I've found ones made by:

• Springfield
• Sadlak
• Battle Arms Development

I once saw somebody mention that you should get Springfield's tool for the M1A because its gas cylinder is slightly larger than the USGI dimensions and so tools made to spec won't fit it.

Say that we did screw up my gas system taking that nut off (I don't think we did, but this is my expensive new baby and I'm a little paranoid now)...how would I know?

 

[Dstoerm]

If you didn't hear anything snap, I think you are fine. You see, it is very difficult to get enough holding torque on the barrel and stock to hold the rifle steady while you turn the bolt on the gas cyclinder.

So, if you tried hard enough you could snap the fiberglass upper handguard while trying to extert enough force to hold the rifle still while turning the wrench.

The Springfield tool will allow to to get a firm hold on the gas piston assembly/rifle while you use the wrench to loosen the nut - no chance of damaging the upper handguard.

I think you are fine - you didn't hear anything snap did you?

-D

 

[mshootnit]

I use a socket wrench on mine while holding the cylinder and barrel with my hand. A tool would be nice.

 

[mmitch]

I use the Sadlak and a socket/inch-pound torque wrench for repeatable results.

Mike

 

[LemmyCaution]

Say that we did screw up my gas system taking that nut off (I don't think we did, but this is my expensive new baby and I'm a little paranoid now)...how would I know?

Welcome to the club.

You should join this forum: M14TFL

It contains a wealth of information regarding the maintenance and accurizing of the M14 platform.

While you've probably not done serious damage to your new firearm, you'll likely want to have a gas cylinder wrench for some of the accuracy mods that can be done to take a stock M1a to the next level- shimming the gas cylinder, for example.

The Scout/Squad tends to be fairly accurate out of the box, especially with 168gr match ammunition, but there are some free and inexpensive modifications that can be done to a factory model to tighten your groups without spending a ton of money.

The biggest of these are making sure your gas cylinder and front band are tight and in alignment with the gas port, making sure there is no rubbing of the barrel and gas system on the stock, making sure the operating rod is running true, and making sure the handguard is not in contact with the stock or the operating rod.

Most of these mods can be done for free. Shimming the gas cylinder will cost about $10-15, and can all be done by the end user with no difficulty.

 

[VanRaily]

Thanks for the info, everyone. I now have all of my supplies on the way save the USGI combo tool. I'll also check out that M14TFL forum. It's come up in almost every M1A/M14 discussion and I've been meaning to head over there.

In the meantime I'll just have content myself with staring at my M1A's majesty while I wait for the proper tools to maintain it to arrive.