How load m14 type rifle silently?

[Art Eatman]

I've certainly no objection to proving to naysayers that they're wrong about what works or doesn't work. Most of my proving was with cars and hot-rodding, though.

The attention span of most deer-type critters is no more than around twenty minutes, from a real scare. One unrepeated noise is unlikely to be much of a bother unless the critter is already pretty close.

"While moving with the group, we keep our rifles unloaded. The hunter then loads his or her rifle as soon as he/she has left the group."

The group is still moving and making noise, so I don't really see how an M14 bolt slamming home will make much difference. Sure, do what you can to muffle it some, but it shouldn't be all that much of a problem.

But it's fun to watch deer watch people. I saw two guys stop a pickup truck, get out and look around and then one said, "Aw, there ain't no deer around here," and they got back in the truck, slamming the doors and driving off. The doe and yearling, twenty yards away behind some brush, had never moved. With the truck gone, they went back to nibbling...

 

[axxxel]

Carry a loose round in your pocket, drop it in the chamber, slowly guide the bolt forward then hit the handle forward with your hand to fully seat it, then insert a mag.

I'll try this the next time I'm at the range! Sounds sort of what I was thinking, but a lot easier.

I'm not that good of a shot that I can make a guaranteed hit withing 3 seconds of racking the bolt, so I'll stick to my "condition one" carry for when I'm alone or stalking with buddies (When stalking with a buddy we keep our rifles loaded like normal people, the "empty gun" rule generally only applies to the larger driven hunts with guests from other hunting groups and so on).

Regarding topic B:
Motega, that is precisely what I think of the Swedes of the 1940's. I do however doubt that it would have been possible for our politicians to unite the country behind any of the sides, for a number of reasons.

Art Eatman, yeah I can't get enough of just observing deer. Too bad for the deer that I prefer to observe it through a rifle scope .

 

[dogrunner]

Listen to what Morris said.......for that matter you could even insert the mag. then ease a cartridge into the chamber.....then as suggested use the heel of your palm to snap the bolt shut.

Very familiar with the 14 package........shot competition in the military with the match grade version...........Only gun I ever wanted to steal!!!!

 

[d2wing]

Sound like you have it covered. My Mom (a Swede) had a button that said, "How Swede it is". Happy hunting.

 

[fragout]

I would not suggest loading an M1A/M14 with an individual round unless it is being stripped from a magazine. IE.... I am warning against the practice of loading a loose round directly into the chamber, and especially for the purposes of why you want to do this.

It is possible that a "slamfire" could occur, and even if a body slows the op-rod down on it's way forward.

Note: Slamfire = A result of a cartridge firing whilst still in the feeding cycle. This could amount to a catastrophic failure of the rifle while a body has a hold of the op-rod handle. (Not a good thing)

What I'm not trying to imply here is that it is a definite thing that will happen...... only that it is a possibility, and should be avoided due to simple safety when using this type of rifle.( Refer to your owners manual). Most hunting loads utilize softer commercial primers compared to the Military primers which are not quite as soft......so this is one other thing for consideration.
In short, I am not willing to take the chance, but to each his/her own. The only time it would bother me is if I seen someone loading an M14/M1A in this manner while they were at my range.

This type of rifle is designed to feed from it's respective magazine.

With that being said, I hunt with mine quite often (hog dumping)...... and simply rely on the safety ( after a function check happens).

The location of the safety allows one to keep her on safe up until the last possible moment before shooting the critter. While moving, I normally keep my trigger finger on the back of the safety and outside of the trigger guard, as that is the way I was taught to use this type of rifle while moving with it.

This may not be what your looking for due to the mentioned tradition, but it is a very safe practice combined with the other rules of gun safety.

The possibility of a slamfire occurring (especially if in the middle of a deer drive) is not worth any benefits regarding stealth imo.

Good luck with your upcoming hunt and stay safe.

11B

 

[henschman]

double post

 

[Frogomatik]

Don't laugh at me for this but the deer don't seem to be startled by cars moving around in the area.

this. you can drive by a field full of deer and they don't even look up, but they hear the click of a saftey being disengaged and they evaporate into thin air.

 

[henschman]

With a loaded mag inserted, just ease the bolt forward and then give it a good whack forward with the heel of your hand to pop the extractor over the rim of the case and close the bolt. This doesn't hurt anything -- this is what happens anyway when the rifle cycles. Slam fire is not an issue. Slam fire happens because the M-14 has a "floating" firing pin which carries the inertia of the bolt forward while chambering, and then continues forward against the primer when the bolt locks. About the only way a slam fire can happen is when the bolt is closing in the normal way, with the force of the op-rod spring. It is somewhat more likely to happen when letting the bolt slam forward on an already chambered round than it is when letting it chamber a round from the magazine, but either way it only happens when letting the bolt fly forward. Slam fire could also happen if you have a firing pin that is stuck in a forward position from dirt, grease, too much oil, etc., but this will cause a problem no matter how you close the bolt.

<Politics deleted>

 

[P-32]

The M-1/M-14/ M-1A's and Win Mdl 70'S all have real nice safety's. Having one in the chamber is not a problem.