M14 original magazine issues?

[Killermonkey21]

Hello All,

Just a quick question for ya'll. I'm currently in Afghanistan and the unit I'm with was lucky enough to get a couple more M14-EBR's in a couple days ago. The armorer knows I'm a gun nut so let me watch him take them out of the box they came in.

Included in the box was:
-Several mag pouches for the 20 round 7.62 mags
-Bipod
-5 x 20rd magazines
-Leupold scope
-cleaning kit
-instruction manual

What threw me for a loop was the magazines...one dated June 1962, another Jan 1962, another July 1969, all of em still in the brown wrappper with a shiny foil around the mag itself. I was dumbstruck. I was looking at a magazine that had been made 3 years after my father was born, and it was being ISSUED TO A LINE UNIT.

Now, please understand I have very limited experience with the M14/M1A family of firearms, but am well versed in the general area. Have there been any issues with the magazines as they were developed originally? Any defects or major problems found with them as they were issued in the 60's? Anything to tell the guys about care for the mags?

I appreciate any and all info. I'll post pictures when I can.

-SSG John V.

 

[30Cal]

I don't think I've ever heard of an issue with any USGI magazine. There are no variations--the design has never been updated. They work fine and are tough as nails. Enjoy.

 

[dogrunner]

I personally put many, many thousands of rounds thru several M/14 rifles during my military service, including match grade versions. I cannot recall a SINGLE failure to function.

By the way, most of the ones I used were from the era you specify.

 

[Killermonkey21]

Wow. Thanks for the update. It's good to know they got the design right the first time with this rifle.

In reference to the M14 itself, any area to pay particular attention to when cleaning and lubing in order to keep it running in top shape? We are starting to thaw out from the winter here in the mountains so dust won't really be an issue for another month or two, but the cold is. Hell, on our M119A2 howitzers the damn firing mechanism will freeze up every once in a while due to condensation and ~-10 degrees F.

I'm just trying to give our guys a heads up on what to expect from these rifles.

And the magazines, I'm assuming just keep them clean and make sure the feed lips don't get banged around, same as M16 mags, right? Hell, getting the guys used to the rock and lock is the first step, but any and all information would be appreciated.

 

[30Cal]

The gas system internals should be left dry. With the oprod locked to the rear, you should hear the piston sliding back and forth. The slot on the gas valve screw should be vertical.

Apply a light coat of grease to the oprod tube, rub marks on the barrel, the bolt roller, the receiver tracks and across the top of the hammer. Then wipe almost all the grease back off. It shouldn't need much. Keep the chamber clean. They run pretty good without much fuss.

 

[No4Mk1*]

One of my 1960's mags had a rusted spring though it still functioned I replaced the spring with a wolff spring. Only other issue was probably due to my M1A.. fully loaded mags would not lock in place when inserted on a closed bolt. GI trigger group fixed the issue but just to be sure make sure all your mags can be seated when loaded with 20 ctg. Also notice that the recoil spring guide (locks the front of mag) will slide forward in case you do not properly rock the mag in it can still be seated with direct upward pressure.

 

[Rshooter]

As 30cal stated the M14 likes grease, not clp. That would be my only advice.

 

[X-Rap]

A buddy of mine found a box of those old mags in his moms garage and gave them to me, they had some light surface rust inside and out but after I cleaned them up they work fine. He didn't know how they came to be there since he had never seen an M14/M1 A1 around in his youth but his dad had been a cop back in the 60's -70's so we figured that must have been the origin. I told him to look a little harder and maybe he would find the rifle.
Be safe and use those rifles in good health.

 

[navajo]

tips

Keep the bolt roller greased. Easiest way to do that. cut down a .45ACP case, fill with grease and shove it down on the bolt roller.

Never had a malfunction with any of the M-14s I was issued.
Never had a malfunction with any of the 7 M1As I have owned.

 

[Rifleman 173]

When I went through Basic Training back in the 1968 we were eating C-rations that had been canned in 1948, 2 years before I was born. The military does not waste anything. The M-14 magazines were the best. They are probably still good to use even to this day if they aren't rusted out or anything.

 

[P-32]

M-14 USGI mags are as about as good as it gets. These were never a problem. If you wanted mags that did not work, then you bought after market ones.

The advise on greasing the rifle is good advise so far. Going full auto with one of these is a waste of time after about the second shot unless it's tied down.

 

[XD 45acp]

First off.. Thank you for what you are doing. Now, USGI mags are the best. Grease the bolt roller and hit her with the chamber brush every now and again, and she should Rock-N-Roll with the best of them. BTW; did you name it Charlene? ( FMJ movie reference ).

 

[Nugilum]

The prototypes to the M14 had magazine feed issues, back in the mid-1950's. It was solved before the trials began between the M14 and the American-FAL trials. Came down to insufficient spring tension.

Actual M14-issued magazines (any era) are GTG.