What to do, M1a Guide Rod Pin walking out

[keitharsis]

Just purchased a Polytech M1a/M14 and shot it today after a thorough cleaning/lubing. After firing 2 mags I noticed it was impossible to reinsert the third. Low and behold I noticed the spring guide rod had somehow come out of position and was blocking the chamber. Apparently the guide rod pin walked out. I figured I might have reassebled the rifle incorrectlyt so I broke the gun down and fixed the guide rod back in it's place. Well, I got through another mag when the same thing happened. Any ideas of what's going on and suggestions to fix it?

 

[Telperion]

The connector lock should not be able to walk out because the stock channel is not wide enough at that point to allow it. Do you have a picture of this?

 

[Kaylee]

I had this happen once -- is it in the original stock or a USGI fiberglass one? If the latter, apparently there's some difference between the commercial rifle and the old military one.

Anyhow, the stock should keep the pin in place in both ends -- fill that area with JBWeld or the like and *carefully* file it back down until the action *just* fits back into the stock. That should fix it for good.

(And make sure not to glue your action into the stock by leaving the whole thing together while the JBWeld cures. Not that I've done such a thing.. )



-K

 

[keitharsis]

thanks for the replies

Well just got back from the gunsmith, and sure enough, the guide rod pin was not being retained properly by the stock. We decided on a doing away with the original pin,drilling straight through, and from now on, use a rollpin to retain the guide rod assembly. That way I won't have to modify this or any other stock I may get later on. Hope it works...

 

[John Deere]

This happens when you put a chinese rifle in a U.S. stock, the connector is shorter, so it has room to "walk" out. The cure, as pointed out is a bit of JB weld or epoxy in the stock, (on wood stocks I use a piece of popsicle stick)
On a side note, have you had the headspace checked ? some chinese rifles have soft bolts, unless yours has a G.I. bolt swapped in, you may want to keep a close eye on it.
Regards, Bill
Just read your last post, dont do it!! You want to be able to disassemble your rifle. The easy way to make your rifle work in any stock is to get a replacement part from Warbird. It`s a drop in, and you wont be trying to drill that hardened reciever.
Also, change gunsmith`s !! anyone who knows anything about M-14 type rifles would never suggest that sort of butchery

 

[Telperion]

Receiver modification seems a little drastic, don't you think? I'm also concerned that a roll pin might not be up to the task of bearing the perpendicular impact stresses exerted on it by the mainspring and guide rod during firing.

 

[keitharsis]

John Deere,Telperion

I have heard the Chinese M1a's were a bit out of spec., but I was hoping I'd luck out on getting a "good one". I bought the rifle at a gunshow so who knows what all has been done to the gun before I got it. Visually it looked fine,functioned well, and the stock was in abnormally good condition so I went ahead and chanced it. Now that you've mentioned that Chinese M1a's don't fit USGI stocks, maybe that's what I bought.

As far as the roll pin telperion, now you got me worrying. What I thought might be a good idea may not be. Hmmmmmm, I gave th rifle to him this morning and he said it would be a quick job and to pick it up tomorrow morning. I bet he's already finished the modification. If he did already modify it, I wonder if I should just shoot it and pray it works, or if I should have him re-modify it to something else more durable.

 

[keitharsis]

Just called his shop and was told he wasn't taking call right now Hope his employee gives him the message before the surgery........

By the way, who is warbird and how do I contact him?

 

[John Deere]

Warbird is a renown gunsmith on M-1 and M-14 rifles, and he is in Texas. Get over to ( www.m-14forum.com/ ), both him and Ted Brown (another M-14 gunsmith) hang out there. If you have any other questions about your polytech, I`ll be happy to help, happen to have one myself. Regards.

 

[point45]

Do NOT mod the receiver just to keep that pin from walking out. Also you need to be able to remove the spring guide if you want to remove the oprod. If you put a roll pin in you wont be able to do it without a hammer and punch.

All chinese m14s have this problem when using a USGI spec stock. The pin is almost flush with the receiver when it should stick out considerably.

All you need to do is take a popsicle stick or piece of thick cardboard and glue it to the appropriate location in the stock. Always modify the cheeper part.

 

[blfuller]

As everyone else has said don't do it. You will not be able to strip the rifle down without driving the pin out. Time to find another gunsmith too. You could possibly try a USGI pin and see if that works.

 

[thereisnospoon]

Same problem

I had the same problem with my Polytech, when I switched it to its new stock (A USGI M15E2). MY gunsmith fixed it with a shim. I hope your guy got your message in time.

BTW, don't believe all the bad press about the Polytechs..contrary to popular belief, they are fine shooters. I picked mine OVER a Springfield, but only because I couldn't afford a LRB Arms...