M14 Build - No, Not a Black Rifle
My Journey to Build a Rifle- No, Not a Black Rifle
I wanted to post my journey, not as a "how-to", but to show what a rewarding experience it was and encourage it. Caution-Amateur at work.
Some time ago I decided that I wanted an M1A / M14. This journey actually started a few years ago when I got my first M1 Garand. So began the experience of owning and studying USGI rifles.
So, looking at Springfield M1A rifles made my mouth water, but I like USGI guns from the past.
Bad News - USGI M14's are tad bit hard to come by, as I discovered, unless you have $20K or so. True M14 receiver are Class 3. Digging around on the net led me to building my own rifle using USGI M14 parts on a commercial receiver.
**
So, after research I decided my route would be a Fulton Armory receiver with a new NM quality non-chrome lined barrel. My M14 parts kits was a mix of TRW and H&R parts from windy city sourcing. I chose this kit over the CMP kits due to high reviews on the net for their top quality, hand selected best parts. The kit came in early July and the barreled receiver arrived after a 5-6 week wait. The M14 parts looked nearly brand new, so I was happy.
My cost : I sold a few guns to fund this project, which was around $1800 - $1900 with some tools bought.
We will start with the end result - finished project- Fulton Armory base M14 w/ TRW and H&R USGI parts, USGI walnut stock
Here it is, if you dont want the project pics but just gun porn:
Now, the project journey. Below is what I started with.
I decided to initially install a Fulton bolt. I'm not a gunsmith and have some experience with Garands. With limited experience, I was nervous about the project. The Fulton Armory barreled receiver with a headspaced bolt was my selection. I havent reamed a chamber or lapped a bolt before, although after reading up on it I think with the tools I could do this. First time amateur, I would have Fulton headspace.
**
Here are some of my tools, work area and the book used by Mr Novice (me). This book was great, and I have their same book on Garands.
The project went well, except for the fact I had to go find 3 roll pins that were not shipped in my kit.
Windy City Sourcing did promptly ship them. I bought some from Ace hardware too and had to cut one to size, but it worked fine.
**
The most intimidating part, for me, was installing the op rod guide below. This involved knurling the metal on the barrel knuckle and using loc-tite. It has to line up the op rod and gas piston. Thankfully, it went well.
Installing the gas system, bolt stop, op rod, flash suppressor and front sights, rear sights went well. Again, the book helped. Youtube and other forums helped.
Bolt Stop
Bolt, Op rod, Gas plug screw
H&R rear sight, awesome how these sights work. I was impressed.
Flash suppressor and front sight, castle nut and allen screw hold in place.
This is the roll pin I had to cut down, in the connector lock where the op rod spring meets. The handguard already had the snap ring in place, so just set it in place. The shiny part is from my brass punch, i made sure to cut the pin before it went near the receiver,
Before checking stock fit, final assembly !!!
So, before I shot the rifle I did some safety checks spelled out in the book and viewed on youtube. The gun passed the tilt test and the hammer fall test. I took the finished rifle and ran a few rounds through it. Function was fine. Sorry, no pictures from the range. It was a few rounds for function. Sometime will sight the rifle and see how accuracy is.
My Journey to Build a Rifle- No, Not a Black Rifle
I wanted to post my journey, not as a "how-to", but to show what a rewarding experience it was and encourage it. Caution-Amateur at work.
Some time ago I decided that I wanted an M1A / M14. This journey actually started a few years ago when I got my first M1 Garand. So began the experience of owning and studying USGI rifles.
So, looking at Springfield M1A rifles made my mouth water, but I like USGI guns from the past.
Bad News - USGI M14's are tad bit hard to come by, as I discovered, unless you have $20K or so. True M14 receiver are Class 3. Digging around on the net led me to building my own rifle using USGI M14 parts on a commercial receiver.**
So, after research I decided my route would be a Fulton Armory receiver with a new NM quality non-chrome lined barrel. My M14 parts kits was a mix of TRW and H&R parts from windy city sourcing. I chose this kit over the CMP kits due to high reviews on the net for their top quality, hand selected best parts. The kit came in early July and the barreled receiver arrived after a 5-6 week wait. The M14 parts looked nearly brand new, so I was happy.
My cost : I sold a few guns to fund this project, which was around $1800 - $1900 with some tools bought.We will start with the end result - finished project- Fulton Armory base M14 w/ TRW and H&R USGI parts, USGI walnut stockHere it is, if you dont want the project pics but just gun porn:
Now, the project journey. Below is what I started with.
I decided to initially install a Fulton bolt. I'm not a gunsmith and have some experience with Garands. With limited experience, I was nervous about the project. The Fulton Armory barreled receiver with a headspaced bolt was my selection. I havent reamed a chamber or lapped a bolt before, although after reading up on it I think with the tools I could do this. First time amateur, I would have Fulton headspace.
**
Here are some of my tools, work area and the book used by Mr Novice (me). This book was great, and I have their same book on Garands.
The project went well, except for the fact I had to go find 3 roll pins that were not shipped in my kit.
Windy City Sourcing did promptly ship them. I bought some from Ace hardware too and had to cut one to size, but it worked fine.**
The most intimidating part, for me, was installing the op rod guide below. This involved knurling the metal on the barrel knuckle and using loc-tite. It has to line up the op rod and gas piston. Thankfully, it went well.
Installing the gas system, bolt stop, op rod, flash suppressor and front sights, rear sights went well. Again, the book helped. Youtube and other forums helped.
Bolt Stop
Bolt, Op rod, Gas plug screw
H&R rear sight, awesome how these sights work. I was impressed.
Flash suppressor and front sight, castle nut and allen screw hold in place.
This is the roll pin I had to cut down, in the connector lock where the op rod spring meets. The handguard already had the snap ring in place, so just set it in place. The shiny part is from my brass punch, i made sure to cut the pin before it went near the receiver,
Before checking stock fit, final assembly !!!
So, before I shot the rifle I did some safety checks spelled out in the book and viewed on youtube. The gun passed the tilt test and the hammer fall test. I took the finished rifle and ran a few rounds through it. Function was fine. Sorry, no pictures from the range. It was a few rounds for function. Sometime will sight the rifle and see how accuracy is.
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