M14 spares list

[newcastle]

Sorry about blasting this forum with questions: Can anyone advise the best list of spares to get for this rifle. I was going to order a spare set of springs at least but are there any other standard 'consumables' ie bits that break, that one should have in order to keep an M14 running.

Also I ASSUMED from the charger clip guide on the bridge that these rifle were initially intended to have a single magazine reloaded VS dropping and attaching new mags? Am I right in this?

Information

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[Lee Enfield]

The charger bridge is used to re fill expended magazines, i doubt it has ever been used in combat with an M14.

Recommended Spares:
M14 main spring (fyi Norinco/Polytech are a different diameter so make sure your spares are compatible with your spring guide)
M14 firing pin
Garand/M14 extractor
Hammer spring (seen this recommended, but never seen anyobe complain)

[browningautorifle]

I never broke much on my M14, a spare firing pin might be nice. The charger bridge was indeed to fill mags but you were also issued a mag charger or it came with the bandoleers. Filling a mag on the rifle is ok but easier to do in your hands I think. Mind, on the range here since we were only allowed 5 rd mags at the end, I just used a 5 rd reload with the mag in place.

[oldfoneguy]

I own and have been using my M1A since 1986. I've never broken a part or had any problem at all. Maintain it correctly and often. It's designed to give multiple lifetimes of reliable service. Mine is a SA and not an Asian copy of which I have no experience with their quality. I probably should replace the spring set at this point but everything still works perfectly.

Here behind the rainbow curtain it became evil and reviled overnight. I had to modify it so the magazine is no longer removable. Now it has a "permanently" mounted 10 round mag so I have to use the charger bridge regularly. The bridge has worn some in the decade my rifle has been in this configuration so that's something else I should probably change. Thankfully it's just a single spring pin holding it in place.

[newcastle]

This is great advice. As this is a polytech clone how should I ensure that the springs are the right diameter etc and everything is compatible?

[browningautorifle]

As this is a polytech clone

I had one and they're exactly the same as USGI parts. Just get NOS M14 parts and you'll be fine.

[Daan Kemp]

Good first question would be what breaks on an M14. From the comment it seems not much that breaks, just parts that wear out with lots of use.

[browningautorifle]

Only thing I've ever seen take abuse was the firing pin tip. I've seen them chip off and become out of round...still worked though.

[fjruple]

From my experience as a match shooter using the M14 NM each weekend during the competition season. This is very heavy use!! I would say all of the Bolt parts including a spare bolt headspaced to rifle. A spare elevation knob as i found that in most cases the elevation would walk up during the "rattle battle" part of the team match from a weak flat spring in the elevation knob. I found that the early M1 locking bar pinions to work better for locking the elevation knob in place. I would also have a spare NM flash hider as I have had several of these fracture through the slits in the flash hider. Again. This in very, heavy use. It was not uncommon to replace a barrel once and sometimes twice a year. If you are a causal shooter probably just the bolt parts.

[newcastle]

how many rounds were going through it to replace a barrel twice per year?