M1A Operating rod dissasembly solution

flowmaster · November 11, 2007, 09:47 PM

after research and trying all the techniques describedin previous forums i have found that this is the easiest way for disassembly. Try some electrical tape over the finger pull on the operating rod with the rifle on my lap and a pair of sturdy pliers or vise grip clamped to the finger pull. i can then apply steady upwards pulling action and sliding/jiggling to release the rod with great success over and over. What a relief to be able to clean again without the "fear" of the disassembly.

James K · November 11, 2007, 10:51 PM

Some of those M1A's were made with the release point too narrow or the pad on the op rod too large. The correction is at the point of the problem, not by forcing things with pliers, electrical tape or not.

(The op rod should be removable easily, with the fingers; GI's were not issued vise grips to disassemble the rifle for cleaning!)

Jim

**4V50 Gary** · November 12, 2007, 11:54 AM

Concur with Jim. It's a matter of finesse.

tINY · November 12, 2007, 04:07 PM

It always takes me a couple of tries....

I'm pretty sure it won't pop off on a recoil cycle that way....

-tINY

James K · November 12, 2007, 05:48 PM

Dismounting the oprod on an M1A or M14 should not be any more difficult than on an M1. If the oprod dismounts during firing, something is wrong, possibly the barrel not aligned properly.

Jim

November 11, 2007, 09:47 PM	#1
flowmaster Junior Member Join Date: November 11, 2007 Posts: 4	M1A Operating rod dissasembly solution after research and trying all the techniques describedin previous forums i have found that this is the easiest way for disassembly. Try some electrical tape over the finger pull on the operating rod with the rifle on my lap and a pair of sturdy pliers or vise grip clamped to the finger pull. i can then apply steady upwards pulling action and sliding/jiggling to release the rod with great success over and over. What a relief to be able to clean again without the "fear" of the disassembly.

November 12, 2007, 11:54 AM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Concur with Jim. It's a matter of finesse. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 11, 2007, 10:51 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Some of those M1A's were made with the release point too narrow or the pad on the op rod too large. The correction is at the point of the problem, not by forcing things with pliers, electrical tape or not. (The op rod should be removable easily, with the fingers; GI's were not issued vise grips to disassemble the rifle for cleaning!) Jim

November 12, 2007, 04:07 PM	#4
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	It always takes me a couple of tries.... I'm pretty sure it won't pop off on a recoil cycle that way.... -tINY

November 12, 2007, 05:48 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Dismounting the oprod on an M1A or M14 should not be any more difficult than on an M1. If the oprod dismounts during firing, something is wrong, possibly the barrel not aligned properly. Jim