M1A TROUBLE

[spclee11b]

Ok well my POLYTECH M1A is having some problems lately. I have taken it to the range twice and once the problem started I quit instantly. The problem is that it will shoot in bursts, it seems that the trigger is not resetting and as soon as another round is seated it is fired. Now I am wondering if I need a new trigger group or if it might be something else.

[SR420]

Are you shooting from a bench when this happens?

[azredhawk44]

2 probable causes:

1- You're treating the rifle like a target rifle, and milking the trigger. The rifle cycles and releases its sear since your finger is so close to the break point, resulting in a double or triple tap.

2- The brand of primers you are using are soft, or the ammunition you are using has the primers seated too high. All M14 rifles have floating firing pins and lightly dimple the primer during feeding, before ignition. If the primer is too sensitive or too high, it can be set off in a condition called a slam fire.

I have taken it to the range twice

My money is on #1, if you're a new M14 shooter. Hold that trigger back during your shot follow-through. Give yourself a "one-one thousand" count in your head before you let the trigger creep back forward. Listen for the trigger to reset and then stop letting it forward, then increase tension on the trigger for your follow-up shot.

[nbkky71]

There's also the possibility of a worn trigger or hammer.

Has any gunsmithing work been performed on the trigger? If so, it's possible that someone improperly "lightened" the trigger pull, which can results in doubling or tripling.

[Slamfire]

I think your hammer is following. You may have insufficient sear engagement and the hammer is not being held by the sear.

You need to get this fixed, regardless of cause, because of the chance of out of battery slamfire.

[Skans]

I thought that it was recommended to replace the fire control parts of the Polytech M1A's with mil-spec parts. From what I've read the receivers are excelent forged receivers, but the fire control parts and bolt were often out of spec.

[FALacy]

Be very careful and do not shoot it like this again. If it's slam firing you could destroy the rifle and possibly yourself.

[SR420]

Some information courtesy of SEI, Different and myself.

Chinese M14 bolts are hardened clear through to 44 to 47 HRC. They lack the hard surface of USGI bolts that are case hardened. Chinese M14 bolts are made of a steel that doesn't take case hardening, 4135 alloy steel. USGI M14 bolts are made of 8620 steel. Other issues with the factory Chinese M14 bolt is that the locking lugs are narrow and lug contact with the receiver is not always what you would want. NOTE: All of my custom M14s are built on Chinese receivers with TRW bolts. As for the FCG, I had SEI perform their M14/M21A5 C-IED 4.5 lb MAX-PAK Trigger Upgrade on a pair of Chinese FCGs and they are just as good as the pair of USGI TRW FCGs with SEIs MAX-PAK.

[spclee11b]

Yes I am a new M14 shooter though not in the least a new shooter. I would take this out to the range again to see if it is me but dont want to blow the weapon up if it is not me (I never tried double tapping or shooting fast each time I was either standing or bench shooting). Just dont feel comfortable shooting it again. So you are thinking replace the entire trigger group or is there a single parts that I should replace? Trying to keep the cost down on this as I am already harrassed by the amount i spend on my guns by the wife.

[azredhawk44]

I really think it's trigger technique.

Focus on not dragging wood, on keeping the flat of your trigger finger on the face of the trigger, and pulling the trigger straight back to your shoulder. Think the word "follow through" before letting the trigger pressure come forward.

I did the exact same thing several times with my first M1A. It's most likely "software," not "hardware."

[Slamfire]

The problem is that it will shoot in bursts, it seems that the trigger is not resetting and as soon as another round is seated it is fired. Now I am wondering if I need a new trigger group or if it might be something else.

If a GI trigger group will fit, borrow one from a friend.

I am surprised by the number of people who have had doubles by milking the trigger. All of the doubles I saw, with match Garands/M1a's were due to poor trigger jobs.

Maybe match shooters learned a consistant follow through. They are also slung up in a rock solid position. Maybe bench shooters have the rifle wiggling around when they shoot.

[spclee11b]

Well in that case when I get home I will try 1 more time before dropping $300 on a new trigger group.

[SR420]

Do any M14/M1A owners live near this guy?
Maybe another set of eyes would be helpful.

[robmkivseries70]

SPC,
Many years ago I had a similar problem. One of the pins in the trigger group was loose and a bit out of place. Putting it back in place from the back (flat) side of the trigger guard and staking it in place solved the problem. If somebody has messed with the hammer and/ or sear hooks, the trigger group needs to be seen by a gunsmith.
Best,
Rob

[HuntAndFish]

Do any M14/M1A owners live near this guy?


Can't tell. Where are you spclee11b?

[pvt.Long]

I can honestly say ive never had that problem at all from shooting from any position. Even with my 60+ year old m14.

[Jason_G]

Even with my 60+ year old m14.
:confused: Maybe I'm mistaken, but the M14 was designed in '54, and has only been in service since '57.

Jason

[pvt.Long]

im sorry 50 year old rifle

[Orion6]

Polytech makes an M14s, not an M1A which is a Springfield.