Unitizing M1A GC

Jason_G · June 23, 2007, 08:17 PM

How important is it to unitize the gas cylinder on the M1A/M14 for accuracy? Keep in mind I am talking 300 yds or less, with irons, not NM accuracy. I'm wanting to kill deer, not necessarily make nice sub-MOA groups at long range.

Jason

HankL · June 24, 2007, 07:19 AM

Jason, I'd say that it wouldn't be worth the trouble or expense. Have fun hunting with you M1A !

Peter M. Eick · June 24, 2007, 07:27 AM

Here is what my NationalMatch can do at 100 yards with opens off the bench. If we expand that group out to 300 yrds and you get a good steady rest, you can see it is minute of a deer for 50 shots.

The real question is can yours do the same? If so great, and I wasted the money on the NationalMatch gun with the unitized gas cylinder, better barrel, bedded action and better sights. If not then yes these things probably would help your rifle (and it would make me feel better that I did not waste the extra 500$ on a NM).

Ledbetter · June 24, 2007, 11:48 AM

Scott Duff's book, The M14 Owner's Guide, has instructions for match conditioning. He lists two ways of unitizing the gas cylinder, by welding of course, or by adding shim washers, which he recommends for "the hobbyist."

The washers, he says, are available at Fulton Armory.

This book is well worth having if you are interested in accurizing your M1A.

Regards and good luck.

Jason_G · June 24, 2007, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the responses.
It might be something that I put off 'till later.

Jason

**4V50 Gary** · June 24, 2007, 08:31 PM

About 90% of the accuracy is in the barrel. The rest includes glass bedding on a stable stock, trigger job, better sights, improved recoil spring guide rod and unitized gas cylinder.

Some folks weld them but if done on the exterior where it can be seen, your gun is not permitted for Camp Perry. We had to drill, tap & screw ours. The screws were staked to keep them from rotating. Also, a better piston helps too. One Armorer would swap out pistons and test fire the gun until he had a match. Tedious and he had a supply of pistons - something that can be expensive for us mortals.

Jason_G · June 25, 2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

About 90% of the accuracy is in the barrel. The rest includes glass bedding on a stable stock, trigger job, better sights, improved recoil spring guide rod and unitized gas cylinder.

This is kind of what I was thinking. I am planning on getting a M1A Loaded soon, and was wondering how necessary these modifications really are. It's going to be a field rifle, I plan to hunt with it mostly. That being the case, I hate to do anything that will make it a PITA or even make it harmful to the rifle to fieldstrip it and clean it. I'm not really planning on shooting matches with it, so I think I'll skip the bedding. I was just wondering if unitizing the gas system is beneficial to the point that it's really worth doing for my purposes. Majority of my shots will be 100 yds or less. The 300 yds I stated in my original post was in case I want to plink with it, in which case, that's about as far as I'd be shooting it without glass.

Jason

DnPRK · June 25, 2007, 12:35 AM

Clint McKee at Fulton Armory sells gas cylinder shims that, when properly installed, accomplish much the same thing as unitizing the gas cylinder.

**4V50 Gary** · June 25, 2007, 01:00 AM

Good idea DnPRK. Shimming is easier, faster and cheaper (less costly) than unitizing. Talk about labor saving too!

30Cal · June 27, 2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

About 90% of the accuracy is in the barrel. The rest includes glass bedding on a stable stock, trigger job, better sights, improved recoil spring guide rod and unitized gas cylinder.

That might be true in factory bedded rifles. These come with a one-size-fits-all stock. I'd argue that 90% of the accuracy is in the stock fit.

You can have the best barrel in the worlds, but if the stock fit is less than excellent, then you can expect mediocre performance at best.

Ty

**4V50 Gary** · July 4, 2007, 02:27 AM

That's true 30 cal. But if you've got great stock to metal fit, it does you no good if your barrel is garbage. Certainly it's important and no one wants a stock that is loose and allows for shifting or changes that accompany temperature or humidity changes, but good guns start with the barrel first.

MacGille · July 9, 2007, 05:01 AM

What is "unitizing" the gas tube?

HankL · July 9, 2007, 08:06 AM

The question was

Quote:

How important is it to unitize the gas cylinder on the M1A/M14 for accuracy?

Not how much better would my rifle shoot if I add a complete national match package to my rifle.

Adding just a unitized gas cylinder by itself will not show enough improvement
to justify the expense I.M.H.O.

MacGille, This proceedure is where the front band and gas cylinder are aligined and then screwed or welded together. This is one of many tricks used to add a margin of accuracy to the rifle.

The shims as sold by Fulton are used to align the gas ports in the cylinder and the barrel.

Peter, your $500. was well spent as doing all of the accuracy extras as an add on is going to cost more in the long run.

MacGille · July 10, 2007, 05:50 PM

Thanks Hank, I have shot many M1s and M14s but never heard of unitizing. Would this be a part of a "national Match" setup?

HankL · July 11, 2007, 02:24 PM

Yes Sir. It's part of every accuracy upgrade package that I have seen for
M1A/M14.

June 23, 2007, 08:17 PM	#1
Jason_G Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,902	Unitizing M1A GC How important is it to unitize the gas cylinder on the M1A/M14 for accuracy? Keep in mind I am talking 300 yds or less, with irons, not NM accuracy. I'm wanting to kill deer, not necessarily make nice sub-MOA groups at long range. Jason

June 24, 2007, 11:48 AM	#4
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	Scott Duff's book, The M14 Owner's Guide, has instructions for match conditioning. He lists two ways of unitizing the gas cylinder, by welding of course, or by adding shim washers, which he recommends for "the hobbyist." The washers, he says, are available at Fulton Armory. This book is well worth having if you are interested in accurizing your M1A. Regards and good luck. __________________ Regards, Ledbetter from thefiringline TFL #4573 NRA for Life Winchester Canyon Gun Club for Life

June 24, 2007, 08:31 PM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,298	If you have match ammo and a steady eye and hand... About 90% of the accuracy is in the barrel. The rest includes glass bedding on a stable stock, trigger job, better sights, improved recoil spring guide rod and unitized gas cylinder. Some folks weld them but if done on the exterior where it can be seen, your gun is not permitted for Camp Perry. We had to drill, tap & screw ours. The screws were staked to keep them from rotating. Also, a better piston helps too. One Armorer would swap out pistons and test fire the gun until he had a match. Tedious and he had a supply of pistons - something that can be expensive for us mortals. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

June 25, 2007, 01:00 AM	#9
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,298	Good idea DnPRK. Shimming is easier, faster and cheaper (less costly) than unitizing. Talk about labor saving too! __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

July 4, 2007, 02:27 AM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,298	That's true 30 cal. But if you've got great stock to metal fit, it does you no good if your barrel is garbage. Certainly it's important and no one wants a stock that is loose and allows for shifting or changes that accompany temperature or humidity changes, but good guns start with the barrel first. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

June 24, 2007, 07:19 AM	#2
HankL Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: The Sunny South Posts: 2,174	Jason, I'd say that it wouldn't be worth the trouble or expense. Have fun hunting with you M1A !

June 24, 2007, 07:27 AM	#3
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	Here is what my NationalMatch can do at 100 yards with opens off the bench. If we expand that group out to 300 yrds and you get a good steady rest, you can see it is minute of a deer for 50 shots. The real question is can yours do the same? If so great, and I wasted the money on the NationalMatch gun with the unitized gas cylinder, better barrel, bedded action and better sights. If not then yes these things probably would help your rifle (and it would make me feel better that I did not waste the extra 500$ on a NM).

June 24, 2007, 07:06 PM	#5
Jason_G Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,902	Thanks for the responses. It might be something that I put off 'till later. Jason

June 25, 2007, 12:35 AM	#8
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	Clint McKee at Fulton Armory sells gas cylinder shims that, when properly installed, accomplish much the same thing as unitizing the gas cylinder.

July 9, 2007, 05:01 AM	#12
MacGille Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2006 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 976	What is "unitizing" the gas tube?

July 10, 2007, 05:50 PM	#14
MacGille Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2006 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 976	Thanks Hank, I have shot many M1s and M14s but never heard of unitizing. Would this be a part of a "national Match" setup?

July 11, 2007, 02:24 PM	#15
HankL Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: The Sunny South Posts: 2,174	Yes Sir. It's part of every accuracy upgrade package that I have seen for M1A/M14.