M14 Forum

azski · February 8th, 2004, 06:26 PM

OK guys, here's my dilemma. As most of you know, I have a Smith Enterprise select-fire M14. The rifle is great! I have it set-up with aUSGI M2 bipod and an E2 stock. Gets looks everywhere I take it.

But ever since I had the barrel changed from the non-chrome lined SAK barrel to the TRW barrel, it keeps on popping the darn extractor at least once each time I take her to the range. Doesn't matter if it is shooting semi or full auto. I had it at the Casa Grande range yesterday and shot 120 rounds. Twice the extractor became dislodged. It didn't pop all the way out, just out enough to not allow the bolt to close. All I had to do was push it back down and it was fine.

I exchanged spring & plunger (had to because once it popped out all the way and I lost them) but still not a fix. I had Ron Smith look at it and he played with it, but still a problem. I emailed Ron yesterday and will call him tomorrow.

So, any ideas? Like I said, with the SAK barrel I never had a problem. Oh yea, when I changed the barrel I also had Ron put another op rod on it since the original one was VERY worn. It is a USGI op rod I got from CMP when they still had parts.

I know I am not the only person to have this same problem with their Smith receiver.

azski

Different · February 8th, 2004, 09:39 PM

azski, what was the head space with the Saco-Lowell barrel and what is the head space now with the TRW barrel installed?

azski · February 9th, 2004, 03:15 PM

I don't know. Ron Smith did email me back and wants to take another look at it. If anyone can figure this thing out, I'm sure it is him! I'm going to make an appointment to stop by his shop and give it a once over. (It's great living so close to Smith Enterprise!! :D )

azski

Different · February 9th, 2004, 07:43 PM

Sounds like a good plan, azski. I hope the mystery is solved. Please keep us posted.

Federal · February 9th, 2004, 10:49 PM

Azski, if you have comunications with Ron you might also ask if the gas port is exactly the same size? :idea: :idea: Location should not cause this problem, but when your grabbing at straws. [-o< [-o< ](*,)

M1APREBAN · February 10th, 2004, 06:01 AM

This Ron Smith I keep reading about, is he the son of Mel Smith of Valley Ord. fame? And on another point, an old armorer told me that the extractor can strike the relief cut in the barrel.(A light went on when you said new barrel.) You might want to check for wear or signs of the extractor hitting the barrel and lifting the extractor from the bolt. It has happened before...Mike

Different · February 11th, 2004, 07:42 AM

Ron Smith is the son of Richard Smith. Richard Smith is retired now but was a long time gunsmith. He had a company named Western Ordnance and made M16/AR15 parts for Uncle Sam among other achievements. This is what I've read in magazines. Ron Smith owns and operates Smith Enterprise in Tempe, AZ.

M1APREBAN · February 11th, 2004, 09:47 AM

Ok, Different, thanks for the heads up on that. Did any of you folks ever hear of Mel Smith. He was famous for rewelding M-1's and used to own Valley Ord. in PA. Thanks again, Mike

azski · February 13th, 2004, 07:08 AM

I spoke with Ron and he wants me to bring the rifle to his shop this morning. I feel confident that he'll be able to make it right.

I'll post later what he says.

*****Full_Auto_BABY!!!*****

Thanks for all the replies & information!

azski

azski · February 13th, 2004, 12:50 PM

I just got back from Ron Smith's. All I can say is that he really is one of the good guys!!! He spent almost 2 hours (on and off) working on the rifle and talking with me and my wife. He showed us his M14K again and said the 'K' stocks are arriving, so it shouldn't be too long before we can have him do the conversions on our M14/M1A's if we want.

Now about my rifle. It seems I had some problems. The plunger on the extractor spring was WAY out of spec. I mean I could barely see it at all it was so small. The ejector spring was short. The roller was pitted and worn so bad that the diameter was out of spec.

He replaced all the springs & plunger and just to be sure it doesn't happen again, he made the dimple in the extractor a little deeper. He then re-parked the extractor and the bolt and put a new roller on it.

To top it all off, he gave me 2 spare extractor springs with correct plungers, a spare extractor and a spare ejector spring.

Do you know what all this cost me today??? Nothing. Zilch. Nada. He also said if it happens again, bring it back and he will work on the barrel a little too, but he thought this would correct the problem.

I did buy one of his new muzzle breaks for the M14. Looks just like the break he makes for the Garand, except it is for the M14. He told me that with this break on my select-fire, I will definately notice less recoil and better and quicker follow-up shots because the break reduces muzzle climb as well.

Once again, all I can say is Ron Smith and Smith Enterprise is the only place that will work on my M14! He is a stand-up guy who loves what he does, and is one of the best at it. :!: Living 25 minutes from his shop really makes life a lot easier! :lol:

azski

PS: Different, I saw the Smith LTD. rifle in your camo stock. Looks like a nice rifle, but you GOT to get a matching camo'ed hand guard. :lol: :wink:

MsgtMaze · February 13th, 2004, 02:29 PM

azski,

Glad to hear that you got her fixed. I wish I lived that close to Smith Enterprise. I'll have to admit I'm a bite envious :mrgreen: . What's the "
K" Stock look like?

Greg

azski · February 13th, 2004, 04:16 PM

It's a specially made shorter M14 wood stock that will be used to make Ron's 16" M14/M1A's. Unlike the SA 16" M1A, Ron's will have the different gas system (I believe it is a modified M60 system. sixtgunr, does the picture below look like the one on an M60?).

Here is a picture of what a select-fire 13" barreled M14K looks like:

http://orlowski.org/Gunboard-pictures/M14Ki.jpg

As you can see, the stock and hand guard are definately shorter. 8O

Here is a close-up of the gas system:

http://orlowski.org/Gunboard-picture...lose-up-ii.jpg

The flash hider/break are actually part of the barrel, not screwed on.

Hope it helps. I'll try to take my rifle to the range Sunday to see how the new parts work.

azski

Different · February 13th, 2004, 05:23 PM

azski, that's outstanding news. Thanks for the story about excellent customer service from Ron Smith and Smith Enterprise, Inc. When I was in the shop dropping off the Smith, Ltd. Ron and Bill showed me one of the M14K stocks. He said Boyd made it for them. Please give us a range report.

I'll be arriving in Phoenix late Tuesday night and leaving Thursday. I'll call Smith Enterprise to see if I can pick up the Smith, Ltd. while I'm down there. Hey, it's a field rifle with a beater stock. We take our rifles out to the desert instead of keeping the safe warm all the time. :lol:

Federal · February 13th, 2004, 05:57 PM

Glad to hear of your happiness, Azski. :D :D I can only wish you a hot barrel and emty brass. Be sure to give us the full report, I hope it's as possitive as you sound. :lol: :lol: We'll be looking forward to it so make it as soon as you can.

M1APREBAN · February 15th, 2004, 11:16 AM

I would say Mr. Smith has given service above and beyond. Glad he was able to get your rifle back in order...Mike