M14 Forum

FICK_USMC

I had an old blue sky import sent away to Clint Fowler a few years ago for the full 3 lug treatment. The 5 shot group that is my avitar was shot with this rifle at 300 from a tight prone possition when I got it back from Mr Fowler.
Since this is a premier 3 lug bedding job, I have been living with a chronic problem that developed in this rifle. The timing wasn't right. It would no longer release the bolt catch when inserting a full enblock, and in most cases a premature clip ejection with two rounds remaining had me scrambleing to finish a rapid string. I got pretty good at single loading two rounds in to finish a string.
But now I have to get ready for the "Frozen Chosin" the first club match of the year in February. I am the reigning champion despite my M1 troubles from last year. No more putting it off, I have to take this rifle out of the bedding and work on it.
Getting the receiver out is not for the faint of heart. It requires chopping it like a club into a sofa cushion while holding the gas cylinder.
I changed the clip latch and spring, and solved all my problems. It is amazing how that one part can cause so much trouble.

hammonje

I'm glad she's fixed. Now train up and go kick some a$$. Good luck and stay warm!!!!!!

Few rapid fire strings usually warms the soul!!!!!!

Dave P

Fowler does know his stuff, doesn't he! Nice grp at 300 - no wonder you win!

hammonje

NOT!!!!! I am not suprised the rifle came back messed up. I sent him an M1A to work on for me in my rifle infancy. He sent it back in inexplicable condition. I had to laugh, followed by being seriously mad. His explanation was beyond pathetic. Sorry...I usually don't bash people, but he deserves it with that level of competence and customer service.

I wouldn't send him a Mosin Nagant!!!!!

FICK_USMC

It was not my intent to start a flame on Fowler. I mentioned that he built it because I am proud of this rifle and of it's performance. The problem with it had nothing to do with Fowler, nor was it returned to me with these deficiencies. Rifles are mechanical devices that need parts from time to time.
As for customer service. I found Fowler to be very forthcomming, honest, and above all accessable by phone over the course of the project. While the whole thing cost more than I expected, I still got what I paid for. A very competitive M1 with every trick in the book.
It is a real hammer with Hornady 30/06 match, or home made equivelant ammo.

hammonje

Sorry bro....I'm sure he is probably a good guy. I just must have got him at a bad time.

Dave P

He sent it back in inexplicable condition. Wow - that's surprising to hear. So we should keep our eye on him, huh?

hammonje

I would.

Here is the deal. I sent a NM sight to be installed on my M1A. It came back completely non-fuinctional. No down force on the apeture. I could move it freely with my fingers. I was at a rifle match when I figured it out. Why is my POI all over the place????? Recoil was moving the apeture.

His response..."you sent it to me to be installed, not fitted." I just hung up the phone after that statement. I might not be the brightest star in the sky, but I ain't no fool!!!!!!!

Yeah...I sent it all the way from GA for you to put a rear sight on an M1A. I sent it to be fitted!!!!

Sorry, but that kind of customer service is for the birds. I should have kept my mouth shut, but to do someone like that is wrong.

Here is another example of poor workmanship. You should probably function check the rifle before you send it back. It is not difficult to check the timing on an M1. You think this is something you would do after bedding the action!!!!! An empty enbloc clip and about 10 seconds is all that is needed. Put it in, close the bolt, cycle the rifle by hand, and ping!!!!!! I believe they also have a specific tool for this, but I have trained myslef to notice the correct force applied to the ejected enbloc.

Thank goodness I have Ol' Hook down here in GA. He taught me how to do all this stuff for myself and rarely charged me a dime. Hook takes his time and he'll be damned if he'll let you take a rifle from his shop that is not ship-shape. What if this guy's life somehow depended on those last two rounds.....something to think about?????

hagar the horrible

So where you shooting that "Frozen Chosen" match in SC?

Shot a Garand match at Charlotte 2 weeks ago, it was 11F when we started. Did not do too bad, won a lot of Garand matches in Tucson when I lived in AZ, you want some competition?

FICK_USMC

The polk County Gun Club club is in Columbis, NC, Just over the SC/NC line near Landrum, SC just a few miles off of I-26. All of our matches are open to the public. You are welcomed to come. The more the merrier. We will also have a CMP GSM clinic soon, but I do not have a date as of yet.
The winner gets his name engraved on the club's "Frozen Chosin" trophy.
( a board with a canteen cup fastened to it )
The match is a 400 agg from the 200 firing line.
I won it last year with a 370, but I plan to smash that this year.
The date of the match is 20 Feb 2010. Match begins at 0900.
Come on down.

hagar the horrible

I know a lot of people you shoot with, Paul R, Bob G, Brad B, and you look familiar!

And I love 10am starting times..

My 1955 H&R Garand good to go, or do I need an earlier one? Maybe I'll bring Mark_W, another member here along.

Silvertip 44

Yep, as hammonje just said. Ol' Hook is the man.

buck

I thought the Frozen Chosin shoot at Polk County was supposed to be with "as issued" rifles ? Honor System?

hagar the horrible

Will try and make the shoot again this year.