M14 Forum

Coltfan

I hope to get some insight from the more experienced M14'ers here. I have a SAI M1A with SAI bolt. I installed a Sadlak mount and changed out the factory extractor for a GI from RA Parts. I'm still getting a 5% failure rate with stovepipes even though I changed to a GI extractor. The cases are obviously hitting the underside of the mount which is retarding the throw of the empties. Is there another angle I can pursue to improve ejection and gain better clearance of the mount ? I appreciate any help advice. Thanks !

EBRbuilder

Make sure that the nuts on your scope rings are on the left side... Less for the casing to hit.

RHallenbeck

Did you change the ejector out to USGI as well??

Rick

RAMMAC

What kind of ammo are you using?
What kind of scope?
Are you getting a lot of brass marks on the bottom of the scope mount? I'm talking about the area just above the top of the magazine.
Are you aware of the what a the tilt test is and have you conducted it?

Coltfan

Scope ring cantilevers are on the left side. No interference from them.

I haven't changed the ejector out. Still SA.

Using 1980's Hirtenberger milsurp. ammo.

The scope is a Nikon ProStaff 4-12x40 MilDot with Warne medium QD cantilevered rings.

I am getting brass marks on the underside of the mount. It ejected perfectly and with authority before installing the mount. Zero stovepipes before installation.

I havn't heard of the "tilt test" and have not done it yet.

ericbale

I had the exact same problem.

I tried a nunch of fixes, cleaning, lubing, different ammo, different scopes, two different extractors, polished the chamber, unitized G/C.

Solved it by installing a sadlack spring guide and Tin gas piston.

Don't ask me why it fixed it, but I think I had a timing issue caused by binding of the action.

I still had periodic brass strikes on the mount, which I didn't like.

Later, I installed a basset mount and it sits higher and the entire problem went away for good.

Young guns

I had this same proplem when i mounted a Sadlak on my M1A it would hit the back portion of the mount and get stuck. I fixed it by getting a diferent mount, i went with an ARMS 18 split rail since there is no rail in the center of the mount. Or you could get a SA Inc. #4 steel mount which is similar to the Sadlak but has a cut out in the center of it.

Coltfan

Those are all good considerations so far. I've researched the "tilt test" and will do that today. I think I'm going to concentrate my efforts of the gas system with a swap for a GI ejector too.

I'm ordering a gas shim set (rings) and will take a serious look at gas port alignment when I do this. I'll make sure the gas tube and piston are free of any carbon and rough areas. In addition, I'll look at a deburr and polish of the factory spring guide. I want to make certain I have optimal, consistent gas pressure to run the bolt before I start tweaking other things and swapping out a bunch of parts. Once I make sure these things are optimal I'll recheck for any needs then.

You guys have prompted some thoughts here. Keep the ideas coming. Thanks.

Chief Sapulpa

My aluminum Sadlak mount caused the same stovepiping with Hornady TAP and Lapua Mega ammo; 110 grain and 150 grain ammo. Mine passed the tilt test with this ammo. I solved the problem by de-scoping the rifle.

awmp88

Now you have me wondering if I should get a Sadlak mount , which was soon to be my next purchase on my Springfield M1A Scout.