M14 Forum

apf383

Quick question from a newbie here. My 1993 SA Bush rifle is inbound next week, and my question concerns the installation of a Sage chassis. According to the website Sage claims that these chassis units are drop ins, but will not work with lugged receivers. I know what a lugged receiver is, but I dont know if mine is lugged as its not here yet, I tend to doubt it, what do you think? Also, how much of a "drop in" are these, are there any mods, temporary or permanent, necessary. Thanks

NoExpert

No lug on the Bush unless it was some special job, which I doubt.

Drop in is relative... you have to remove the op rod guide which means taking the rifle apart about 80% of the way. Then install Sage's op rod guide block that bolts into the chassis.

Hope you're ready to do some hammering on your rifle.

apf383

Thanks for the quick reply NoExpert. When you ask if I'm prepared to do some hammering, do you mean just having fun running rounds through this bad boy, or actual hammering in order to get it all back together. Now you've got me a hit concerned. Thanks.

epezent

apf383, you'll either have to hammer or dremel the old op rod guide off. I found my SA to be super tight, so in the end just dremeled it off. Then you'll have to get the Sage guide on there, which may or may not need a little "extra encouragement." It's nothing to be worried about, get the Sage and you won't be disappointed.

apf383

That doesnt appear too tough. Thanks for the heads up. Does Sage include everything required to complete the swap?

epezent

Yep. Everything but the tools. You may need a pair of flash hider pliers and a gas lock wrench.

NoExpert

Sage supplies the chassis, op rod guide block and washer to replace the front band.

Personally I replaced the washer with one made by Patriot Armory 308 that was sized to my barrel and made the thickness I needed for proper lock up. Looks cleaner at the very least.

You'll need castle nut pliers and a 1/16" all en wrench to get the flash suppressor off. Possibly a gas cylinder wrench to get the gas lock off, definitely want one to put it back on with the washer. With the gas cylinder removed you can pull the hand guard forward to remove it without tools. Hammer and punch to remove the roll pin from the op rod guide. Possibly a dremel to cut the guide off. Possibly hammer and punch to get the op rod guide block on (red dot facing forward). Possibly a mallet to drive the action into the chassis. Allen wrench to tighten the screws in the top rail and op rod guide block. They say to use 65 in-lbs of torque on those screws so I like having a torque driver for that. Allen wrenches to adjust the barrel whip screw up front.

While the trigger is out, you may want to consider installing a Sadlak enhance mag release. Definitely worth the time and effort.

apf383

Thanks NoExpert for the details. I' m certain i can handle it and I see they are back in stock. Comon' Super Bowl numbers!!!

4track

Agreed.

The best $40 and fifteen minutes that I have spent on my rifle.

apf383

Thanks for the heads up on that.

ltfb

The ad says this stock won't fit a lugged SAI receiver?

I've got a SAI standard model. What can I get that'll work on my gun??

epezent

A SAI standard does not come with a lugged receiver. The Sage EBR will work just fine. Any other stock will work with your gun as well. These include the Troy MCLS, Vltor Modstock, and JAE stock.

Cant' speak for the others, but I love my EBR. You won't regret buying one.

ltfb

Thanks!!!

NoExpert

My $870 Sage Mod 1 shoots at least as accurate as the $2000 JAE G2 I had previously. The only tuning with these is fitting the washer that replaces the front band, dropping in a NM op rod spring guide and trigger tuning. As long as the action is functionally sound, you're good to go.