M14 gas system question

K

Kaylee

New member
So I was reading the manual a while back, and came to this little section on the gas system whatsit that you turn one way for normal semi-auto fire, and off 90 degrees to shut the gas system off for rifle grenades. (Yeah, like I have rifle grenades sitting around the house.. :p )

ANYHOW... I was wondering if that part could be replaced with more of a graduated switch, possibly with a thumb-knob, to mirror the adjustable gas system of the FAL.

I realize this might be of dubious utility, but I was curious if it was functionally possible, or if it's been done?

Thanks all!

-K
 
Well, I suppose anything is possible. But to do so would be an enormous PITA: it would involve redesigning the shunt AND its housing to allow such variability. Lots of work to solve a non-existant problem.

The M14 only ever needed two gas settings: on and off. I've never had problems with my M1A even with a variety of surplus, handload and hunting cartriges.
 
Kaylee, the shut-off is located just forward of the stock on the gas cylinder between the cylinder and the barrel, on the (right side) looking down the barrel from the back. It has a common,streight slot for a screwdriver, you put the screwdriver in the slot push and turn 1/4 turn only. This allowes for single shot only, like for shooting granades, it by passes the gas cylinder so it doesn`t feed another cartridge into the chamber. If you leave it in that position you can not shoot in the simi-auto mode and have to manualy pull the bolt back to load another cartridge.

Hope that helps. As Mike said don`t mess with it.
 
Unlike the FAL, the M14 uses a gas cut off and expansion system that should never need adjustment as long as loads are anywhere near milspec. In other words, the system takes only as much gas as necessary and lets the rest vent out the bore, and it does that automatically.

The FN designs use an adjustable system because they are designed as commercial military rifles and the designers have no way of knowing the quality of the ammo that may be used in them or the conditions under which they may be used.

Jim
 
Thanks guys!

I hadn't thought about the "Designed for the US Army" as opposed to the "Designed for Whoever Will Buy It" bit -- good point!

And yes.. I knew what and where the gas whatsit was.. thanks though. ;)

I figured it was pretty much a "solution in search of a problem" kinda thing.. I was just wondering if anyone ever found a problem big enough to actually use the solution.

Thanks guys!

-K
 
Thanks guys!

I hadn't thought about the "Designed for the US Army" as opposed to the "Designed for Whoever Will Buy It" bit -- good point!

And yes.. I knew what and where the gas whatsit was.. thanks though. ;)

I figured it was pretty much a "solution in search of a problem" kinda thing.. I was just wondering if anyone ever found a problem big enough to actually use the solution.

Thanks guys!

-K
 
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