Pictures for Red Collar

Now we all know our bro Red Collar is a huge fan of M14 rifles. I've talked with him a lot about how they work inside, etc so I figured I'd post some pics to show him exactly what the heck is going on.

So..Here's a course on the inner workings of an M14 or M1A rifle!



First picture: Here's the M14 stripped down for cleaning in the field. Not a detailed clean, but just what ya have to worry about. On top is the rifle, removed from it's wood stock by unlatching the trigger guard and pulling out the firing mechanism. Underneath the rifle is the operating rod (Op Rod), the op rod spring, and spring guide. When assembled, the end of the spring pointed left goes over the guide, and the end to the right goes inside the op rod tube.


Second picture: Slightly right of the middle of this picture is the gas cylinder, underneath the barrel. If you look closely, you'll see the gas piston sticking out a few inches to the rear of the gas cylinder. Normally it is inside, and it is only exposed about .25 of an inch. On the bottom left is the front of the op rod. When assembled, it sits almost flushly against the gas cylinder, resting on that .25 inch of gas piston.

On firing the rifle, hot gas from the propellant race down the barrel and some are diverted into the gas cylinder. They hit the gas cylinder and force it rearward into the exposed position above with great force. The gas piston in turn smacks the op rod on the face, driving the op rod back, and compressing the op rod spring. The op rod takes the bolt with it all the way to the rear of the receiver, which ejects the empty casing. As it hits the end of it's travel, the op rod spring pulls the op rod and bolt forward again, chambering a fresh cartridge and cocking the hammer of the rifle. The gas piston is smacked by the op rod and driven back into hiding inside the gas cylinder.


Third picture: Here is the assembled rifle. You can see the face of the op rod is against the gas piston, which is back inside the gas cylinder where it belongs, and that the op rod spring is in position, with most of it actually inserted into the op rod. The firing controls are also shown. They are the trigger, hammer, and safety of the rifle. You can also see the trigger guard has been pulled open. That's all that is neccessary to remove the rifle from the stock. No screws, no tools.


Fourth picture: Here's the top of the rifle. You can see here where the front of the bolt's bottom lug (right hand actually) fits into the op rod to link the bolt and op rod together. When the gas piston slams the op rod rearward, it brings the bolt with it, camming and tilting the two locking lugs out of their grooves in the receiver and unlocking and opening the action when gas and pressure levels are safe.

Well, there's a basic course on the internal parts and operation of the M14...Hope it wasn't too boring!

If anyone wants more detailed explaination or to see more pics, just let me know!