M - 14 Operating rod removal

[bucks4me]

Dad just got a new springfeild M 14 like he had in the Marines. The operating rod will not come out when breaking down to clean. (He had to do this blindfolded to Grad.) So he called Springfeild and told him to pop it out using a Screwdriver wrapped in a rag! What!, A weapon of $ 1,600 and use a screwdriver on it! No way. They did say they have had problems with this before. He sent it back after a raised voice conversation and Springfeild said they could machine the part down for easyer removal. Any comments anyone? Thanx.

[rost495]

I"ve shot them so much in competition I think I almost married one of mine.

Anyway on a brand new one the parts could be so tight and not mated/polished that it could be a bit tough. I never would take my op rod out, to take the gun apart is not needed to clean and wears out the bedding area. Which kills accuracy. If I were you I'd just leave it as maching a piece away may make it more prone to come apart too easy later on after a few thousand rounds.

FWIW your dad was dealing with rack grade M14s that were probably pretty loose to start with and thats why those issue weapons come apart so easy.

Jeff

[longrifle1000]

You have a PM.