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M1A NM Cleaning
rsnyder55
Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
I've asked this on another forum but I am asking this here also.
If it is not recommended to remove the action of an M1A NM as it is glass bedded, how is the best way to lubricate/grease the thing.
It is new and I got the thing dry.
BTW, I am not doing anything with the barrel until I get a bore guide.
If it is not recommended to remove the action of an M1A NM as it is glass bedded, how is the best way to lubricate/grease the thing.
It is new and I got the thing dry.
BTW, I am not doing anything with the barrel until I get a bore guide.
Comments
That said it should only be done sparingly, once a year is all that should be possibly needed anyway,the rest of the time a spray down of the internals with a good aerosol cleaner and a quality lube should suffice.
The only reason for a more thorough cleaning or lube is if the rifle is exposed to harsh weather conditions,excessive dirt or sand, or a very high round count.
My 1975 m1a all GI parts (except the receiver) NM glass bedded rifle has been out of its stock maybe 10 times over the last 40 years it is still in pristine condition after a ton of shooting and the stock to action fit is just as tight as when new.
Another site advised me to use q tips to lube the cams and remove the action about once a year if that.
Hence the question in the Ask the Experts
On hindsight, I should have looked at the loaded version, but c'est la vie.
I can tell you for a fact that RIG gun grease will soften the old 2 part epoxy Micro-Bed to the point of failure. I loaned a rifle to a friend and I knew he wouldn't take the best care. I greased the metal hidden by the wood heavily. When I got the rifle back a year later and shot it the bedding failed.
added I bedded the metal in Rig grease and wiped off what squeezed out. After a year it softened the epoxy - I just scraped it all out and re-bedded with MicroBed. I still use Rig with no issues, just not swimming in the stuff.
Mil Spec for the M14 is Lubriplate.
Check out the M14 forum for details on what to grease if you are not familiar with lubing the M14 type rifles.
I wouldn't let the fear of ruining bedding keep me from having a properly maintained rifle. If or when the bedding gives way, it is not a terrible job to re-bed the action.
Another option would be to set the stock aside and get a fiberglass USGI stock for general use.
"Glass" bedding is usually tough stuff compared to wood. I would think careful take down and reassembly shouldn't be as much of an issue as having the weapon out in the weather with out proper cleaning/lubing.
I can tell you for a fact that RIG gun grease will soften the old 2 part epoxy Micro-Bed to the point of failure. I loaned a rifle to a friend and I knew he wouldn't take the best care. I greased the metal hidden by the wood heavily. When I got the rifle back a year later and shot it the bedding failed.
Thank you. I had Rig +P lube I was going to use. I will stay away from that product to be on the safe side.
https://www.youtube.com/user/tonyben3/videos
He's a regular over at the M14 Forum.
Using his videos I was able to take my Scout down to the barrelled action.