How to Rebarrel an M14

The M14, otherwise referred to as the United States Rifle 7.62 mm M14, was adopted by the U.S. military after phasing out the M1 Garand in 1959. The weapon served as the standard-issue assault rifle until the late 1960s. As with all weapons, maintenance and repair will be required over time. This can include replacing the barrel. With the appropriate tools, replacing the M14 barrel can be accomplished with little difficulty.

Things You'll Need

  • M14 Gas cylinder wrench
  • Castle nut pliers
  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • M14 Combination tool
  • Plastic hammer
  • Propane torch
  • Barrel vise
  • M14 barrel lug wrench
  • Metal bonding solution
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the magazine. Pull the operating to the rear. Inspect the chamber to ensure that no live ammunition is present.

    • 2

      Pull back on the operating rod handle. This action will disengage the bolt-stop, and the bolt will close forward.

    • 3

      Engage the safety. Push the rear of the trigger guard toward the butt stock. This action will unlock the trigger guard. Pull the trigger guard up and forward. Lift up on the trigger guard to remove the entire trigger assembly from the weapon.

    • 4

      Lift the barrel and receiver assembly up and out of the stock. Set the stock aside.

    • 5

      Hold the guide rod and spring in place with one hand. Slide the connector lock -- located directly in front of the guide rod and spring on the receiver -- to the right to free the guide rod and spring. Slowly and carefully guide the spring and rod out of the weapon.

    • 6

      Pull the operating rod to the rear. Line the rod up with the small horizontal notch groove on the receiver. Pivot and lift the operating rod out of the receiver. Pull the bolt out of the receiver.

    • 7

      Loosen the round nut set-screw located on the flash suppressor with a fitting screwdriver. Fit the gas cylinder wrench onto the gas cylinder lock -- located 2 inches in front of the forward stock --and hold it in place with firm pressure. Attach the castle nut pliers to the flash suppressor. Turn the flash suppressor counterclockwise to remove it.

    • 8

      Turn the weapon on its right side. Keep the gas cylinder wrench in place. Depress the gas spindle valve screw with a flat-head screwdriver. This screw is located immediately in front of the forward stock. Turn the screw counterclockwise until the slots of the screw are horizontal, in line with the barrel.

    • 9

      Keeping the gas cylinder wrench in place, attach the M14 combination tool to the gas cylinder plug. The plug is located under the barrel on the gas block. Turn the gas cylinder plug counterclockwise and remove it.

    • 10

      Take the gas cylinder wrench off the gas cylinder lock. Turn the gas cylinder lock counterclockwise, then remove it. Tilt the muzzle toward the floor. The gas piston will drop out.

    • 11

      Tap the gas cylinder forward and off the weapon using a plastic hammer. Slide the front hand guard band off the weapon. Slide the wooden hand guard forward and off the weapon.

    • 12

      Secure the barrel in a barrel vise. Hold a propane torch on the barrel lug for 45 seconds. This will burn off the metal binding solution that was used during assembly.

    • 13

      Place the barrel lug wrench on the barrel lug nut at the front of the receiver. Turn the barrel lug wrench counterclockwise using great pressure until the barrel loosens and unscrews.

    • 14

      Apply metal bonding solution to the barrel threads. Screw the new barrel on, turning clockwise. Place a standard ruler on the front sight base and another ruler on the rear sight base. Use the barrel lug wrench to tighten the barrel until the rulers are level with each other. This ensures that the barrel is properly aligned. The barrel changing process is now complete.