SA M1A piston

[NewbieDave]

Was at a friend's place tearing down his SA M1A for cleaning and noticed his piston is kind of pitted. This thing is more safe queen then shooter... he probably have less then 200 rounds in her.

Mainly shooting South African, American Eagle & Federal match... cleaned after every range trip BUT this is the first time tearing out the piston.







Normal or issues?


~dpc

[6079Winston]

It doesn't look like the G.I. piston I remember, although I could be wrong. I'm guessing it's made from a casting that has some porosity in it and that's what you are seeing. Since the gun works it's probably not a problem, although it could be replaced if you can't sleep at night knowing it's in there.

[russ69]

I don' think that's much of an issue other than collecting some fowling. Clean it up as best you can, oil it up and be happy.

Thanx, Russ

[UBFRAGD]

Mine is fairly well pitted too. About ten-twenty times worse than those pics. If I had more time I'd take it apart and post some pics but some of you would think I was posting pics of lunar craters. Rifle is still Glock-reliable, goes bang every time. I personally want to blame the cheap ammo I used to shoot when I first got the rifle. Now I just feed it the good stuff. One day I will put a ti piston in it unless the recession becomes permanent.

[X-NewYawker]

If you're concerned, spring for a titanium coated Sadlak:

[H2O MAN]

Clean it up as best you can, oil it up and be happy.

Thanx, Russ

NO OIL!

The piston and entire gas cylinder need to be dry... free of oil and grease.


BTW, all of my M14s have SEI pistons. They stay clean even after I use the sound suppressor.

New manufacture by SEI. 420 Stainless, heat treated, thin-dense hard chromed, and cryogenically treated
– will not chip, flake or peel – all hydrogen embrittlement removed. As used on our military contracted rifle builds.

[Cobrafreak]

That looks like more than 200 rounds. My M1a has thousands of rounds through her and does not look like that.

[buffybuster]

NO OIL!

The piston and entire gas cylinder need to be dry... free of oil and grease.

+1

Exactly.

[H2O MAN]

That looks like more than 200 rounds. My M1a has thousands of rounds through her and does not look like that.

The picture is from SEI's web site and I'm sure the piston is brand new.

[russ69]

NO OIL! The piston and entire gas cylinder need to be dry... free of oil and grease.

Not wet or anything like that just a drop to keep it from being totally bare. My Supermatch runs that way just fine, well for the last 20 some years anyway. It still shoots master class scores.

Thanx, Russ