M1A spring binding(sorta) question

[savasyn]

Ok, this is a bit weird and difficult to describe, but I'll give it a shot.

I've had a full sized M1A since the mid-90s(now RAW) and when cycling the action by hand, it's buttery smooth all the way to the back. Tonight, I brought home a lightly used SOCOM 16. I noticed that when cycling the action by hand that when you get the bolt half way back, it makes a weird binding sound and it takes some extra force to fully cycle. I pulled it apart, cleaned it and greased the heck out of the sliding parts. Turns out that it still makes the noise, though to a lesser degree.

It seems to be the recoil spring bunching up or slightly binding/rubbing on something. There aren't any weird wear marks on the under side of the barrel or even on the op rod(the thing looks nearly new, actually). My full sized M1A does nothing like this at all, but it's the only other M1A I have any experience with. I was wondering if this might be normal for the SOCOMs/newer models and just needs a full break in. It's been too long since I broke in my full sized so I don't remember if it did this or not after I first got it.

Thanks!

[SmokingSam]

Most likely it needs more break in. My friend has a new special grade CMP M1 and it also makes weird sounds and feels stiff but it functions with no problems. He has had over 1000 rnds in it already. MY 1943 M1 is smooth....FWIW!

[wjc]

If you're really desperate, jump over to M14forum.com. There are a lot of very experienced m14 guys over there.

[gotshotgun?]

Half way back the bolt hits the hammer an depresses it slightly. Some do so more than others because stocks can vary in size. It won't hinder function at all. And it will probably wear in a bit an smooth out like your old m1a.

[savasyn]

Thanks guys! I took them both to the range today and had zero malfunctions (that weren't ammo related *) with either of them, as expected. Turns out I can't hit crap with the SOCOM at 100 yards. I couldn't get a consistent sight picture so I was all over the place other than the bull. Oh well, guess I have to practice with it more

On the other hand, I shot the best I ever have with the full sized M1A. I was getting consistent 3" groups which is way better than my norm(previously more like what I described above.)

Afterwords, we compared the actions and they felt the same as last night, so whatever the "binding" noise is does not effect function. After another 1000 rounds, we'll see what it's like.

* Ammo failures - I learned today that M1As will not reliably cycle soft point ammo. It'd strip the first round no problem, but that's it, jammed every time on the second round. Too bad as 50% of the ammo I had was soft point. Now I have to pull all those bullets and replace them

[Lone_Gunman]

I'm going to guess that your mid '90s M1A has a USGI recoil spring and guide while the SOCOM 16 probably has a commercial spring and guide, this may be the difference. You could always swap 'em and see what happens.

[savasyn]

I'm going to guess that your mid '90s M1A has a USGI recoil spring and guide while the SOCOM 16 probably has a commercial spring and guide, this may be the difference. You could always swap 'em and see what happens.

Oooh, you are probably correct, that certainly had not occurred to me. I may give that a shot. If nothing else, it'd be good to have a spare around.

[jeffrice6]

Try a Sadlak NM spring guide, seems to really smooth things out!

[savasyn]

I took the suggestions from above and picked up a USGI spring and guide. I went to install them today and discovered that the guide that is in there has been ground down on surface the red arrow is pointing to in the picture to about half the original thickness. NOTE: the picture is NOT my guide, just one I found on the internet.

The new unground guide will NOT fit(the pin does not line up with the slot), so it appears it has to be ground to fit. Is this normal for Springfields? I have to assume that the binding I'm experiencing is because the guide is now closer to the barrel or perhaps the guide is at a slight angle.

I put the original back in rather the grinding the new one in case there were some other options. Any other thoughts?

[jtv3062]

You do know that Springfield inc m1a are not to spec. If I was you i'd send it to sa inc.

[jtv3062]

If it is the op rod spring guide like you say I would think you would have wear on the barrel and op rod.

[savasyn]

I'm happy to report that I fiddled around with it again today and managed to get the new USGI spring guide installed AND that it cured the "binding" problem!!

The new guide just barely clears the locking pin when pushed all the way forward, which is perhaps why the previous owner ground the old guide down(to make it easier to install or something). Who knows? Another up side, other than the binding being gone, is that the mags are now easier to insert and remove because the tip they lock into is now less prominent. I'll have to compare to my other M1A but I think this is now "how it's supposed to be" and the previous owner just bubba'd it.

Thanks for the advice, I would not have thought to suspect the spring guide!