Product Defect/Safety Warning - TM M14

[Kokanee]

Long story short, after putting less than 5,000 rounds through my TM M14, it magically lost the ability to fire in semi. My research into the cause only revealed one post on Arnie's with a vague description of the problem.

What I have been able to sort out is that this;



Part is the problem. Anyone who has taken down their M14 will recognize this piece, part of the selector system that pushes on the sector gear to enable semi fire.

The area circled in red was originally much larger, but has been worn down by the guarder steel sector gear. What little info I have been able to devine from Arnie's and the backs of some sugar packets suggests that running a high tension spring will have this worn down to a nub in no time. I have been running a Prometheus MS120SP since it was bought, so this would seem to be a plausible deduction.

So if anyone else has converted their M14 to semi-only, or are operating a spring above standard full auto fps rules, be advised there is the potential for you to accidentally unload a good volley into someone when meaning to take a single shot. Myself, I'm downgrading until guarder or another company comes up with a steel upgrade part for this.

I suppose Marui can't be blamed for this per say, but that part is made of pot metal, and they are fully aware of the type of aftermarket spring people put in thier AEG's.....

[odp]

Any idea if this would apply to Guarder steel gear users only?

[manchovie]

it's the spring tension that causes it, not the material the gear is made of. though the guarder gears seem a TAD coarser than the tm ones.

[nic_s]

I'm thinking it's only a matter of time until aftermarket companies release an upgraded whateveryoucallthatthing.

I hope so.

[Kokanee]

update: managed to enable semi function again. the fix involves heatshrinking the affected area with 2 layers or heatshrink wrap, seems to be holding up fine.

[Lisa]

Nice work. Wonder how hard it would be to machine one out of something better.

As an aside, saying TM should build for the aftermarket parts that people put in is like saying Honda's should be built to stand up to some of the aftermarket parts put on them, but it is good to know where they're skimping on parts.

[Kwokwai]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Nice work. Wonder how hard it would be to machine one out of something better.

As an aside, saying TM should build for the aftermarket parts that people put in is like saying Honda's should be built to stand up to some of the aftermarket parts put on them, but it is good to know where they're skimping on parts.

But that would be inviting trouble from ASGK and the Japanese government similar (I say similar; not the same) to what Digicon did by flaunting the fact that their guns were built to handle upgrades to go over 1 Joule.

[Kokanee]

After much research it appears that this part was possibly just a defective one, i have a replacement and will be installing today

[Colin_S]

Originally Posted by Kokanee

After much research it appears that this part was possibly just a defective one, i have a replacement and will be installing today

I believe your initial thoughts are correct, I have a Guarder SP110 spring in my M14 and have worn out the same part. In fact my lever looks identical to yours.

In any case please post your experiences with the replacement, it's a stock TM part right?

[Kokanee]

For a replacement part, contact "JAFA" on these boards, he's in Japan and has access to TM parts. You are looking to order a "M14 Cutoff Lever". The cost for me was $13, but mileage may vary..

[tsuru]

I was looking at Guarder's website this morning and came across this:

[Colin_S]

tsuru thanks for sharing, that's great news!!! Oh well I have a stock part coming already but I'll definitely get the upgraded steel version when it's available.