I've recently been having trouble with my M1A using the same loads I've used for years. It now frequently fails to chamber another cartridge when I shoot it or even fails to cycle at all. What I've done:
1. I replaced the gas plug and the piston with new ones when simply cleaning the old ones didn't seem to help.
2. I cleaned out carbon (there was some) with special tools from Brownell's.
3. I tried a different magazine.
I'm wondering if I have a bent op rod. Ideas on fixing the problem would be welcomed.
On a slightly different subject, I've noticed that when cases are ejected manually when the action fails to cycle, they are quite cool unlike cases that come out hot when the action cycles as it should. Those that are ejected don't go as far as they used to. Also, when the action fails to cycle, the bullets hit lower on the target.
1. I replaced the gas plug and the piston with new ones when simply cleaning the old ones didn't seem to help.
2. I cleaned out carbon (there was some) with special tools from Brownell's.
3. I tried a different magazine.
I'm wondering if I have a bent op rod. Ideas on fixing the problem would be welcomed.
On a slightly different subject, I've noticed that when cases are ejected manually when the action fails to cycle, they are quite cool unlike cases that come out hot when the action cycles as it should. Those that are ejected don't go as far as they used to. Also, when the action fails to cycle, the bullets hit lower on the target.