M14/M1A Bolt Lug Contact Verification and Lapping Video (Revised)

This video demonstrates methods used to check for M14 bolt lug contact and how to correct it. This video has been revised to illustrate a better, more correct way of checking and lapping.
I'd like to give a special thanks to Art Luppino, Jon Wolfe and M14 forum member jake2far.

[@donaldduck4867]

I just bought my first M1A a week ago. I have to wait 3-4 months before it gets here. Thanks to COVID-19. During quarantine I’ve been watching your videos. I feel like I’m becoming an expert on the subject before my rifle is even here. Thanks for the videos!😎

[@tonyben3]

You're quite welcome!

[@peckerwoodm14]

Very nicely done! You make the best M14 videos hands down.

[@GuncrayZE]

Really enjoy the channel and also the detail in each video. Keep up the great work and I will continue to hit the thumbs up button!

[@HaroldTheSloth]

Tony, you rock man. I just checked my Fulton build (I got a pre-assembled barreled action from them), and I was disappointed with the amount of bolt contact. Thank you for the clear instructions. I'm going to attempt this both to increase lug contact, but also to slightly increase headspace (it's got a tight chamber!). And because of the detail of your videos with installing barrels, I'm going to attempt rebarreling a Garand as well. Your videos are very well done.

[@tonyben3]

+joeman2551 Thanks for the kind words! Tony.

[@paulchandler9646]

+tonyben3 I'll be lapping a Fulton bolt into a Poly Tech receiver soon.Thanks for the excellent info.

[@williamtipton1392]

Tony, in this video you mention that the Springfield extractor has too deep a recess to get the spring & plunger out without breaking it, do you have a solution to get the extractor in & out on a Springfield ? Thanks

[@johnlucus5468]

Tony your M1A videos are the single best resource for this rifle around and I would very much like to send you a donation. . How can I do this? Thank you so much for being so generous with your time and experience.

[@tonyben3]

You can "Send money to friends and family" to [e-mail] using PayPal. Thank you for the kind words!

[@jerrygloeckler1328]

I have a Springfield Armory M1A on the way that has been a Safe Queen so I have watched your "Complete assembly and disassembly". Had it all down and now you tell me to be careful or you'll shear off the leg of the extractor plunger. What am I supposed to do to avoid destroying the extractor plunger leg? Love your details bu I missed this one.

[@AUCTIONCAT2011]

I have not seen anyone do a video on bolt roller replacement. Would it be a part someone should have on hand?

[@michelhache8532]

Pardon my ignorance, but from what I understood, if the bolt does not close on a NO-GO gauge, you should be able to lap material? Then, you make sure that you don't lap too much. In other words, if you lap a lot and the bolt ends up closing on the no-go, you've taken too much off? I only have a Go and NO-Go gauge at my disposal.

[@DFox-ud3gx]

Tony, my head space tag from Springfield reads 1.631 this is good for GI mil spec ammo or good commercially manufactured ammo my rifle has no problem ever.technician date is 6/11/08.do you think I'm ok with custom ammo

[@tonyben3]

It should work with US made M80 ball ammo. It may have a harder time with foreign made stuff. If you run 308 ammo, don't go with anything heavier than 175 grain bullets.

[@kristianv43]

Would this be, even marginally, detrimental or beneficial to potential accuracy??

[@CHEVYK10]

if I'm not careful can I lap the headspace out of it???

[@tonyben3]

You can lap the headspace too long but it would take a while to do that. I would not do this unless you have at least a go and no-go gauge. Even if it closes on a 308 Win no-go gauge (1.636") it could still be in spec for 7.62 NATO spec (1.653" to 1.641").

[@jandb150]

@@tonyben3 where would one find the set of gauges you have in this video and what are they called? The entire set in increments