How to Inspect an M14 Barrel

The M14 rifle has been called one of the most hated in the history of the country. That may be true, but there are still lots of them in circulation among civilian shooters. The platform can’t be all that bad.

With that said, since many of these are surplus rifles, whenever you’re looking to buy one, or even want a new barrel, chances are you’re going to be shopping around for something that’s been used.

Considering the fact that, like a car’s tires, a rifle’s barrel is technically a non-durable good and has a limited lifespan, it’s good to know how to inspect one.

The next time you catch yourself in a gun shop looking for a new M14 barrel (or just an old M14 rifle) here’s what you need to know about how to inspect it.

Check for Obstructions

The first and most glaringly obvious thing you must make sure of is that the barrel is free of obstructions. If not, it is unusable. Some obstructions can be cleared and remedied easily, others not so much. Otherwise, the first step is identifying the issue.

If it is just an M14 barrel you are looking at, simply look through the breach towards a light source to see if the barrel is clear; if it is an assembled M14, open the bolt, inspect the action to be certain that the rifle is not loaded, remove the bolt, and perform the same.

If the bore is obstructed, try removing whatever is inside of it with a bore brush, mop, or jag attached to a cleaning rod. Never, under any circumstances, attempt to fire a rifle with an obstructed barrel. This could cause the barrel to burst and can be fatal.

Is It Bent?

Another big concern, not just with M14 barrels but with any firearm barrel, is that it is bent or has a bulge or some other flaw. These can usually be identified with a bore light or by looking at a light source.

The way to check if the barrel is bent is to look through the barrel at a light source. You should see a series of dark concentric circles through the bore. If these are perfectly aligned, the barrel is straight; if there is any deviation, you have a bend in the barrel.

As for bulges, sometimes these can be difficult to diagnose from the outside. If there are any shadows inside the barrel, that’s a big tell. Unfortunately, any barrel with a bulge is unsafe to shoot and must be discarded.

Is It Clean? Is There Corrosion?

You’ll also want to know if the bore is clean and free of corrosion. Fouling, which indicates the barrel has been fired and hasn’t been cleaned, isn’t usually a big concern as even heavy fouling can be removed.

Looking through the barrel at a light source, if you see dark streaks and flecks, that’s powder fouling. With a borescope, if you can see any bluish streaks, that’s copper fouling and can be difficult to remove. It can, however, be removed, and shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.

Corrosion is another issue and can be a dealbreaker. Though some corrosion may be visible to the naked eye, you may need to use a bore light and scope. Corrosion and pitting will appear as dark spots inside the bore. Minor pitting may not be a concern, but major pitting will adversely affect accuracy and can render the M14 barrel unsafe to use.

Inspecting the Rifling

You’ll also want to check out the barrel’s rifling. The older the rifling and the more rounds that have gone through the bore, the more it will be worn down.

Older barrels can be “shot out” which means that the rifling is worn down to the point that it adversely affects accuracy. The rifle will still fire, but you won’t be able to produce tight groups.

To inspect the condition of the rifling, you’ll need a borescope. Start by inspecting the rifling right in front of the chamber. There should be a clear, dark demarcation between the lands and grooves. The fainter it is, the more worn it will be.

The Exterior of the Barrel

Lastly, it’s also important to inspect the exterior of an M14 barrel, and not just the bore. The main things to look for here are corrosion and pitting. Small scratches shouldn’t be deal breakers, but if there is advanced rust or pitting on the barrel’s exterior, that can make it unfit for use.

Here for a New M14 Barrel?

While knowing how to inspect a used firearm barrel is definitely a skill, and one to have if you ever buy a used gun, we have a way around it. Simply buy a new M14 barrel. We carry them, and you can see them via the previous link. If you have any questions prior to buying just let us know and we would be happy to help.