new to an M1A with question

specs · March 13, 2012, 08:08

I am new to the M1A, having used FALs for several years. I noticed when I fire it a loud pinging sound very much like a ballpeen hammer on plate steel. Is this normal or should I be concerned?

Posted this on the M14forum and got no responses.

Thanks for any input
Specs

Boomer · March 13, 2012, 08:28

I have not heard anything like that when firing my M1A. The only thing I can think would make that sound would be the op rod during recoil hitting something????? But that is just a wild ass guess.

Robert

superjc · March 13, 2012, 09:08

Yes it's normal. Probably bolt hitting the rear of the receiver, I haven't nailed it down myself but "CLINGG" is what it sounds like....

specs · March 13, 2012, 09:14

Called Springfield and asked the question, was worried.

The said it is a function of a NM reamed flash suppresor that causes that sound. The sound is normal.

Boomer · March 13, 2012, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by specs

Called Springfield and asked the question, was worried.

The said it is a function of a NM reamed flash suppressor that causes that sound. The sound is normal.

Well that explains why I haven't heard it. But now that you mention it I do have that pinging sound on my HK UMP clone when the flash hider is attached.
It sounds like a tuning fork being struck each time I fire a round.

Robert

**bjohns61** · March 13, 2012, 21:27

Had I think the same sound after I hit the dirt in Nam. Flash hider used to get bent a little. Just fired another round and it seem to go away.

**John Crusher** · March 14, 2012, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohns61

Had I think the same sound after I hit the dirt in Nam. Flash hider used to get bent a little. Just fired another round and it seem to go away.

A little high power straightening huh ?

Airborne Falcon · March 15, 2012, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohns61

Had I think the same sound after I hit the dirt in Nam. Flash hider used to get bent a little. Just fired another round and it seem to go away.

Nothing like a fire-fight tune-up to get your service rifle running I suppose. It's like blowing-out the fuel injection and burning-off the plugs during the course of a Grand Prix I guess ... a good old Italian tune-up so-to-speak.

**308bolt** · March 15, 2012, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by specs

Called Springfield and asked the question, was worried.

The said it is a function of a NM reamed flash suppresor that causes that sound. The sound is normal.

I have an NM flash suppressor on mine and it doesn't make noises like that.
To be fair about it though, mine has a bush barrel so that may be the difference.

wayne in boca · March 16, 2012, 06:42

This comes up a lot.It seems like someone traced it to the hammer spring.

**ac7120** · March 16, 2012, 08:33

Another thing to consider is that like the garand, the M1A's op rod (the hump) strikes the spent case, and knocks it forward, and to the right. Maybe that's what you're hearing.

Democrat1 · March 16, 2012, 16:23

I do hear a "clack-clack" noise with my cast receivered SA Inc M1A, but never anything like a ringing noise. My M1A has a NM flashhider, which is bored a little bigger, but I can't see that making any difference. I've always put my thumb over the wrist of the stock, and cheek aggressively forward, on my thumb, to aid in uniform head positioning. The rear of the receiver taps my glasses every shot.

I've always associated the clacking with the bolt hitting the inside rear of the receiver, and then with the bolt closing.

m1shooter · March 16, 2012, 16:43

They are awesome weapons.

**308bolt** · March 16, 2012, 16:44

Maybe it's the cleaning kit banking back and forth.

shlomo · March 18, 2012, 11:20

I have always noticed the "ringing" sound tailing the report of an M1A/M14. I love that sound.

It is most likely coming from the F/H. The "vortex" FAL F/H that Moses makes produces the same sound on firing a shot, which is the chief reason I like it better than the original Imbel combo device.

Childish, I know, but a man's gotta have fun.

charles isaac · March 18, 2012, 13:06

I noticed that firing an M1 Garand with the T37 flash suppressor attached makes a ringing sound like a tuning fork, although I have never noticed this with an M1A or M14.

m14xman · March 19, 2012, 09:59

This is not the flash suppressor causing the ringing you are hearing. If it is part of it, it is hitting with bullet strike and is out of alignment. Look for copper residue in the throat of the FS. Last residual sound waves traveling through the FS will make a slight ring, but is not what you are hearing.

It is caused by a combination of the bolt hitting the rear of the receiver and the op rod hitting the front of the receiver. The length and shape of the op rod acts like a tuning fork and reverberates down the length of it and returns through the op rod spring as it cycles. If you listen closely, you can also hear the "schwing" sound afterwards from the spring sliding inside the op rod. The bolt hits first, then microseconds later, the op rod hits and picks up the sound vibration from the front of the receiver and transmits it down the length of the op rod.

**parallaxbill** · March 19, 2012, 16:42

Both of my M1As have NM flash hiders and I don't here a ringing sound when I shoot them, but I am 55 years old and it may be out of my range.

My son says my 6.5 Grendel AR rings when fired with it's Dan Young flash hider, but I don't here that either.

stormboy297 · April 03, 2012, 16:20

I think SA is right. I have a NM flash hider; it is not a ping but sounds more like the ring of silverware on a glass.

shlomo · April 03, 2012, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormboy297

I think SA is right. I have a NM flash hider; it is not a ping but sounds more like the ring of silverware on a glass.

Right. Not a "ping" with a "p", but the fading sound like a tuning fork trailing out of the sound of the report.

Did I say I love that sound?

jjjxlr8 · April 05, 2012, 19:38

I hear the same 'ping' sound with mine. I also have a NM flash hider, but I'm not sure that's where the sound is coming from. I've shot an M1 Garand that had the same kind of sound so I suspect it's in the action somewhere.

ByronF · April 05, 2012, 20:25

I get a nice ring when I drop my M14 clone action from 1" open. With my ear to the flash hider it sure seems to be coming from it. I wonder if the cast commercial versions would ring the same?

Not the same, but I have a Mini-14 that rings like a tuning fork when I drop the action from half open. It's definitely the diamond-hard muzzle device on that rifle. With it removed there is no ringing. And it's a LOT louder than the M14 clone.

**phillyray** · April 05, 2012, 20:36

My M1A and my G1 make the ping noise from the slotted flash hiders.

swerdna · April 12, 2012, 19:56

I replaced my preban FH with a NM FH an I now have a bit of a ping.... No jacket residue on the orfice in 500 rinds or so.

memphismachinists · April 14, 2012, 20:12

Ive heard people say that cast recievers have a ringing sound to them, but I can't hear shit. I have some of both cast and forged, but I cant hear shit. Don't worry in a few years you won't be able to hear shit either.

March 13, 2012, 08:08	#1
specs Registered FALaholic #: 63211 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Clay NY Posts: 67	new to an M1A with question I am new to the M1A, having used FALs for several years. I noticed when I fire it a loud pinging sound very much like a ballpeen hammer on plate steel. Is this normal or should I be concerned? Posted this on the M14forum and got no responses. Thanks for any input Specs __________________ Upstate NY, in the land of the enslaved.

March 13, 2012, 08:28	#2
Boomer Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 2669 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Florida Keys, Fl. USA Posts: 409	I have not heard anything like that when firing my M1A. The only thing I can think would make that sound would be the op rod during recoil hitting something????? But that is just a wild ass guess. Robert __________________ Do you duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.

March 13, 2012, 09:14	#4
specs Registered FALaholic #: 63211 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Clay NY Posts: 67	Called Springfield and asked the question, was worried. The said it is a function of a NM reamed flash suppresor that causes that sound. The sound is normal. __________________ Upstate NY, in the land of the enslaved.

March 13, 2012, 21:27	#6
bjohns61 Bronze Contributor Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 47077 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 23	ping Had I think the same sound after I hit the dirt in Nam. Flash hider used to get bent a little. Just fired another round and it seem to go away.

March 16, 2012, 06:42	#10
wayne in boca Registered FALaholic #: 10926 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 495	This comes up a lot.It seems like someone traced it to the hammer spring. __________________ This mess is so big,so deep and so tall,we cannot clean it up,there is no way at all. The Cat in The Hat

March 13, 2012, 09:08	#3
superjc Registered FALaholic #: 30508 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 801	Yes it's normal. Probably bolt hitting the rear of the receiver, I haven't nailed it down myself but "CLINGG" is what it sounds like....

March 16, 2012, 08:33	#11
ac7120 Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 63517 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 134	Another thing to consider is that like the garand, the M1A's op rod (the hump) strikes the spent case, and knocks it forward, and to the right. Maybe that's what you're hearing. __________________ Sarge

March 16, 2012, 16:23	#12
Democrat1 Registered FALaholic #: 9132 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 54	I've been shooting an M1A since '78 I do hear a "clack-clack" noise with my cast receivered SA Inc M1A, but never anything like a ringing noise. My M1A has a NM flashhider, which is bored a little bigger, but I can't see that making any difference. I've always put my thumb over the wrist of the stock, and cheek aggressively forward, on my thumb, to aid in uniform head positioning. The rear of the receiver taps my glasses every shot. I've always associated the clacking with the bolt hitting the inside rear of the receiver, and then with the bolt closing.

March 16, 2012, 16:43	#13
m1shooter Registered FALaholic #: 3535 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Louisville Posts: 575	M1A They are awesome weapons.

March 16, 2012, 16:44	#14
308bolt Heathen Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 19255 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,536	Maybe it's the cleaning kit banking back and forth. __________________ "The bandwagons rumble past. I sit here on the curb," ~ John Hartford ~ "Nil desperandum, -- Never Despair. That is a motto for you and me. All are not dead; and where there is a spark of patriotic fire, we will rekindle it." ~ Samuel Adams ~

March 18, 2012, 11:20	#15
shlomo Registered FALaholic #: 12779 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: elsewhere Posts: 12,347	I have always noticed the "ringing" sound tailing the report of an M1A/M14. I love that sound. It is most likely coming from the F/H. The "vortex" FAL F/H that Moses makes produces the same sound on firing a shot, which is the chief reason I like it better than the original Imbel combo device. Childish, I know, but a man's gotta have fun. __________________ "A piss-ant is hard to track across the Rock of Ages." --Martin35 on Dumbass Bill's value to the Files.

March 18, 2012, 13:06	#16
charles isaac Registered FALaholic #: 891 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Great Dismal Swamp, North Carolina Posts: 631	I noticed that firing an M1 Garand with the T37 flash suppressor attached makes a ringing sound like a tuning fork, although I have never noticed this with an M1A or M14.

March 19, 2012, 09:59	#17
m14xman Registered FALaholic #: 64160 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: louisiana Posts: 17	This is not the flash suppressor causing the ringing you are hearing. If it is part of it, it is hitting with bullet strike and is out of alignment. Look for copper residue in the throat of the FS. Last residual sound waves traveling through the FS will make a slight ring, but is not what you are hearing. It is caused by a combination of the bolt hitting the rear of the receiver and the op rod hitting the front of the receiver. The length and shape of the op rod acts like a tuning fork and reverberates down the length of it and returns through the op rod spring as it cycles. If you listen closely, you can also hear the "schwing" sound afterwards from the spring sliding inside the op rod. The bolt hits first, then microseconds later, the op rod hits and picks up the sound vibration from the front of the receiver and transmits it down the length of the op rod.

March 19, 2012, 16:42	#18
parallaxbill Prototype machinist Contributor Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 26251 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NC Posts: 729	Both of my M1As have NM flash hiders and I don't here a ringing sound when I shoot them, but I am 55 years old and it may be out of my range. My son says my 6.5 Grendel AR rings when fired with it's Dan Young flash hider, but I don't here that either. __________________ ParallaxBill

April 03, 2012, 16:20	#19
stormboy297 Registered FALaholic #: 64073 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NEGeorgia Posts: 21	The Ping I think SA is right. I have a NM flash hider; it is not a ping but sounds more like the ring of silverware on a glass.

April 05, 2012, 19:38	#21
jjjxlr8 Registered FALaholic #: 34903 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 110	I hear the same 'ping' sound with mine. I also have a NM flash hider, but I'm not sure that's where the sound is coming from. I've shot an M1 Garand that had the same kind of sound so I suspect it's in the action somewhere.

April 05, 2012, 20:25	#22
ByronF Registered FALaholic #: 630 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,174	I get a nice ring when I drop my M14 clone action from 1" open. With my ear to the flash hider it sure seems to be coming from it. I wonder if the cast commercial versions would ring the same? Not the same, but I have a Mini-14 that rings like a tuning fork when I drop the action from half open. It's definitely the diamond-hard muzzle device on that rifle. With it removed there is no ringing. And it's a LOT louder than the M14 clone.

April 05, 2012, 20:36	#23
phillyray Veteran Member Contributor FALaholic #: 43105 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charlotte Posts: 1,545	My M1A and my G1 make the ping noise from the slotted flash hiders.

April 12, 2012, 19:56	#24
swerdna Registered FALaholic #: 10486 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harrisburg area, PA Posts: 37	I replaced my preban FH with a NM FH an I now have a bit of a ping.... No jacket residue on the orfice in 500 rinds or so. __________________ "Scouts Out!"

April 14, 2012, 20:12	#25
memphismachinists Registered FALaholic #: 63687 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Memphis, Tenn Posts: 21	Ive heard people say that cast recievers have a ringing sound to them, but I can't hear shit. I have some of both cast and forged, but I cant hear shit. Don't worry in a few years you won't be able to hear shit either.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode