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Posted: 6/1/2025 8:49:04 AM EDT
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I have an M1A Scout Squad that I'm thinking of suppressing. Thinking of going with a Polonium 30. What all is needed to change the rifle over to accept a suppressor. Giving thought to adding the Schuster adjustable gas plug. Is a HUB mount a way to go? The can may do double duty on my 16" .308 AR Thanks |
I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me and say "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals.
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
| I Installed a 5/8x20 thread adapter and a Schuster gas plug. Qd muzzle device to match my can and a little tuning on the gas plug and it runs great. I am using a Yhm resonator suppressor on it. |
Originally Posted By Steve_T_M:
Political correctness is nothing but left-wing religious fundamentalism.
Political correctness is nothing but left-wing religious fundamentalism.
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Originally Posted By BULLDAWG_556: If I was going to suppress an M1A/M14 clone and I was buying a new can to do it, I would grab a Hux free flow. You get a ton of gas and grease to the face with traditional cans. I saw a guy at the range a few weeks back with a Socom 16. He was wearing an N95 mask as he said the gas to the face was pretty bad. The mask was pretty grungy looking by the time he fired 3 or 4 mags. |
I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me and say "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals.
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
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My LRB EBR wears an SEI Windtalker mounted on an SEI Vortex FH. Ron Smith laughed when I asked about using a Schuster's vented plug and told me to go back and study the M14/M1A gas system to better understand the self-regulating vent feature that makes the Schuster's plug unnecessary (unlike the M1 Garand which can definitely benefit from a properly tuned vented gas plug). YMMV. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By jd2395: There is a sweet zombie movie where a guy has a suppressed one forgot the name Daylights End. Saw it a few years ago on YouTube. |
I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me and say "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals.
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
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Originally Posted By flcracker: My LRB EBR wears an SEI Windtalker mounted on an SEI Vortex FH. Ron Smith laughed when I asked about using a Schuster's vented plug and told me to go back and study the M14/M1A gas system to better understand the self-regulating vent feature that makes the Schuster's plug unnecessary (unlike the M1 Garand which can definitely benefit from a properly tuned vented gas plug). YMMV. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/74872/1000014275_jpg-3553725.JPG Good to know about the Schusters plug being not needed. |
I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me and say "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals.
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
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Originally Posted By 50cal: Good to know about the Schusters plug being not needed. Just to clarify - Ron Smith said it's not needed, but he didn't say that it was never helpful. He may be in the top echelon of his field (mil-spec M14s), but he has a unique personality and isn't Moses coming down from the mountaintop when it comes to commercial variants of the M14 and suppressors that are not of his design. If someone feels better using a Schuster's vented plug on their own M1A, Fulton, or Norinco then IMHO they should certainly do what they think is best for their own rifle. I can't imagine a scenario in which a properly tuned vented plug could hurt things. |
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Isn't Shuster out of business? I have one of their vented, non-adjustable plugs on my (not suppressed) M14. Slowed down the op rod considerably while still working reliably. I'd want something more than the stock gas system parts if I were to throw a can on it. |
"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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Originally Posted By jake03: I never tried running mine suppressed without the adjustable gas plug but with it I don't have the gas to face that others have complained about. It's not so much gas to face as it is grease, oil, carbon, and powder flash. OP, a Sandman X might be another flow option. I am watching reviews of this one, and it may very well be my next can. |
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As others have said, the 5/8" thread adapter is the only thing you really need. Some way to regulate gas is a good idea though. For most people the adjustable gas plug is not the best way. The only situation I would recommend it is if you had your gas system unitized by the screw and glue method. If yours is welded, or not unitized at all, then replacing the gas spindle is the way to go, bar none. There are a few options for gas spindles. You can buy a cross drilled one, which has one mode for regular, and one for suppressor use. You can get one that takes jets. You can get one that is fully adjustable with a screw. My recommendation is the cross drilled one. The M14 gas system is phenomenal, and far more forgiving than most rifles. It might be the most forgiving 308 semi auto ever made. My M1A can run ammo from 175gr cast bullets at 1800 fps, all the way to 180gr jacketed bullets at 2550 fps and function perfectly the whole way with zero adjustments. There's still limits to anything, and if you were going to run hot 180gr+ load and use a suppressor, you are going to be running the gun hard unless you regulate the gas. Yes, suppressors are dirty, you do get some gas out the back. The M1A doesn't seem any worse than any other rifle, better than some. My closest comparison is an SFAR, which is pretty much the same to me as far as shooting, but it gets a lot dirtier inside than the M1A. Your chamber will be dirtier, and your brass dirtier as a result. That's just the way it is. You can get flow through suppressors, I don't own any yet. They are one of those things that sound good, but I'm not sure are as fantastic in actual practice. Don't take that as advice to avoid them, I do not know every flow through suppressor out there, not by a long shot. I'm just not that impressed with models such as the Huxwrx flow 762. When you get into those flow through suppressors, you get all kinds of goofy designs, that honestly I'm convinced are different, just to say they are different. Maybe it's the mechanic in me, but I'm willing to sacrifice a tiny bit of form factor for ease of service. Most suppressors that I have found use a hub cap on the back. It's not standardized, but it's common enough it's not much of an issue. It's a good thing to have, you can swap them out for whatever mounting you like. I have no need for quickly changing suppressors, so I like direct thread. They are shorter and lighter, plus it's bulletproof. There's tons of quick attach mounts out there, and a very common complaint is them coming loose. If you direct thread one on, and give it just a little torque with a wrench, say 10 ft/lb, it's not going to come loose. I don't use loctite or anything. I've heard good things about the Polonium 30. It is it's a little heavy for it's size. That's not always bad, being stainless it's heavier, but possibly more durable, and of course cheaper. I will caution you that a suppressor this short is generally not very quiet. The one I have is nearly the same size, and it's a heck of a lot better than nothing, but it's still not quiet. Nothing really is, but from what I've heard, once you get more in the 7" + range (diameter matters too of course), then you really tame some of that pop. An example might be the Liberty Amendment, which is almost 7 1/2" long, but only 2.5 ounces heavier, and seems to be fairly quiet. It is also user serviceable, and not too expensive. Or you can go a little more expensive such as the DD Enticer S TI, at 6 3/4", but quite a bit lighter at only 9 ounces, which includes the mount weight. They are known to be very quiet. Unfortunately it is not user serviceable. That or the L TI is what I'm considering next, although I would much rather prefer them user serviceable. If you do plan on hunting, then those short 5.5" suppressors do work well. They are still quiet enough, and the shorter size is always nice. i would recommend titanium ones if hunting though. If just shooting for fun, I would go bigger. |
If you have a scope mount that utilizes a second screw at the rear and a firring that replaces the stripper clip guide, it greatly reduces the gas coming back toward you. That's the case even with the mount removed.  Schuster gas plugs were un-obtainum when I suppressed mine, so I cross drilled the spindle valve. It's no longer "on" and "off", but "full gas" and "reduced gas". The other option if you want more adjustability or don't want to slowly upsize the hole until it functions properly unsuppressed without being over gassed when suppressed is to get a spindle drilled and tapped for different sized jets.  ----- I used a Smith Enterprises adapter to allow a 5/8-24 suppressor to fit the M1A. In this case it replaces the front sight block. You'll also need a jam nut. I went that route as it allowed me to use a browning style flash hider when its not suppressed.  
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Attached File I went with an adjustable spindle valve and a Huxwrx flow. There is no gas or debris in my face, mostly from the flow through can I believe. I have not needed to adjust the valve at all. Shoots just fine with or without the can. |
‘‘To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them...’’
— Richard Henry Lee, 1787
— Richard Henry Lee, 1787
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SEI parts. Runs great. Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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I prefer the cross drilled spindle valve. You can do it yourself, or buy one from shooting sight. Then you have a normal position and a reduced gas position. https://shootingsight.com/?product=drilled-m14-spindle-valve |
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Originally Posted By yamahawarrior89: I prefer the cross drilled spindle valve. You can do it yourself, or buy one from shooting sight. Then you have a normal position and a reduced gas position. https://shootingsight.com/?product=drilled-m14-spindle-valve This is what I use. |
3-7-77
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
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Originally Posted By lew: Isn't Shuster out of business? I have one of their vented, non-adjustable plugs on my (not suppressed) M14. Slowed down the op rod considerably while still working reliably. I'd want something more than the stock gas system parts if I were to throw a can on it. Yup out of business due to deaths in the family I believe. Fulton Armory now makes the Schuster style adjustable gas plug. https://www.fulton-armory.com/gas-cylinder-plug-adjustable-socom-by-fulton-armory.aspx |
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Originally Posted By Evintos: Yup out of business due to deaths in the family I believe. Fulton Armory now makes the Schuster style adjustable gas plug. https://www.fulton-armory.com/gas-cylinder-plug-adjustable-socom-by-fulton-armory.aspx Originally Posted By Evintos: Originally Posted By lew: Isn't Shuster out of business? I have one of their vented, non-adjustable plugs on my (not suppressed) M14. Slowed down the op rod considerably while still working reliably. I'd want something more than the stock gas system parts if I were to throw a can on it. Yup out of business due to deaths in the family I believe. Fulton Armory now makes the Schuster style adjustable gas plug. https://www.fulton-armory.com/gas-cylinder-plug-adjustable-socom-by-fulton-armory.aspx That sucks...  ...And that's great. 
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"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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B&T makes a suppressor that mounts on the M1A flash hider. I emailed to inquire if it would work on the scout squad and they replied yes, but I have not ordered one to be able to confirm it or not. I'd be interested if anyone's tried it. I've more or less decided to sell anything I can't suppress, but I'd like to keep the M1A Scout. |
Get a breech cover to minimize gas to face.  DSC_0519-M1A Gas Lock by FredMan, on Flickr DSC_0522-M1A Action by FredMan, on Flickr DSC_1634-M1A Schuster Plug by FredMan, on Flickr DSC_0521-M1A Can by FredMan, on FlickrBe prepared for significant POI shift  DSC_1630-M1A Can POI Shift by FredMan, on Flickr |
ProTip: Never pick a fight with a tree planter. He swings a hoedad for 9 hours a day, carries 30-40 pounds of seedlings on his back, and has 12-14 friends just like him hiding out on the other side of the junk butt pile. They will fuck your shit up.
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Originally Posted By FredMan: Get a breech cover to minimize gas to face. ... @FredMan What can is that? |
"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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Originally Posted By lew: @FredMan What can is that? @lew It’s the GemTech HVT-QD. .30 cal of course. It’s ancient technology, and heavy as hell, big as shit, , but I got it for a great deal and when you run out of ammo it makes a fine bludgeon. |
ProTip: Never pick a fight with a tree planter. He swings a hoedad for 9 hours a day, carries 30-40 pounds of seedlings on his back, and has 12-14 friends just like him hiding out on the other side of the junk butt pile. They will fuck your shit up.
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Originally Posted By 50cal: Wow. That's a hell of an impact shift. Every can will be different, too. Some shift a lot, others not so much. As long as they are repeatable, that is what matters. |
3-7-77
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
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Originally Posted By FredMan: @lew It’s the GemTech HVT-QD. .30 cal of course. It’s ancient technology, and heavy as hell, big as shit, , but I got it for a great deal and when you run out of ammo it makes a fine bludgeon. Originally Posted By FredMan: Originally Posted By lew: @FredMan What can is that? @lew It’s the GemTech HVT-QD. .30 cal of course. It’s ancient technology, and heavy as hell, big as shit, , but I got it for a great deal and when you run out of ammo it makes a fine bludgeon. Fantastic. If it works, it works. Thanks, mate! 
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"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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