Help with M1 Garand

[flyfishooltewah]

I just got a M1 Garand and took it to the range yesterday and found some issues.

I ran about 20 rounds through it and 4-5 rounds did not fire. The rounds have a mark where the firing pin hit the primers, but the round did not discharge. I was told by someone at the range that the ammo was probably okay and that I had a problem with a spring or firing pin.

I took the rifle apart last night and it looked pretty clean, but I did not have alot of time to spend taking it down. I did notice that when I pulled the bolt back several time in trying to work the oil in that it would not always close properly, I had to slap the bolt forward on a couple of ocassions.

Does anyone have any ideas of what I should be looking for? I thought about ordering all new springs for it from Brownells. but maybe one of the forum experts has a better idea..I'm all ears!!

[Garufa]

What kind of ammo are you using? Are the indents on dud primers as deep as on the ones that did go boom? I would think if you had a firing pin problem none would go off.

I'm no expert but either 1) The ammo is bad, 2) hammer spring may need replacement, or 3) firing pin is worn down. Most likely ammo issue cause I doubt 2 & 3 are the culprits. Gonna leave headpspace out of the discussion for now, but it's always a possibility. Btw, there is no firing pin spring, it free-float.

Were are you trying to work oil in? Garands must be greased in critical areas (anywhere something slides).

The best resource there is can be found here: http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/

Edited March 17, 2009 by Garufa

[Guest Matchguy]

The bolt not closing is a problem. I trained with the M-1 in the Army and although it is a very reliable weapon, a bit of crud in the wrong place can stop it cold. Parts DO fail in them, but crud is a more common culprit, which is why we used to field strip them and take them into a scalding hot shower with us with toothbrushes to get the crud out. If the bolt doesn't close all the way you aren't going to get normal functioning.

I would make sure the receiver rails the locking lugs ride in are spotless and I would also blast out the bolt and the trigger housing group with non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner and re-lube before I spend any money on it. Do this outside and use gloves and glasses. If the bolt still won't close, you could have a weak operating rod spring or even a warped or damaged operating rod. But I'd borrow an operating spring from a buddy and try that first if the de-crudding and lubing doesn't do it. Best wishes.

MG

[Guest c.a.s.]

What kind of ammo were you using?

[flyfishooltewah]

What kind of ammo were you using?

I think it was Greek surplus. It fired just fine for the fist 8 rounds, then it started acting up. I also forgot to mention that I can't adjust my windage. When I tried to use the left screw it seemed to turn the elevation screw. That is an enirely different issue though....

[Guest c.a.s.]

Just making sure it wasn't commercial, that can bend your op-rod. You might want ot examine it anyway.

[Garufa]

Do what Matchguy says and thoroughly clean and lube that thing inside & out. The HXP is great ammo so I'd be real surprised if that is the problem.

Apply grease to all the areas shown in this diagram:

http://www.nicolausassociates.com/PDF/M1GarandRifleGreasePoints.pdf

Light oil everywhere else, except where the operating rod goes inside the gas tube. Leave that dry.

The left knob is elevation, right knob windage.

[flyfishooltewah]

The left knob is elevation, right knob windage.

My fault...the right knob does not turn properly. I was shooting it backwards....

[Guest Matchguy]

The other thing that can be causing the bolt to be held open a bit is a filthy or pitted chamber. Make sure you clean that too. We'll get there yet.

MG

[Mike.357]

If you have not done so yet, strip the rifle down to the last piece you can safely do.

I bet you may find the trouble there.

I had the same trouble with a M1 carbine and it ended up being ammo related trouble. Have nevr had a problem since.

But stripping cleaning and lubing will help

Remember, grease what slides, oil what turns.

[Mark@Sea]

Where'd the rifle come from?

I would check to make sure the rear handguard isn't loose and interfering with the oprod, before I would replace the spring. The greek surplus is good stuff.

Make sure when you lube it you hit the right spots, and use grease, not gun oil!

This link may help:

http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com/assemblyhtml/reassemblefeed2.html

[flyfishooltewah]

Thanks for all of the great replies. I used grease as opposed to oil on the slide and some of the internal parts and the rifle seems like it is easier to operate. I have not had a chance to go shoot it yet (hopefully this weekend), but I was able to get the windage fixed by adjusting and tightening the screws. I hope to post favorable reports after the weekend on the resolution! Thanks again for some great information.