Gunsmithing M1 garand problem

[josephberry]

The rifle is a mix matched parts gun with a Springfield receiver. Here is the problem. When I put in the full bell clip, it will fire 1 round, then try to eject the rest of the semi full clip. Sometimes it will fire 2 or 3 rounds then try to eject the remaining rounds and the clip. Can anyone explain what's going on? Thanks

 

[Kasumi]

Re: M1 garand problem

Here is a great resource for the M1 Garand, I bet you could look back at previous posts and find the cure for that. Sounds like a easy fix.

http://www.odcmp.com/

The CMP Civilian Marksmanship Program, click on Forums.

Good luck

 

[Powder_Burns]

Re: M1 garand problem

Does this happen with every en bloc clip you have or just the one?
I suspect there is wear or some issue with your clip latch or follower assemblies, specifically the clip latch spring, follower arm and operating rod catch. Inspect these parts to make sure they are not worn out or broken..

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: M1 garand problem

Clip latch spring. Put a new one in it or take the old one out, find some spring stock, and make a new one with the heavier spring.

The clip latch is held in with a pin that will slide right out.

This is a common maintenance item for the M1.

There is a remote possibility that you have a timing issue bout without a timing block you cannot tell very well. Look at this if the clip latch spring does not take care of it.

 

[Hateca]

Re: M1 garand problem

I would have the timing checked on this rifle whether the latch spring fixes the issue or not. If this is a mix master of parts I would bet timing is off either way.

Find someone with a timing block and have this checked out. If you have Garands and will be shooting Garands the timing block is a must have in my opinion anyway.

 

[Pepper]

Re: M1 garand problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NineHotel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Clip latch spring. Put a new one in it or take the old one out, find some spring stock, and make a new one with the heavier spring.

The clip latch is held in with a pin that will slide right out.

This is a common maintenance item for the M1.

There is a remote possibility that you have a timing issue bout without a timing block you cannot tell very well. Look at this if the clip latch spring does not take care of it. </div></div>

+1 for the clip latch spring. Best deal is to get a heavy duty one from Fulton Armory. Shipping may be prohibitive, but you might want to get a full spring kit and change all of them. The full kit does not contain the heavy duty clip latch spring, only the regular one. Order it separate.

 

[donws2]

Re: M1 garand problem

jd PM me. I have all the GI gages for a M1 and I'm not far away. I was shooting today in Elberton and that's only about a 45 minute ride from you. Donald

 

[josephberry]

Re: M1 garand problem

Clip latch and spring appear to be fine. Clip latch retains clip until bolt is fully rearward. All clips appear to be fine. I know racking the bolt back by hand is not duplicating the same action as firing the rifle. I'm guessing now that I do have a timing issue, thanks for your help everyone.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: M1 garand problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jdberry</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Clip latch and spring appear to be fine. </div></div>

You have a spring strength tester and the spec for the spring?

"Appear" means nothing. The ejecting of the clip is a strong indicator to me that it "appears" NOT to be fine.

If you are inclined to swap parts to try to correct a possible timing issue, swap these parts from a known good M1:

# bullet guide
# follower & slide assembly
# follower rod
# follower arm
# follower arm pin
# op rod spring

The follower rod normally is modified by peening to effect timing.

Get hooked up with Don in SC.

 

[donws2]

Re: M1 garand problem

Actually the Cam surface on the Bullet Guide that contacts the Accelerator on the Operation Catch is the part that gets peened to correct timing issues. The tab has a rather small surface area and wears down with use. Some people will bend the Follower Arm or do some other shade tree fix and that just opens you up to a whole new set of problems. John Garand designed the rifle to operate in a specific way and I can't find any way to improve on it.

Joey I'll be glad to look her over. I'll let you know the next trip to Elberton. Donald

 

[Outsydlooknin75]

Re: M1 garand problem

If you are in Houscton, there aint but one man to call ........


HOOK Bowden I think his last name is.

Go over to Dixie Ammo Dump and ask them about contact info on Hook, they will be able to give it to you.

 

[donws2]

Re: M1 garand problem

It's Jerald (Hook) Boulton. He's in Bremen Ga. Exit 11 on Hwy 20 before you get to Alabama. About Five miles off the Hwy. Hook is the guy I go to when I get stuck. He's a combat veteran for WWII, Korea and Veitnam. He was on the design team that made the first NM M14's. He later helped develope the M24 sniper system. While in his fifties he went back to Vietnam to train snipers on his second tuor. He was a First Shirt in a Airborne unit his first trip over. If he likes you he'll tell you some stories even Holywood could not make up. Only his stuff is true. I have his prototype Art II scope old man Leatherwood gave him. Best man alive today. Donald

 

[Outsydlooknin75]

Re: M1 garand problem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don in SC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's Jerald (Hook) Boulton. He's in Bremen Ga. Exit 11 on Hwy 20 before you get to Alabama. About Five miles off the Hwy. Hook is the guy I go to when I get stuck. He's a combat veteran for WWII, Korea and Veitnam. He was on the design team that made the first NM M14's. He later helped develope the M24 sniper system. While in his fifties he went back to Vietnam to train snipers on his second tuor. He was a First Shirt in a Airborne unit his first trip over. If he likes you he'll tell you some stories even Holywood could not make up. Only his stuff is true. I have his prototype Art II scope old man Leatherwood gave him. Best man alive today. Donald </div></div>

I couldnt remember how Hooks last name was spelled and I have never known him by his first name. He has always been referenced as simply Hook.


I have been there and watched him take apart a trigger assembly and never look at it, simply talk to you and stare you straight in the eyes .... byt the tuime he is done talking he has everything taken apart, cleaned and put back together.

The man simply is a legend.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: M1 garand problem

When my son's Garand was having the same issue, it was the gas plug out of adjustment and one other minor thing that I can't remember...He's the Garand freak. Me, I like M14's and bolt guns

 

[donws2]

Re: M1 garand problem

Your gas system should not be able to cause the rifle to eject the clip early. The Garand gas system will cause failure to extract or failure to feed problems. If the gas plug is loose this will have the same effect as if the piston on the op rod or the gas cylinder is worn beyond limits. It's all about using the gas to drive the piston and therefore the op rod back and then the return spring feeding the next round. A worn or broken return spring will cause failure to feed only in theory. I have seen a new op spring fix allot of things that are not related to the op rods operation,so never say never. Early clip ejection is usually a combination of several parts that are worn to or just beyond limits. Changing one or two parts will fix the problem about 90% on the time. Some of the Garands that have left CMP in the last few years have had receivers that should have been scrapped. I don't believe the CMP gauges the receivers and with a Mixmaster you never really know its history and how it's been treated so every one has it's own issues. Some small and some large. Donald

 

[josephberry]

Re: M1 garand problem

Thanks Don, I should be in Elberton Fri-Sun. Are you going to the shooting club this weekend?