Garand lubrication

[elktrout]

According to Scott Duff's book on the M-1 Garand, a lot of spots in and on it require a light coat of grease for the gun to function properly.

I cleaned mine well today, including removing the op rod tube and spring and cleaning the inside of the op rod tube. The spring had a fair amount of dirty lube, as did the inside of the op rod tube. I cleaned both really well and lightly sprayed the spring with Rem Oil. Was that a mistake? Should the spring run dry inside the tube?

 

[MJD]

Elk,

If I recall my manual correctly, it calls for a light application of grease on the operating rod spring. I would certainly recommend lubrication of the spring for longevity and function.

 

[bigdogpete]

According to Scott Duff's book on the M-1 Garand, a lot of spots in and on it require a light coat of grease for the gun to function properly.

I cleaned mine well today, including removing the op rod tube and spring and cleaning the inside of the op rod tube. The spring had a fair amount of dirty lube, as did the inside of the op rod tube. I cleaned both really well and lightly sprayed the spring with Rem Oil. Was that a mistake? Should the spring run dry inside the tube?

You will need to put a light grease on your Garand. Go to this sight I have included. The guy that maintains this sight is very helpful. Here you go. Also, CMP sight is a great M1 resource forum.

http://www.garandgear.com/how-to-grease-your-m1-garand

 

[elktrout]

BigDogPete,

Thanks for the link. It is excellent information. Thanks a million.

 

[Water-Man]

Lubriplate 130 Mil Spec works well.

 

[elktrout]

Something that came to mind today: Did G.I.s take their M-1s completely apart and clean the op rod tube, spring, bolt, gas cylinder, and barrel; or, did they only clean a few of them? Looking at the instructional photos on garandgear.com, I would think that the G.I.s in the war just would not have had the time or equipment to do such detailed strips of their rifles. Anyone know for sure what they did?

 

[Reloadron]

I doubt they completely field stripped their rifles down to parade rest but as time allowed gave them a basic through cleaning. More detailed cleanings as more time allowed. They cleaned as they could as best they could.

As to the operating rod spring. Remove a spring and thoroughly clean it. Now lay it flat on a clean surface in good light. Rotate the spring on the surface and look for shinny flat spots. You do not want to see any.

I like where he covers the basic rule:

A good adage to remember when lubricating the M1 Garand is: If it slides - Grease it. If it rotates - Oil it.

Ron

 

[Fishbed77]

Did G.I.s take their M-1s completely apart and clean the op rod tube, spring, bolt, gas cylinder, and barrel; or, did they only clean a few of them?

On ething to keep in mind - the GI field manual tells you how to lubricate the Garand to keep it functioning properly under combat conditions.

Garandgear's excellent guide tells you how to properly lubricate the Garand to keep it functioning and maximize the life of your investment.