M1 Garand .308 Problem

[baz]

After a long wait, my M1 Garand in .308 from CMP finally arrived this week, and I had it out to the range today. It shot great, when it fired. The problem is that it often misfired. I had six en bloc clips loaded, and on loading the first one, the first two times I suppressed the trigger, all I got was a "click" from the bolt. So, I ejected, and tried again. On the third one, it fired, and the rest of that clip fired fine. Then, the same thing happened on the next. I went through all six clips this way, with misfires on the first 2-4 cartridges, except for one. Only one fired the first time. Once a cartridge fired, it would fire all the rest in that clip.

Any ideas about what to look for? I'm going to check the ammo I was using, and on the next range trip, have more of a variety. But I'm wondering if something else is wrong. I did "field strip" it when I got it, but since it fired many of the rounds, I cannot imagine I did something wrong putting it back together.

TIA.

 

[elwoodm]

i don't think cmp sent you a bad one but you never know. check how much the firing pin is sticking out of the bolt. next make sure the bolt is closing all the way you should put some gun grease on the back side of the lugs. notice where the lugs are with no case in the chamber so you can see if anything is different when you get back to the range. make sure you are loading the en bloc with the rim of the case under the groove. try feeding the first round from the right and then from the left that made a difference with mine not feeding sometimes.

 

[baz]

I've removed the bolt. In the forward position, the firing pin appears to stick out of the bolt as it should.

I'm looking at the rounds that didn't fire, and there appears to be very faint strike marks on the primers.

make sure you are loading the en bloc with the rim of the case under the groove. try feeding the first round from the right and then from the left that made a difference with mine not feeding sometimes.

I'm not sure I understand. I'm pretty sure I'm loading the clips correctly.

 

[cfullgraf]

When chambering the first round from and en bloc, are you riding the op rod/charging handle home or letting it loose and fly home?

You should release the catch and let the op rod/bolt go home without your hand on it. (Note this applies to loading from an en bloc. Single round firing requires a different chambering procedure.)

Did the rounds that did not fire have a firing pin dimple in them?

If the bolt has not gone all the way home, there is block that prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin.

Finally, after chambering the first round, you can push on the charging handle and make sure the bolt is fully home and engaged.

All that is not to say that something else might be wrong, but with the CMP Special rifles, they are rebuilt/overhauled rifles.

If there is a problem, customer service from CMP is excellent and they will make the rifle right.

 

[rodregier]

Commercial ammunition or handloads?

 

[cfullgraf]

I've removed the bolt. In the forward position, the firing pin appears to stick out of the bolt as it should.

I'm looking at the rounds that didn't fire, and there appears to be very faint strike marks on the primers.I'm not sure I understand. I'm pretty sure I'm loading the clips correctly.

Floating firing pins like in a Garand will leave a slight dimple in the primer when chambering a round. A bit disconcerting but normal.

 

[baz]

When chambering the first round from and en bloc, are you riding the op rod/charging handle home or letting it loose and fly home?

You should release the catch and let the op rod/bolt go home without your hand on it. (Note this applies to loading from an en bloc. Single round firing requires a different chambering procedure.)

Did the rounds that did not fire have a firing pin dimple in them?

I could well be something like this. I've had to learn with other rifles do do things "with authority." Sometimes, when the rifle is new and unfamiliar, that unfamiliarity creates hesitation.

The rounds that did not fire did have a faint strike mark, or dimple.

 

[baz]

Commercial ammunition or handloads?

Commercial. I've bought so much different .308 and 7.62x51 ammo lately (I've also got a Ruger GSR), and I loaded up these en block clips some time ago, so I can only go by the headstamp, which simply has LC 13 and the NATO mark.

 

[MEHavey]

(again) Commercial or handloads?

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

My guess is that for whatever reason the bolt is not fully locking forward. Since the gun came from CNP they would be the logical people to ask for a solution.

 

[Averageman]

I would clear then disassemble the rifle, then disassemble the bolt and dry the firing pin channel.
Reassemble and see if that fixes it.
Sounds to me like it was at one time overlubed and left wet for the LSA to harden.

 

[Onmilo]

Does the rifle have the white plastic spacer block installed in the magazine?
The one I initially installed in my .308 Garand stalled the bolt cycle enough to cause misfires because the bolt wasn't fully seating to the chamber.
Remove the spacer and fire the rifle again, see if that helps.
I ended up installing an aluminum spacer and the problem went away entirely.

Here is a pic of the spacer I am now using, forgive me but I cannot remember the manufacturer but I believe they are stilll available from Fulton Armory and others

 

[Orlando]

CMP rifles are not ready to fire straight out of the box
Did you first completely dissasemble the rifle clean and properly grease it ? If not thats were you need to start.
Persoanlly I dont use the spacer, IMO they arent needed

 

[Tommy Van Alen]

Does the rifle have the white plastic spacer block installed in the magazine?
The one I initially installed in my .308 Garand stalled the bolt cycle enough to cause misfires because the bolt wasn't fully seating to the chamber.
Remove the spacer and fire the rifle again, see if that helps.
I ended up installing an aluminum spacer and the problem went away entirely.

Here is a pic of the spacer I am now using, forgive me but I cannot remember the manufacturer but I believe they are stilll available from Fulton Armory and others

WOW! That's a nice looking Garand!