Update on the "smoothbore" Garand

[lwaldron]

You folks may recall a thread from last month wherein I was bemoaning the fact that the CMP had sent me a Garand with what appeared to be a smooth bore.
Here's an update on what happened.
An email from Orest Michaels led to me sending the rifle back to the CMP on April 22. On May 4, another long box arrived via FedEx.
The CMP had sent me an exchange Garand.
This one has is an SA with the serial # 5894xxx. It's got an SA barrel, SA operating rod, and an HRA trigger group.
The stock seems to be in good shape, looks like walnut. Ditto the handguards... they don't exactly match, though.
The stock has a couple of cartouches, but I can't make out what they're supposed to depict.
Today (May 5), I field-stripped the rifle and gave it a good scrubbing. I got an awful lot of copper fouling out of the bore. There's likely more still to get out, but after half a bag of patches and a whole lot of Hoppe's Copper Solvent, I decided to call it a day. Otherwise the rifle seemed fairly clean.
It appeared to have almost no lubrication on it, though. I gave it an oiling, and some Militec grease in the appropriate spots.
The rifling on this one looks pretty good. I'm still not quite used to how shallow the lands & grooves are in Garands. Just not like my other milsurps.
What disturbs me is that the operating rod appears to be bent. It appears to be visibly bowed in a downward (toward the ground as you'd hold & aim it) direction. Is this something I should point out to the CMP? I'm leery of creating yet another situation with them, but it may perhaps be something I ought to do. Any opinions?
It may be a pretty good while before I get to go shoot this one. Is there any affect on its performance due to the (apparently) bent op-rod I should be watching for?

Thanks, everyone.

 

[ID_shooting]

I do not know much about the "details" of a Garand but I am considering buying one from the CMP. I am glad you seem to getting good service from them even though they are deffinately vocal about no warranties and everything is "as is"

 

[lwaldron]

Good stuff

I'm getting some replies to this topic as posted on other forums, as well. Seems I got a good value and good service.
I'm being told the operating rod is indeed supposed to have a slight bow. It's great that there are knowledgeable folks out there who are willing to be helpful to those of us who are new to certain types of rifles.
Thanks.

 

[Fly320s]

Yes, the op rod should be bent. Don't try to straighten it.

The CMP should have included a owner's manual with the rifle. The manual says in big, bold letters that the op rod is bent intentionally.

 

[lwaldron]

Manual Labor

I do have the manual the CMP included, but I didn't notice exactly where it discussed the op-rod. Can you point it out?
The manual does have the time-honored advice, "When all else fails, read the instructions." I guess I'll have to do that again.

 

[longtom4570]

If you still think it's not right and you don't want to upset CMP send it to me for testing and evaluation seriously go to either CSP guntalk or the Garand Collectors Assc. for books on the M-1 and then shoot it!!

 

[R-Tex12]

You also might want to try the M1 Garand board at www.jouster.com . They have a whole raft of VERY knowledgeable folks. Good site, great info & really good people.

HTH,

R-Tex

 

[Kevlarman]

Also check out battlerifles.com, specifically http://www.battlerifles.com/viewforum.php?f=3

 

[Fly320s]

I do have the manual the CMP included, but I didn't notice exactly where it discussed the op-rod. Can you point it out?

Sorry for the delay, I was out of town.

My manual says on page 27, below figure 21, "NOTE: The operating rod is bent by design; do no attempt to straighten it!"


Well, it's not in bold caps, but it's there.

 

[Jim K]

If in any doubt about the op rod, simply remove the stock and the op rod spring, and point the rifle upward. The bolt should open of its own weight. Then make sure the op rod catch and follower are out of the way, and tilt the rifle down. The bolt should close of its own weight. This proves that the op rod is straight and correct.

Jim