Whats wrong with my Garand?

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

ColinthePilot

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2007
Messages
1,029
Location
I don't even know anymore
I was at the range yesterday with my CMP Garand. I've only put a few hundred rounds through it, but without problems until yesterday.
My friend was shooting and it failed to cycle after about 4-5 rounds, and he was having trouble clearing the rifle. I went over to help and found the charging handle was outside its groove/guide slot. It took a few minutes of pushing and pulling and brute strength just to cycle it, but then it fell back into place, and we had no more problems with it...Till I went to clean it. I just racked the bolt back and the handle popped out again. There's a small notch cut out of the guide slot which I'm guessing allows you to remove the op-rod in a detail strip.

I've been handling Garands for years and I've never seen this problem. I'm shooting regular, CMP supplied Greek surplus 30.06, nothing heavy, and we were not rapid firing or anything like that. Any ideas?
 
The notch in the groove is placed such that you pull the op rod back so that the rear of it is even with the middle of the rear sight knob and it'll pop out of the groove. When the oprod pops out of the groove on its own, that's a classic sign of either a worn op rod or op rod spring. Measure the op rod spring. It should be between 19-1/2" and 19-3/4", I believe. If its shorter than that, it could be the spring.

I'd email the CMP and tell them of your dilemma. They'e pretty good about taking care of their customers.
 
Sounds like the "notch" on your op rod is worn which allows it to come out of the track it would run in. There are 2 options. 1. replace the oprod or 2. have the op rod repaired by a garand plumber. This would mean some welding and machining.......I think I would try finding a new op-rod and have the old one repaired at some point for a spare.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=547290&chrSuperSKU=&MC=

Just one place to find op rods.
 
I had that happen in a reenactment last year. I was just ejecting out extra blanks and the enbloc when it happened to me. I think Mr Whie hit it on the head. I'd get a hold of the CMP and talk to them, especially if you recently received the rifle, and/or start searching for an op rod.
 
I'll check the op-rod spring first, then I'll talk to CMP. I got the rifle in October, so I don't know how much they'll be willing to do, but everything I've heard and the little i've experienced with their customer service has been top-notch.

Measure the op rod spring. It should be between 19-1/2" and 19-3/4", I believe. If its shorter than that, it could be the spring.
Click to expand...

Thats UNCOMPRESSED, right?
 
Yes, Uncompressed. I went back and checked Duff and the spec is actually 19-3/4" to 20-1/4". I measured mine and its 19-1/2" and I have no functional problems. The Army had an unlimited supply of parts so they were pickier than we can be. The main thing to look for is a kinked spring, but according to Duff, the most likely culprit is a worn op rod lug.

If you call or email the CMP, they may well send you a new op rod. They're pretty good to deal with. They want you to have a safe and functional gun.

Also, if you take the op rod off to examine it and find that it is bent, resist the urge to try and straighten it. Its supposed to be slightly bent in 2 places.

If you haven't yet, buy "The M1 Garand: Owners Guide" by Scott Duff. You can get it at www.scott-duff.com. Its a great book.

Eagle1899, why would it matter if he's a lefty? I'm a lefty and no Garand I've ever shot has done that to me. The rifle should function the same no matter which way you hold it.
 
Check the Op-Rod and Op-Rod spring...those are the 2 most likely culprits. The op-rod does tend to wear a bit, and if it is worn or bent out of spec, it will dismount exactly as you describe.

The receiver COULD be worn out of spec, but that is very very unlikely.
 
A loose gas plug can kill accuracy and cause cycling problems, but I've never heard of it causing an oprod to pop loose.
 
Another vote for a worn op rod lug. if it's only been shot a couple of hundred rounds, I agree with giving CMP a call. What do you have to lose?
 
Mr White said:
Eagle1899, why would it matter if he's a lefty? I'm a lefty and no Garand I've ever shot has done that to me. The rifle should function the same no matter which way you hold it.
Click to expand...

That's because leftys can't do anything right. :p
 
went over to help and found the charging handle was outside its groove/guide slot. It took a few minutes of pushing and pulling and brute strength just to cycle it, but then it fell back into place, and we had no more problems with it...Till I went to clean it. I just racked the bolt back and the handle popped out again.
Click to expand...

Operating rod dismounts happen. Operating rods need to be fitted to the rifle. For years the CMP was swapping operating rods around, along with other parts, to keep all correct rifles from going out the door at standard grade prices. It is possible that your friends operating rod is from another rifle.

As for fitting, get the book "The US. 30 Caliber Service Rifles" by Jerry Kuhnhausen. In mine, at page 133, is a lengthy section on operating rod dismounts and fitting. The operating rod has to be bent in the rod arm area, so that the tab section is pushed in and down.

But even if correctly fitted, op rod dismounts happen. Rarely, very rarely, but they can happen.

More likely, the operating rod is not correctly fitted.
 
Lefty's, that are not familiar with a Garand, tend to use the charging handle for support when loading a clip. Pulling up and back to release the bolt and support the rifle. This is the same motion to remove a charging handle.
 
Eagle, I never thought of it, but I could see that happening.

Venkman, BITE ME!!! :D
 
"A loose gas plug can kill accuracy and cause cycling problems, but I've never heard of it causing an oprod to pop loose."
Maybe it was coincidence, but a guy I shot with had a cmp garand, nice shape, and after about thirty rounds his op rod jumped the track and jammed. I noticed his gas plug had come almost totally unscrewed. Maybe it messed up the timing somehow, I do not know.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Garand info
Replies
15
Views
697
GarandOwner
G
D
  • Locked
Oh the sweet, sweet guilt... two carbines and a Garand
Replies
10
Views
1K
balletto
B
C
  • Locked
Garand questions
Replies
10
Views
642
Orlando
O
H
  • Locked
CMP Garand?
Replies
6
Views
754
Commissar Gribb
C
S
  • Locked
M1 Garand problem
Replies
12
Views
1K
shotguntaz
S
Back
Top