Adjusting the Schuster valve for an M1

[davera]

It was a piece of cake. It was easy to remove the old and install the Schuster using the square head of a quarter-inch socket extension. Fits just right.

At the range I started with the valve dialed all the way out - M1 becomes a straight pull action. I adjusted it down about a half turn at a time until it would eject but not lock back. A quarter turn beyond that gave enough energy to lock back the bolt when the clip was empty.

I was shooting the Remington Express 150gr PSP rounds - cheap at Walmart and had only one misfeed during some rapid fire. Shooting the same round before the Shuster, they would misfeed more often - I have a couple of bent 30-06 rounds to show for it.

As for feeding single rounds I fed them partially into the chamber and controlled the bolt up to where it needed a little nudge to lock - no problems with that either.

All in all a fun afternoon with the M1.

 

[ftierson]

Sounds like a lot of fun...

I had a bunch of .30-06 loaded with 165gr bullets and H414 powder (originally loaded for bolt guns) that I wanted to shoot in my M1.

First, I purchased one of the McCann gas plugs with the interchangeable inserts. I found that the M1 worked with the smallest hole, but that changing the inserts once a few rounds went down range became difficult because the insert would just stick enough to screw the whole gas plug out...

I then purchased one of the Schuster plugs, replaced the McCann with it, and then left the M1 in the safe for several months without shooting it.

I finally decided to solve the 'problem' by buying a couple of cases of Greek and LC M2 ball that was made for the Garand and just using the original gas plug.

Voila...

Problem solved...

But I still have the Schuster to play with if I ever decide to shoot the H414 loaded stuff...

Thanks for the report...

Forrest

 

[jpwilly]

I just installed a Schuster Valve in my M1 converted to .308. While shooting my reloads it has made a huge difference. I adjusted it so it would just cycle the action and it throws my undamaged brass into the same pile!

 

[dmazur]

Originally posted by ftierson - First, I purchased one of the McCann gas plugs with the interchangeable inserts. I found that the M1 worked with the smallest hole, but that changing the inserts once a few rounds went down range became difficult because the insert would just stick enough to screw the whole gas plug

IMO if you can unscrew the gas plug with the McCann insert screw, the gas plug wasn't installed with the proper torque. The amount of thread area is huge compared to the insert screw.

And, yes the M1 usually works with the smallest hole. The instructions say to start with the largest hole and work smaller until it just functions correctly. This is the correct procedure to prevent damaging the op-rod.

(I have the correct sized insert in my gas plug for my 150gr handloads, and another size in the butt for milsurp ammo, with an allen wrench to use when swapping...but you are correct, you don't need the adapter if you shoot only the correct milsurp ammo.)

 

[ftierson]

Originally posted by dmazur
And, yes the M1 usually works with the smallest hole. The instructions say to start with the largest hole and work smaller until it just functions correctly. This is the correct procedure to prevent damaging the op-rod.

You are absolutely right about the correct procedure for selecting the correct aperture for the McCann plug, which is exactly what I did, of course. I just found that it required the smallest hole to function correctly...

It probably wouldn't have hurt to have originally mentioned the procedure for using the McCann plug but since the thread was about the Schuster plug, I didn't bother... In retrospect, that was probably a poor decision...

Thanks for posting the info...

Forrest