Garand experts - can you diagnose this problem?

[Benelli Shooter]

I have the following problem all of a sudden with my M1 Garand.

I press down on the clip as I am loading it into my rifle. The bolt releases. But, it does not go forward because I am still applying pressure to the clip (as expected). When I release pressure on the clip, it moves forward as if it is going to load the round. Still, so far so good. I attempt to bump the op rod forward as most M1s require. But, the bolt appears to be stuck on the clip unable to load the first round. If I pull back on the op rod, the clip moves up slighly and when I release the op rod, the rifle loads the round. It does this 25% of the time.

I am not an expert on the functioning of the Garand. But, I think the timing is off. I could be wrong. It is like the clip is going in too far. I have replaced the op rod spring and the follower arm. No improvement.

The rounds are all even in the clip and I am putting pressure directly in the middle of the clip. The only other thing I would add is that every once in a while the clip is even tough to get into the gun.

Any opinions on what could cause this and what it takes to fix it?

Thanks.

 

[memphisjim]

you can load a clip incorrectly make sure the top round is on the right side when the clip is fully loaded

 

[MechAg94]

Same thing with all clips? Just curious because I have come across clips that were either off spec or mangled.

 

[Benelli Shooter]

It does it with a variety of clips. The round is on the right side of the clip.

 

[clem]

Make sure the rifle has the proper lubrication, grease NOT oil.

 

[christcorp]

Screw this bump and load. And screw the "M1 Thumb". Been there too many times. I hold the bolt all the way back with my right hand, and load the clip with my left hand. Then I simply let the bolt fly forward and load. I have never been able to load a clip "Normally" without the bolt wanting to release.

 

[Benelli Shooter]

It has grease, not oil. M1 thumb only happens to people who don't properly lock the bolt back.

 

[Onmilo]

Try replacing the bullet guide.
The piece that works with the accelerator on the operating rod catch is probably worn down too far to work reliably.
Your follower arm might also be bent or twisted or the notches on the forks may be worn and the follower is drifting around in the magazine.

Both of these parts are fairly inexpensive to replace.
May as well add a new operating spring while you are at it.

 

[Sunray]

"...you can load a clip incorrectly..." No, you can't. Putting the top round on the right was a stop gap fix for the 7th round stoppage issue. That was fixed before the rifle went into full production.
How hard are you thumping the op handle? Takes a fairly hard thump. Not a smash, but a solid thump.
"...every once in a while the clip is even tough to get into the gun..." Different thing. Look for burrs in the mag or interference between the bullet guide and follower arm. Remove the burrs with a fine stone. Bullet guide can get squeezed in causing the the follower arm or rod to drag on the bullet guide. Use a wedge to open the bullet guide opening until there's clearance between the guide and follower arm. I'd just change the bullet guide.
"...without the bolt wanting to release..." It's supposed to release when you put a clip in.
"...hold the bolt all the way back with my right hand, and load the clip with my left hand..." The bolt should lock back without being held. If it doesn't your rifle is damaged. To load, correctly, lock the action open, put the clip in the rifle with your right thumb on top with the rest of your fingers outside the rifle forward of the op handle. Push down. If the rifle is working properly, the bolt will close, but be controlled by your hand. Thump the op handle to close.
'M1 Thumb' is operator failure usually when closing an empty rifle.
Go here for free .pdf manuals. Download FM-23-5, the TM-9-1275 and the TM-9-1005-222-12 Operator's manual. Note the need for the provided UN & PW. http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/
Buy a copy of Hatcher's Notebook and Hatcher's Book of the Garand too. About $30 each from your local gun shop or Amazon. The former has rifle developement history. The latter has more of that plus a trouble shooting chapter.

 

[navyretired 1]

Listen to sunray, If you find any bent or burs on parts unless they are very minor just buy new one . All the parts are readily available NOW, no telling about future.
When I load a clip after it clicks down I have to restrain my op handle or she flies forward loading the first round, I don't have to bump?

 

[61chalk]

I believe you have a bent OP rod. I had a problem with my Garand in that it
wouldn't feed at all, even with a hard slap. But if I pulled the OP rod back all
the way an then let it fly forward, it would feed the round. This sounds like we
have the same problem. I had another Garand an traded parts until I found out
it was the OP rod, an could see it was slightly different in the bend areas. I probably
could of asked for a replacement from CMP, but instead I reformed an worked on
the bend areas myself an after a few attempts, it now works perfect an I don't even
have to slap the OP rod forward anymore....during this process I learned what the
tilt test was, my OP rod just was not sliding back an fourth....not sure how it got
bent out of shape, but its back to specs.,....hope this helps you.

 

[CZguy]

It does sound like a bent op rod.

Here's a link to the tilt test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlIoxbtdPXY&feature=PlayList&p=8CA34B01DDA59EB1&index=160