I wrote about having a nice SA Garand in layaway - well, it didn't stay there long! I got it out yesterday. I looked it over, did a field strip, and cleaned/lubed it. I reloaded 48 rounds of ammo with 24 being Hornady 168 gr. HPBT and 24 Remington 150 gr. SP - over IMR-4895. The ranges in my area don't allow FMJ.
I went to the range this morning and was very pleased with the accuracy! I shot a 4-5" group at 100 yards (I'm still very much improving on rifle) and I think with the right load (or maybe the right person!) is capable of 2".
There were 2 problems: the bolt wouldn't automatically come forward when the loaded clip locked in and it wouldn't kick out the clip on the last round - although it would do so manually with the clip release.
I spent some time this afternoon playing with the action and trying to learn how everything works in the cycling. Parts of the cycle are obvious and others are somewhat hidden in the process. I figured out what part held the operating slide back and felt there should be something that trips the other end (near the barrel) of the clip release that protrudes into the magazine well. That lead (eventually) to the realization my operating rod catch assembly was missing the "leg" that trips the clip release - it's broken clean off. So, I'm going to order a new part and that should be resolved!
I've not completely disassembled the Garand yet, but have found this information on it:
Serial No: 4217***
Receiver: B 43 H
D 6528291 43
Barrel side marking: W 3A650
Bolt: D28287-19SA
Operating Rod: 6535382 SA (Cut)
Trigger housing: 028290-12-SA
Trigger guard: 2
Hammer: C46008-2 SA
If anyone can provide some information on the above, I would appreciate it. I've got Duff's "The M1 Garand: Owner's Guide", which is very good. I'll be buying more books in the future.
Here's a picture, not a good pic, but I was in a hurry:
I went to the range this morning and was very pleased with the accuracy! I shot a 4-5" group at 100 yards (I'm still very much improving on rifle) and I think with the right load (or maybe the right person!) is capable of 2".
There were 2 problems: the bolt wouldn't automatically come forward when the loaded clip locked in and it wouldn't kick out the clip on the last round - although it would do so manually with the clip release.
I spent some time this afternoon playing with the action and trying to learn how everything works in the cycling. Parts of the cycle are obvious and others are somewhat hidden in the process. I figured out what part held the operating slide back and felt there should be something that trips the other end (near the barrel) of the clip release that protrudes into the magazine well. That lead (eventually) to the realization my operating rod catch assembly was missing the "leg" that trips the clip release - it's broken clean off. So, I'm going to order a new part and that should be resolved!
I've not completely disassembled the Garand yet, but have found this information on it:
Serial No: 4217***
Receiver: B 43 H
D 6528291 43
Barrel side marking: W 3A650
Bolt: D28287-19SA
Operating Rod: 6535382 SA (Cut)
Trigger housing: 028290-12-SA
Trigger guard: 2
Hammer: C46008-2 SA
If anyone can provide some information on the above, I would appreciate it. I've got Duff's "The M1 Garand: Owner's Guide", which is very good. I'll be buying more books in the future.
Here's a picture, not a good pic, but I was in a hurry:
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