I just picked up a new to me Springfield M1 Garand. It was a CMP pickup that was a rack grade. It had great metal, terrible wood. Well I also bought a CMP stock set with metal and installed that. I cleaned/lubed everything up and went to the range. When I started shooting after about 5 rounds the trigger guard opened up. For the next 11 rounds I shot about every 2-3 rounds the trigger guard would open up. The trigger group fits the stock very well and I get a bit of tension about an inch before the trigger group closes. I think the problem is the hook that holds the trigger guard shut doesn't hold a lot of tension. I am tempted to bend this hook a bit more to give it more hold. My trigger guard is stamped so I think it should be easy to do. Any other suggestions on what to do?
Garand trigger guard opens
- Thread starter benzy2
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Brian Dale
Member
I am not a gunsmith, an expert or a lawyer, and this is the Internet. Please doublecheck what I've written at the CMP Forum (I will be) and elsewhere. 
I believe that you're exactly right. That's an advantage of the stamped trigger guard over the milled one: you can adjust it like that. Be gentle and do it a little at a time.
After you've adjusted it, do a bunch of dry firing to be sure that it seems to work without any problems. This won't give a complete answer because, if yours is like mine was, it's recoil that causes it to pop open.
Then, for the next few shots (when you're seeing that it isn't going to pop open any more under recoil), it's useful to keep the middle finger in contact with the trigger guard, maintaining upward pressure on it as you fire. Having to fumble with a loaded, cocked rifle, trying carefully to get the trigger guard closed, is not fun.
Edited to add: bending it is a quick fix; if it's the lugs or a worn stock, there's more that you can do. Here's a link: CMP Forum Thread
I believe that you're exactly right. That's an advantage of the stamped trigger guard over the milled one: you can adjust it like that. Be gentle and do it a little at a time.
After you've adjusted it, do a bunch of dry firing to be sure that it seems to work without any problems. This won't give a complete answer because, if yours is like mine was, it's recoil that causes it to pop open.
Then, for the next few shots (when you're seeing that it isn't going to pop open any more under recoil), it's useful to keep the middle finger in contact with the trigger guard, maintaining upward pressure on it as you fire. Having to fumble with a loaded, cocked rifle, trying carefully to get the trigger guard closed, is not fun.
Edited to add: bending it is a quick fix; if it's the lugs or a worn stock, there's more that you can do. Here's a link: CMP Forum Thread
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GRAYRID3R
Member
Same thing happenned to me after filing/sanding a new stock too deep. The trigger group needs to set a little higher. Start by putting a busines card between the trigger group and where it sets in the stock. It could be on one side or the other, or both. I had to build mine up to about the thickness of a rubber gasket on one side only. When you reach the right thickness then you can build it up the right way with some epoxy stuff from Brownells.
ambidextrous1
Member
Replacement is the sure-fire fix; but you may eliminate the problem by judicious bending.
I know what I'd try first...
I know what I'd try first...
GRAYRID3R
Member
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=73060&sid=18b5f885c4893a840fa7140ac6f10f67
I firmly believe it's a stock problem, I tried 3 different trigger groups with mine (borrowed not purchased) and still had the problem. Follow the above link and try the cheapest solution first.
I firmly believe it's a stock problem, I tried 3 different trigger groups with mine (borrowed not purchased) and still had the problem. Follow the above link and try the cheapest solution first.
It is a brand new stock. I could see if the stock was used and compressed but it is new. Ill try shimming it first and then bending second. The last fix will be to buy a new trigger guard. I shot the rest of the .30-06 I had today and the problem seemed to get better towards the end. At the end it would only do it once or so a clip. Anyways this is some of the most fun I have had in a long time with firearms. I am definitely picking up 4 of the 240 round cans from CMP when the north store opens back up.
mljdeckard
Member
Look at it this way. If you bend it, and it doesn't work, the worst that will happen is you will have to get a replacement anyway. There's no harm in a little bending first.
Brian Dale
Member
Thanks for that link, GRAYRID3R! Bookmarked.
I noticed the trigger group was a bit angled left to right, even if the receiver isn't in the stock. This makes me think there is some extra inletting that needs done yet. Right now I shimmed the trigger group level and am going to see how that works first. If shimming it works then Ill look into where exactly the trigger group is hitting the stock to not let it sit flat and remove a little wood.
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