M1 carbine question

[swoter]

During firing, the op rod is thrown backwards to unlock the bolt. Does the square block on the underside of the rod hit the receiver, or does it stop just short of the receiver? Mine is stopping about an 1/8 inch short of the receiver. No, it's not a real M1, it's an IAI made in Houston, Texas. I got it at a good price, along with 9 mags, bayonet, 500 rounds of ammo, and some pouches
When fired, the bolt will stick in the open position, and take a sharp hit from my hand to go forward again. Not every time, but probably 3 out of 4. It's the only M1 I have, so I can't compare.

 

[Bexar]

Does it do it with every magazine? There might be some lip damage/bent on the mags. Wolff springs makes a carbine spring replacement kit...you might try that if it's not the mags.

I do not know about the op-rod block coming back and striking the receiver. The guy I know that does know I'll visit with at Easter but you should have an answer by then.

Good luck.

Bexar

 

[swoter]

Yeah, every mag. I ordered new springs. What I "think" is happening, is that the barrel rails were not cut square where they meet the receiver, and the op rod is catching just short of the receiver.

 

[Bexar]

I looked at my Daughter's she brought over and it's a 44' year GI. The Op-rod block does stop flush at the receiver in two spots. Flush at the receiver block and at the spring guide rod it fits flush with the op-rod pulled all the way back. I do not know if this is the normal flush fitting when fired or how violent the impact is. But...it is flush at two places with the op-rod pulled all the way back.

Wish I could be more encouraging.

Good luck...Bexar

 

[swoter]

Thank you. Mine doesn't. From the looks of the block, it never has.

 

[carbine85]

That part of the op rod shouldn't be hitting the receiver. I would look into the mags. The slide has a manually operated pin to hold it open.

 

[swoter]

The op rod sticks open even when on the stripped receiver. It's binding on something. If you pull it back fairly hard, with or without the spring, it sticks open.

 

[Bexar]

The op rod sticks open even when on the stripped receiver. It's binding on something. If you pull it back fairly hard, with or without the spring, it sticks open.

Time to break out the smoky candle and see where it's binding. Let us know.

 

[swoter]

I dropped it off at a gunsmith today. Hopefully he can find the bind.

 

[HankB]

I dropped it off at a gunsmith today. Hopefully he can find the bind.

He'll probably smear coarse lapping compound on all the working parts and work the op rod back and forth until everything is nice and loose.

 

[carbine85]

The op rod sticks open even when on the stripped receiver. It's binding on something. If you pull it back fairly hard, with or without the spring, it sticks open.

Sounds like they short cut the refining process. Something is out of spec. Lapping compound is probably what's needed. The slides on these rifles will move with no effort and fall out place with the spring removed.

 

[swoter]

It doesn't bind until it's at the very end of the stroke. Then I think the op rod tabs are binding on the barrel rail. Lapping compound might be what it needs, hopefully the gunsmith will be able to figure it out. I just thought, maybe it needs a new op rod? I don't have anything to compare it to, and that gets frustrating.

 

[Bexar]

The issue I have with lapping compound is it cleans material from both areas involved. The procedure could wear an in-spec part to an out of spec part; especially if one metal is softer than the other. A decent gunsmith will recognize the problem and address it with mills or burrs.

Gotta go...

 

[Bexar]

Any news on your carbine?

 

[swoter]

Not yet. Still waiting.

 

[Bexar]

OK...Good luck...hope it is a simple fix.

 

[swoter]

Yeah, so do I. I know they'll call next week when I'm in Alabama, and can't pick it up.

 

[swoter]

Gunsmith called today, he deburred the rails and raceway, no more sticking, which is great! Said it has a problem with extraction every 3 or 4 cases, not every time, he thinks it may need a new extractor or spring. He's going to look into that for me. I can't pick it up for a couple of weeks anyway, so hopefully it works flawlessly when I am able to get it. So far, he's charged me $80, and I'm fine with that.

 

[Bexar]

Gunsmith called today, he deburred the rails and raceway, no more sticking, which is great! Said it has a problem with extraction every 3 or 4 cases, not every time, he thinks it may need a new extractor or spring. He's going to look into that for me. I can't pick it up for a couple of weeks anyway, so hopefully it works flawlessly when I am able to get it. So far, he's charged me $80, and I'm fine with that.

Thanks for sharing your good news. Hope the final fix is easy. Enjoy your "Little rascal" for years to come.

 

[swoter]

The M1 is fixed. The gunsmith replaced all the springs in it, said it was shooting flawlessly now. The final price is around $105. the bad part is I won't be able to pick it up until Wednesday, my next day off. Glad to be getting it back finally.

 

[Bexar]

The M1 is fixed. The gunsmith replaced all the springs in it, said it was shooting flawlessly now. The final price is around $105. the bad part is I won't be able to pick it up until Wednesday, my next day off. Glad to be getting it back finally.

That's great! Thanks for the update. Enjoy for many years.

 

[swoter]

Oh yes, and my brother already called dibs on it if I ever get tired of it.