M1 Garand loading problem

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Jack Package

Jack Package

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So I recently picked up a 1941 Springfield M1 Garand and the Korean Surplus ammo that comes on the en bloc clips. I tend to have issues with loading the rifle. Its a real pain to put the clips into the magazine, it take a lot of force and they some times jam and I will have to jimmy the clip out of there and try again. Then when I actually get the clip into the rifle it also takes a lot of force to chamber the first round. I am no stranger to the Garand and is this just the clips or is it a problem with the gun? I dont have any other 30-06 ammo to try to. Just wondering if anyone else has been having this issue.

http://www.jgsales.com/30-06-pof-15...nd-clips,-non-corrosive,-240rds.-p-70059.html

This is the link to the ammo I got. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I am no stranger to the Garand and is this just the clips or is it a problem with the gun?
Click to expand...

Has the gun been torn down and completely cleaned? Was it reassembled correctly? Do you have any other clips to try? The fact the bolt closes hard on the first round hints either the action is hanging up or more likely if the clip inserts that hard it's not fully inserted. Could be the gun or clips, easiest way to tell is use a known good clip.
 
I just re-read your post and see they are enbloc clips. I have read elsewhere these can be a problem in older Garands.
 
I think it is some korean clips with very coarse "parkerizing" can make feeding the first round difficult.

But slamming the oprod with your hand is very common practice.
 
Cartridge clip hard to insert or will not insert in action:
1. Cartridge clip bent or deformed (I assume you have several cartridge clips)
2. Bullet guide bent or damaged.
3. Follower arm bent or damaged.
4. Clip latch frozen or blocked.
5. Slide/Follower/Operating Rod Catch incorrectly installed.

The above should provide a good starting point. I would fully disassemble the rifle and clean as suggested. I would also completely inspect the parts mentioned above. Place a focus on 2 & 3 as good potential causes.
The above were taken from The US .30 Caliber Gas Operated Service Rifle shop manual by Kuhnhausen. Aside from damaged clips #2 & 3 were the most common causes I have seen.

Ron
 
The Reloadron stuff was taken from the TM and FM and Hatcher's Book of the Garand trouble shooting chapter. Absolutely start with a bath.
Note the need for the provided UN & PW. http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/
"...the ammo I got..." Isn't Korean.
"Manufactured in Pakistan" That might give you grief too.
 
Reloadron is correct with his post.

The first step is disassembly, complete cleaning and correct reassembly. If in doubt about clips, appropriate spec clips can be had from a variety of sources. Load them with the top most round on the right by starting the first round on the left and try again. If a spec clip, loaded thusly with M2 ball ammo, doesn't load into a clean rifle, you have a parts problem. You can get repairs done by a number of qualified smiths...I have heard good things from friends about Fulton Armory to name just one. They can check and repair as needed.

Many M1s require a tap on the operating handle to strip the top round and go into battery. While several of my M1s load and lock on their own when cleaned and lubricated correctly, one always requires help with good clips and match loads. Subject to your familiarity with the fit and function of the M1 you may want to have the gun inspected and serviced by Fulton or other qualified smith. If you obtained the rifle from CMP, contact their customer service; if you acquired it at a gun show, you could very well have a lot of issues.

Good luck and safe shooting.

Harry
 
Euro made clips don't play well with GI brass because they have been made to fit the slightly taller extractor groove conforming to NATO 7.62mm specs. The shorter GI/Korean extractor groove will spring Euro made clips that end up binding in the M1 mag well.
I have discarded all my Euro clips so I can't tell you the codes stamped on them ( I believe they are either Italian or German manufacture).
You should be able to Google up info on the GI clip mfg stamp codes.
Some people complain that Euro clips are crap but that's not exactly correct; they're just incompatible with WWII GI extractor grooves while GI clips will accept either groove.
From what I have seen, Greek HXP 30.06 brass changed to the shorter groove about 1972 or so.
 
DaveP may have hit the nail in the head. I have many 303 Enfields and ammo loaded in Parkerized clips is very difficult to strip into the magazine. There is something about Parkerized clips that resists the brass from sliding over it. I have set aside all my parkerized 303 clips.

Having said that, I believe M-1 clips have ALWAYS been Parkerized, so go figure. I have some of the Korean ammo you speak of, and the Clips have an abrasive almost frosty appearance. Take a couple and throw them a case tumbler for a couple of hours. That worked for me
 
On another slightly off topic note, something that those who enjoy shooting and tinkering with the M1 Garand may want to consider is making yourself up some dummy rounds.

30-06 Springfield and 308 Winchester Dummy Rounds:
3006%20Dummies.png

The 30-06 clip are actually some Frankfort Arsenal (Headstamp FA) the 308 are some I made. I sort of screwed up making the 308 dummies because I should have made the holes higher, just below the shoulder is good. Just makes them more visible when loaded in a Garand clip. Dummies like this are useful for troubleshooting a rifle with a clip problem as there is no danger of a slamfire or loud bang at the kitchen table.

While dummy rounds aren't necessary they certainly can be a nice to have. For the hand loader they take a few min to fabricate. They can also be purchased, a Google of Dummy Rounds or Dummy Cartridges will bring up a dozen hits. Brownell's among others sells them.

Ron
 
If you narrow the problem down to "coarse embloc clips", try using 0000 steel wool and oil to rub and smooth all surfaces, inside and out.

Also, try some USGI surplus ammo.
 
I ran all of the clips I ordered from the CMP through the tumbler overnight. Knocked down the really rough parkerizing nicely. I don't know if it helped, but they seem to load easier.

Matt
 
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