M1 Garand Op Rod Broken

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kaloman

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Hi There,

I'm new to the M1 Garand, which I received from my father. Well, while locking the bolt back and then slowly releasing it, I noticed that there was very little spring force closing the bolt. While removing the three main groups of parts, I noticed that the Op Rod Spring was sheared off. See the photo below, where you can notice the broken spring. It's in the middle of the exposed spring.

I've never stripped the Garand and was wondering how difficult is it to replace the spring myself? Also, what would be the best spring to buy? I've read in some threads that the Orion 7 makes the best spring.

Thanks for all the help!
 

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Stripping the rifle isn't difficult; the Army trained a few million people how to do it. Yes, you should definitely replace the spring yourself, and the Orion 7 spring is the way to go.

Instructions for disassembly are on Youtube.
 
Heck with youtube. you're looking at it. grab hold of the little fork that is connected to the follower. pull it toward the muzzle while making sure the fork comes off the retaining pins on the follower arm.

I'm one evolutionary step away from some sort of primordial walking fish thing.... and I figured it out all by myself. The thing about the rabbit and the tree... not so much. j/k :)
 
Thanks guys!

I watched the video and it really looks easy to field strip this rifle. I'll have to try it later tonight after work. I noticed on the video that the guy made no effort to lock the bolt all the way back. Then I remembered when I tried to do that, it was very difficult to get the bolt locked beyond the follower. Pulling it back is easy until I reach the end of the follower, then it gets tough. I wonder if this could be contributed to my broken op rod spring? Anyone have similar difficulty with locking the bolt back all the way?

Thanks the all the help!
 
Nope. Mine works just like the one in the video. It may take slightly more effort to lock back but nothing more than the slight extra you are compressing the spring. Nothing that feels out of place.

Oh and your title is misleading. I thought you snapped the op rod, not the op rod spring. I was expecting a cracked or snapped op rod. I had never seen one broken and was a bit interested in what it looked like.
 
Remember that while you have it apart, take the time to clean and lube (Garands love grease) the rifle. It's a piece of American history. Be proud of it.
 
I saw the title of this thread and thought, woohee!
I am going to see a picture of a broken operating rod and that would be only the second one I have ever seen actually broken.

Springs go south all the time and the Orion 7 stainless steel spring is one of the best I have ever used.
 
I saw the title of this thread and thought, woohee!
I am going to see a picture of a broken operating rod and that would be only the second one I have ever seen actually broken.

Springs go south all the time and the Orion 7 stainless steel spring is one of the best I have ever used.
Click to expand...

+1 on everything above.

Replacing the spring is incredibly easy. Just pull the follower rod off of the follower arm and pull the spring out of the oprod. You don't even need to remove the oprod.

The thought of a broken oprod sends shivers down the spine of all Garand-o-philes. Please don't use the phrase "M1 Garand Op Rod Broken" unless you mean it. ;)
 
I can't really add anything to this, other than to reassure you that taking the Garand apart is really no big deal. Follow the links and you'll have no problems. I'm new to Garand's also, and I've had no problems taking my gun apart using the guides.

On another note, you and I are kinda in the same boat. We both have Garand's that we can't shoot. You, because of a broken gun, and me because I still haven't been able to get a hold of any clips or ammo. Thank goodness the next gunshow is only a month away.:eek:
 
Hahaha, sorry guys for the confusion. I didn't even realize I left out "spring" in the title of the thread. Yes, a broken rod would be traumatizing. I did not get a chance tonight to break down the M1, but I was able to order the Orion 7 spring along with the buttstock field cleaning kit. Now the long wait until it comes in...

Thanks again guys for all the help! I'll definitely be checking this forum more and more for great information. I just picked up a DPMS AP4 a couple of months ago and have been loving it! But that's for another thread.

Aloha!
 
Once upon a time, I received a Garand rifle from a dealer in Eastern Canada. I did a quick check to ensure the bore was clean and clear (it was) and the action well-lubed (it was) and so proceeded to fire several hundred rounds through the rifle.

During the clean-up after the 100%-successful firing session, I found the op-rod spring was in FOUR pieces, and the spring wire in the coils was worn flat from end-to-end. How that rifle ever managed to continue operating is beyond me, but it did. How long had it been running like that with no one EVER stripping it far enough to see the broken spring when it FIRST broke, let alone the second and third breaks???

This episode certainly increased my respect for the M1 design. It should never have worked under such abuse.

When you order the new spring, get two. Spare parts are wonderful to have on hand, and having them almost always means you'll never need them.
 
PCGS65 already provided the link to the Orion 7 springs but here's another link that gives more detail and describes their "free replacement guarantee". Scroll to the bottom of the page.

http://www.m1garandrifle.com/news.htm

I've never bought one but I've read great things about them on the CMP forum.
 
...and then hear what ammo he was running to do it
Click to expand...

Being a Garand nut, I serve as the armorer for my VFW post. Several of the post's rifles have op rods with minor damage in the area of the relief cut. I was a little perplexed as to what had caused it until I found grenade launcher cartridges mixed in with our blanks. I'm guessing that was way too much pressure with the blank adapter attached.
 
Well, I received my operating rod spring from Orion 7 and field stripped the rifle. Boy was I surprised to find the original operating spring in shambles. I think the attached photo speaks for itself. I guess this is what happens to a rifle stored for over a decade. Hahah, I'm in shock and aw.

Is there any reason to believe that the other springs in the rifle are of the same condition? After reassembly, I function tested it and it performed like it should. I'm a little worried about the springs in the bolt assembly though. Does anyone know how to easily strip the bolt assembly using a screwdriver? I purchased the spring kit from Orion 7, but it doesn't come with the ejector spring. Should I purchase that one and replace it?

Thanks for all the support!
 

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HOLY COW!!!!! That was some brittle steel,,,,Do you know what year your Garand was made? Is it a Springfield....a well used original, or could it be a cheap replacement from somewhere...look up the serial numbers an you can find the age on it.
 
I've seen quite a few broken oprod springs but that one takes the cake. :eek:

The other springs aren't likely to be in that sad of shape but it certainly won't do any harm to replace them. After the oprod spring, the one that seems to fail the most is the clip latch spring. I believe Orion can provide you with the entire set.

Bolt disassembly and reassembly isn't difficult. It may seem a little tricky the first few times, but after a little practice, it will be easy. Commercial bolt tools are available (CMP used to sell them) that are very convenient but sometimes a little pricey. A GI M3A1 Combo Tool is almost as convenient and should be the very first accessory anyone buys for their Garand.

Here's a couple of links for bolt disassembly:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/garand/boltdisassemble/index.asp

http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com/striphtml/detailstripboltgroup.html
 
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