M1 Garand problems and parts.

[Rxmig7]

Hello everyone. My M1 Garand has some problems. First problem is that it spits out the entire clip after shooting 3 or 4 rounds. Second problem, sometimes the shell breaks in half, leaving one half stuck in the barrel. I have taken the rifle apart and saw the gas cylinder was clearly bored out on the bottom side where the operating rod enters it. My question is, what other parts are recommended, or required to buy, after purchasing a new gas cylinder? So far I am looking at a new NM operarting rod(that's whats on the rifle now) and a new usgi gas cylinder from www.sarcoinc.com. All help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Miguel V.

 

[30Cal]

The gas cylinder is built with a shallow scalloped cut on the inside, at the rear and it extends a fair distance into the cylinder--I'm pretty sure what you're seeing is normal. What you wrote doesn't lead me to believe there's anything wrong with any part of the gas system or oprod.

Sounds like you need a new clip latch spring. It should measure 5/8" long.

What ammo are you shooting and has the rifle been headspaced? Case separations are not a good thing at all. Sounds like your headspace is too long or you're shooting some really bad reloads.

 

[Rxmig7]

I've been shooting with Lake City for the most part (around 5000 rounds) and shot 400 rounds of the greek ammo. Im looking at the headspace (with a LC round in it) and it looks normal. I'm going to test it out right now without my firing pin. I actually bought a new clip ejector spring and fired it, no difference, still jammed. Maybe it needs a new clip ejector...not sure.

New parts I have replaced in the past and still jams:

Clip latch spring, cartridge ejector and spring, extractor spring with plunger, and 3 Op Rod Spring Stainless Steel 17-7 from www.sarcoinc.com.

 

[briansmithwins]

Do you have a headspace gauge or are you applying tape to a round or some such?

Case separations can lead to a blown up rifle and are not soemthing to fool with. BSW

 

[Rxmig7]

No, I do not have headspace gauge and I'm not applying tape to a round. This started happening little by little as I was shooting. After the casings started breaking in half I purchased those parts mentioned above and took it back to the range. In my horror, after heavy cleaning, replacing parts and what not, the first round at the range fired and the casing broke in half again. I packed it up, and took it home. Havent been back there in while cause I dont want to injure others or myself.

 

[marsche]

It is hard for me to imagine a LC or HXP case 'breaking in half', but, I assume they did. I am translating what you wrote to mean that the extractor is pulling on the rim of the case and the case is snapping in the middle? Is that correct?

During normal cleaning the chamber needs brushed and cleaned with a chamber brush. If not, you may (will) incur extraction problems. The only way I can see this (snapping in half) happening is if the chamber was never cleaned with a brush and the gun was fired for a lot of rounds. Eventually, the chamber would get enough gunk in it that a fired shell would stick. However, I would think that you would rip the rim off the case before the case would snap in half.

As for replacing parts, I agree with 30 CAL. I don't think you have a gas system problem. The problem is probably either the clip latch itself or the clip latch spring.

 

[closetgunnut]

I had a problem with one of my Garand's also. The primers where pushing out about 1/16 and the brass necks where really dirty. I took it to a local Gunsmith that was highly recommended. Found out that I had excessive headspace.

I'd take it to a Gunsmith that knows about Garands.

Just my two cents.

Good luck!

Closet

 

[longdayjake]

you may look into getting a whole new barrel. After that many rounds it is probably getting quite worn especially if it had already been shot a bunch before you got it. If you did that then there would be no chance at all that it is a chamber problem.

 

[Swampy]

rxmig7,

Good advice from the guys so far... especially .30 cal.

Can you please describe EXACTLY !!! how and where the brass cases are coming apart. Your description of "breaking in half" leaves a lot to the imagination.

At this point and until you find out what the problem is I can only recommend one thing..... DO NOT FIRE THAT RIFLE AGAIN !!!!

You could be dealing with a very unsafe rifle and until you determine what's causing your problems you are taking serious chances each time you pull the trigger.

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[Onmilo]

It is normally a worn bullet guide and/or follower arm that cause premature clip ejection, it is almost never the clip latch or its spring that cause this problem.

Unless the cartridges you were shooting were reloads and you weren't being totally honest about this or were sold ammo that was reloaded and claimed to be new or surplus military, I am with the other posters that the rifle is displaying a sign of excessive headspace,, grossly excessive headspace.

M1 rifles are not known for ripping the case heads off safe, factory loaded cartridges, even when the chamber if fouled out, unless there is an extreme headspace issue.

 

[Rxmig7]

I appreciate all the help guys, really. Swampy, the problem first started with with the premature ejection of the clip after shooting 3 or 4 rounds. I have only been shooting Lake City and the greek ammunition because I have read these two brands are recommended for the M1. I have never shot a reload in any rifle only because I do not trust them. About the shell casing, I have broken 3 in total. They were all Lake City ammo, and they all broke approximately an inch from the primer towards the bullet. So, one broken half was ejected, and the other was stuck in the barrel. They looked like if the brass was made weak(pretty sure it wasn't) and I managed to get them out with a cleaning rod. I cleaned up my M1 and now it has been sitting in the closet for almost a year. Onmilo, my bullet guide and follower arm looks pretty loose, I'm going to replace some parts and take the rifle to be headspaced and inspected. I was lucky 3 times, dont want to experience that again. It's a damn shame because it's a beautiful beast. Thank you all again!

 

[Swampy]

About the shell casing, I have broken 3 in total. They were all Lake City ammo, and they all broke approximately an inch from the primer towards the bullet. So, one broken half was ejected, and the other was stuck in the barrel.

rxmig7,

It sounds like your rifle has hugely excess headspace. A headspace check is definitely in order at this time.

If your rifle is far enough long on it's headspace that the bolt is closing on a field gauge, then your only recourse to making the rifle serviceable and safe again is to have it re-barreled.

Just my 2 bits,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[briansmithwins]

This is from Hatcher's machinegun book which oyu can get free from google. BSW