M1 Garand Trigger Guard Dissasembly Problems

[HKurban]

Hello. I am currently in the process of dissasembling and repairing the M1 Garands for my JROTC Battalion. I have sucessfully dissasembled a few when I came across a problem. Several of the rifles do not release the trigger guard (durring the first step of dissasembly)

This picture features both types of trigger guards we have at our school. I dont know if the type makes a difference.

So far, all of the trigger guards that will not unlock are of the style featured in the main picture. I have only encountered 1 so far that is of the style featured in the inset, and have been able to unlock it and dissasemble the rifle. I have dissasembled 1 rifle with the main picture's trigger guard.

I hope one of you can help me. After about an hour, I will not be able to access the rifles for a week because of spring break, so if that is the case I wont be try a solution until then. Thanks.

 

[Bwana John]

Use a section of cleaning rod from the cleaning kit made to fit into the buttstock,
Insert the rod into the hole in the back of the trigger guard, and with the rifle inverted and facing away from you,
use the rod to help you unlock the trigger guard by pulling it back, and then up with both hands.
The trigger guard you could get to release is the stamped version, the older machined(?) version can be stiffer.

 

[10X]

The trigger guard has a small "latch" that hooks into the trigger housing.
That is the almost unseeable bump on top of the rear of the trigger guard in your illustration.

Pull the bolt so the hammer is cocked. Most important - pull back (towards the rear of rifle) on the trigger guard with a slight downward motion and then down on the trigger guard. Some are very tight and take a bit of effort.

If you can't do it by hand get a big screw driver and insert it between the trigger and the rear of the trigger guard or if it is not too large insert it in the hole in the back of the trigger guard. Use some masking tape on the screw driver shaft to avoid scratches. With the butt on the ground use two hands (one on each side of the screwdriver) and push down with a slight rotation to hinge the trigger guard.

Good luck.

 

[HKurban]

Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes in... a week