M1/Op-rod Spring

[eclancy]

Hi all,
Under Methods of Inspection and Tests. Of at least 10 rifles, of each lot of rifles, how many cycles of lets say the op-rod spring. "Stressed through the same range and approximately the same velocity and chance of motion as in service." should be made.
Have fun with this one.
Thanks again
Clancy

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

3 million?

 

[eclancy]

Hi all,
The answer to this quiz is 20,000 cycles for ALL springs on the M1. What I find odd is that the Endurance Test for the M1 Garand Rifle is only 6,000 rds.
Getting hammered on CSP so may not post for sometimes. Thanks for all your support.
Thanks again
Clancy

 

[BruceB]

Speaking of op-rod springs, I once ordered a Garand from a Canadian mail-order outfit. When it arrived, I gave it a quick once-over without disassembling it, as it was free of cosmoline or other nasty stuff. The barrel was clean and lightly oiled, and action likewise, so I took it out back and had a fine time firing a couple hundred rounds in very short order.

When I took it down for cleaning after the shooting stopped, I found that the op-rod spring was in FIVE pieces! The outside of the coils were worn flat for the full length of the spring, and had worn completely through in spots to create the breaks...and the rifle still functioned flawlessly! This wasn't my first Garand, and it didn't feel particularly different from the others when firing, not slamming excessively or any other such problems. I was certainly surprised, though, looking at that sad piece of crap that was my op-rod spring.

What sort of unit would allow such a totally-trashed spring to stay in a rifle? Was it EVER stripped in its last several thousand rounds? Did the importer just stuff a junk spring in it? The major assemblies were in very good condition. Curious...