New CMP Garand- bent op rod?

[fatelk]

I just got my Dane Field Grade M1 Garand from the CMP yesterday. It's real nice, better than I expected except for two things.

I took it completely apart and cleaned off all the cosmoline (don't you love cleaning cosmoline off a new/old gun?). Upon reassembly I noticed that the operating rod is rubbing/hitting the barrel on the bottom. There's quite a mark so I'm sure it's been doing it for some time. Does this indicate a bent op rod? If so can it be straightened or should it just be replaced?

The other issue is the gas cylinder lock. When I remove the gas cylinder lock screw valve I can thread the gas cylinder lock another half turn so it points up when it's actually tight. Is it worn out, needing replaced also?

I've also heard that CMP customer service is excellent. I plan on calling them on Monday, thought I'd post here first to see if anyone had some ideas. I haven't fired it yet, can't be good to shoot it with the op rod hitting the barrel like that.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Nothing wrong with anything......all is fine with your rifle.

 

[GRIZ22]

CMP has excellent customer service and will take care of you when you get in touch. Dealing with them is dealing with experts on the M1. If need be they will replace any parts or even your entire rifle. It sounds like you do have a problem and dealing with CMP is your best bet.

 

[Tokugawa]

where are the rub marks on the barrel? There should be a long straight rub mark on the bottom of the chamber portion of the barrel, from the op rod. The gas cylinder lock may be a bit loose, but no big deal. Ideally it would bottom out closer to alignment.

 

[fatelk]

The marks are toward the front of the chamber part, but they are more dents than rub marks. If I remove the spring I can feel it rub hard as it closes.

I just realized that tonight after work I can take the op rod off my other M1 and compare the two. I might post photos if I get time.

 

[fatelk]

Yep, the op rod is slightly bent. I can't really tell comparing the two side by side, but when I switch them it does the same thing in my other rifle.

It looks like I could carefully bend it ever so slightly and it would be fine, but not really knowing what I'm doing, I will wait and call CMP first.

As to the gas cylinder lock, I guess there really is nothing wrong with it. I took the gas cylinder off and was careful not to push it so far on the splines when I put it back on. It fits real snug now. I'm learning, and that's half the fun.