Op rod popped off the bolt (Garand)

[fatelk]

What would make the operating rod come off the bolt on my M1 Garand?

I was shooting yesterday; the first three clips went fine, then I tried to fire a few very fast. After a couple rounds it stopped. I looked down and the bolt was all the way back, but the op rod was all the way forward. I was able to get it back on the bolt. Everything seemed fine, no obvious damage. I tried to chanber abother round, but the shell wouldn't fully chamber. After I got home I tried to figure out what was in the chamber but nothing was there. I have a clip of "dummies" and they cycled fine.

This is a nice old 1942 Springfield Garand I got from the CMP earlier this year. The ammo was 150gr bullets in LC brass, with a fairly mild charge of 4064. I'm pretty sure I found all my empties, and they all looked just fine.

No harm seems to have been done, but I sure wish I knew what happened.

 

[highorder]

that happens on occasion. usually the culprit is a worn tab on the oprod. is your rifle properly greased?

 

[fatelk]

Yes, just checked; it's greased pretty good. I'm not real sure what to look for as far as wear, but it doesn't look too worn to me. It is, however, a 65 year old rifle that's seen a lot of use.

 

[Bwana John]

I had a M1 carbine that would let its op-rod jump out of its raceway.

I tried a new op-rod, and a new bolt, it didnt help, I finally sold it.

 

[dfariswheel]

The "usual" for "Op rod dismount" is that the small tab on the bottom rear of the op rod has worn and no longer has enough engagement with the receiver groove.

Another common problem is an op rod in which the REAR portion behind the op rod "saddle" is bent.
To check this, lock the bolt back.
Look at the front of the op rod where it enters the wood. There should be a gap between the underside of the op rod, and the top of the receiver rail.
The rear of the op rod should be in firm contact with the rail at the rear.

A good test is, with the bolt locked back, lift straight up on the op rod handle and release. The op rod should spring back down onto the receiver rail.