Problems with loading a Garand

[Samuraigg]

I purchased a Garand two summers back. It functioned fine last summer, and I took apart the rifle and oiled and greased it per instructions to put it away for the winter. I took the rifle out shooting for the first time since then and to my surprise it would not load from the enbloc clips. More specifically, I attempt to load a clip into the rifle and push down on it but despite using a lot of force, the bolt won't budge forward and load a round.

I have taken apart and reassembled the rifle twice now per the CMP instructions, but I still have this problem. The only way I can load the rifle is to pull back on the bolt while loading the clip. Only then will the bolt release and move forward.

Is this safe and acceptable functioning of the rifle? If not, what parts should I replace?

Thanks for the help.

 

[1KPerDay]

You say "despite using a lot of force" but it's unclear where you're applying that force. Have you tried bumping the op rod handle forward after loading a clip? My garands all require a bump to strip/chamber the first round.

If it won't move at all with a good bump, you'll have to replace something... I'm not smart enough to tell you what it is, though.

HOWEVER: your rifle may be equipped with an aftermarket device that requires the rearward pull/release of the op rod handle to strip the first round. Some garands have been equipped thus as their owners prefer it.

 

[Samuraigg]

I'm applying a lot of downward force on the top round in the enbloc clip. The bolt never even jumps forward a bit to allow the manual bump that sends it home. It just stays fully latched open.

 

[Badger Arms]

Off the top of my head... clip latch missing? I'd have to see the gun.

 

[Samuraigg]

I believe the chip latch is in ok. I'll actually post some pictures in just a bit of the interior of the gun best I can. Guess that would help since I'm having trouble describing things.

 

[Samuraigg]

Here is a link to the pics I took. It was tough for me to get good pictures of the insides so this may not help much.

http://img195.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=img0175mediumg.jpg

 

[dfariswheel]

Does this sound right?

You insert a clip. It locks in place, the bolt moves forward a fraction of an inch then stops?

If so, nothing is wrong. This is how the M1 operates.
To load the rifle, insert the clip, THEN give the op rod handle a bump with the heel of your hand to start the bolt forward.
Watch some of the WWII films on the History Channel and you'll see soldiers loading the M1 by bumping the op rod handle.
This is normal operation for the M1.

If however, you insert the clip and it jumps right back out, you probably have a bad clip latch spring or possibly a bad clip latch.
If so, simply contact the CMP and they'll either send you replacement parts, or have you return the rifle.

 

[61chalk]

I suggest trying to go to CMP.com...they have a forum, do a search for this, you don't have to register to look for info...if you do registor, you can ask questions to this problem...but you will probably find the answer...I had a similar problem, an found out I have a worn OP rod..I have to slap it down, not forward to make it chamber the round...sounds like you have a worn part like the bullet guide, or slide an follower ass'y.....your loaded enbloc should go all the way down an you should feel an hear a click, then while holding pressure down bolt should slide forward slightly an stop...if you don't hear that click, take your clip latch off the left side of the reciever an stretch the spring out a little bit, an put back...keep at it!!!

 

[Samuraigg]

I think I might have this fixed thanks to 61chalk...

I pulled off the clip latch, detached the spring, and stretched it out a bit. I'm now getting the click when i push down on the enbloc and the bolt slightly rides forward ready for the op rod bump. I can't get out to the range until Friday, so I won't know until then if the rifle is functioning properly, but this looks promising.

Thanks again for the help everyone.

 

[loadedround]

Samuraigg: I am somewhat familiar with the operation of the M1 Garand and from your excellent pictures I can't spot anything mechanically wrong. Therefore I have two questions for you: (1) Is this condition happening will all you enbloc clips or just one? (2) Have you changed ammunition or are you by chance using reloads? Most Garands need a smack on the op rod handle to close and chamber unless the rifle is very worn. You may have a bad clip or your ammo is slightly too long(OAL) to chamber smoothly. Check all the obvious first.

 

[krs]

Fulton Armory sells an extra powerful clip latch spring to address this very problem.

 

[rcmodel]

And if it was the spring, you need to replace it.

A stretched spring is not a good spring anymore.
It will soon return to a weaker condition then it was before once the yield strength of the metal was exceeded by stretching it.

rc

 

[rscalzo]

http://www.odcmp.com/ is the correct website address.

 

[Samuraigg]

The condition happened with a variety of enbloc clips. I haven't changed ammunition, still shooting Greek surplus.

I ordered a new bullet guide and heavy duty clip latch spring from Fulton Armory. I figure replacing these two parts will fix the problem without leaving me with a weakened spring.

 

[Badger Arms]

The condition happened with a variety of enbloc clips. I haven't changed ammunition, still shooting Greek surplus.

Just to be sure, I will offer to sacrifice my time and abilities and test the remainder of your clips to ensure that they will work in a variety of Garands and a variety of climactic conditions. Please send me all of your ammo and I'll get to work...

 

[krs]

It's possible to install the bullet guide backwards, or even upside down, although upside down would be readily apparent and I doubt the assembly could be completed that way. Backwards though, it can be and it would cause a problem much like you've described.


From your first description it sounded to me like this might be your problem since you described the problem as having arisen following a disassembly/reassembly of the rifle.

However, I looked at your photos and it looked like you had gotten it right, so I didn't suggest the possibility of assembly problems.

Now, however, it occurs to me that MAYBE those photos were not taken after the disassembly? If they were not then I think it's worth mentioning the possibility of incorrect reassembly being the cause of all of this.