Handy wrote:
As far as the block is concerned, there really isn't any 'danger' involved. The '06 case is too long to chamber, the bolt won't close sufficiently to drop the hammer. The worst that should happen is that the gun is going to jam.
The problem here is that the hammer does not have to drop to cause a really bad day.....
Imagine what happens when an '06 round is rammed into a chamber that is 1/2 too short by a bolt moving at Warp 9....
First, the cartride slams to a stop...
Second, the bolt slams to a stop....
Thirdly, the inertial firing pin does NOT stop, it keeps moving.....
Fourth.... Can you say, "Out of Battery Fire"????
Not a pretty picture......
While the mag well block serves no mechanical function, it does serve a pretty important safety function. That's why they were designed and their use is recommeded on .308 re-barreled M1's.
I have a .308 Garand, and it DOES have a mag well block.
Garands forever......
Swampy