Ok, got this beauty M1 Garand, here is the problem , I took it to the gunsmith to have it checked out after I bought it right? The action receiver and barrel were coated in 70 year old cosmoline, however, the stock and the white gas tube were not. the gunsmith says it has never been fired but someone replaced the original stock and took off the original gas tube and replaced it with a used piece of junk. What is happening is that the gas tube is loose so that two things happen, gas escapes and it doesn't always cycle and in addition the front sight moves left and right. Now after all that, the question is, can I tighten this up somehow? I would easily buy a replacement but how am I going to know it's going to fit better than the one on there? Any ideas?
M1 Garand Problem
- Thread starter Gunzuki
- Start date
Bat Guano
Member
You would do well to mike the op rod tip and gas cylinder ID. The tip should be .525; I don't remember the gas cylinder specs but if you check around you will find them. As to gas cylinder fit on the barrel loose fit is usually addressed by peening the matching barrel splines a bit. Worst case is that you will need a new gas cylinder and a new op rod (or get the old one, if otherwise OK).
Culver's Shooting Pages is a good source for info on the M1. The CMP forums are probably worth checking out,too.
Actually for anything M1 you need a copy of "Hatchers Book of the Garand". Owning and shooting an M1 is like owning a Jeep--it's a learning experience and you need to take ownership of the process. Like a Jeep, the M1 can be rebuilt back to new but you need to know what you're doing and occasionally spend substantial bucks.
I haven't chased parts for them for a while but Fulton Armory is a good source for info and parts.
Be of stout heart. Good luck.
Culver's Shooting Pages is a good source for info on the M1. The CMP forums are probably worth checking out,too.
Actually for anything M1 you need a copy of "Hatchers Book of the Garand". Owning and shooting an M1 is like owning a Jeep--it's a learning experience and you need to take ownership of the process. Like a Jeep, the M1 can be rebuilt back to new but you need to know what you're doing and occasionally spend substantial bucks.
I haven't chased parts for them for a while but Fulton Armory is a good source for info and parts.
Be of stout heart. Good luck.
Oldiron
US Veteran
Bat, have you been hitting the sauce or have you been watching too much TV today?
LouisianaJoe
Member
Bat Guano, You can edit your posts. When I post something, I usually have to edit it several times to get rid of my mistakes.
At the bottom right of your posts is an edit button which I just used to add this line.
At the bottom right of your posts is an edit button which I just used to add this line.
grif684
Member
Sounds like a new gas cylinder will do the trick, since your gunsmith said everything else looks "unfired". A new gas cylinder will probably take care of the loose fit onto the barrel as well, but peening the top spline is also a simple option. I would invest in a new (good surplus) gas cylinder, they are still available, although the prices seem to be climbing steadily....
Duster42
Absent Comrade
Another source of good M1 parts.
Orion 7
He's also a member of the Garand Collectors Association
If your not a member it's a great group to join.
GCA
The Garand Collectors Association
Orion 7
He's also a member of the Garand Collectors Association
If your not a member it's a great group to join.
GCA
The Garand Collectors Association
wheelgun28
Member
Theres a guy in NJ that rebuilds the gas cylinders and op rods.
He advertises in the GCA Journal.
I can post if if needed.
Just thinking, if the sight is moving, how are the key ways in the barrel? They can be tightened to but it more of a pain.
He advertises in the GCA Journal.
I can post if if needed.
Just thinking, if the sight is moving, how are the key ways in the barrel? They can be tightened to but it more of a pain.
LVSteve
Member
This sort of thing is also a symptom of the previous owner wanting everything "correct". Look, if during refurb the arsenal put a Winchester op-rod in a Springfield receiver, it IS correct. However, you cannot tell this to any members of the "Garand Correction Mafia" because they approach spontaneous combustion very quickly.
First, congratulations on purchasing a M-1 Garand. It is a wonderful rifle. Cosmoline is excellent for rust prevention. Getting it off a rifle is a character building experience! It is possible that someone did some part swapping. I've had any number of M-1's which had been rebuilt umpteen times by various arsenals. I wouldn't sweat the part about all the parts matching.
As to the op-rod, there are M-1 gunsmiths who routinely re-tip op-rods. You might be happy simply swapping your rod out for one that has been re-tipped. Do first use a micrometer to measure the tip that is currently on your rod. Also measure the tab that fits in the receiver. I don't remember the recommended measurements, but you should be able to find that information at either CMP - Civilian Marksmanship Program or CSP - Culver Shooting Page.
As to the gas cylinder, sometime a brand new gas cylinder will not fit tightly on a brand new USGI barrel. That can result in some movement of the front sight. A very simple fix is to just buy a USGI "Saw Cut" Gas Cylinder. This was a method developed by the Springfield Arsenal to deal with such issues. It works very well. I have one on a Springfield M-1 5.9 Million series that was rebuilt at LEAD w/ a new Springfield Arsenal 1966 barrel. It was restocked in a plain yellow birch stock set that fits really tight. It shoots like a house afire!
Look to the op-rod tip. Then get one of the saw cut gas cylinders that is "good on gauge" or else new in the wrap and install it on your rifle. Get some of the M-2 ball ammo available through the CMP and I think your short cycling problems will be eliminated. HTH. Sincerely. brucev.
The front sight slides (windage) on a dovetail that's on the gas tube itself. There's a large allen screw on the back side of the front sight that is loosened to make the adjustment then tightened again.
Peening the splines is usually done to tighten the fit of the gas tube to the bbl. That also keeps the front sight in one position.
Do some measuring for the op rod tip, the gas tube inner dia, port size, clearance at the end stroke betw op-rod tip and gas plug, ect before any peening and fitting.
Get the right parts first, if measurements show they are indeed needed,,Then fit them up properly and go have fun with it.
Once installed tightly, the gas tube should not have to be removed other than for major damage or failure.
Peening the splines is usually done to tighten the fit of the gas tube to the bbl. That also keeps the front sight in one position.
Do some measuring for the op rod tip, the gas tube inner dia, port size, clearance at the end stroke betw op-rod tip and gas plug, ect before any peening and fitting.
Get the right parts first, if measurements show they are indeed needed,,Then fit them up properly and go have fun with it.
Once installed tightly, the gas tube should not have to be removed other than for major damage or failure.
