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Posted: 5/9/2011 6:50:07 AM EDT
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So I purchased an M1 Garand from the CMP and received it around Christmas. First off I must say up until now it has been an absolute dream.
I have taken it out to the range about 4 times... Each of which I shoot about 60 - 80 rounds... I have kept the rifle clean and lubricated with the grease they suggest in the owners manual, and have only been firing the Hornady M1 Garand ammo. Now for the problem. Just got back from the range yesterday where it performed flawlessly again. I get it home to clean and I notice it has bent the Operating rod, and snapped the Operating rod spring in half. What would cause this? I would suspect overpressure from using the wrong ammo could, but if I have only been firing the Hornady M1 ammo ordered from the CMP I am a bit confused? I havnt gotten a hold of the CMP just yet I dont know if something like this could be covered from them or not but wanted to see what you guys suggest first.. The rifle in question is their $900 dollar one, with a new stock and all original matching serial # metal parts with very little wear. 
My little sister shooting it at 100m targets. |
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The Garand has a bend in it from the factory. It allows the op rod to follow the lines of the barrel but still allow the piston end to slide into the gas cylinder.
I have received CMP rifles with the original op rod spring,,,,usually the youngest spring can still be over 40 years old. Replace the op rod spring with the very well made Orion7 spring. This new spring is made better than the original and immediately improves the rifle performance. From their website: "M1 Rifle Operating Rod Springs We went back to the original Springfield Armory drawings to duplicate the original spring with one exception. Our new springs are manufactured from the highest quality 17-7 STAINLESS STEEL wire available in the industry. Superior over the standard carbon wire springs made during the war years. We now can offer what we believe is the finest main spring ever made for the M1 Rifle! These springs are manufactured exclusively for Orion 7 Enterprises Inc. right here in the USA on state of the art machinery and using the finest quality wire on the market. Samples were tested and the computer projected continuous cycle readings recorded were off the scale! We are so confident that you will agree with us that these are the best M1 rifle main springs made, we will offer you a free replacement guarantee* if our spring ever rusts, fails or wears out. No questions asked! 8.00 each 2/15.00." Orion7 Here is a picture of a op rod,,,showing the slight bend in the middle: 
Hope this helps. 
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You're sure the Op rod is bent? The Op rod is intentionally bent from the factory, so I just want to make sure you are not looking at a perfectly good op rod thinking "shit this thing is bent".
If you are not sure go to Youtube and look up "M1 tilt test" and perform that test. The CMP has an seems to have an excellent reputation when something is wrong with one of their rifles. If you call customer service they might take the rifle back and fix it. |
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Nope the rod looks just like the rod in the picture I guess I never noticed the bend until I pulled the spring out and it came out in 2 sections. haha the oh shit moment when you start eyeballing everything else to makesure everything looks good. I appreciate the quick responses guys! Will be putting in an order for the Orion spring today
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I have seen rifles that the spring was in 4 pieces and it still functioned perfectly. Orion 7 sells a spring kit, item G98a. Pick up one and replace all the springs. |
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The op rod is bent so that it has clearance around the breech section of the barrel.
When viewed from the side there will be 2 bends. However the portion of the rod between the two bends must be straight and the piston and receiver ends of the rod must be straight as well as parallel to each other when viewed from the side. The op rod should also be straight as an arrow when viewed from above. If it does not pass those visual inspections, then it really is bent. While you are at it, measure the piston - it needs to be at least .525" in diameter. ( along with that, the gas cylinder must have an ID of no more than .532".) |
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OP, if you are worried about your Op-rod google the Tilt Test for Garands.
Do the tilt test and you will know if you have a bad rod. It will also help you clean up any minor clearance issues that could effect accuracy as well. I am sure someone has already suggested getting the stainless spring from Orion 7, do it. Also in the pic above the lady is resting the rifle on the upper HG, thats not a healthly thing to do to the rifle and wont give you good groups either. |
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Quoted:
The upper handguard is supported by a metal barrel liner and in that configuration you won't hurt a Garand resting it on the upper handguard nor by doing pretty much anything else to it. However on an accurized Garand the liner is removed, the handguard is glued and screwed to the barrel band and the barrel band is permanently attached to the barrel to essentially freefloat the upper handguard. In that condition, the rifle should never be handled by the upper handguard.
OP, if you are worried about your Op-rod google the Tilt Test for Garands. Do the tilt test and you will know if you have a bad rod. It will also help you clean up any minor clearance issues that could effect accuracy as well. I am sure someone has already suggested getting the stainless spring from Orion 7, do it. Also in the pic above the lady is resting the rifle on the upper HG, thats not a healthly thing to do to the rifle and wont give you good groups either. The accuracy comment is however true - it works a lot better to rest the rifle on the forearm of the stock itself. When properly bedded the forearm places a substantial amount of down force on the barrel and it won't matter if the rifle is resting on the forearm. |
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IMHO......you need to get an education on your rifle.............
May I suggest that you download and READ the Field Manual (FM 23-5). http://www.mediafire.com/?9onmno58kwflx Aloha, Mark |
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Quoted:
I would just replace the spring and keep an eye on it. My last FG came with an op-rod spring that was in 3 pieces. So they do deteriorate over time. Try the tilt test as mentioned and keep shooting. This. Op rod is supposed to have a bend. Special workers had the task of getting the bend just right. I go to the North Store once a year and have had rifles with broken springs. Just replace. |
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The tilt test is fine for a one time check of your new to you Garand, but it's not really an option for general use given the dis-assembly, re-assembly and reconfiguring needed to do it.
A visual inspection however is very quick and easy once you know what a correct op rod looks like and can be done every time you field strip it for cleaning. |
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