M1 GARAND OP ROD Question

[rintintindog68]

Having an issue with my Garand and trying to narrow down the cause. When the problem first developed the OP Rod Locked back and would not budge forward. After troubleshooting I tapped it forward incrementally with a rubber mallet and it freed. I then disassembled, cleaned, greased all the internals etc.

The gun now will charge to the rear, lock back as it should but when the bolt is released forward "hard" the op rod locks forward and now is very difficult to pull to the rear (it actually requires a palm strike to the rear of the gun) to the get it to release.

If I let the bolt go back forward in a controlled manner it doesn't lock forward and operates fine. Same process with dummy rounds, cycles, extracts, ejects but if I let the bolt fly forward hard. It locks up.

Just looking for some insight. Leaning toward just having the Op Rod sent off to a company that inspects and brings them back into specs. much cheaper than a new Op Rod. This is a shooter and a WWII display gun so I'm not necessarily looking for it be pristine in the end.

 

[East of Here]

Here is my initial suggestions:

First, assuming the rifle was properly lubed, remove the spring and do the tilt test to see if the op rod is binding up anywhere.

Also check the gas cylinder to make sure it is not fouled up with carbon and debris.

Next make sure the op rod tab is not jumping out of the track when it is released forward.

Inspect the tab and channel for burrs or other obstructions.

Measure the op rod tab and piston to see if they are in spec.

Start there...

 

[rintintindog68]

Thanks and that sounds like a plan. At least it's something for me to start on instead of just being dead in the water.

 

[East of Here]

I jumped my op rod out of the channel on the line at Camp Butner during slow prone a few years back. It took 10 minutes to get it free, eventually requiring that an RSO beat the op rod open with a 2X4. I know all about being dead in the water.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Look inside the oprod cam for burrs...it may be binding on the right bolt lug.

If you were closer I'd check it out for you

 

[East of Here]

Hell, if you don't mind hauling it up to Frontline Defense one weekend, let me know and I will look it over for you. Bring some ammo and you can test it out to 500 yards at the same time.