M1 issues

[2ndovc]

One of my co-workers bought an M1 from another one of the guys and is having problems.
It has Springfield '43 markings through out but the safety has been changed.

The issue is the empty shells won't extract without heavy force on the op rod.
He gave me the rifle to disassemble and clean yesterday. There was a bit of rust on the
op rod and the gas tube was really dirty. Other than that it appeared to be ok.
I forced myself to take a day off and went to the range this morning. Ten degrees and
about 1' of snow but I had the place to myself! Had the same problem. Rifle fires, spot on target, the bolt unlocks but won't extract.
My thinking is that it's a chamber issue but what kind?
Here's a couple of photos. Looking at the empty case it looks like someone took a piece of sandpaper to it about a 1/4" below the shoulder.





jb

[madman4570]

Is the gas plug tight?
Was the claw looking section of extractor clean and appeared to look normal?
Sometimes you get shavings from grabing the brass. That mark might indicate that.
Also the ejector spring cruded up or just weak?
Does it do it with only one rd being fired?
I am sure you lubed it good.

Good Luck!

[2ndovc]

Yes.
Yes.
Clean.
Ejector is fine.
One round or 8 round clip.
Chamber lube? Was always told not to. ?

jb

[Hobie]

Don't lube the chamber. Did I read that the oprod is NOT bent? It appears that you have corrosion of the chamber which allows it to "grab" the case with sufficient force to inhibit extraction. That inhibits ejection. One might try a light polish of the affected area of the chamber after normal rust removal (very fine, i.e. oily OOOO steel wool). If that doesn't work I'd expect that you might have to replace the barrel.

[madman4570]

Yes.
Yes.
Clean.
Ejector is fine.
One round or 8 round clip.
Chamber lube? Was always told not to. ?

jb

Surely could be wrong but thinking weak spring, or the seal on the gas plug is bad ?
After you fire it and manually working action works then I am thinking possibly either one or both bad?
Have seen the chamber get a bur and give that type of scratch on spent case and causing hard cycling?
You used a chamber brush on it?

If chamber was cleaned with chamber brush and appears good. That's it from me.
Buddy of mine had his polished some years back similar issue and that took care of it ?
Anyhow you got me?

[Mich Hunter]

Don't lube the chamber. Did I read that the oprod is NOT bent? It appears that you have corrosion of the chamber which allows it to "grab" the case with sufficient force to inhibit extraction. That inhibits ejection. One might try a light polish of the affected area of the chamber after normal rust removal (very fine, i.e. oily OOOO steel wool). If that doesn't work I'd expect that you might have to replace the barrel.

Hobie is right. You either have a chamber issue or a gas issue if your Op rod isn't bent. Also, what kind of ammo are you shooting?

[Hobie]

Don't lube the chamber. Did I read that the oprod is NOT bent? It appears that you have corrosion of the chamber which allows it to "grab" the case with sufficient force to inhibit extraction. That inhibits ejection. One might try a light polish of the affected area of the chamber after normal rust removal (very fine, i.e. oily OOOO steel wool). If that doesn't work I'd expect that you might have to replace the barrel.

Hobie is right. You either have a chamber issue or a gas issue if your Op rod isn't bent. Also, what kind of ammo are you shooting?

Good point, I was wrong to assume that the correct ammo was being used.

[OldWin]

You may want to check the gas port also. It could be restricted.

[Old Ironsights]

Pedant Point...

M1 =/= M1.

A Garand ain't a Carbine. Be nice to have a calibrated headspace before discovering which M1 one is asking questions about...

[mikld]

I lean towards a rough chamber, with the cases marked as they are. I haven't experienced a bent op-rod so I can't help you there. I'd look on the CMP forums for the M1 "experts"...http://forums.thecmp.org/

O.I., the pic in the first post is of an M1 Garand and the pic of the case looks like a '06. Or am I missing something?

[TedH]

I agree on the rough chamber. Probably had a bit of rusting at one time and even very slight pits will grab that brass like you wouldn't believe.

You might take a black permanent marker and color a cartridge in the suspect area and fire it, then when you extract it any unusual areas will be obvious.

[2ndovc]

It's not the ammunition. I tried three different types surplus, factory and a hand load I make specifically for my M1.

It's most likely a chamber issue as I stated earlier. Hadn't thought about rust or pitting locking it up. I'll try some steel wool and see if that helps. He doesn't want to have the barrel replace as it's dated '43.

jb

[madman4570]

Yes.
Yes.
Clean.
Ejector is fine.
One round or 8 round clip.
Chamber lube? Was always told not to. ?

jb

Meant just the normal well lubed M1 stuff. This site below gives pretty good detail.
http://www.garandgear.com/how-to-grease-your-m1-garand
Was just thinking that sometimes a combination of multiple events can contribute to a failure.
Meaning a weakened spring somewhat, not lubed weapon combined etc.
Anyhow, that prior post on the chamber stuff that I put on noticed after hitting submit there was Hobies post.
Didn't see that prior to hitting submit,was in the process of typing post.
Sometimes that happens when people post about same time? anyhow again, Good Luck!

[Old Ironsights]

...
O.I., the pic in the first post is of an M1 Garand and the pic of the case looks like a '06. Or am I missing something?

Oh, the Post was clear enough, it's just the title that was unclear.

[2ndovc]

...
O.I., the pic in the first post is of an M1 Garand and the pic of the case looks like a '06. Or am I missing something?

Oh, the Post was clear enough, it's just the title that was unclear.

HOW IS THIS UNCLEAR ? I have an M1 with an issue! of all the M1's I've had and shot this is something new in my 30 years of shooting and collecting.
By the way, how many M1's aren't .30-'06? Darned few!

I have an M1 that can't extract an empty shell. How is this ambiguous?
As stated in my first post there is a chamber issue. Not wrong ammo ( by the way, that was really condescending!) The op rod was corroded but wasn't bent. In my 30 plus years of shooting and collecting I've never run into a corroded chamber.

forbid me if I ask a question here!

Think I just pee off and try to find a site that used to be as cool as this one.

[Old Ironsights]

...
O.I., the pic in the first post is of an M1 Garand and the pic of the case looks like a '06. Or am I missing something?

Oh, the Post was clear enough, it's just the title that was unclear.

HOW IS THIS UNCLEAR ? I have an M1 with an issue! of all the M1's I've had and shot this is something new in my 40 years of shooting and collecting.
By the way, how many M1's aren't .30-'06? Darned few!

I have an M1 that can't extract an empty shell. How is this ambiguous?
As stated in my first post there is a chamber issue. Not wrong ammo ( by the way, that was really condescending!) The op rod was corroded but wasn't bent. In my 30 plus years of shooting and collecting I've never run into a corroded chamber.

forbid me if I ask a question here!

Think I just pee off and try to find a site that used to be as cool as this one.

Man, chill. When I read the Topic, "M1 issues", my first question, before opening the thread, was "Which M1? The Garand or Carbine?" Then I opened it and saw what it was about and thought "ahh the M1 Garand... OK."

Also please note the indicating that I wasn't being a butt about it. The whole comment about "calibrated headspace" was about MY "head-space" which was confused before I opened the thread.

That's all I was saying. Sorry.

[Hobie]

Pedant Point...

M1 =/= M1.

A Garand ain't a Carbine. Be nice to have a calibrated headspace before discovering which M1 one is asking questions about...

He said "Springfield 43"

[Old Ironsights]

Pedant Point...

M1 =/= M1.

A Garand ain't a Carbine. Be nice to have a calibrated headspace before discovering which M1 one is asking questions about...

He said "Springfield 43"

Not in the thread/topic title. Like I said, the thread topic of "M1 issues", by itself, without opening the thread, is what I found confusing. The rest was perfectly clear.

[rjohns94]

But yet you commented sarcastically after you opened the thread and saw what it was.

[Old Ironsights]

Most people who are actively tring to be jerky don't call themselves Pedants, use or say that their own headspace calibration is off.

Sarcasm, yes, a little. More humor though with a genuine point too. But nothing more confrontive than the kind of stuff we say/said to each other when working in the motorpool in the Army or on the firetrucks/firehall now. Nothing abusive intended.

I'm sorry people saw it that way.

[mikld]

Wow! This thread seems to have turned into "pile on O.I." . He admitted his "mistake", apologized, so ease off fellers...

[madman4570]

Yep!

Both OI and 2ndovc are extremely fine guys.
How bout we all think spring is coming and gather at the fire.
2ndovc please get your rear back on here cause your knowledge and humor is missed.
Like ya both!
Oh well I am grabbing some marshmallows!

[Blaine]

Stress, jobs, and Cabin fever does that...

[JayF in AZ]

Down here it's the summer that gets folks cranky

[MrMurphy]

There's the M1 rifle, M1 carbine, M1 Thompson, and M1A1 Thompson, all from the same war.

Also the M1 Abrams.......



I'd say chamber issue, but I'm no expert on the Garand.

www.milsurps.com is full of guys who know more about M1's and milsurps than just about anywhere.

[Old Ironsights]

There's the M1 rifle, M1 carbine, M1 Thompson, and M1A1 Thompson, all from the same war.

Also the M1 Abrams.......

Point. I hereby relinquish my self imposed Pedant Award. You win!