I can't get my new garand's operating rod off

[DarthSean]

I just got a garand and I'm in the process of taking it apart and cleaning the cosmoline out of it. I've read the instructions to disassemble it and watched videos on the internet of the operating rod being taken off several times over and I still can't get it. Am I missing something really simple here?

[Milsurp Collector]

1. Remove follower rod and op rod spring
2. Remove gas cylinder lock screw, gas cylinder lock, slide gas cylinder off of the barrel and op rod
3. Remove front handguard
4. Pull op rod back until the tab on the op rod lines up with the notch in the receiver. Pull op rod handle away from the receiver. Op rod should disengage from the bolt and receiver

[0321jarhead]

This web sight can be of good help for you. As for "Milsurp Collector", he is correct. www.surplusrifle.com

[Ross]

Wiggle, jiggle and don,t bend.

Wait till you try to get it back in.

[POLICESTATE]

Yeah definitely don't bend it, those things go for about 100 bucks at gun shows.

[mousegun]

1. Remove follower rod and op rod spring
2. Remove gas cylinder lock screw, gas cylinder lock, slide gas cylinder off of the barrel and op rod
3. Remove front handguard
4. Pull op rod back until the tab on the op rod lines up with the notch in the receiver. With receiver upside down push op rod handle down into dismount notch and Pull op rod handle away from the receiver. Op rod should disengage from the bolt and receiver. Move op rod handle forward until op rod clears receiver legs and rotate over the legs and gently pull clear of the cylinder.

The less the gas cylinder is dismounted from the barrel the better for accuracy's sake. Especially if the cylinder is a good, tight fit or the barrel splines have been peened.

[Milsurp Collector]

Pull op rod back until the tab on the op rod lines up with the notch in the receiver. With receiver upside down push op rod handle down into dismount notch and Pull op rod handle away from the receiver. Op rod should disengage from the bolt and receiver. Move op rod handle forward until op rod clears receiver legs and rotate over the legs and gently pull clear of the cylinder.

The less the gas cylinder is dismounted from the barrel the better for accuracy's sake. Especially if the cylinder is a good, tight fit or the barrel splines have been peened.

From the original post, I assume the guy had tried all of that and still couldn't get the op rod off and needed a surefire way to get it off.

[mousegun]

From the original post, I assume the guy had tried all of that and still couldn't get the op rod off and needed a surefire way to get it off.

Good point. I have an HRA correct that had an op rod that wouldn't dismount. Couple of light taps with an old rubber mallet from my '57 TR3 popped it right out. Couldn't do it with just hand force. Combination of a fat tab and a new race slot in the receiver.

Sure wish I still had that TR3.

[WMG]

Thanks for having this thread , I am having the same problem and no one seems to think it's possible and I believe I have figured it out due to this.

[MKT]

I remember having difficulty getting the op rod off my '54 HRA. I struggled quite a awhile, then in desperation kind of gave up. Once I stopped fighting the op rod it seemed to slip right out...guess I was finally holding my tongue right.

[RangerJoe]

Thank God this was about a gun!

[WMG]

I remember having difficulty getting the op rod off my '54 HRA. I struggled quite a awhile, then in desperation kind of gave up. Once I stopped fighting the op rod it seemed to slip right out...guess I was finally holding my tongue right.

Mine needed the piston end of the rod to be able to wiggle just a bit .... then she fell out. That seems to be where movement needed to come from.
tried it on another M1 and same thing .....making the fatter part a little smaller today. Shouldn't be too hard with the dremmel but need to go out and get some new stones