Garand Question

[Sundowner]

My Garand has just been re-barreled and now it seems to have more recoil than before. Is this possible or is it all in my head? I am a bit recoil sensitive but, before re-barreling I used to enjoy shooting this rifle and commented on how "soft" it shot. Now, not so much fun.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

The only thing I can think of is maybe the gas port in the new barrel was drilled too big and the extra force on the op-rod and bolt is making recoil seem greater.

[CSDGuy]

Well, another possibility is that your new barrel is a little tighter than the old one, thus the bullets don't get motivated quite like they used to, so you're now seeing more pressure at the muzzle... Just a thought. You probably really ARE feeling a little more recoil than you're used to with that rifle. Is the brass spitting out to the generally correct area?

[Cato]

A new barrel will have better rifling and therefore a smaller barrel to launch the bullet. That means more pressure transfered to you. Also your new barrel might be lighter than the old one and therefore absorb less recoil. These are just theories. I just rebarreled my M1903 and hope the recoil won't get worse: it was an elephant gun to begin with!

[Sundowner]

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen. I feel better knowing that there really might be more perceived recoil than before. And CSDguy, yes, it is ejecting the brass to the same place as before, right at about 2 o'clock (forward and to the right). It seemed to function perfectly so I guess I'll just have to man up and get used to the recoil.

[Dr. Pepper]

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen. I feel better knowing that there really might be more perceived recoil than before. And CSDguy, yes, it is ejecting the brass to the same place as before, right at about 2 o'clock (forward and to the right). It seemed to function perfectly so I guess I'll just have to man up and get used to the recoil.

The recoil on those rifles is pretty gentle anyway; I don't evrn notice it anymore. But then again, I'm used to Kar98k recoil, so everything feels light to me.

[finloq]

A new barrel will have better rifling and therefore a smaller barrel to launch the bullet. That means more pressure transfered to you. Also your new barrel might be lighter than the old one and therefore absorb less recoil. These are just theories. I just rebarreled my M1903 and hope the recoil won't get worse: it was an elephant gun to begin with!

I was thinking 'lighter' and 'perception' as the possible causes as well.

[morrcarr67]

Never hurts to wear a shooting vest with a padded shoulder.