M1 Garand Op Rod Spring

[Cactus_Tim]

For everyone that's buying M1 Garands.
(Mine was from CMP)
Don't forget to check your operating rod spring.
I was advised to get a new one since the old one is probably 60 years old.
This is what I found when I took it apart.



• Minimum Uncompressed Op Rod Spring Length (From Gathered Empirical/Actual Test Data): 19.00” (measured end to end).
• Maximum Uncompressed Op Rod Spring Length (From Blueprint C6147568): 20.25” (measured end to end).

Good thing I bought a new one!

[0321jarhead]

Dang! Good thing you did. That's a first I've ever seen from CMP. You think that they would have noticed that themselves and corrected it. Amazing.

[Orlando]

Its not unusual at all. CMP does not completely dissasemble each and every rifle . They do check headspace and test fire
Get a op rod spring from Orion 7, Stay away from Wolff extra power springs as they can cause short stroking

[Cactus_Tim]

I bought this one from Garand Gear, M1 Garand Operating Rod Spring

[0321jarhead]

Its not unusual at all. CMP does not completely dissasemble each and every rifle . They do check headspace and test fire
Get a op rod spring from Orion 7, Stay away from Wolff extra power springs as they can cause short stroking

Also, http://www.billricca.com/ Bill is all original.

[mls343]

I would contact CMP Customer Service. Even though you bought the newly made replcement, I would ask for (and most likey receive), the original. At he worst case, you would have a back up.

[Chach]

FYI - not only is it good practice to check that your spring is in good condition, but you should also check inside the op-rod for any foreign material.

A friend of mine had inherited a special grade that was having some issues with FTE/FTF. When taking it apart I measured the spring, it came up a bit short so we tried a new one. She was still acting a bit strange, would feed most of the time but not all the time. Took it apart another time and on a whim I ran a brass brush down the oprod and out came about 3/4 - 1 inches of spring material.

After that I checked my own garands, even though I have had no issues (knock on wood), and in total I pulled out a few spring rungs and a swab or two that had been lost inside for God knows how many years.

[pro-nra]

X2 for Orion-7 stainless spring. All of my keeper Garand have them. They are better than the original GI. Pack them with grease though as they are a bit noisy when cycling.

[Cactus_Tim]

Will do.
Thanks for the advice.

[Orlando]

First thing I do with any Garand I get is replace the Op Rod spring with one from Orion 7
no matter how good the spring that came with it looks

[me109g4]

Good idea to replace them upon receipt of a "new to you" garand. Most of those springs are 50 or more yrs. old and pretty tired. Orion claims you will never wear out one of thier springs.

[Cactus_Tim]

Op rod spring was my first purchase.
Ordered one right after receiving the rifle.
I was just sitting there puzzled while changing because the lengths were so different.
Then I realized it was broken and shook the rest out of the op rod.
It's nice and smooth now.

[kendog4570]

Also, http://www.billricca.com/ Bill is all original.

Bill has his new-made. Still good stuff.

[Cactus_Tim]

Just ordered a buncha stuff from Bill.
Thanks guys.

[Root66]

You're lucky, my OP rod spring poured out in 22 pieces.