Garand Question

[penguin0123]

1) If the top round is on the right, I just need to tap the op rod to load, and I understand that to be normal. It refuses to load if the top round is on the left of the clip. Is that normal? Maybe something from the bullet guide, etc group is hanging up because the top left round hasn't even been pushed by the bolt.

2) When hand cycling, the action feels stiff and "clunky" compared to my FN49 (-06, so I assume the spring tensions is similar). I feel the clunk where the hammer is cocked so that seems normal, but when the bolt gets close to lock open, I feel a distinct step and need to really pull it to lock it open. Is that normal? Or is something binding?

3) Do I need to relief the wood for the op rod? This is a new CMP stock.

[Lone_Gunman]

1) I don't know, doesn't sound normal.

2) sounds like the bolt clearing the follower, normal. Make sure tho bolt is locked back every time and not resting on the follower or you will get Garand thumb.

3) Yes, some of them need a LOT, all of them need something. I'm not an expert in this area, and will most likely either send mine, my dads, and sons out to be done.

[durandal]

Try op rod binding test. Or is it the slide test?

[pro-nra]

Make sure you Tear it all the way down and inspect each part then grease the required area. Garand is ambidextrous and does not care if the first round is on the left or right.

If you stock is a CMP it will more likely not pass the tilt test as most CMP stock made by Boyds need to be relieved to clear the op rod.

[penguin0123]

It will not pass tilt test because the op rod is rubbing against the barrel / chamber area. When CMP first sent it to me, the op rod dismount lug must have been out of spec because it jumped tracks. I sent it back and they send it back with a new op rod installed.

From what I've read, op rod rubbing the bottom of barrel isn't the end of the world. And in fact, I've read claims that not all will pass tilt test.

[durandal]

Yes tilt test. So your op rod is binding against your barrel / receiver? Can you find another for comparison?

[penguin0123]

Yeah, op rod is rubbing. And the fact that the bottom of the barrel had already lost its park tells me this isn't the first op rod to rub. I don't have another op rod to swap.

I also did another detail strip. Everything is in spec and properly greased.

[pro-nra]

Under barrel rubbing of the op rod is normal and should have grease in that area. My match M1 rubs in that area but no other. Some OR will not work with certain bolt and receiver combination. It will have tightness close to battery during the tilt test and will fail to close. I always keep several sets of NOS bolts and ORs for a perfect match. Normally if you change one or the other or both it will work. Sometimes the culprit is an out of spec GC where the piston gets hung up.

If its rubbing on the furniture then you need to remove some lumber to clear the OR.

[penguin0123]

I've greased that area. The tightness is not near battery, it is in the rear half.

I noticed it rubs the stock OR channel and will be sanding it. Doesn't look like a big job. However, IDK if the OR tube is rubbing the inside of the stock.

[Pete1979]

If you have access to an oxy acetylene torch or a carbide lamp, try blackening the op rod. The soot will leave a tell tale smudge anywhere the Op rod is rubbing. Also strip clean and grease the clip latch, follower, related hardware and the OR spring. Mine short cycled and ejected the clip on the 7th round intermittently before a thorough tear down. Now it functions perfectly, even with less than desirable clips.

[penguin0123]

I figured out it is rubbing because I couldn't pass a piece of printer paper between OR and barrel. Even with the bolt forward, the OR is still rubbing the barrel. See the photo where the barrel has been rubbed by the original OR. I'm seeing rubbing in the same area.

[pro-nra]

The under barrel rub mark is no big deal the the OR will ride/hug the underside of the barrel as long as it in not excessive. As I mentioned, my match rifle have plenty of wear in that area but will pass the tilt test with flying colors. Do you have other known good OR or bolts? Process of elimination. Since you have not disclosed your location I could not offer to help you in person.

Pete is right to pinpoint rubbing use a carbine sight blackener (every iron sight shooter should have one) or use a red grease on the OR and look for the transfer to the stock.

[penguin0123]

My oprod will not pass tilt test due to the barrel binding. I'll be calling CMP.

Meanwhile, any clues on why it will take the top round on the right but not on the left?

[mark501w]

Mine likes rt loading of clip, why don't you take it out & shoot it.

[Orlando]

My oprod will not pass tilt test due to the barrel binding. I'll be calling CMP.

Meanwhile, any clues on why it will take the top round on the right but not on the left?

Are you sure its rubbing on the barrel?
If you do the tilt test with the trigger group installed the bolt will hang on the hammer