M1 Garand Issues

[the_dude]

After a 5 month wait my .308 garand finally arrived. Everything looked gtg but when I it got to the range it locked up after 15 rounds. The charging handle popped out and up onto the top of the track. CMP said they'll swap me op rods so thats done but has this happened to anyone else? The ammo was just 147gr NATO surplus to get that out of the way.

[a308garand]

Yes, it happens when parts become worn.

Op-rod has a small tab that extends from the rear/bottom of the handle. The tab must be of a certain size and width to properly allow the op-rod to travel along its groove in the right side of the receiver. The tab becomes worn over time and use; can be rebuilt by having it welded up and reshaped into specification.

The receiver can become worn along the groove the op-rod rides along. If the receiver has become sloppy, building up the op-rod or using a like new op-rod could help fix the problem.

If you fire off an overcharged round of ammunition, the op-rod will disengage from the bolt. The op-rod jumping off the receiver track.

The measurements for the op-rod can be found in the gunsmithing books/shop manuals on the Garand.

Since this is a fresh rifle from the CMP, they will make it right. If the replacement op-rod doesn't fix the issue. You may need to send it back for an inspection of the receiver.

http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Caliber-Operated-Service-Rifles/dp/B0006F5XOW%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIXHJPOJ5CSRGZH2A%26tag%3Dbuychecom01-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0006F5XOW

[Lifeon2whls]

Since you didn't include much info, did you clean and grease the rifle before you took it out?

[Sailormilan2]

If you send it to Columbus Machine, they will rebuild your tab and leave it a bit over size to you can fit it to your receiver.......just in case your receiver groove is a bit worn. They will also inspect your op rod for straightness.
I've had that happen on a slide tab for an M1 Carbine. I just took it to a local welding shop, and had them weld up just a bit of a bead, then filed it down. It works just fine now.
I did have them rebuild a tab on one of my Garand op rods. It took a bit of fitting once I got it back, and since then, no problems. Make sure you have a good grade of grease on the op rod groove, and try again before you start sending things off.

http://columbusmachine.com/shooters.htm