1944 Springfield op rod concern

Merry Christmas to you all!
I have a Springfield M1 that I have had for several years. It functions fine, shoots well and is as accurate as I expect from a 70 year old gun that has had nothing at all done to it in terms of accurizing.I don't shoot it a whole lot, but would like to now that we have a local outdoor range.
The other day I read something about the "tilt test". I tried it and my rifle failed it. The bolt would go 75% back and then stop. I isolated the bind to just inside the rear of the gas cylinder.
The op rod has a bend (slight)in it in the up and down direction, but is straight with respect to right-left. I does not bind where it goes through the handguard, but has a shiny streak where it has rubbed on the lip of the gas cylinder or the front handguard ferrule and when I pull the bolt back I can feel the piston rub on the side of the cylinder.
Question: Is the op rod bent? Will it hurt to shoot the gun and if it is a problem would I be better off to have a professional straighten it of just get another op rod? (the gun has the usual post-war mix of parts)
Thanks in advance!

Baccerman...

Well, given the following:

Quote:

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...It functions fine, shoots well and is as accurate as I expect from a 70 year old gun that has had nothing at all done to it in terms of accurizing.I don't shoot it a whole lot..

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I don't think you've anything to worry about. You can, if you wish, relieve the "rubbed on" spots on the lower band, or front handguard ferrule. Just a little should do the trick. Do not try to rebend the operating rod! One of the better known places to have operating rods rebuilt is:

[[[ http://www.columbusmachine.com/index.htm ]]]

I've not done business with this outfit, but have seen nothing but positive reports from those who have.

HTH

Ben Hartley

baccerman,

As Ben noted above, the op rod is bent for a purpose, refer to this link for an explanation better than I can relate.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/%5Cfaqs...Qs%5COpRod.htm

I take it from your explanation that you are familiar, but maybe lack more in depth experience with the Garand. If so I feel your binding is something many of us have experienced when re-assembling a M1 after a detail strip ( as opposed to a field strip). When re-assembling you encounter the bind, I have, what I did to correct it was see if the front hand guard has any play, if it's too tight there will be a problem.

Again I'd refer you to a link for a good explanation that may help, it can be methodical but have patience, after you realize what works and how to get this corrected you'll be more confident.
Gas Cylinder lock - # of turns? [Archive] - CMP Forums

I just read this post that I think may be of interest.
M1 Garand gas cylinder lock fit - re-hash

Thanks for the replies..I will check the handguard and ferrule the next time I detail strip the rifle. I am finding out that the Garand is a little more complicated than the guns I usually shoot (bolt guns). However, I want to learn a lot more about these rifles and I appreciate all the help I can get from you experienced guys.
I originally intended to go "all the way" with this rifle, but realized that it is original only once, and a whole lot of money can be spent on parts and 'smithing.
I decided to let the old gun remain as an honored relic of our WW2 heroes and just got a really good deal from my local gun guy on a new SA M1-A. That way I can have the best of both worlds, an M1 to admire and the M1A to shoot. I may send the op rod off to the guy mentioned in the above post for checking and possible straightening so that I am satisfied that the old war horse is completely "squared away" Looking froward to being a member of this great community!
Cheers :wave:

Thanks guys! Took my M1 to the range today.. functioned well. This old gun shoots almost as tight as my SA M1A!
Shot a few clips of the new Federal 30-06 that they advertise as "for the Garand"
This is a truly AWESOME weapon!
It was pouring a monsoon today in NC so we shot indoors at 25 yards. This thing is loud as heck indoors and produces what I would almost call a shock wave.
Puts a group inside a quarter size spot off a sandbag rest, which is pretty good for my 57 year old eyes.
Cleaned the weapon when we got home.. everything looked ok. Greased all the shiny places w/ Mobil 1 wheel bearing grease, ran a couple patches of Hoppes Benchrest down the bore and put her up, ready for the next trip.
Thanks again for the advice
cheers
baccerman

Sounds like you have it squared away (and like you got the rain that was here in Atlanta the day before!).