M1 Garand op-rod replacement

[Bizio]

Hi everybody.
Since in Italy spare parts for M1 Garand are not easy to find, yesterday I found and I immediatly bought withouth thinking twice a M1 Garand op-rod to keep it as a spare part.
Once at home, I realized it was a brand new Springfield Armory "7.62 / 2" shortened op-rod (it is shorter of 1/2" ) for Garand 7.62 Nato (.308" Win) and not for my M1 Garand 30-06.
Do you think it can still fit, even if shorter of 0.5" than original one, my 30-06 M1 Garand and replace the original op-rod in case I should bend it ?
Thank you.

Information

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[Col. Colt]

Offhand, I would think 1/2" would be way too much difference in regards to the cylinder area - I would doubt it would function reliably. Perhaps someone here knows from actual experience. If you keep your Garand lubed with GREASE to the original US Army Technical Manual specs, you are unlikely to ever bend an op rod. What hurts an M1 is to be run without it's designed lubricant, grease, with too light a lube, like just oil. You can use the original Rifle Grease, or a modern, high pressure lube - gun or automotive. Do a search here or on other M1 sites and you will find references. Cheers. CC

[Bizio]

Hello Col. Colt
that's what I was exactly thinking to.
I calculated that since diameter of piston is 0.525" and difference in lenght is 0.5", the volume should be about 0.11 cubic inches, correct ?
Thanks again.

[jmoore]

The upside is I don't think you would hurt anything if you decided to give it a try if it passes the test below. It's likely just not going to want to cycle.

But to make sure, just pull the short oprod all the way to the rear after assembling it to the bolt and barreled action (no need to add the springs , etc.) and check to make sure it doesn't come out of the gas cylinder.

I'd try it myself , but don't have a shortened one

[Bizio]

Thank for your answer, jmoore.
I have been warned that it could be dangerous to run any test : 'cause of the shorter oprod, the gas cilinder room would be wider of about 0.11 cubic inches. This could represent a severe problem since a larger quantities of gas would be going there before the oprod starts to move back and higher quantity of gas could cause a "blow rams" which could be dangerous for the health of rifle and shooter.

[jmoore]

Quite the opposite result- Lower pressure in the cylinder because the same amount of gas will enter before the bullet leaves the muzzle and the op rod begins to move. The restriction is the gas port, by design.

Like a automobile engine that's had it's compression ratio lowered. Less power.

[Bizio]

Quite the opposite result- Lower pressure in the cylinder because the same amount of gas will enter before the bullet leaves the muzzle and the op rod begins to move. The restriction is the gas port, by design.

Like a automobile engine that's had it's compression ratio lowered. Less power.

You're right, jmoore ... thanks.