My CMP gas tube is scored!

Well, I finally did it. Took the CMP M1 Garand out and fired it. About 100 rounds of whatever it is that Cheaper than Dirt was selling. I'm going to get a couple hundred rounds of the CMP ammo - can't beat the price.

One disappointment was that in cleaning the gas tube, I noticed some pretty bad scoring. Do I go buy a gas tube off of ebay? Will the CMP sell me one? Advice? The only symptom was that in firing the 100 rounds, the rifle failed to chamber a round once. One percent is not a bad failure rate, but this is a Garand. It's not supposed to fail at all? Seriously, guys, what are my best gas tube options?

Thanks,

The Wiz

First, I would be picky about putting generic commercial ammo through a Garand. Depending on how the load is set up, it may or may not cycle well. Before spending the time and money to swap gas tubes, I'd get some Greek surplus from CMP and run a dozen enblocs of that, first. If you still have problems, don't immediately assume it's the gas tube - there are any number of parts in the feeding and gas system of the Garand that can wear and cause malfunctions. Also, have you done a tilt test and inspected the OAL of the oprod spring?

When you say it "failed to chamber", what was the exact failure mode? Did the rifle not fully return to battery? Did something stovepipe? Did the round nosedive on it's way to the chamber? Did the bolt lock back with rounds still in the rifle?

The most common issue I've had with Garands (I'm responsible for the maintenance and repair of my club's Garands, never mind my own) is with dirty chambers and failures to extract. If you haven't already, a thorough cleaning and proper lubrication would be a good start. I've seen plenty of trashed gas tubes work just fine. Can you post pics of the damage?

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Originally Posted by Wizard of Boz

Well, I finally did it. Took the CMP M1 Garand out and fired it. About 100 rounds of whatever it is that Cheaper than Dirt was selling. I'm going to get a couple hundred rounds of the CMP ammo - can't beat the price.

One disappointment was that in cleaning the gas tube, I noticed some pretty bad scoring. Do I go buy a gas tube off of ebay? Will the CMP sell me one? Advice? The only symptom was that in firing the 100 rounds, the rifle failed to chamber a round once. One percent is not a bad failure rate, but this is a Garand. It's not supposed to fail at all? Seriously, guys, what are my best gas tube options?

Thanks,

The Wiz

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Originally Posted by hb04

First, I would be picky about putting generic commercial ammo through a Garand. Depending on how the load is set up, it may or may not cycle well.

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Civilian ammo will cycle just fine. It hgas all the pressure and more for the job. Here in Canada we have no selection of military surplus except the new products like American Eagle. I've ONLY shot civilian ammo and reloads for nearly fourty years in M1s and there's no problem.

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Originally Posted by hb04

The most common issue I've had with Garands (I'm responsible for the maintenance and repair of my club's Garands, never mind my own) is with dirty chambers and failures to extract.

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I've never seen a failure like this, or heard of any. Not even from the others here. You must have some rifles in dire need of service.

I shot 100 rounds of ammo for the Garand bought from Cheaper than dirt. Bitteroot Valley, I think. So (at least I'm told) it was the proper loading, and it was ball.

Failure mode: After a shot or two out of a bloc, my nephew pulled the trigger with no response. Pulled back the bolt and there was no round in the chamber. Pulled it back far enough to catch a round, let go of the bolt, and we were good to go. Shot the next 50 or so rounds without incident. I assumed that the gas tube leaked, so the push-rod didn't push the bolt back far enough. I assume it was the gas tube, because the think looked horrible when I cleaned it. Scoring over about 3/4 inch of the tube. Looked pretty rough.

I just bought some rounds in en bloc clips from Orion 7, and will also get some Greek ammo from CMP to test.

Thanks!

The scoring isn't as bad as you think. Without looking at it I'll bet it's the same minor marking as most have. Your piston head could be slightly undersized. If you search here a bit you'll find the correct outside measurement for them. If they fall below this you can get the sympton you describe except I should think it would be far more often than you have it. Is your gas cylinder lock screw tight? Is there proper lube? These are simple things that won't cost to fix. A new gas cylinder isn't expensive either. You could get the piston head redone too, cheaper I think than buying a new one. If it's a used piston, you may well run into the same confusing problem. Don't worry, we'll get it sorted out yet.