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I'm working on my 1st restoration project a Dec 41 SA Garand, starting with just a reciever (and the 51 barrel attached to it) I have peaced it together and I'm almost ready to shoot it. Do I seriously need to worry about damaging my unmodified -3 SA Oprod? I only plan on taking it out to the range a few times a year as it is. Should I consider purchasing another Op rod to shoot with? Thanks in advance.:bow:
Shoot it. Thats what I have been told lots of times here.
I personally own only one at this time. The rifle is an 8-41 with a revision 3 uncut op rod. It's entirely original including the round firing pin, which is here. I've been shooting it since 1976 and will continue to do so without fear. I will not however, launch grenades from it. That might crack the op rod...
The info on the op rod is what I'd say too but I wanted to comment on your restoration. I got into these a while back and had fun restoring one SA for each war year. My first was as yours, a December 41 receiver with a Feb 42 barrel. Came as an action with CMP papers, great barrel and no import marks...It made me wonder many things but it lit my fire and they have given me much pleasure. If you'd like to touch base, please feel free to e mail me as I might be able to help you in some small way. The topic just grabbed my eye and i thought I'd comment.
Cheers!
Lewis
ldp9bann@centurylink.net
Somebody should drive a stake into the heart of that legend, it keeps surfacing like some vampire zombie. Unless you are launching grenades, fuggeddaboudit!
Shoot it until the big grin on your face goes away. As said refrain from launching grenades.
I would not hesitate to fire a rifle with an unmodified op rod but would never fire one with a round firing pin. The round pins were known to break and jam up inside the bolt which can cause an out of battery discharge. The relief cut on the op rods was not a high priority modification, but replacing the round firing was probably the highest priority modification done to the M1 Garand. How does launching grenades cause the op rods to break? The grenade launcher opens the relief valve on the gas plug when it is installed, which prevents the op rod from having full travel. It has been over 50 years since I fired a grenade with an M1, but I can not remember if the op rod travel was enough to even eject the empty casing.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
'Bout
Well, yes... but. IIRC, the first grenade launchers used with the M1 did no such thing, as the gas cylinder lock screw was not equipped with a relief valve.Quote:
...How does launching grenades cause the op rods to break? The grenade launcher opens the relief valve on the gas plug when it is installed, which prevents the op rod from having full travel.
I don't either. I was too busy figuring where that training grenade had gone and being amazed that the recoil hadn't knocked me down. (Yes, we were taught to shoot grenades from the shoulder.)Quote:
...It has been over 50 years since I fired a grenade with an M1, but I can not remember if the op rod travel was enough to even eject the empty casing.
Ben Hartley
Yeah Ben, We shot them from the shoulder too and I recall it turned out to be no big deal. As far as the early gas cylinder lock screw is concerned, the pin on the grenade launcher was purposely made too large to fit the hole in the early lock screw, so the launcher could not be mounted until the poppet type screw was installed. The early grenade launchers came with a replacement screw with the larger hole and the relief valve.
Yes Latigo, I read and heeded the warning from Billy Pyle on round firing pins. He's very clear. That's why I said I have it here. I didn't say I shot with it. It's locked up with the rifle but beside it. I SHOOT a half round firing pin. I can put it back to correct in an instant. I knew that would draw fire...
Mine has the gas cylinder lock screw, not the relief valve so if I use a grenade launcher it would cycle the rod and possibly fracture it.