D-Day commemorative M-1 blows up with HXP

I was at the range over noon today when one of our vintage and Garand shooters had a blow-up of his first M-1, which is an SA Inc. D-Day commemorative. The rifle's stock was split from the ferrule to behind the pistol grip, then split again from the rear of the trigger group straight back. The wood stood out on the right side of the rifle by about 1/2".

At the time he was shooting HXP 1965 from CMP, lot # 1062 HXP 65 in cartons.

The case had separated and was stuck in the chamber. The case head and about 1/4" of case still attached was recovered. There was slight damage to the line angle between the locking recess and top of the receiver rail on the right side. This incident occurred after he had about 300 rds. of HXP through the gun. He has shot is in several local matches.

My guesses are excessive headspace, or excessive headspace induced by a stretched receiver (bad heat treat?), or a hot round.

Out of spec bridge on receiver

As long as he's OK, he can always get another M1. Too bad that one would be so expensive!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Griff Murphey

I was at the range over noon today when one of our vintage and Garand shooters had a blow-up of his first M-1, which is an SA Inc. D-Day commemorative. The rifle's stock was split from the ferrule to behind the pistol grip, then split again from the rear of the trigger group straight back. The wood stood out on the right side of the rifle by about 1/2".

At the time he was shooting HXP 1965 from CMP, lot # 1062 HXP 65 in cartons.

The case had separated and was stuck in the chamber. The case head and about 1/4" of case still attached was recovered. There was slight damage to the line angle between the locking recess and top of the receiver rail on the right side. This incident occurred after he had about 300 rds. of HXP through the gun. He has shot is in several local matches.

My guesses are excessive headspace, or excessive headspace induced by a stretched receiver (bad heat treat?), or a hot round.

---

Griff, Don't forget that Springfield Armory, Inc. has a lifetime warranty on their rifles (at least for their M1A rifles, I assume they offer the same deal for their M1 Garand rifles). Your "buddy" may be able to obtain a replacement at no cost. HTH, KarlKW

I did advise him to contact SA Inc.

Now here is where I may be offending some.., but, SA,Inc used surplus parts along with using a cast receiver. Now their M1-A's I'm sure are fine rifles, but I really dont tink they really worked out the bugs with their new production M-1 Garands.

Too much $$$ while you can get a USGI milled receiver from the CMP. Thank God he is not dead or maimed.

MIke

Is the HXP a hard ammo? So if, every single shot causes the weakness of the metal. We had a similar case with an K98k. The guy fired only surplus ammo from old army stocks. After a few years at the first shot the chamber blows off. Some metal parts went through the scope, the stock splits under the chamber and the guy had light injuries at his right hand. We sent the rifle and the ammo to our " Beschussamt " and they said the ammo had a little over pressure wich causes the damage to the rifle shot by shot. As a result i won`t fire cheap surplus ammo.

Regards

Gunner

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KarlKW

Griff, Don't forget that Springfield Armory, Inc. has a lifetime warranty on their rifles (at least for their M1A rifles, I assume they offer the same deal for their M1 Garand rifles). Your "buddy" may be able to obtain a replacement at no cost. HTH, KarlKW

---

I've ran across someone else that had a springfield Garand blow, and Springfield did make good on the warranty BUT....they have no more Garands, so they gave the guy credit towards a M1A. This whole story really stinks thats for sure.

GregM

Greek HXOP surplus ammo has a great reputation here, it has been issued at our national matches. Our quasi-governmental agency CMP bought 60 million rounds, I think, and has been selling it to qualified buyers. It is supposedly softer-loaded ammo.

This gun was a new-made SA Inc. not made by or for the U.S. Government. These rifles have new-made cast receivers and a mix of surplus parts and new made commercial parts. When the owner bought it, it appeared new and unused except for having some dings in the stock; no wear marks on operating surfaces to suggest it had been fired a lot. He had about 300 rounds through it.

I've read elsewhere that "commemoratives" are built up from floor sweepings, as they are never intended to be fired. I recall reading one thread where the owner of an M1-A commemorative called the factory to ask for help on an issue, and the response was unbelief (that he was shooting it).
All my experience is that HXP is fine ammo, better than LC-68/70 hands down.