help me interpret this little op rod test???

[garand poobah]

this is a little op rod test from "The M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide" by Walt Kuleck and Clint Mckee. it refers to a little test of the op rod and its position at rest, in battery, with an empty chamber. (on a completed rifle of course)

also, it does not specify, but i believe this test is meant to be conducted with the rifle right side up, and level (as it would be if it were being pointed down range.

and i quote:

"be sure the op rod has remained centered. check for op rod binding in the stock forend and both handguards."

"push straight down on the op rod handle and "snap" release the handle. the handle should spring back up to its original position. this is known as a "live rod", indicating that the op rod is not binding on the rear handguard or stock."


now,,,,,,,,does this mean that when at rest, in battery, the op rod should ideally rest on the upper bearing surface of the op rod track?


ps. i ask because mine rests quite firmly in the "upward" manner, and when holding the rifle level and flat, i can push down on the handle and it does in fact move down a bit (maybe .050" or less.) then springs back up when released.

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[latigo 1]

The rifle should be fully assembled but does not have to be in any particular position. Pushing down just means pushing the op rod handle toward the bottom side of the rifle When you push down on the handle the op rodshould move down a little bit, kind of like it is pivoting on the tube section. It should return to the top position when you release it. Sounds like yours is fine. A live op rod is the ideal, but I have seen rifles that shot perfectly fine even though they did not pass this test. You want to be sure the gap between the rear handguard and the stock is wide enough to allow free movement of the flat part of the op rod but failing this test could be the result of something else besides tight wood.

[garand poobah]

excellent. thanks latigo.

you described it quite a bit better than i was able to when you mentioned "kind of like it is pivoting on the tube section"

thanks again.

[ibuymilitaria]

As I was told by Jim Swartz an easy op rod test is.... performed with the rifle with out the spring. Hang rifle down at a 45 degree angle bolt should close. Again upright at 45 degree angle bolt should open. This must happen freely. Mine has the tweak in it (2nd post can op rods be straightened) and fails this simple test. That is why I shipped mine out to be repaired by him. Jeff B