Noob screw up

[billy82269]

I bought a new boyd stock for my new to me HRA Garand. This is my first experience with a Garand. I couldn't close the trigger guard on the new stock, so I took a little at a time from the normally recomended spots untill with maximum effort it would close, but during handling it would pop open. I kept taking more off and now it closes pretty easy but still puts enough tension on the receiver to pull it down against the stock, I think too loose, looser than the original. Problem is it still does not stay closed like it should. I would say that about 5 to10lb. pessure pulling the rear of the trigger guard with my index finger will open it. This is much too easy to open and I know it will pop open during firing. One thing I do know is that the trigger guard studs are worn now, they were worn some before but one now has a really flat side. Right now when I put the rifle in the old stock it still locks up good. What did I do wrong with the new stock and what can I do to fix it and use the new stock? Do you think a new stamped trigger guard will help? If so, where can I buy one and be assured it will have new studs?

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[Dan Shapiro]

Sounds about right. I'd go ahead and shoot it, you may be surprised. If it turns out it's too loose, you can buy veneer tape at Lowe's or Home Depot. Cut to fit on the flats on the underside of the stock (forward portion of the trigger housing) (aka floorplate). That 'floorplate' is actually a spring which provides tension.

[mark1]

Ebay has a lot of trigger guards for sale. Just ask the sellers to sent you or post a pictures of the studs to see the condition.
mark1

[Art]

It may well be your trigger guard. I had a similar problem with my first CMP M1. A new trigger guard fixed it.

[billy82269]

Thanks to all. I odered a new trigger guard from Reese Surplus, They said their lugs are normally in pretty good shape but they would be sure to pick one out for me with as little lug wear as possible

[islandhopper]

billy,

A tight trigger guard doesn't always have to do with the trigger guard or with the area that the trigger group rests on. Gus Fisher posted this a long time ago. Check out area #4. I believe that this is the culprit rather than the area that the trigger housing rests on (area #6). In other words, I think the guard is bearing on this area. I would never sand area #6, but would rather use a more worn trigger guard if that area was the cause of not being able to close the guard. Because wood compresses, over time, it would and then you can use the better guard with better lugs.

http://www.trfindley.com/pgtgfix.html

I hope this helps. Let us know how it all turns out.

[billy82269]

Yes I did work on area #4 before, after that it stopped poping open on it's own but opens I believe too easily with finger pressure. The problem is now it closes too easy, I screwed up and took too much off in other areas I think.