Un-modified rear handguard, what does it mean?

[.45s r best]

Hello Beginner: Good luck with your new Garand, they are great rifles. You say your operating rod is uncut? . I would research a little more about your operating rod. It is my understanding that firing a rifle with an uncut operating rod can be dangerous. And also, these early uncut rods can be valuable and are prized by collectors. It may be a good idea to get a new rod from somebody such as Fulton Armory. There are a number of other reputable dealers who sell M1 operating rods. They are listed on the internet and many of the books on Garands have a list of outlets who deal in Garands.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Beginner]

Hello Beginner: Good luck with your new Garand, they are great rifles. You say your operating rod is uncut? . I would research a little more about your operating rod. It is my understanding that firing a rifle with an uncut operating rod can be dangerous. And also, these early uncut rods can be valuable and are prized by collectors. It may be a good idea to get a new rod from somebody such as Fulton Armory. There are a number of other reputable dealers who sell M1 operating rods. They are listed on the internet and many of the books on Garands have a list of outlets who deal in Garands.

Thank you! This is actually my third Garand; like I mentioned I have a SA of mixed parts, and also an M1-D made by SA. I have read about the oprod issues, and I do not intend to shoot the WRA Garand. Also, I am not in the US, so I guess ordering anything besides books from the US would be a PITA with all the restrictions and permits needed for importing gun-parts anyways.

edit: And yes, the oprod is un-modified (see attatchment)

[.45s r best]

Sounds like you got a nice rifle! Shame that parts ordering is an issue. You mentioned a few books, a great one is "The U.S. .30 Cal Gas Operated Service Rifles, A Shop Manual" by Jerry Kuhnhausen. It covers the M1 and military and commercial versions of the M14. It is geared towards gunsmithing. If your are a gunsmith or a machinist it is packed with technical data.

[Bob Seijas]

This bit of foolishness keeps coming back from the dead like a zombie. Uncut rods are NOT dangerous, maybe you could ask the several million vets who fought with them in WWII. Somebody please put a stake in the heart of this nonsense.

[.45s r best]

I read your post about uncut rods not being dangerous with interest. Do you have any hard facts that could back it up? If this was the case, why did they start putting the relief cut in the rod? From my understanding, any sharp corner will be a stress point. From what I have read, you may be able to fire a significant amount of rounds with an uncut rod before it fails. However, maybe the guys before you fired that significant amount and you will be the one to have the misfortune of being on the receiving end of a failed rod. I understand that at some point any material will fatigue and fail, but why would you stack the odds against yourself? In any event the rods do have collectable value. Just my opinion, I am by no means a gunsmith.

[Sabre223]

By no means am I close to having expert knowledge. Shown below are 2 Collector Grade CMP rifles. Clearance cuts are clearly seen, even from the distance of the photo. But, ref the clip height to the wood line has puzzled me for a few years now.

The SA has very proud wood. And appears to be a heal stamp error (with how low it was stamped toward the heal). The HRA has the clip showing well above the wood. I am positive to say that wood has never been touched. This HRA is from at least 3 yrs ago before the CMP got the latest batch, and it has an LMR barrel. Both look like they left the factory, went to Greece, and made their way back (still unfired other than factory testing) with only the addition of the packing axle grease.

Now in response to Bodyman. You will remember when I purchased my WRA (the GB auction for the museum quality WRA) a year or so ago. I have studied and drooled all over this thing and believe the guy I bought it from was 100% honest about it being all original (meaning with no help to be corrected). In this case (the WRA) the rear handguard clip sits real high giving the sanded heavily appearance. I think otherwise, it looks original this way. And the pic shown a page back looks very similar (in color and wood grain structure). We all know wierd stuff had exited those factories, I just think we are blaming on the norm (meaning the people who like to dork stuff up).

Believe me, Im not just trying to justify my rifle. Look at the chamfered edge where it meets the front of the receiver ring, its perfect. It also looks like a chunk is missing from where the HG clip curves in (just below my AM mark). I carefully slid it off the barrel and looks like it was made that way. Mysteries?

Enjoy the pics.

Side angle showing wood height and clearance cut.


Wood height at front of receiver. (and receiver stamp error)


WRA view.


Just for fun! (below pics)





Find the peen mark?