M1 Garand op-rod replacement

[Col. Colt]

Offhand, I would think 1/2" would be way too much difference in regards to the cylinder area - I would doubt it would function reliably. Perhaps someone here knows from actual experience. If you keep your Garand lubed with GREASE to the original US Army Technical Manual specs, you are unlikely to ever bend an op rod. What hurts an M1 is to be run without it's designed lubricant, grease, with too light a lube, like just oil. You can use the original Rifle Grease, or a modern, high pressure lube - gun or automotive. Do a search here or on other M1 sites and you will find references. Cheers. CC