Going to field strip my M1 Garand for the first time. Advice? Tips? Supplies?

[AaronGee]

Thanks a man. I think I'll give it a cleaning and then take it to the range. If it still happens I'll look into replacing the spring. Apparently this thing sat in a safe of a private owner for 20 years before I bought it. Garands are hard to come by up here. I'll message you if I have any problems but I'm feeling a lot more confident than when I got it and was too afraid to take it apart.

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[browningautorifle]

Garands are hard to come by up here.

Take a look on the EE at CanadianGunNutz then. You'll find them by the dozen. The spring you seek is the operating rod spring. That's going to be harder to find, and don't get a Wolfe extra strength spring. Get an original one if possible and a new one. Otherwise you're buying what you have, a worn out weak spring.

[no4mk1t]

I agree with browningautorifle.
The op rod spring should be replaced about every 2000 rounds. I have the USGI spec somewhere on what the free OAL should be of a serviceable spring. I'll have to hunt it up.

I have torn down M1's before where the spring came out in 3 pieces, yet the owner was still shooting the rifle and reported no issues.
Remember that the heel of the receiver stops the bolts reward travel. As the spring gets weaker, the receiver takes a bigger hit with each shot.

You can get a newly made, USGI spec spring here. I talked to Clint McKee, the owner of Fulton Armory at Camp Perry, and he tracked down the original contractor and had them make him new springs to the USGI WW2 print. For only $9, every M1 owner should have a few spares. Surely there's a way to get them to Canada.

Server Error

There are several of us here that are very knowledgeable on the M1 and can help with repair, tuning, and shooting issues. All you have to do is ask.

[no4mk1t]

OK, found it.

This is from a USMC armorer.

Replace any spring that:

Is less than 19" free length regardless of round count.
Is kinked or does not lay straight when out of the gun.
Has flat spots on the coils.
Has >2500 rounds on it or unknown rounds in the case of a M1 you bought.

Do not use "extra power" springs or a spring longer than 20.5" long.

And do not use ammo that is not USGI spec or equivalent handload. Most commercial 30-06 ammo is loaded with powders that are not compatible with the M1. Federal and Hornady load ammo that is specifically designed for the M1 and is so labeled. Prvi Partisan also has a M2 Ball equivalent load.

[AaronGee]

Hello, if you can respond quickly it would be helpful.

Can you tell me if this is the proper spring. It says Fulton Armory but is posted on a different site. I just ordered a bunch of stuff from Brownwell as previously mentioned so if it's the proper op-rod I'm going to purchase and see if they can tack it onto my shipment.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...prod38877.aspx

Thank you

[musketjon]

Don't over think the lube. To an M1, grease is grease is grease. Get a 1# tub of high temp, high pressure wheel bearing grease from your local Wal Mart for about $5. It's more than sufficient and will last you 10 lifetimes. The best op rod springs for the money are the ones from Orion 7, bar none.
Jon