trigger is perfect, 3.5lb first stage, 2 lb second stage.
The op rod spring is very stiff. When I first opened the package and cycled the bolt, it was like dragging a boulder down a gravel road - took about as much force too. If you ride the handle up even the slightest, the bolt sticks. I figured it was just dirty, and set to work.
When I disassembled, the oprod spring was coated with a yellow/orange crust, and the inside of the oprod was correspondingly filthy. I immediately thought "there is my problem", perhaps along with the brand new park under the bolt not gliding smoothly along the follower (fixed that in the case tumbler above).

Everything is now clean. I soaked the spring in mineral spirits while I worked on the bore. The filth is off it, but it seems to have stained the metal an orange color. I relubricated, wiped off the excess, then greased it well. The rifle functions much better now, but the spring is still too stiff. It takes undue pressure to insert a clip (compared to the other 2 Garands I have), and the last round ejects late when pulling the rod by hand, and sometimes gets pinned between the clip coming out, and the top of the receiver.
First guess is obvious...it needs a new spring. Comparing the oprod to a better functioning rifle, I think it is OK.