Just bought my first M1 and the safety is STIFF as all get out.

[musketjon]

I didn't read in detail all the posts above but when someone tells me the safety is really hard to set I have them check the hammer spring housing. Normally if the safety is not really bent from trying to apply the safety to an uncocked rifle the hammer spring housing is in backwards. Sure there are other causes but that an a bad hammer will be the culprit. Just something to check.

I was gonna' ask the op if the hammer was cocked or at rest when he tried to engage the safety. OP, the hammer has to be in the cocked position to engage the safety.
Jon

[lcgivz12]

Thanks Jon,

Yes the hammer is cocked and the safety doesn't appear to be bent. I will check to see if the hammer spring housing is installed backwards when I get home. Thanks to everyone for replying.

[Wineman]

LC, at the risk of being tarred and feathered then set on fire with a torch and then pitchforked, one of the complaints of the M1 was the force and noise of the safety when used in combat (Hatcher's book OK?). The M1 Carbine also had issues with its safety and it was modified from a "push" to a twist to keep from dropping the magazine instead of taking the safety off (actually I never used a push one so I'm not sure if pushing it to the left is on or off?). At CMP matches the new rules with the M1 for loading in Rapid Fire are "load with two rounds, override the round with the bolt and apply the safety". From standing, you have to find your position, get your NPA, take off the safety and rack the bolt. Geeze, what an ordeal. JC Garand's use of the trigger guard to hold everything together without screws is such an elegant solution, I am amazed every time I take it out to shoot. I try not to take it apart any more than I need to but I know competitive M1 and M14 shooters take the TG out during the off seasons to keep from compressing the wood. My safety is firm, almost too firm, but you will not push it off by accident. When your finger reaches for the trigger, you know if it is on or off. Yours is probably just fine, but just not slick or smooth like a bolt rifle or AR.

Dave

[Orlando]

Dropbox - Safety Info Smoothing.doc

also make sure sgring housing isn't installed "backwards"

[browningautorifle]

one of the complaints of the M1 was the force and noise of the safety when used in combat (Hatcher's book OK?). The M1 Carbine also had issues with its safety and it was modified from a "push" to a twist to keep from dropping the magazine instead of taking the safety off

Both are issues attached to novice handlers. The push safety of the Carbine is done with the right index finger, like the mag catch, so you know. The safety of the rifle can be disengaged quietly with thumb and finger of the right hand...old guys would know that.

[AZshot]

The M1 Safety is hard to engage, always has been, always will be.

[Wineman]

I used an M1 Carbine since my Dad got it from his NRA membership in the early 1960's and every one I handled since 1970 or so had a flip safety (and no a flip sights either). I never knew any different. Fast forward to the early 2000's and wow the fun little Carbine now has status and a horde of collectors trying to recapture the weapon their, Grandfather, Dad or Uncle carried in WW2 and fill it full of parts that service and time found to be wanting. No problem, its their choice and if you want an early model go for it. There was a reason to change the M1 Carbine safety and maybe training had something to do with it. Did anyone actually use the safety in combat? I see lots of photos with GI's carrying M1's and safety's off. Either that was the accepted practice or it was a pain to use.

Dave

[browningautorifle]

When there's a problem, the panel observing looks for a way to eliminate ANY chance of issue...so they changed the safety. There must have been more that one instance... I had lots and they had all the different features too, I had to hear this story after the fact. They all worked great. Can't say about the carbines, but we used our selectors(safety)...if you don't have one in the chamber, then it isn't an issue. You can never tell from a picture.

[Wineman]

Makes sense and for sure grainy pics are hard to decipher. I always laugh at the lack of muzzle control in war time photos. That pic of Carrier Pigeon guys has the barrel of a M1A1 pointing right at the assistant. Maybe it is just the way the camera saw the photo?

Dave