Just got my first M1 Garand today and....help...I'm worried

[Amsdorf]

Got my M1 today, what a thrill, made in September 1944, at least the receiver was. The rest are refurbs, but...the front part of the stock, that covers the top of the barrel is loose...rattling....should I be freaking out? What can I do to fix it?

Other than that, wow, what a rifle and so heavy!

Holy crap, I can't imagine what it was like lugging this beast around with a full ammo load out!

Thanks for the help bros.

Hurry, I'm kind of worried.

Information

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[Amsdorf]

Just got my first M1 Garand today, receiver is in superb shape, made in Sept. 1944. The rest looks great, but....

The front part of the stock is wobbly/rattling...make sense?

Anything I can do to fix it? Should I be freaking out?

Would appreciate some advice guys.

Help a brother out.

[Amsdorf]

Bueller? Bueller?

Come on guys....I'm dying here.

[Badger]

I'm not a Garand guy, but all of mine wobble and rattle a bit too.

When I asked an expert, he told me they're designed that way and need to be a bit loose. If it's tight, it can cause accuracy problems. I've shot them and never had any problems with them.

Regards,
Doug

[Amsdorf]

Ok, thanks brother.

I can't wait to get some rounds down range with this thing.

I really can't believe I'm holding in my hands a piece of history ... an example of the weapon that helped win WW II.

My uncle carried one of these into action at the Battle of the Bulge, where he had his leg blown off by a German "shoebox" mine.

You guys can understand what an emotional moment it is to have this in my hands.

God bless America!

[Badger]

You're welcome...

Check the "sticky" threads at the top of this forum, for some excellent contemporary government videos on how to shoot and handle the Garand.

Regards,
Doug

[GUTS]

Check to see if your gas cylinder lock is tight. Turn it in as far as it will go and then turn it back out untill it lines up correctly. Some handguards are a little loose, some say it affects accuracy. One of my Garands has a handguard that is a little loose but it doesn't affect the accuracy much, the rifle still shoots better than me. Changing the gas cylinder lock or the front handguard may help. Either way it's not a problem I would consider costly or serious, if it bothers you it can be fixed. I'm sure others will chime in with more help.

[Amsdorf]

Thanks, I do need all the help I can get.

[browningautorifle]

These guys are right. You will have a bit of movement in the upper handguard. Don't worry about it. It's not like the 1903 that's solid from one end to the other. If it's tight when the heat expands things the wood can split from the ends. It shouldn't flap all over the place but a little movement is OK. Just shoot it for the time being and eventually you'll run across someone that can examine it for you. We can guide you through the things to look for over time but there's a lot of info so take little bites.

[Bob Womack]

In fact, it needs to be slightly loose so that the expansion doesn't cause problems with inaccuracy. If it is too tight, you can watch the pattern "walk." By the way, except when you are using the bayonet, you don't want to handle the rifle by the upper guard.

Bob