Bad Barrel?

[FLtrainer]

This is my first post, correct me if my terminology is incorrect.

Back in the early 90's my brother gave me a service grade M1 rifle he bought from a friend who used it in CMP matches. According to the serial # it was manufactured in mid-1943 at Springfield Armory, it has a WRA bolt. I suspect it was replaced by his friend for whatever reason.

I accumalated alot of ammo, but never shot the rifle.

Recently, a buddy and I were discussing military rifles, and for whatever reason my interest in the M1 was renewed. Please don't get me wrong, its an honor for me to own an M1 because of its history; and the sacrifices made by our serviceman using it in WWII and Korea. Is there a way of finding out who this M1 was issued too during the war?

Excuse me, I'm getting carried away from the reason I'm posting.

The bore is corroded. I attempted to scub the bore out, soaking it in Hoppes, Shooters Choice etc. even ammonia. I even attached the rod to my drill.....no luck, it's still ugly.

An acquaintance who shoots an M1A, mentioned that although the bore looks bad it could still be a shooter.....he said shoot it first before looking to replace the barrel.

In my experience a bad bore is an inaccurate shooter.....right? Is there something about military rifles I'm not aware of?

Also, I can rotate the gas cylinder very slightly, can this be fixed or does it need to be replaced? This same acquaintance said if I remove the cylinder there is a keyway that can be peened over which will stop the rotating of the cylinder?

Please advise

Thank you for your time......Carl

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Bob Seijas]

There is no way to look up who was issued the rifle.

Some M1s with pitted bores do shoot well if the other factors are good.

A loose gas cylinder is an accuracy killer. Peening the barrel spline slots is one way to fix it. The most common method is to lay a socket from a ratchet wrench set on the slot and TAP it with a hammer. There are other methods.

[Ben Hartley]

Carl...

You'll no doubt get a number of answers, but here's my take, FWIW... or worth precisely what you're paying for it! [grin]

#1 -- Where your rifle was assigned, to whom, and when are most likely unknowable; the records simply don't exist. (Sigh.)

#2. -- Bore like a sewer pipe. Well, try shootin' the ol' girl. If the bore really is gone, you'll know. Then again, I've seen some pretty horrendous "pipes" shoot fairly well.

#3. -- Unless the gas cylinder is floppy-loosey-goosey, don't worry about it until after you've fired the rifle. A front sight side-to-side movement of about 0.008" will move the bullet's impact point about 1" at 100 yards range. If the movement is less than this, you're good to go for now. (Yes, there is a "peening" method to tighten up the cylinder, but pointless to do it if you replace the barrel right away.)

HTH

Ben Hartley

P.S. (and update) Bob beat me to it!

[JBS]

Shoot it first. I have had some nasty sewer pipe barrels come into the shop that shot near MOA with the right ammo. It's not supposed to be like that but it happens.

[jmoore]

One of my best shooting barrels is quite the horror show internally, but all it needed to perform well was a slight touch up of the crown. I quit trying to get it squeaky clean years ago.

[FLtrainer]

Guys I can't thank you enough for the info. I'm sure there will be many more questions you will answer for me in the future.

As a matter-of- fact I feel one coming on now.

I not thrilled with the wide aperature of the rear sight in relation to the front blade. Without going through the expense of buying a NM sight would it be possible to drill and tap the standard aperature and install a NM aperature alone? I'm not looking for the MOA adjustments of the NM sight, just a tighter aperature.....what do ya think?

Again, thanks guys......Carl

[Ben Hartley]

Carl...

... I not thrilled with the wide aperature of the rear sight in relation to the front blade. Without going through the expense of buying a NM sight would it be possible to drill and tap the standard aperature and install a NM aperature alone? I'm not looking for the MOA adjustments of the NM sight, just a tighter aperature.....what do ya think?......Carl

Again, my take on it; others may disagree.

The issue M1 Rifle sights are graduated in "clicks," each worth (approximately) 1 MOA in either elevation or deflection. The NM sight could be "set" to 1/2 MOA elevation, but deflection couldn't be so set. Therefore, I can't see any real advantage to them at anything like "reasonable" ranges -- say out to 350-400 yards or so. (OK, OK, those of you who shoot at 1 kilometer or more and complain bitterly over 2-inch groups at 800 yards can calm down. I'm talking about the non-competitive fer-fun shootin' guys like me.)

Carl, I don't know how old you are, but I do know that my 72-year-old eyes simply do not work with the smaller aperture. Sure, you could install one -- and a narrow front sight blade, to boot -- but I think you'd be unhappy with 'em.

It might be appropriate to point out that the M1 Rifle is a battle rifle; it is not a target rifle. IIRC, Ordnance acceptance standard was 4 MOA. One can certainly hold that with the "issue" sights.

All that said, well, sure you could replce the "issue" sight; I'm not entirely certain that the standard sight can be modified for the NM sight hood, although that might be possible. But then, why would you want (or need) to?

HTH

Ben Hartley

[Charlie59]

First, how much will it cost to run a few clips through it? Second, you might have problems if you HAVE to acquire a target quickly, with a NM aperture. If you have to do some tweaking, I would start with a trigger job---but by all means shoot it first to see what you have, accuracy-wise.
Charlie

[jmoore]

In actual fact the smaller NM aperature won't really decrease the field of view as much as you might think, in full daylight. What it will do, however, is tighten the area in clear focus and ,ake misalignment of the front sight more noticable.

When your pupil must dialate to compensate for reduced light, then the reduced FOV will be noticable and overall reduction of transmitted light becomes problematic.

[FLtrainer]

Guys I'll take your advice and leave the sights alone. The only thing I'll do is tighten up is the gas tube and take that side-to-side play out of her, which doesn't seem too difficult to do. Then its fun time, shoot the old gal and see how she performs. Hopefully I'll be surprised.

Ben, my eyes are 64 yrs. old, and I'm in good health, so I don't think I will have a problem with the M1 sights, but if I do I'll be reaching out for you guys.

Ya know what I've found that's ironic, they say as you get older you revert back too your childhood.....I believe they say that?....I started with rifles at the age of 14 way back when. When I got my first handgun (age 21) in N.Y. everything was handguns; competitive shooting, hunting etc., even the job. Now, I seem to be reverting back to rifles...even building them. Don't get me wrong I love my handguns, but rifles are back in for now. Especially my Garand.

Guys I greatly appreciate all the info you've given me.

Stay safe........Carl