Why does my M1 Garand fire a few round at a time?

[RandyLo]

Hello,
If any one has any information as to why my Mi Garand shoots more than ago bulet per trigger pull it would be greatly appreciated. Also should I be worried and stop firing the gun (which sadly, I have)?

Information

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[LeagleEagle]

Sounds like a worn sear or hammer hooks. Yes, do not fire it, it's unsafe in that condition, also frowned on by BATF.

[boatbod]

There are a few possibilities:
i. Commercial ammo with soft primers; the M1 firing pin floats in the bolt (no spring), so some denting of the primer happens automatically when the bolt closes. If the primers are very soft, the gun might discharge inadvertently.

ii. Sticky firing pin protruding from bolt face

iii. Problem with the hammer/sear/disconnector, especially if the trigger group has been worked on by someone overly enthusiastic and under skilled.

iv. Reloads with poorly seated primers.

[Kirk]

A few questions: Have you checked the trigger group to see if there are any obviously worn or damaged parts? If you have a spare trigger housing group, have you tried it? Baring the possibility of worn or broken parts, there is a more common answer to your problem: firing technique.

How were you firing the rifle? Was it off a bench rest? The Garand can easily "bump fire" if you are resting the rifle on sand bags and holding it tight. What happens is that as the rifle fires, the trigger finger does not quite release the trigger. The rifle recoils back and then forward. As it goes forward, the trigger finger pulls the trigger a second time, resulting in an apparent double. It's not really a double, just pulling the trigger twice so fast you can't tell. There are two way to cure it. First, when firing from a bench, single load the rifle. Second, practice pulling the trigger finger all the way to the rear; don't try to "milk" the trigger by using just light pressure.

To find out if your bench technique is the problem, try firing a clip full from standing or prone. If there are no malfunctions, it's your technique, not a mechanical problem.

[RandyLo]

I thank you for your help, it may be my form as i do fire from a bench. I have checked the trigger group and discovered very little wear. Next time i shoot the rifle i will take care to not to "milk" the trigger.

[Bill Hollinger]

When you pull the trigger consentrate on holding it to the rear. A light trigger pulling can cause this. It happens on my M1A from time to time.

[Charlie59]

I saw the same thing once, years ago, with a guy shooting a round of skeet using a brand new over/under shotgun. It wouldn't always set the trigger for the double stations. We watched him closely, and could see he was barely pulling the trigger. He tightened his trigger pull--problem solved for the remainder of the round. I'm not sure if this affects a M1, but is easy and free to check out.

[Bob Seijas]

The M1 was designed as a battle rifle to be fired from the shoulder. It occasionally will double when held loosely and fired from the hip in walking fire, and won't cycle at all if not allowed to recoil. IHC had that awful jamming problem that halted production for three months -- the problem turned out to be the spring setting on the function firing machine that was set too tight and didn't allow proper recoil. They took a gun that failed the function firing test and shot 10,000 rounds from the shoulder without a malfunction. If you want to try it, clamp an M1 in a vise so it can't move and see if it cycles.

[Johnny Peppers]

Normally when firing from the bench you do not grasp the wrist of the stock as when firing from the standing position, but have your thumb laying along side the stock. This sets up the condition described above where the rifle bounces off your shoulder and back into your trigger finger.

[kar66]

I had the same problem with my M1A. Tracked it down to a new looking SA M1 hammer. Replaced the hammer end of problem.