bad gas cylinder?

[E.Hall 43 m1]

I wrote another post a few mins. ago and it didnt post because my Ipod died, it was very bitter... I feel better now. My original M1 receiver was a peice from around april 43, It was found to be beyond repair, a weld job. I got an "new" set up from CMP a few weeks ago, a barrel, bolt, and receiver with good headspacing. While I was awaiting its arrival, I practiced single loading in the confines of my garage for competition with the bad receiver still in the stock and all and some snap caps. (Im a lefty) . I was careless one evening and the rifle got knocked to the floor from a leaning position. To my dissmay the stock had cracked in two and the front site was all out of wack. I sought out a new stock from DGR (it is kick ***!) and rebuilt the rifle. When I test fired it this afternoon, I pushed an en-bloc all the way in, the bolt closed, a round was pushed in. I fired, the spent case ejected, but the next round will not load. I tried several clips with no-luck, still had to "recock" it everytime. I suspect the gas cylinder has been oblonged from the spill and is leaking to the point that it will not push the bolt back far enough to get behind the next round, it has just enough pressure to over come the sping for the brass to eject. What do you guys think? "new" gas cylinder? Anybody know a good source? The few I've found online are upwards of 200$. I shot a full clip one time with the old receiver and it functioned fully.

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[Bill Hollinger]

I doubt that is the problem. Was the rifle cycling correctly before? The gas cylinder may be worn but a fall would likely do no damage to it. Check all your springs. Check the op-rod for binding on that new "kick ***" stock, lower band, handgaurd and check that it isn't bent also. Do you have plug gauges to check the gas cylinder?

[Bill Hollinger]

Also, check to make sure the gas cylinder is seating all the way on and the gas lock and nut are tight

[E.Hall 43 m1]

Thanks bill I will check the stock, I dont have a set of gauges, but I did have a gunsmith look at the rifle before and he checked a number of things and told me the cylinder was worn but still with-in specs. I dont beleive he told me a value though. - Eric

[TMB]

I've read you can use belt on belted mag case like 7 mag to check gas cyl. If you do have to get a gas cyl check out ammogarand they have them from good on guage to excellent price is from $50 to around $100 most of the time or SARCO has new for $99 but from what I've read they may be Korean. It seems to me if it worked before it should work now thou.

[E.Hall 43 m1]

I found that the op rod is binding with the front handgaurd, alot. I sanded it back some on the side opposite the op rod track and relieved it enough to barely shove a piece of paper in the gap. I fear if I sand too much more the handgaurd spacer will be flush with the handgaurd wood. Does this point toward a bent op rod? I painted the op rod lightly with sight black with the exception of the section that enters the cylinder. Then I put the gun back together and cycled it manually a couple of times. The result was a distinct line worn into the paint. It matched up with the handgaurd. I noticed on the old handgaurd there was a spot where the rod was hitting it as well. - Eric

[Orlando]

You are on the right track, sounds like Op Rod is bent out of spec

[E.Hall 43 m1]

well i got the butchers bill yesterday on the op rod. The "piston is below spec. Guide lug is at min., cam slot tip is broke off,...and it is bent". Pretty beat up.. anyhow, I hope to get it home and back together soon so I can test fire and see if the problem is resolved. -Eric

[browningautorifle]

And...you'll let us know?

[E.Hall 43 m1]

I test fired the rifle again with the re-worked op rod, but still no luck. The first round fires and the next time I pull the trigger, "click". I'm glad to have the op rod straight and reworked, but I sure wish it was the problem. I'm drawing a blank on what to do next.