M5A1 won't latch

[Bob Womack]

I picked up an Imperial M5A1 (looks to be in unissued condition) at a show this weekend. Before I left I confirmed that it would latch on a Garand at the show. Got it home and it doesn't want to latch on my 5 million serial Garand. Instead it gets more and more tight as you slide it on. Any ideas?

Bob

Information

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[Aragorn243]

First thing to check is for dirt or grease on either the lug or inside the bayonet channel. If that isn't is, check for small dings on the lug or possibly a bend. In that it fit on a rifle at the show, cause is most likely with your rifle. Have you ever mounted any other bayonets on it? Could be the lug is slightly oversized and needs filed down.

[Bob Womack]

I haven't mounted anything on my rifle. On one WWII Garand at the show the bayo slid in easily and clicked. On another, incidentally a 4 million, it was tight. Sounds a bit like a lug problem, hmm? Thanks for responding!

Bob

[browningautorifle]

I agree, likely an individual rifle problem. That's not unusual. It's just a small tweek to fix. Maybe your small jeweler's file and a few passes in the right spot. Look for anomalies...

[Bob Womack]

Thank you kindly!

Bob

[Aragorn243]

I've probably had about a dozen bayonets that wouldn't go on over the years. Mix of oversized lugs, dirt/rust, bent muzzle rings and undersized muzzle rings. Most are pretty easy fixes. The worst are the Mosin Nagant bayonets that are undersized. Because it's nearly 2 inches of metal you have to get opened up but I've developed a pretty efficient way to take care of them also. Put some sandpaper on a dowel rod and put the whole thing in a drill. Just make sure you wrap the sandpaper on in the right direction. Oversized lug is just a little file work usually.

[Sentryduty]

The worst are the Mosin Nagant bayonets that are undersized.

You have nailed an absolute truth right there. Most locally were being shipped with the bayonet installed backward to prevent damage during shipping and to cut down on overall length. I had to use the brass hammer to disassemble every one I encountered.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Might try a bit of Tetra gun grease or equivalent before resorting to a file. It has solved a couple of fitment issues for me.