Nearly complete NPM M1 from the early fall of 1943

[browningautorifle]

Looks good for close, now how about 100 and 200? That will show if things are centered...

[ewall]

Looks good for close, now how about 100 and 200? That will show if things are centered...

First things first, it was pouring here this morning. I know I need to get to an outdoor range, but today's goal was to function check the rifle and get it on paper. Mission accomplished...

[ewall]

I did not take much time with all of this; just about a half an hour start to finish. I had a number of other things to do today with the holiday just around the corner. I'm sure with a solid base and a more patient and well aimed process, this little rifle should shoot just fine. I'm very happy with today's hurried results.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

The one 30 rounder I cycled had two failures to feed, but the rifle clears easily by rotating the gun 90 degrees and simply dropping the round onto the shooting bench. I was not surprised after reading about the issues with the larger capacity magazines.

Not totally surprised by that. The weight of a loaded 30 round magazine using a type 2 magazine catch doesn't have the same stability that the type 5 catch with the extra tab. Also, was it a GI or aftermarket 30 round magazine?

[ewall]

It was a USGI 30 round magazine. I have 3 that I purchased at a local gun show from a dealer with a good reputation. I will most likely not use them very often because I do not intend to alter any of the original NPM components.

[ewall]

That photo of the 10 yard off-hand target, 14 rounds (+/-), fired without a hitch. The feeding issues happened with a full magazine which would fully support your analysis. Looks like I need another M1!

[ewall]

I identified the firing pin as a type1 pin.

I also repaired two small hairline cracks with carefully placed superglue.




I also found what might be some type of marking on the inside of the hand guard. But I'm not sure if or what this might be.

[painter777]

Ewall,
Look for a TN stamp on the bottom left edge of your HG, not the notched side (normally). Most TN's I've seen are stamped between 1/2 way, to 3/4 towards the frt lip. Stamped small @ 1/16", so you may have to magnify and look from many angles.
Heres a link showing the marking. See post #20.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=46238&page=2


Good Luck,
Charlie-painter777

[ewall]

Ewall,
Look for a TN stamp on the bottom left edge of your HG, not the notched side (normally). Most TN's I've seen are stamped between 1/2 way, to 3/4 towards the frt lip. Stamped small @ 1/16", so you may have to magnify and look from many angles.
Heres a link showing the marking. See post #20.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=46238&page=2


Good Luck,
Charlie-painter777

I used talcum powder to see if I could find a trace of the TN inside the hand guard. I used my IPhone's camera with full magnification after dusting with the talc. Nothing to be seen. My guess is that the hand guard might not be Trimble. I wish it was but the main stock clearly is. I thought I read somewhere that Trimble sometimes did not stamp the hand guards, but I have not been able to find that post or text.