Garand Blow up

[Mark in Rochester]

One of our NY shooters preparing for Camp Perry had his rifle blow up.

Round was a 3 year old reload.

blow up occurred when trigger was pulled.

Bent op-rod, Split Bolt - no observable damage to receiver lugs.

Receiver and barrel was given to CMP for a Drill Rifle.

Safety bridge had a crack visible on the forward face.

What would fail if the receiver continued to be used assuming parts replaced with serviceable parts.

I am not suggesting that would be a routine practice - It would be an interesting study in the failure mode of the receiver with this defect.

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[browningautorifle]

Without a complete study of the whole affair, it would be hard to determine what was damaged and what wasn't. There would have to be x-ray and measurements taken...things aren't safe just because you don't see damage...

[Mark in Rochester]

not trying to understand what was and was not damaged. What I was suggesting was to rebuild (with serviceable parts) and fire remotely to understand the failure mode of a cracked receiver bridge. Definitely not safe - thus the remote firing

[browningautorifle]

What I was suggesting was after rebuilding like you suggest, it may last a while and then go off at some undetermined and truly inconvenient time...because of unseen damage.

[LooneyToon]

Jim is right... broke once, might be broke forever. Without an interior examination for flaws in the steel, even I would not rebuild and shoot that rifle. And I can assure you I have fired some questionable long guns in my 59 years of shootin'. It just would not be worth the risk, even if you fire it remotely.

[Mark in Rochester]

What I was suggesting was after rebuilding like you suggest, it may last a while and then go off at some undetermined and truly inconvenient time...because of unseen damage.

yes - that is what I would be hoping for - to see how it failed - never to fired from the shoulder - sand bagged + 20 feet away behind barrier

Test to failure - Failure testing is an important part of the manufacturing process, no matter what you are manufacturing. Failure testing is a way to ensure that you are producing a product and service that will not fail under different circumstances and situations of stress, weather, temperature, and so on and so forth. Continual failure testing, even after a product is developed, will help you ensure that your manufacturing processes are as optimal as possible and that you are continually improving your products and your services.

[browningautorifle]

sand bagged + 20 feet away behind barrier

So, you'd want a lead sled and about a thousand rds...long lanyard...sometimes when they go it's like a bomb.

[Mark in Rochester]

So, you'd want a lead sled and about a thousand rds...long lanyard...sometimes when they go it's like a bomb.

Some thing like that -yes -I have never seen a garand go off like a bomb - I have seen stocks go to tooth pics - have never seen a garand receiver do any thing other than crack. Have any examples? Would be an interesting study

[browningautorifle]

No, me either. I avoided breaking them. There have been a few broken guns in my time but nothing spectacular.

[Gil Boyd]

Distractions on self loading is the main killer, in our busy lives and for that reason, age and distractions meant back to buying for me....................barrels and actions should be well oiled, well looked after, and end up as a regulary pulled through piece of machinery working in tangent together.
When things go wrong, they go wrong big time. Very lucky noone was hurt, and a real leap of faith to shoot it again............you'll need some Tenner pants next time round!! I'll send you my tie