M1A Kaboom

[Lite-Box]

A M1 or M1A/M14 can fire in an unlocked condition. Terry

Not if the hammer is serviceable, A Garand/ M1a will not fire if the bolt isn't rotated into battery, the nose on the hammer will hit the flat back of bolt preventing it from hitting firing pin. If the bolt is rotated partially the nose of hammer will actually cam bolt closed as it hits.

Take your " Empty " rifle cock it and hold op-rod back till bolt is forward but not rotated watch through side and pull trigger and watch what the hammer does....

[John Kepler]

If and only if that retraction bridge in the receiver is positioned correctly....locating that bridge with the required precision has been a rather chronic problem with SA receivers.

[Lite-Box]

The recvr bridge isn't the only safety design feature with the M1/M14, J. Garand was a smart guy...

People really need to regularily inspect their rifles, if the safety nose on hammer is broke off or severely peened down replace it, foot of firing pin badly worn replace it .... and stop shooting bad reloads and Mystery ammo....