Snip. "Getting way off topic though, back to the lastest and not so perfect garand". Snip
I hate to see anyone having trouble with a rifle.....even someone who has called me a "schmoe" and a "nasenbohrer" (that's "nosepicker" for the non-German speakers) and tells me that I only post drivel and wreck all of his threads. Sorry, but the rules are that any member with permissions may choose to post in any open thread. It's OK. I understand what this is all about. I've survived being shot at, thankfully by a pi$$-poor shot who never learned to lead a flying goose, so a few words across the bow don't particularly trouble me.
If people can suffer through it, they might want to check my posts in the thread titled, "Fort MacMurray Members : who wants to shoot a new Garand today", dated 25 Oct 14, where I wrote up a few pages of tips on how to trouble shoot and tweak a rifle for better functionality and accuracy for the benefit of Garand enthusiasts . I dealt with both binding op rod problems, incl interference by the lower band, and rear sight component selection and installation. In some cases a lower band that is not properly centered, but is tight on the barrel, can be shifted slightly on the barrel circumference by tapping on either "leg" with a hardwood drift and a hammer to relieve contact with the op rod. If this is done you then need to verify that the lower band has not been rotated to the point where it causes the front handguard ferrule to come into binding contact with the sides of the lip on the rear of the gas cylinder.
US and Italian made rear sight components are of equal quality assuming that they are in serviceable condition. Avoid using the similar Chinese made M305 parts though as they are made of softer steel. Generally what works best is to keep a stock of each of the rear sight components on hand and then selectively trial fit them until the right combination is found. Once a good match of aperture, base and spring cover is installed most elevation pinions will work fine, provided that the inner "tit" that bears against the receiver serrations is intact, the tensioning screw is tight, and the teeth on the pinion shaft are not excessively worn or burred. It's also a good idea to keep the receiver serrations as clean as a hound's tooth (that's a concession to the dog lovers on here)
as they will accumulate crud which can prevent solid engagement by the "tit" on the inner face of the pinion knob. Windage knobs are generally trouble free, provided that the threads that engage the sight base are clean and that the interior spring that provides tension for the center nut isn't cracked.
Peace, happiness, and good Garand shooting/building/collecting to all.
