I have a Springfield M1 Garand chambered in 7.62x51. While using the the adjustable gas plug i used all the settings and even with the smallest setting i experienced failures to feed. I would hand cycle the action and i might be able to get 2 rounds off before i would experience a failure to feed. I want to know is this just a case of still too much gas escaping and all i need to do is use one of the blank adjustments provided and drill a smaller gas opening, or could it be a weak return spring ? I know the bolt can strip a round and feed into the chamber because i placed the USGI gas plug on and the weapon functioned properly mostly. Also when loading a full 8 round enbloc clip the first round usually always needs the op rod handle tapped to help feed and close the bolt, but this i think is normal and not a result of a weak return spring. Now whether i use the adjustable gas plug or USGI one i always experience a second round failure to feed causing me to hand cycle and continue firing. I noticed if i remove one round and load only 7 rounds i never have a second round failing to feed. Is this caused by maybe the 7.62x51 rounds being fatter at the base making the fit in the enbloc clip (which was originally designed for 3006 casings) too tight and causing the second round failure to feed, or again is this caused by a weak return spring not putting enough upward pressure on the bullet guide forcing the round to catch the bolt face to feed? Thank you.
M1 Garand adjustable gas plug and feeding issues.
- Thread starter elvis3006
- Start date
mikebaker1129
CGN Regular
- Location
- TEXAS, U.S.A
It could be a weal op rod spring. Some enbloc clips have issies as well .The assist on the 1st round is normal.
Thank you. I greased up certain areas like along where the op rod touches the barrel and re greased the op rod spring. I went and put two 8 rd enbloc clips through it using the USGI gas plug and no issues, fired great. The adjustable plug still did not work, so not to open a can of worms here but some say that firing modern ammo through an M1 is bad, too much energy. Is there any truth to this, and does it also apply to 308 converted rifles ? If not i will dump the adj plug.
Not sure you understand how the conversion to 7.62 on a Garand affects the gas system, you mention going to smaller openings, they should be bigger.
The 7.62 does not have the pressure that the original 30-06 had so needs a bigger opening to get enough gas to properly cycle the action. If you restrict it too much by using the smaller settings it will short stroke as you said.
The adjustable gas plug wold be more useful of you were shooting hot loads or heavy bullets in 30-06. If you're shooting normal 7.62 NATO, or .308, you probably don't need to worry about over pressure on the gas system.
If your barrel was properly setup the gas port will be the proper larger diameter.
Unless you plan to build up some custom loads or shoot match ammo, you likely do not need the adjustable plug.
The 7.62 does not have the pressure that the original 30-06 had so needs a bigger opening to get enough gas to properly cycle the action. If you restrict it too much by using the smaller settings it will short stroke as you said.
The adjustable gas plug wold be more useful of you were shooting hot loads or heavy bullets in 30-06. If you're shooting normal 7.62 NATO, or .308, you probably don't need to worry about over pressure on the gas system.
If your barrel was properly setup the gas port will be the proper larger diameter.
Unless you plan to build up some custom loads or shoot match ammo, you likely do not need the adjustable plug.
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as mentioned try some known to be good enblocks and field strip and asses the op rod fro binding, sounds like the op rod might be a little out of spec. I have a number of m1 s in 7.62 / 308 and the feed fine with the GI plug, as stated the adjustable system is more of a need for commercial 3006 or handloads I would not use it for 308.
mikebaker1129
CGN Regular
- Location
- TEXAS, U.S.A
This +1
"...always needs the op rod handle tapped to..." Perfectly normal with an issue M1 Rifle.
"...the gas port..." Said diameter is on-line. Some place. Don't remember where. One of the U.S. based forums, I think.
"...know the bolt can..." That eliminates the return spring as an issue. Lose the adjustable gas plug and check the gas hole diameter.
"...need for commercial 3006 or handloads..." Nope. Marketing thing only. Thousands of rounds of commercial ammo(including over 180 grain bullets) and handloads have gone through M1 Rifles with no fuss long before there was such a thing.
"...the gas port..." Said diameter is on-line. Some place. Don't remember where. One of the U.S. based forums, I think.
"...know the bolt can..." That eliminates the return spring as an issue. Lose the adjustable gas plug and check the gas hole diameter.
"...need for commercial 3006 or handloads..." Nope. Marketing thing only. Thousands of rounds of commercial ammo(including over 180 grain bullets) and handloads have gone through M1 Rifles with no fuss long before there was such a thing.
You can check the op rod function by field stripping, removing the op-rod spring and reassemble the receiver, bolt and op-rod. The op rod should move the bolt to rear as you tip the muzzle up to say a 45 degree angle from horizontal,
and close as you tip it down. That confirms proper lube and lack of binding.
and close as you tip it down. That confirms proper lube and lack of binding.
