Garand cycling issues

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M.w.wolf

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Just bought a Garand chambered in 308, and am having some troubles.

Fires. Ejects the round perfectly. But doesn’t load the next round. Just slams shut on an empty chamber, followed by the click when I pull the trigger on nothing.

Using Hirtenberger Austrian surplus 308. Never had a problem with that ammo in M1A.

The rifle has an adjustable Schuster gas plug. Tried adjusting that, but doesn’t seem to make a difference.

Any idea what the issue is?
 
I had this problem with a .308 Garand I had years ago.

Check your gas port size. It needs to be a bit bigger than the 30’06 M1 - and is usually over looked.
 
i cut-and-pasted this from somewhere when I was having similar issues. Your circumstances may be different, so it's your risk:

The gas port on a 7.62x51 Garand barrel should be .089", which can be checked with a #43 drill bit.
The gas port on a 30-06 Garand is .079", which equates slightly larger than a #47 drill bit .

Drilling should be the last course of action, because it can't be un-done
 
Double check oprod not binding and bolt properly lubricated before drilling out the gas port on the barrel. Most .308 barrels like the Citadel barrels have the correct-sized hole at the gas port.

Also, be sure to check for proper alignment of gas hole with the rest of the gas system.

Or change ammo if possible. I use handloads with my Garand in .308 and it cycles reliably, but not always with some factory ammo.

Keep us posted!
 
purple said:
Check for excessive op rod spring length, correct lubing and op rod binding. Fouled gas port and worn gas cyl and gas piston could also be factors.
Click to expand...

Purple is one of the local Garand experts - I would certainly follow his advice and measure piston diameter for wear before ever drilling out the gas port hole on the barrel!
 
FirearmsEnthusiast said:
Purple is one of the local Garand experts - I would certainly follow his advice and measure piston diameter for wear before ever drilling out the gas port hole on the barrel!
Click to expand...

...and to check for excessive gas cylinder wear, you can use an unfired 300WM cartridge inserted primer end first into the front of the gas cylinder (the end with the threads). If it fits tight to the belt, you are good to go, if it goes in a little you’re still OK but not optimal, and if you can slide the whole cartridge in it’s time for a new gas cylinder.

http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=66449
 
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