Garand Headspace

[roberti11]

I have an M1 Garand, dated from Dec'44. I checked the headspace using a Forster field gauge for 3006.

The bolt closes on this but does not extract the gauge like it does on my bolt action rifle (where it does not close)

Does anyone know is it reasonable to use a SAAMI gauge to check the headspace in mil rifle? Does this mean I need a new bbl for my Garand?

Thanks

 

[tiriaq]

Have you stripped the rifle? Strictly speaking, it is better if the gauge is used with the stripped bolt - otherwise the ejector can affect the feel. If the gauge isn't being extracted, it just means the extractor isn't grabbing the gauge. If you can feel the gauge as the bolt is rotated toward lock by finger pressure, that is it. It can be easy enough to force a bolt shut on a gauge, but this is a false reading.
I do not know if a SAAMI FIELD gauge is US Ordnance correct, but if the rifle accepts a FIELD gauge, it is on the loose side for standard ammunition. There is no reason to assume that installing another M-1 barrel will correct headspace, unless the barrel is short chambered, and a reamer is used to set final tolerances. Selectively swapping bolts might work.

 

[roberti11]

Have you stripped the rifle? Strictly speaking, it is better if the gauge is used with the stripped bolt - otherwise the ejector can affect the feel. If the gauge isn't being extracted, it just means the extractor isn't grabbing the gauge. If you can feel the gauge as the bolt is rotated toward lock by finger pressure, that is it. It can be easy enough to force a bolt shut on a gauge, but this is a false reading.
I do not know if a SAAMI FIELD gauge is US Ordnance correct, but if the rifle accepts a FIELD gauge, it is on the loose side for standard ammunition. There is no reason to assume that installing another M-1 barrel will correct headspace, unless the barrel is short chambered, and a reamer is used to set final tolerances. Selectively swapping bolts might work.

Thanks, I will try it again with the bolt stripped.