Help a Garand Newbie

cantom

cantom

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Just got my first Garand. I watched a video on Youtube, field stripped it. I think I assembled the 4 parts of the magazine follower apparatus right, it all fits together, but I'm trying to push that pin in to hold them all in...the pin goes almost all the way through but I can't easily push it down flush. I even tried tapping it with a screwdriver handle, but it doesn't want to go that last bit.
Suggestions?
 
I believe that pin only goes in one way, did you try it from the other side?

http://www.surplusrifle.com/garand/rifledisassembly/index.asp

41.jpg


Also I notice that if everything isn't in properly the pin won't go through. Especially make sure the op rod catch is hooked on properly. (figure 46)

45.jpg


46.jpg
 
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cantom said:
Yes. It just won't go in easily and do I really want to drift it in with a pin punch? The video I watched made it look easy.
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Hmmm, well lightly tapping at it with a small hammer or punch shouldn't hurt as long as everything is aligned properly. Maybe it's just tight. Mine go in pretty smoothly so I don't know what else to suggest.
 
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Vimy Ridge said:
Hmmm, well lightly tapping at it with a small hammer or punch shouldn't hurt as long as everything is aligned properly. Maybe it's just tight. Mine go in pretty smoothly so I don't know what else to suggest.
Click to expand...

Aha! I got it...tapping with a punch and hammer didn't help. But, the big piece shaped like an L is like a leaf spring...I pulled it back against tension and the pin slid right in easily with finger pressure.

Interesting mechanism...bit of a Rube Goldberg. I now admire the simplicity of the M14/Mini 14 mechanism.

What kind of tool is used to unscrew the gas plug? (anyone in Canada sell them?)

Edited- good thread about this issue.
http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=54002&whichpage=1
 
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You can just use a screwdriver, either a Phillips #4 or the flattip equivalent.

But one of those CMP tools would be nice.

tool1.jpg


In conjunction with the Fulton gas cylinder wrench.

Dscf0934.jpg
 
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You can use a "big" flat ended screw driver to get the gas plug out. But have a screw driver set with removable heads, and I use that square thingy that's an adapter for small nut heads, and it works great.
 
Hitzy said:
The M1 chamber brush/tool is also used for gas cylinder nut.
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Click to expand...

I read on the American forums last night, a lot of people just use a 1/4" drive breaker bar or ratchet. apparently the square drive fits almost perfectly...I like those tools though.

Has anyone ever used one of those adjustable gas jet setups that allow you to reduce the pressure hammering the action? Apparently they can allow you to use commercial ammunition. You can also turn the gas right off with that so it's a manual single shot.

Anyone have a source of Garand ammuntion? White box?
 
I always use commercial ammo. Federal 150gr soft point. I've put close to four or five hundred rounds through and only had one stoppage. If you don't want soft point, Remington produces some 150gr "metal case" under their UMC brand.
 
Go here and download the free .pdf manuals. Note the need for the provided UN & PW. http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/
Buy a copy of Hatcher's Book of the Garand and Hatcher's Notebook too. About $30 each at your local gun shop or Amazon. The former has a troubleshooting chapter and the whole history of the rifle's developement. The latter is a 'must read' for any shooter, but especially anybody new to U.S. military rifles. Chapters about ammo, headspace and more about the developement of the rifle and its rivals. Both are a good read too.
The rifle is designed to be field stripped with no tools except for a cartridge. The gas cylinder nut doesn't need to come out for regular cleaning.
The rifle was designed to use .30 M1 ammo(with its 174.5 grain bullet at 2640fps), not .30 M2(with its 152 grain bullet at 2800fps. M2 started at 2700fps, but got bumped up, in 1940, to match the ballistics of the .30 AP ammo). When you get that far, think 150, 165, hunting bullets and 168 or 175 grain match bullets(Sierra Matchkings) using IMR4895, IMR4064 or Varget. The best hunting accuracy comes with 165 grain hunting bullets with IMR4064. Target loads use the same powder but 168 grain bullets out to 600 yards. The 175's past there. 150's are for general shooting, but a 165 is more versatile.
The latest Hornady manual has a chapter for M1 Rifle specific loads. Hornady makes a 150 grain HPBT FMJ and a 168 grain A-Max. Sierra makes 150 grain MatchKings too. Cheap they ain't though.
 
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