M1 Garand Loading Issues

Sharps45-70

Sharps45-70

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Hi everyone, just finished building my M1 Garand and took it out to the range today. Functioned really well with a wide range of bullet weights and velocities, everything from light to very heavy loads (adjustable gas plug).

The only issue I had once in a while is the bolt would release prematurely when inserting the loaded clip, before the clip is far enough down to latch. What are the most likely causes for this? Everything else functions perfectly so far.

Thanks!
 
Sharps45-70 said:
Hi everyone, just finished building my M1 Garand and took it out to the range today. Functioned really well with a wide range of bullet weights and velocities, everything from light to very heavy loads (adjustable gas plug).

The only issue I had once in a while is the bolt would release prematurely when inserting the loaded clip, before the clip is far enough down to latch. What are the most likely causes for this? Everything else functions perfectly so far.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Pretty sure that's how they work. Use your right hand to block the charging handle and you thumb to press the charger in. Evacuate your hand and the bolt flies forward.
 
you can youtube Loading a M1 Garand

that said, it can be a.. Normal or a timing issue ,or worn parts ... I have even heard of some just swapping parts till the problem goes away

the catch on the bottom of the op-rod could be worn or the oprod catch or the following rod.... even the bullet guide plays a part in the correct operation of the garand
 
Sharps45-70 said:
Hi everyone, just finished building my M1 Garand and took it out to the range today. Functioned really well with a wide range of bullet weights and velocities, everything from light to very heavy loads (adjustable gas plug).

The only issue I had once in a while is the bolt would release prematurely when inserting the loaded clip, before the clip is far enough down to latch. What are the most likely causes for this? Everything else functions perfectly so far.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

As long as downward pressure is exerted on the clip,the bolt should not release,even after the clip latches in place.it should only be released after you take pressure of the clip.
As a precaution you can hold the charging handle back with the palm of your hand,but if it functions as designed that should not be necessary.
If you are right handed and push the clip down with your right hand it also helps to arrange the cartridges so that the upper one is on the right side,that way if the bolt does come flying forward it pushes your thumb out of the way thus preventing the infamous "Garand Thumb"
 
The issue is not my misuse. The bolt releases before the clip is seated fully, causing the bolt to come forward into the back of the clip. My hand is on the handle when loading. When inserting a clip and pushing down, I can hear one click where the bolt releases, then a second click when the clip locks. If I let go after the first click, the bolt is released but the entire clip comes up out of the top.

M1-Garand said:
As long as downward pressure is exerted on the clip,the bolt should not release,even after the clip latches in place.it should only be released after you take pressure of the clip.
As a precaution you can hold the charging handle back with the palm of your hand,but if it functions as designed that should not be necessary.
If you are right handed and push the clip down with your right hand it also helps to arrange the cartridges so that the upper one is on the right side,that way if the bolt does come flying forward it pushes your thumb out of the way thus preventing the infamous "Garand Thumb"
Click to expand...
 
Sharps45-70 said:
The issue is not my misuse. The bolt releases before the clip is seated fully, causing the bolt to come forward into the back of the clip. My hand is on the handle when loading. When inserting a clip and pushing down, I can hear one click where the bolt releases, then a second click when the clip locks. If I let go after the first click, the bolt is released but the entire clip comes up out of the top.
Click to expand...

In that case I suspect a worn operating rod or operating rod catch,detail strip and check everything for wear.
I imagine that you're pulling the operating handle back hard and as far as it will go,so that it isn't hanging up on the follower?

If you go to this website they have a fault tracing procedure on it.http://www.garandgear.com/
 
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The most likely causes in order of probability are wear on these parts; bullet guide, clip latch, follower, follower arm, and op rod catch. You really can`t measure wear on any of these except for the point of the bullet guide. The height of the point on the pre-1949 bullet guides is .179 minus .004. The post 1949 bullet guide (with side cut) should measure .183 minus .004. Its best to try swapping in serviceable components to ID the one causing the malfunction.
 
purple said:
The most likely causes in order of probability are wear on these parts; bullet guide, clip latch, follower, follower arm, and op rod catch. You really can`t measure wear on any of these except for the point of the bullet guide. The height of the point on the pre-1949 bullet guides is .179 minus .004. The post 1949 bullet guide (with side cut) should measure .183 minus .004. Its best to try swapping in serviceable components to ID the one causing the malfunction.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I will have to try to start sourcing some parts.
 
I had the same issue after building my Garand. The culprit ended up being the bullet guide. I had to file down the tip so the operating rod could move enough to catch properly. Luckily I had an old surplus Garand and a gunsmiths manual I could go off of to to do this.
 
Youtube Garand Thumbs video on loading the M1, make sure you lock the bolt back give it a good yank its not a Childs toy otherwise it may lock up on the bullet guide. load enbloc clips so that the top round is on the right side, this will make life easier and is how they were loaded at the factory from my knowledge. press down firmly with your thumb on the top round all the way down until it clicks, once it clicks life your thumb fairly quick and away she goes. if it does not feed in just give the oprod a little tap. you do not need to hold your hand against the back of the charging handle. the gun will not eat your thumb as long as you maintain the pressure pushing down on the top round. if your rifle is greased up nicely it should feed like this easily without bumping the charging handle forward. Again watch grand thumbs video on loading on youtube for a visual explanation.
 
schweizergewehr said:
Youtube Garand Thumbs video on loading the M1, make sure you lock the bolt back give it a good yank its not a Childs toy otherwise it may lock up on the bullet guide. load enbloc clips so that the top round is on the right side, this will make life easier and is how they were loaded at the factory from my knowledge. press down firmly with your thumb on the top round all the way down until it clicks, once it clicks life your thumb fairly quick and away she goes. if it does not feed in just give the oprod a little tap. you do not need to hold your hand against the back of the charging handle. the gun will not eat your thumb as long as you maintain the pressure pushing down on the top round. if your rifle is greased up nicely it should feed like this easily without bumping the charging handle forward. Again watch grand thumbs video on loading on youtube for a visual explanation.
Click to expand...

If the enblock clips are fairly new and have a lot of spring in them than the charging handle needs to be bumped.
 
schweizergewehr said:
Youtube Garand Thumbs video on loading the M1, make sure you lock the bolt back give it a good yank its not a Childs toy otherwise it may lock up on the bullet guide. load enbloc clips so that the top round is on the right side, this will make life easier and is how they were loaded at the factory from my knowledge. press down firmly with your thumb on the top round all the way down until it clicks, once it clicks life your thumb fairly quick and away she goes. if it does not feed in just give the oprod a little tap. you do not need to hold your hand against the back of the charging handle. the gun will not eat your thumb as long as you maintain the pressure pushing down on the top round. if your rifle is greased up nicely it should feed like this easily without bumping the charging handle forward. Again watch grand thumbs video on loading on youtube for a visual explanation.
Click to expand...

This is not the issue at hand. In proper operation, the clip should latch, and so long as there is pressure applied, the bolt should remain locked rearward as you noted. In mine, there is a timing issue as clip does not latch at the bottom of its travel before the bolt releases automatically, causing it to come forward into the back of the clip.
 
M1-Garand said:
As long as downward pressure is exerted on the clip,the bolt should not release,even after the clip latches in place.it should only be released after you take pressure of the clip.
As a precaution you can hold the charging handle back with the palm of your hand,but if it functions as designed that should not be necessary.
If you are right handed and push the clip down with your right hand it also helps to arrange the cartridges so that the upper one is on the right side,that way if the bolt does come flying forward it pushes your thumb out of the way thus preventing the infamous "Garand Thumb"
Click to expand...

Thank you!!
 
I've seen this several times in Garands - every time, it's been that the bolt is not fully locked back, but instead appears to be locked back but is really resting on the follower.

Easy test - pull the bolt back until it appears to be locked. Then pull it back (hard) and see if it moves off the follower about 1/8" further back. Then it's really locked. You can then insert the enbloc without worry (use the edge of your hand to exery light pressure on the bolt handle if you are worried). Push the enbloc fully down, then when all body parts are clear of the action, slap the bolt handle forward.
 
Issue has been solved. The accelerator cam surface was too tall, causing the camming action of the accelerator to be out of time. The clip wouldn't be far enough down into the action to lock before the bolt released (within about an 1/8" of downward travel between clicks).

I stoned down the cam lobe and now the clip latches, then once pressure is released, the bolt comes forward.
 
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