M1 Garand spring replacement help?

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Merllin

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Ive been rebuilding a Beretta Garand for a while now, and I finally ordered a wolf spring kit from Brownells as the old recoil spring was choking badly.

Anyways, the springs came and I will have to wait to replace the internal ones as I don't have a bolt disassembly tool. The question I have is about the "extra power recoil spring".

The new spring is about 2.5 inches longer then the old one, as so it obviously wont fit in the rifle.... I know I have to "fit" it into the gun, but I have no idea how much to trim off?

Anyone had any experience with this kit and what you'd recommend.
 
not a expert but you should not have to cut the spring unless the instructions tell you to
i have never had to cut a Wolf spring
the old spring has probably shrunk
put new spring in and try it
 
Ok... I think I got it, its just a lot more spring then the old one was... Good thing I asked before I took the cutters to it. Thanks for the help.

It does sound a bit rough now though, but I guess the new spring just has to get worn in? Its not being tough, just making the noise...
 
i'll look up the specs for the spring for you.
it should be noted that after market springs.... even wolfe's should not exceed specified lengths and are designed to be fit , trimmed and trued as per design or match condition specs.
when ever i build a match trigger, the hammer spring is trimmed, trued and reinstalled. every wolfe spring i've installed needed several coils trimmed to bring to NM length. the length of these springs is not what makes them "extra power" it is the spring itself. trimmed to match length and put beside a match usgi spring..... the wolfe is still an extra power, stronger spring even though it got shortened near 1/4 inch from the way it arrived in the package.
 
That's what I was kinda figuring.. a measurement would be perfect, it fits, and it works, but it seems like its binding inside the oprod, I think that's the sound I'm hearing...
 
Ok so the old spring is around 18.75 inches...

The new spring is around 21.25 inches... So I should cut the new one down to 20.25 inches and try it?
 
Ok, cut it and dremelled it down to 20.25 inches..

I still hear a bit of a scratching sound, is that because it is a new spring?
 
The spring should be lubed. Use the GI grease or even wheel bearing grease from CTire. Don't over do it. Take some on your fingers and wipe off at intervals along the length of the spring. Also put a bit of grease on the bottom of the op rod where the spring runs in the groove as it enters the op rod.

You might also clean the inside of the op rod with some solvent,bore brush and a patch to clean out any accumulated crud, then run an oiled patch inside. Several times I have found broken portions of the spring inside the op rod, however they fall out quite easily. A bit of spring noise is not uncommon when the action is cycled. As long as the spring is not binding and returns the action to battery when the follower is depressed, you are good to go.

It is also worth checking that the op rod is'nt binding anywhere along it's travel. To check this do the "tilt test". To do this remove the rifle from the stock, then remove the op rod spring and follower rod. Next remove the op rod catch,bullet guide, follower arm and follower. Now hold the stripped rifle in a horizontal position with the bolt closed and the op rod forward. Next tilt the muzzle to a 45degree angle. The op rod should move to it's rear limit of travel w/o binding or interference from the weight of the op rod and bolt alone. Next depress the muzzle and the bolt and op rod should move freely to the closed position.

When re-assembling the rifle make sure to apply some grease to all lube points.
 
Purple.. That worked out perfect. Thanks for the help and quick responses. Ive been working on this rifle for a long time and I can finally say its finished...
 
Merllin said:
Ok... I think I got it, its just a lot more spring then the old one was... Good thing I asked before I took the cutters to it. Thanks for the help.

It does sound a bit rough now though, but I guess the new spring just has to get worn in? Its not being tough, just making the noise...
Click to expand...

FWIW:
I have been greasing op rod springs for as long as I can remember. It's fairly common in the Eastern & middle US.
 
Ya, I hit it with some grease.... It still makes the noise, but there is no resistance to movement. Its just one of those things where you use something for so long, then change and its different. Kinda irks you for a bit, but I'm sure it will wear away as I shoot the rifle.

The old spring was mangled. Really short and near the guide, it had started to twist and kink. The new one definitely feels like it will open and close with more authority.
 
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