M1 Garand Stock Staining Help

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I have played around with 3 different stocks and have found the culprit to be a good condition trigger guard. One assembly locks in snug and crisp and the locking lugs are a slight 'D' shape. Another trigger group will just come close but without forcing it, it will not lock. That trigger guard is mint and the lugs are perfect. I have been told that sometimes better is not best and to use a worn trigger guard.

The wood at the bottom of the stock where the trigger housing seats will compress over time leading to a looser fit. An initial tighter fit is always evident on a new stock. Rather than removing wood from the trigger housing bearing surfaces to get the trigger guard to lock, it is a good idea to try a guard with worn lugs. As the wood compresses over time a guard with full round, unworn lugs can be swapped in to keep a tight fit. You should feel tension when the end on the guard passes the tip of the trigger on closing. A tight fit is good and sometimes, especially with the stamped guards, you can give the guard a whack with a rubber mallet to get it to close and lock up. Careful on this though as you can crack the lugs if you force it too much. Its a good idea to grease the lugs as a precaution against excessive wear when they lock into engagement.