The M1 Garand Build Thread
- Thread starter Don Kael
- Start date
Mine left Greece over three weeks ago ... must be shipping by rowboat LoL!
Barrel arrived. '53 SA, gauges well, sharp throat and 95% park.
Numrich op rod is in the mail. Fingers crossed.
$610 in so far.
Things are happening!!.
I am at 1850$ and got everything except stock. Mostly NOS parts + some extra to resell and cherry pick.
Got some tools in there too. Once I resell the extra I should end up with a rifle that costed 1400$ including all taxes and shipping.
I recently asked and got a tracking number, mines been held up in customs since 11/5.
Navy Gunner
Regular
- Location
- Eastern Passage NS
Too bad, they have excellent selection of parts and fairly cheap too. Anyone have a way of ordering?
I asked Armtac if they would bring in Fulton M1 Garand parts but I haven't heard back from them and that was around three weeks ago. I've purchased a Fulton M-14 bolt from them earlier in the year so they seem to be able to get their parts up here. Ask 'em on your end, maybe you'll get a reply!
Navy Gunner
Regular
- Location
- Eastern Passage NS
Seen that but only a couple of products which i'm ordering. Been trying to limit my build to NOS or newly made whenever possible. I think sourcing an OP rod is going to be a problem.
To date I'm into this project for the sum of $952.64. All I need is a operating rod catch assembly Type 2 in NOS or close to. I have been fortunate to have 95% of the parts to be NOS or just a good.
Unfortunatly, there are a lot of Beretta an Breda parts in the US, with folks who just won't ship to Canada. So the perfect Italian build will look more like a Danish garand in excellent condition.
Unfortunatly, there are a lot of Beretta an Breda parts in the US, with folks who just won't ship to Canada. So the perfect Italian build will look more like a Danish garand in excellent condition.
Over time servicable op rods will remain tough to find. The areas of the op rod that are most subject to wear are the gas pistons, the tab inside the handle that engages the receiver and the lugs that engage the op rod catch. Op rods can be re-pistoned and the tabs and lugs can be built up by TIG welding and then ground down to correct dimensions. There are a couple of sources in the US which specialize in rebuilding op rods, but none in Canada that I know of.
Op rod fitting can be a challenge and it is best to have several on hand to get the right fit for a particular barrel/receiver/bolt combination. Garand newbies sometimes ask why the op rod tube is bent and if it should be straightened. Op rods were bent to fit after manufacture and should be left that way. An op rod can be re-bent for proper fit, but this takes a lot of time and trial fitting. The only reference available to assist with op rod re-bending and fitting is the Kuhnhausen Shop Manual on the M1 and M14 rifles. Any aspiring Garand builder should have a copy.
Op rod fitting can be a challenge and it is best to have several on hand to get the right fit for a particular barrel/receiver/bolt combination. Garand newbies sometimes ask why the op rod tube is bent and if it should be straightened. Op rods were bent to fit after manufacture and should be left that way. An op rod can be re-bent for proper fit, but this takes a lot of time and trial fitting. The only reference available to assist with op rod re-bending and fitting is the Kuhnhausen Shop Manual on the M1 and M14 rifles. Any aspiring Garand builder should have a copy.
Thanks for that purple. Well timed info for many of us I'm sure!.
I picked up a replacement .526" gas piston on spec, and with unworn or NOS dim's. on all parts that engage the op rod ... hope to get away with not having several on hand ... fingers crossed!.
Worst case?, a highly qualified/experienced/well tooled member lives nearby. ...
I picked up a replacement .526" gas piston on spec, and with unworn or NOS dim's. on all parts that engage the op rod ... hope to get away with not having several on hand ... fingers crossed!.
Worst case?, a highly qualified/experienced/well tooled member lives nearby. ...
Getting back to you sgmacken.
Parts came in today. They're in great shape, physically. No pitting or overwhelming wear, taking in mind they are something like 50-60 years old. There's a small, insignificant dent to a corner of the bayonet lug, but the threading, and barrel lugs are all in great shape. Can't find any problems other than the need for a reblueing, or park-job.
