The bullet guide is an extremely important, yet oft overlooked part in the Garand M1 rifle. The bullet guide actually times the release of the operating rod catch and sometimes Garand rifles suffer from timing problems.
The infamous 7th round misfeed is one such timing problem. Now if you want to cure almost all Garand timing bugs, you need to use a stamped bullet guide.
There are two kinds of bullet guides. There are milled bullet guides which were made during World War 2. Then there are stamped bullet guides made during the 1950s.
When building a Garand, make sure to use the stamped bullet guide. The stamped bullet guide is instantly recognizable as one of the legs will be notched.
The most important part of the bullet guide is the accelerator cam or the fulcrum. This part has some very critical dimensions. The original World War 2 bullet guide had a fulcrum that was 0.175" wide +.004". The stamped bullet guide has a fulcrum that measures 0.178" wide +.004".
Now the slightly wider fulcrum is the reason why you want to use the stamped bullet guide. The slightly wider fulcrum will also eliminate almost all timing problems.
Here is a quick way to ensure that your Garand is properly timed.
1. Use a new recoil spring every time you build a Garand;
2. Use a new clip latch spring every time you build a Garand
3. Use a stamped bullet guide. Use dial calipers to verify that the fulcrum is at least 0.178" wide.
4. Check the follower arm and make sure that it is not bent. A bent follower arm can cause timing problems.
5. The follower arm pin must fit tightly. From memory, I believe that it should be about 0.155" in diameter. If it is 0.152" or so in diameter, replace it. A loose follower arm pin can cause timing problems, but this is rare.
6. Make sure that the follower assembly is not cracked or broken. A bent follower assembly can sometimes cause timing problems but this is rare.
7. Make sure that the operating rod catch is not cracked. These seldom crack; however, you want to use a part in good condition.
8. Test fire the rifle with at least three clips of ammo. It is said that one rifle in every thousand will have timing problems--even with good parts.
Timing problems occur as a result of "tolerance stacking". Put the odds in your favor by always using a proper bullet guide.
I have a box of new old stock, still in the wrap and in the grease stamped bullet guides and I might be persuaded to part with some of them.
I hope this long harangue will prove useful. Read this:
http://www.garandgear.com/inspecting-your-m1-garand
The infamous 7th round misfeed is one such timing problem. Now if you want to cure almost all Garand timing bugs, you need to use a stamped bullet guide.
There are two kinds of bullet guides. There are milled bullet guides which were made during World War 2. Then there are stamped bullet guides made during the 1950s.
When building a Garand, make sure to use the stamped bullet guide. The stamped bullet guide is instantly recognizable as one of the legs will be notched.
The most important part of the bullet guide is the accelerator cam or the fulcrum. This part has some very critical dimensions. The original World War 2 bullet guide had a fulcrum that was 0.175" wide +.004". The stamped bullet guide has a fulcrum that measures 0.178" wide +.004".
Now the slightly wider fulcrum is the reason why you want to use the stamped bullet guide. The slightly wider fulcrum will also eliminate almost all timing problems.
Here is a quick way to ensure that your Garand is properly timed.
1. Use a new recoil spring every time you build a Garand;
2. Use a new clip latch spring every time you build a Garand
3. Use a stamped bullet guide. Use dial calipers to verify that the fulcrum is at least 0.178" wide.
4. Check the follower arm and make sure that it is not bent. A bent follower arm can cause timing problems.
5. The follower arm pin must fit tightly. From memory, I believe that it should be about 0.155" in diameter. If it is 0.152" or so in diameter, replace it. A loose follower arm pin can cause timing problems, but this is rare.
6. Make sure that the follower assembly is not cracked or broken. A bent follower assembly can sometimes cause timing problems but this is rare.
7. Make sure that the operating rod catch is not cracked. These seldom crack; however, you want to use a part in good condition.
8. Test fire the rifle with at least three clips of ammo. It is said that one rifle in every thousand will have timing problems--even with good parts.
Timing problems occur as a result of "tolerance stacking". Put the odds in your favor by always using a proper bullet guide.
I have a box of new old stock, still in the wrap and in the grease stamped bullet guides and I might be persuaded to part with some of them.
I hope this long harangue will prove useful. Read this:
http://www.garandgear.com/inspecting-your-m1-garand
