Garand Bolt won't lock back

baddarryl · June 26, 2017, 10:53 PM

Hi all. I finally did a detail strip and lube on my Service Grade from the CMP. Now the bolt wont lock back. It doesn't seem to travel all the way and doesn't seem to clear the follower. When pulled back it is 1.268" from the bolt to the rear of the receiver. I think I have it put together correctly. I think it was working properly before, but I can't recall. I have not shot it yet. It has new wood on it which I refinished with Tung Oil.

I have not tested OP rod movement yet as I am not sure how to do that. Also when putting it back together I had a difficult time with the OP rod. I had to work it a bit, but do not think I bent it. Thank you.

baddarryl · June 26, 2017, 10:55 PM

One last pic:

bamaranger · June 27, 2017, 01:51 AM

I do not think CMP would release a rifle designated as functional, that would not so operate..

I would tear the rifle down again and reassemble and see what happens
.

**4V50 Gary** · June 27, 2017, 04:52 AM

Clip guide backward

RKG · June 27, 2017, 07:04 AM

Or "accelerator" and OP Rod latch improperly oriented.

CMP had (and probably still has) multi page, multi photo PDF on M1 disassembly and re-assembly.

baddarryl · June 27, 2017, 12:18 PM

As the bolt turns with the pull of the OP Rod the back of the bolt is dragging the receiver. I always felt it was hitting a wall like. You can see the scoring on both the bolt and the top of the recever to the right of the firing pin. Extremely disgusted!

4EVERM-14 · June 27, 2017, 06:50 PM

Reverse the follower

James K · June 27, 2017, 08:48 PM

Is it too much to suggest that someone who buys an M1 rifle (from CMP Or elsewhere) spring for a copy of the Field Manual? Reprints are available for a couple of bucks.

I thought CMP sent a copy of the FM or a sort of summary along with each rifle, but too many owners seem to believe that instruction one is to "throw away instructions".

Jim

baddarryl · June 27, 2017, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Reverse the follower

That was the problem. Thank you. This looks right doesn't it?

baddarryl · June 27, 2017, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Is it too much to suggest that someone who buys an M1 rifle (from CMP Or elsewhere) spring for a copy of the Field Manual? Reprints are available for a couple of bucks.

I thought CMP sent a copy of the FM or a sort of summary along with each rifle, but too many owners seem to believe that instruction one is to "throw away instructions".

Jim

I did read the instructions that came with it thoroughly as well as followed the guide on Garand and Gear. I just had that one part reversed. I was tired after struggling with the trigger group. Stuff happens you know? Give a dude a break.

mehavey · June 27, 2017, 09:49 PM

baddaryl... don't worry about it.
go shoot and have fun.

(good pics by the way...)

baddarryl · June 27, 2017, 09:58 PM

mehavey: Going to sir. Thanks!

**44 AMP** · June 28, 2017, 12:46 AM

Bet you'll never do THAT again!

Here's another tip, if you disassemble the bolt, PAY ATTENTION to the extractor spring and plunger! Note the direction (which end goes where) as you take it apart. You can put them back together wrong, as well.

Get the combination tool, and learn how to use it, if you want to remove the extractor or ejector. Its not absolutely needed, but it makes things SO much easier...I don't remember for certain about the Garand, but the M14 combo tool is the funny looking "handle" for the cleaning rod set, and the Garand and M14 are very similar about the extractor and ejector.

GET the Army field manual (FM) This covers everything the user is authorized to take apart, and what they are not. Army rules, if the manual doesn't tell you how to do it, you aren't authorized to do it.

Once you are well familiar with the gun, get the Technical manual (TM) which covers repair above the user level, if you are interested in learning more.

There are also a number of books that cover what's in the manuals, and much more.

And, DO watch out for M1 Thumb!

baddarryl · June 28, 2017, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Here's another tip, if you disassemble the bolt, PAY ATTENTION to the extractor spring and plunger! Note the direction (which end goes where) as you take it apart. You can put them back together wrong, as well.

True. When I took it apart I was surprised when the plunger fell out and posted about it. Took a while, but I figured it out.

Quote:

Get the combination tool, and learn how to use it, if you want to remove the extractor or ejector. Its not absolutely needed, but it makes things SO much easier...I don't remember for certain about the Garand, but the M14 combo tool is the funny looking "handle" for the cleaning rod set, and the Garand and M14 are very similar about the extractor and ejector.

Agreed

T. O'Heir · June 28, 2017, 12:17 PM

Go here for the TM and FM. Free .pdf. Note the need for the provided UN & PW.
http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/
And learn how to load the thing correctly. M1/Garand Thumb is caused by incorrect loading. Clip in rifle, thumb on top with the rest of your fingers outside the receiver in front of the op handle. Push down while controlling the op handle.

Model12Win · June 29, 2017, 12:41 AM

The M1 Garand is a good stopper.

baddarryl · July 6, 2017, 11:02 AM

OP Here: The issue was I did not have the Operation Rod Catch oriented under the tab that gives it clearance for the rod to move under then be caught to lock the bolt. There was no clearance and it was slamming into it. Works fine now and THAT won't happen again! Thanks everyone.

June 26, 2017, 10:53 PM	#1
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	Garand Bolt won't lock back Hi all. I finally did a detail strip and lube on my Service Grade from the CMP. Now the bolt wont lock back. It doesn't seem to travel all the way and doesn't seem to clear the follower. When pulled back it is 1.268" from the bolt to the rear of the receiver. I think I have it put together correctly. I think it was working properly before, but I can't recall. I have not shot it yet. It has new wood on it which I refinished with Tung Oil. I have not tested OP rod movement yet as I am not sure how to do that. Also when putting it back together I had a difficult time with the OP rod. I had to work it a bit, but do not think I bent it. Thank you.

June 27, 2017, 01:51 AM	#3
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,309	CMP I do not think CMP would release a rifle designated as functional, that would not so operate.. I would tear the rifle down again and reassemble and see what happens .

June 27, 2017, 04:52 AM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,840	Clip guide backward __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

June 27, 2017, 06:50 PM	#7
4EVERM-14 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2006 Location: Pennsy Posts: 720	Reverse the follower __________________ David NRA Benefactor Member Distinguished Rifleman #731 Presidents 100

June 28, 2017, 12:46 AM	#13
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	Bet you'll never do THAT again! Here's another tip, if you disassemble the bolt, PAY ATTENTION to the extractor spring and plunger! Note the direction (which end goes where) as you take it apart. You can put them back together wrong, as well. Get the combination tool, and learn how to use it, if you want to remove the extractor or ejector. Its not absolutely needed, but it makes things SO much easier...I don't remember for certain about the Garand, but the M14 combo tool is the funny looking "handle" for the cleaning rod set, and the Garand and M14 are very similar about the extractor and ejector. GET the Army field manual (FM) This covers everything the user is authorized to take apart, and what they are not. Army rules, if the manual doesn't tell you how to do it, you aren't authorized to do it. Once you are well familiar with the gun, get the Technical manual (TM) which covers repair above the user level, if you are interested in learning more. There are also a number of books that cover what's in the manuals, and much more. And, DO watch out for M1 Thumb! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 26, 2017, 10:55 PM	#2
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	One last pic:

June 27, 2017, 07:04 AM	#5
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 562	Or "accelerator" and OP Rod latch improperly oriented. CMP had (and probably still has) multi page, multi photo PDF on M1 disassembly and re-assembly.

June 27, 2017, 12:18 PM	#6
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	As the bolt turns with the pull of the OP Rod the back of the bolt is dragging the receiver. I always felt it was hitting a wall like. You can see the scoring on both the bolt and the top of the recever to the right of the firing pin. Extremely disgusted!

June 27, 2017, 08:48 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Is it too much to suggest that someone who buys an M1 rifle (from CMP Or elsewhere) spring for a copy of the Field Manual? Reprints are available for a couple of bucks. I thought CMP sent a copy of the FM or a sort of summary along with each rifle, but too many owners seem to believe that instruction one is to "throw away instructions". Jim

June 27, 2017, 09:49 PM	#11
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,896	baddaryl... don't worry about it. go shoot and have fun. (good pics by the way...)

June 27, 2017, 09:58 PM	#12
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	mehavey: Going to sir. Thanks!

June 28, 2017, 12:17 PM	#15
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Go here for the TM and FM. Free .pdf. Note the need for the provided UN & PW. http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/ And learn how to load the thing correctly. M1/Garand Thumb is caused by incorrect loading. Clip in rifle, thumb on top with the rest of your fingers outside the receiver in front of the op handle. Push down while controlling the op handle. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

June 29, 2017, 12:41 AM	#16
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	The M1 Garand is a good stopper.

July 6, 2017, 11:02 AM	#17
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	OP Here: The issue was I did not have the Operation Rod Catch oriented under the tab that gives it clearance for the rod to move under then be caught to lock the bolt. There was no clearance and it was slamming into it. Works fine now and THAT won't happen again! Thanks everyone.