Lubing the M1

Linker · July 25, 2021, 01:28 AM

How often do you need to grease the M1?

I do not really know how to disassemble the rifle for this. Thought seriously about sending it off for greasing but figured you guys would be able to tell me. Or at least point me in right direction.

BobCat45 · July 25, 2021, 06:37 AM

You may find answers to all your Garand questions at https://thecmp.org/training-tech/armorers-corner/ - there is a link to "How To Detail Strip An M1 Garand " as well as one for Field Stripping.

I use Lubriplate 130 on the op rod / barrel interface, because I think that is what the CMP suggests, but take their word, not mine.

Best of luck and Have Fun! It is a marvelous rifle.

RickB · July 25, 2021, 08:38 AM

Disassembly is pretty easy, but the whole point of specifying grease, is that it stays put, so you don't have to worry about run-off or evaporation.
The bolt lugs can be greased with the gun assembled, but you will have to remove the action from the stock to get at the op rod and spring.

I applied Mobil 1 grease, the last time I had my gun apart, but have taken it to the range only once, since.

Logs · July 27, 2021, 08:30 AM

I use this stuff.

**44 AMP** · July 27, 2021, 01:45 PM

You can get good information a number of places, but you should consider going to "the source"...

Get yourself a copy of the Army (or Marine or Navy) users manual for the M1. I prefer the actual book (which can be stored with the gun) but I'm sure they are online and downloadable somewhere.

Get the USER manual, not the shop/repair manual. The Army calls them "FM" (field manual) and they have the information on use, and user level maint.
(what to lube, with what, etc.) The shop manuals are called TMs (Technical Manuals) and usually do not have lubrication and user information in them.

Do a little looking and get the book that tells the GI how to load, shoot, field strip, clean and maintain and reassemble their individual rifle.

Don't get the FM that tells officers how to use troops armed with M1 rifles. While useful for learning tactics that one won't tell you how to clean and lube your rifle. Titles are similar, read descriptions closely.

Good info is also available many places online, including videos to watch, and lots of people here know the answers to any questions you might have, but beware of information overload,

Bart B. · July 27, 2021, 01:56 PM

Surplus stores often have Plastilube in tiny yellow capped plastic tubes.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mili...ksJisMSMww328M

Worked well across several Garands wearing out their barrels

**Mike Irwin** · July 28, 2021, 06:44 AM

Moving to the rifles forum.

Reloadron · July 28, 2021, 05:19 PM

Like most I use Lubriplate or similar grease. How often really depends on use. If you aren't dragging the rifle through dirt, mud and snow I would not worry much about how often, but annually should more than suffice. Figure it this way when disassembly comes into play. A GI Private can do it so you can do it just following instructions in the GI Field Manual as was also covered. GI rifles are designed for ease of use like cleaning and disassembly.

Also most of the old GI Specifications for stuff like lubricants, oil and grease, have long been super ceded by newer aerospace specs. Shoot it and enjoy it.

Ron

hps1 · July 28, 2021, 10:09 PM

The field manual you need is FM-5. Hopefully following link will work:

https://ia802700.us.archive.org/9/it...3-5/Fm23-5.pdf

Page 21 shows points requiring grease. Recommend shooting dry in freezing weather or very dusty/sandy atmosphere. Lubriplate is what we were issued in the day.

Lubrication points are usually pretty obvious, as indicated by wear on parkerizing. Grease the shiny spots.

Enjoy your Garand.

Regards,
hps

JustJake · July 29, 2021, 10:46 AM

Just don't over lube it. M1-newbies seem inclined to do that a lot.

July 25, 2021, 01:28 AM	#1
Linker Member Join Date: January 8, 2021 Location: Texas Posts: 52	Lubing the M1 How often do you need to grease the M1? I do not really know how to disassemble the rifle for this. Thought seriously about sending it off for greasing but figured you guys would be able to tell me. Or at least point me in right direction.

July 25, 2021, 08:38 AM	#3
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Disassembly is pretty easy, but the whole point of specifying grease, is that it stays put, so you don't have to worry about run-off or evaporation. The bolt lugs can be greased with the gun assembled, but you will have to remove the action from the stock to get at the op rod and spring. I applied Mobil 1 grease, the last time I had my gun apart, but have taken it to the range only once, since. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

July 27, 2021, 08:30 AM	#4
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	I use this stuff. __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER

July 27, 2021, 01:45 PM	#5
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,835	You can get good information a number of places, but you should consider going to "the source"... Get yourself a copy of the Army (or Marine or Navy) users manual for the M1. I prefer the actual book (which can be stored with the gun) but I'm sure they are online and downloadable somewhere. Get the USER manual, not the shop/repair manual. The Army calls them "FM" (field manual) and they have the information on use, and user level maint. (what to lube, with what, etc.) The shop manuals are called TMs (Technical Manuals) and usually do not have lubrication and user information in them. Do a little looking and get the book that tells the GI how to load, shoot, field strip, clean and maintain and reassemble their individual rifle. Don't get the FM that tells officers how to use troops armed with M1 rifles. While useful for learning tactics that one won't tell you how to clean and lube your rifle. Titles are similar, read descriptions closely. Good info is also available many places online, including videos to watch, and lots of people here know the answers to any questions you might have, but beware of information overload, __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

July 27, 2021, 01:56 PM	#6
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Surplus stores often have Plastilube in tiny yellow capped plastic tubes. https://www.google.com/search?q=mili...ksJisMSMww328M Worked well across several Garands wearing out their barrels Last edited by Bart B.; July 27, 2021 at 02:28 PM.

July 25, 2021, 06:37 AM	#2
BobCat45 Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: East Bernard, TX Posts: 523	You may find answers to all your Garand questions at https://thecmp.org/training-tech/armorers-corner/ - there is a link to "How To Detail Strip An M1 Garand " as well as one for Field Stripping. I use Lubriplate 130 on the op rod / barrel interface, because I think that is what the CMP suggests, but take their word, not mine. Best of luck and Have Fun! It is a marvelous rifle.

July 28, 2021, 06:44 AM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Moving to the rifles forum. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 28, 2021, 05:19 PM	#8
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	Like most I use Lubriplate or similar grease. How often really depends on use. If you aren't dragging the rifle through dirt, mud and snow I would not worry much about how often, but annually should more than suffice. Figure it this way when disassembly comes into play. A GI Private can do it so you can do it just following instructions in the GI Field Manual as was also covered. GI rifles are designed for ease of use like cleaning and disassembly. Also most of the old GI Specifications for stuff like lubricants, oil and grease, have long been super ceded by newer aerospace specs. Shoot it and enjoy it. Ron

July 28, 2021, 10:09 PM	#9
hps1 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 425	The field manual you need is FM-5. Hopefully following link will work: https://ia802700.us.archive.org/9/it...3-5/Fm23-5.pdf Page 21 shows points requiring grease. Recommend shooting dry in freezing weather or very dusty/sandy atmosphere. Lubriplate is what we were issued in the day. Lubrication points are usually pretty obvious, as indicated by wear on parkerizing. Grease the shiny spots. Enjoy your Garand. Regards, hps __________________ Gun Owners note: The Second Amendment is not about hunting! Join NRA @: http://membership.nrahq.org/

July 29, 2021, 10:46 AM	#10
JustJake Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2020 Posts: 497	Just don't over lube it. M1-newbies seem inclined to do that a lot. __________________ I use the Jake Brake every chance I get. Don't care if it annoys you. Hear me now?!