M1 Garand Cleaning Process

golfnutrlv · December 12, 2010, 11:50 PM

Alright everyone, looking for some info on cleaning the Garand. Is it ok to clean it from the muzzle?? Been using a boresnake just for a basic cleaning.

Give me a little help here, already have all the rods, patches, and other accessories of course. I always was taught don't clean from the muzzle.

Thanks

bamaranger · December 13, 2010, 01:06 AM

With a Garand, you've got to work from the muzzle. Put the rifle in a cradle, sights down, gas system up, to avoid liquid into the gas chamber.

Use a muzzle guide to protect the crown. Muzzle wear on original barrels is mostly the result of GI cleaning w/ no guide and steel rods.

I get mixed comments on this one, but for a muzzle only cleaner, you might consider a quality coated rod.

Finally, I have become a fan of the copper cutting foam cleaners, which reduce the need for using a rod considerably.

overland · December 13, 2010, 11:35 AM

I clean mine from the muzzle. You just need to be careful not to nick the muzzle crown. It works fine. The CMP manual that came with mine states that its too be cleaned that way.

Flatbush Harry · December 13, 2010, 11:52 AM

+1 on muzzle guide and from the muzzle. Also, do not use jointed steel rod but rather one-piece rod.

FH

golfnutrlv · December 13, 2010, 12:13 PM

Thanks everyone, just not used to cleaining from the muzzle, was a little leary about it. Already have a good one piece coated Kleen bore rod that I use for my .308 bolt rifle.

Just needed a little reassurance

Thanks

Tim R · December 13, 2010, 01:24 PM

http://creedmoorsports.com/store/home.php

You should be able to find a bore guide at Creedmoorsports. I use one to clean the bores of my M-1's. A Chamber brush is a god idea too.

You don't need to remove the rifle from the stock everytime you clean the bore. The gas system is self cleaning for one and it take a few rounds for the rifle to settle back in to the stock. If you have a tight fitting stock you only loosen it everytime the rifle is taken out.

kraigwy · December 13, 2010, 01:52 PM

More guns are ruined by improper cleaning then no cleaning.

If you can use a bore snake from the chamber end, thats the way to go. If you have to clean from the muzzle use a stainless one piece rod and rod guide.

If you check may surplus Garands, Carbines, etc, you'll find muzzle wear. I really doubt thats from shooting, I believe its from using sectional steel rods.

Coated and alum. rods pick up girt and grim with gets imbedded in the surface and turns the rod into a file.

You'd be better off not cleaning the barrel if all you have is that crap. Just clean the chamber and let it go.

golfnutrlv · December 14, 2010, 09:43 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies. Got a good cleaning in last night on the Garand. Got a lot of blue patches thanks to my bottle of CR-10. Patches are totally white at the end of the day, thanks for reassuring me.

December 12, 2010, 11:50 PM	#1
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	M1 Garand Cleaning Process Alright everyone, looking for some info on cleaning the Garand. Is it ok to clean it from the muzzle?? Been using a boresnake just for a basic cleaning. Give me a little help here, already have all the rods, patches, and other accessories of course. I always was taught don't clean from the muzzle. Thanks __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

December 13, 2010, 01:06 AM	#2
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	not much choice With a Garand, you've got to work from the muzzle. Put the rifle in a cradle, sights down, gas system up, to avoid liquid into the gas chamber. Use a muzzle guide to protect the crown. Muzzle wear on original barrels is mostly the result of GI cleaning w/ no guide and steel rods. I get mixed comments on this one, but for a muzzle only cleaner, you might consider a quality coated rod. Finally, I have become a fan of the copper cutting foam cleaners, which reduce the need for using a rod considerably.

December 13, 2010, 12:13 PM	#5
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Thanks everyone, just not used to cleaining from the muzzle, was a little leary about it. Already have a good one piece coated Kleen bore rod that I use for my .308 bolt rifle. Just needed a little reassurance Thanks __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

December 13, 2010, 01:24 PM	#6
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	http://creedmoorsports.com/store/home.php You should be able to find a bore guide at Creedmoorsports. I use one to clean the bores of my M-1's. A Chamber brush is a god idea too. You don't need to remove the rifle from the stock everytime you clean the bore. The gas system is self cleaning for one and it take a few rounds for the rifle to settle back in to the stock. If you have a tight fitting stock you only loosen it everytime the rifle is taken out. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

December 13, 2010, 01:52 PM	#7
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	More guns are ruined by improper cleaning then no cleaning. If you can use a bore snake from the chamber end, thats the way to go. If you have to clean from the muzzle use a stainless one piece rod and rod guide. If you check may surplus Garands, Carbines, etc, you'll find muzzle wear. I really doubt thats from shooting, I believe its from using sectional steel rods. Coated and alum. rods pick up girt and grim with gets imbedded in the surface and turns the rod into a file. You'd be better off not cleaning the barrel if all you have is that crap. Just clean the chamber and let it go. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

December 13, 2010, 11:35 AM	#3
overland Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2009 Location: Outback of Michigan Posts: 244	I clean mine from the muzzle. You just need to be careful not to nick the muzzle crown. It works fine. The CMP manual that came with mine states that its too be cleaned that way.

December 13, 2010, 11:52 AM	#4
Flatbush Harry Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Posts: 417	+1 on muzzle guide and from the muzzle. Also, do not use jointed steel rod but rather one-piece rod. FH

December 14, 2010, 09:43 PM	#8
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Thanks everyone for the replies. Got a good cleaning in last night on the Garand. Got a lot of blue patches thanks to my bottle of CR-10. Patches are totally white at the end of the day, thanks for reassuring me. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.