Op Rod Bent???

[jpwilly]

Okay, I'm new to the M1 and understand there is a slight bend by design to the Op Rod. So how do you tell if the Op Rod is bent further than it should be? What's it look like? I searched around the web but couldn't find a satisfactory comparison picture of a "good" on and a "bad" one. I'm curious to see what a new op rod looks like compared to a "bent" op rod. Please help.

[ma96782]

Bending Op Rods.


Posted By: Gus Fisher
Date: Tuesday, 10 August 1999, at 7:35 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Oprod. binding (Steve Steven)

Sorry, this won't be a tip on how to do it. You almost HAVE have the 5th echelon Depot Maintenance op rod bending gage to do it quickly and efficiently. On the Navy shop van, that they bring to the Interservice Rifle Matches at Quantico each year, I got a real good class in the 80's after years of doing it without the gage.
I've had four or five mentors that showed me how to do it without the gage and it's more of an Arcane Mystery than a science. Jerry Kuhnhausen asked me for info on bending rods, but there was/is no way to describe it on paper. Too many variables. One of the main problems is that it appears you bend the op rod in the opposite direction of where you want it to go. Sound confusing? YEP, that's the problem! To my knowledge, new op rods were bent to a gage when manufactured. Therefore, replacement is the easiest way for most people. I keep one new op rod around, to use as a gage, and compare binding op rods to it for re-bending.

Use the tilt test to see IF it's binding somewhere.

Aloha, Mark

[Ben Hartley]

JP:

Yep, the M1 operating rod is intentionally "crooked as a dog's hind leg." How crooked is too crooked?

Try the tilt test using your operating rod, bolt, and barrel/receiver group. If your rifle/operating rod combo passes, the rod's OK. If not, the rod may be bent too much or in the wrong direction.

One well-known source for operating rod repair at reasonable prices is Jim Swartz, who may be contacted at:

jswartz280@aol.com

Can't help you with pictures, I'm afraid.

HTH

Ben Hartley

[Righteous]

just shoot it, if it stays in when ya shoot it its not bent, if it jumps out of its track then it is, no big deal

[Orlando]

A Op Rod that is bent out of spec will not normally "jump track" A Op Rod will "jump track" if the Op Rod tab is worn out of spec. If the Op Rod is bent out of spec you can have function problems from it rubbing on the stock, etc.
If you aren't having any function problems dont worry about it.
Good Shooting

[Dookiebutt]

Does it show any dents, creases, or areas where the park is rubbed off?

[kygunsmith]

"Ya'all better leave them op rods alone.!!" The rod has a necessary change of axis to align the gas tube with the lower & variable axis for the handle ext & bolt cam. This bend is obvious in a vertical plane. Only a slight bend is permissible in the horizontal plane. Otherwise the rod will tend to jump track to the right or rub out to left. I am diagnosing a M1, now, that has a bolt-binding issue about 3/4 inch from rearmost travel! I have changed other pert parts and am going to switch out the op rod tomorrow. Hmmmm!

[Full MeTal Jack]

Originally Posted by Ben Hartley

JP:Try the tilt test using your operating rod, bolt, and barrel/receiver group. If your rifle/operating rod combo passes, the rod's OK.
Ben Hartley

The tilt test is: Remove barreled action from stock.
Remove op-rod spring and follower rod only.
Keep the op-rod and bolt connected.
Tilt action at 45 degrees back and forth. the action should open and close freely. If something is binding you should be able to see it.


The Garand rifle is one of a few that require grease. "Search" the grease points.

CMP Home
Check the Garand Tech link
Throughly check site. Lots of info. And get yourself in to club so you can shoot your Garand in a rifle match.

[quote=kygunsmith;479780]"Ya'all better leave them op rods alone.!!" quote]

l

[jpwilly]

Great, mine is fine! Thanks for all the replys I couldn't find any info this good surfing the web and you guys delivered the the goods.