[Orlando]

I wonder what happened to the Original Poster?

 

[TheJoker]

It doesn't appear that he has dropped by in almost a month.

I do appreciate him starting this thread. It was a great help for me.

 

[rhilde]

Clip latch next

I'm back. I had to wait for an order of surplus M-2 ammo. I went to the range last week and got pretty much the same results, early eject after #4 most clips (8) and after #7 on all. Recall I've replaced both the Op rod and clip latch springs. My clip latch spring was as worn as the Jokers. So it looks like the next step is another clip latch. I'll check the dim's on the present one best I can.
I'm somewhat relieved that I wasn't the only one. 1 in 5 million is a little long odds even with my luck. (I got drafted on Friday the 13th)

 

[TheJoker]

There were several clip latches for sale on Gunbroker.com & EBay. Good Luck!

Here you go:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=230161430

http://cgi.ebay.com/M1-Garand-HRA-Clip-Latch-NICE-/220782805268?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3367ae4114

 

[Orlando]

Inspect the clip latch first before randomly replacing parts. Having a worn clip latch is pretty rare. My offer still stands on the bullet guide. If the lobe is worn out of spec it can cause your issues

 

[rhilde]

Clip latch bullet guide

The enblocs I have are all fairly new. At most some have been used 3 - 4 times, most only once.
No offense to Garand Gear, but the dimensions they say to check on the clip latch seem meaningless to me. Wear is on the top and contact with clip (inner) surfaces of the rear lug and top only of the forward lug. There is no wear of the Parkerize forward or rear on either lug.
I have, according to Garand Gear a newer bullet guide with the notch. How loose should the fit be between the receiver legs?
So it appears that the only thing not replaced is the latch?

 

[Orlando]

Are they USGI enblocs?
Do they have excess parkerizing?
Were to the finish means nothing as to if parts are new or notr. They may have been reparked
Measure the bullet guide tab/lug height 179 max, .175 min.

 

[rhilde]

Bullet guide

The cam on the bullet guide dimension appears OK. But looking at the photo here, "http://www.garandgear.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=39:how-tos&id=86art-inspection" and at "www.surplusrifle.com/garand1/rifledisassembly/" the cam lug appears to be straight and at a 90 degree angle. Mine has a distinct curve. If those photos are accurate and not optical illusions then my bullet guide is bent down forward the hole as it is installed. Is that possible?
Photo attached?

 

[Ericc]

Time for a new bullet guide. It should not be bent.

 

[gunnerdave]

+1

After you install the new guide, you might try and straighten the old one if you have something that will fit in the flat part behind the nose.

I've read where one can peen the nose, but haven't seen one bent like that.

 

[rhilde]

Part being shipped

I have the replacement being shipped. (Tried Orion but they didn't answer their phone ) The bent part is history. Molecular-ly the metal has been stretched and it isn't going back without heat treating, etc. I wouldn't want it to break, especially when I don't know how it got bent. I'll be checking the replacement after it's first trip to the range. Orlando knew the culprit but we don't know the cause. I suspect hot commercial ammo without an adjustable gas port, but have to wait and see.

 

[Orlando]

Someone may have purposly bent it trying to fix timing issue, function problems.I doubt firing commercial ammo would have done that. Its possible you may have other parts that will need replaced also.

 

[rhilde]

Full circle

Someone may have purposly bent it trying to fix timing issue, function problems.I doubt firing commercial ammo would have done that. Its possible you may have other parts that will need replaced also.

So we have gone full circle back to my original question of "parts" needed.

I'll install the new one later this week when it gets here and go to the range and see what happens. No regrets for having new springs, they would have had to be replaced sooner or later in this process. And as far as the clip latch itself is concerned, I agree with you that it probably won't need replacing. Those width of the lug dimensions have nothing to do with operation only if they interfered with the receiver holes or op rod catch.

 

[M14man]

Just think how much this problem taught you, in how the Garand actually functions.
When you have a problem, and you examine and try parts, you actually understand the hows and whys.
It is a good thing.

 

[rhilde]

John Garand

John was an engineering genius. Only 72 parts, yet reliable and great to shoot even as mine is 68 years old. And I like it a lot better than the M-16 I had in service. Plastic versus walnut. No choice there. Can't wait for the part and get back to the range.

 

[Orlando]

So we have gone full circle back to my original question of "parts" needed.
.

We started with the simplest and most common parts to replace that cause the issue you were having.
Parts all work together and its not always just a simple one part fix. Instead of buying a half dozen parts that it "could" be its best to go one at a time.
When you have it apart take a close look at the follower arm and follower rod look for wear or bends.

 

[rhilde]

Parts check

I'll check the follower arm when I put in the new bullet guide when I receive it later this week. I checked the follower rod when I attached the new spring. Then it's off to the range to see if that works. Thanx for all your advise. I'll get there.

 

[rhilde]

Mixed results

The first clip went fine, then subsequent clips had varying results from all 8 to one where it tried to come out every round after the 3rd. It seemed like the clips with the top round on the right worked better.
Question.
Isn't the bolt supposed to start forward once the clip locks in place? I push the clip in and have to take the heal of my hand and push the lever back slightly, then the bolt will go forward.
The follower arm was fine. And the new bullet guide stayed straight. You can see a difference when side by side.

 

[Ericc]

It's normal to have to bump the op-rod on a full clip to get it to close. Are you using the same clip over and over? If not you might mark the ones popping out and see if your problem is common to those.

Eric

 

[rhilde]

Clips

I'm not using the same ones. I've picked up several bandoleers at various gun shows and am using those for the 1st time, I still have 3 to go before starting 2nd use. I hadn't previously paid attention to loading in detail but am at the stage where I've replaced all the obvious parts?? It could be the different lots of the M-2 ammo. Still, different lots causing the same problem?