Request for advice on loading and extracting snap caps re: my CMP

[HerdingCats]

I picked up a service grade from the CMP, it appears to be in beautiful shape. I had my local FFL check it out -- of course -- and they gave it their blessing. And so, before I take it and my thumb out to the range, I've been practicing loading and unloading with a full clip of Tipton snap caps. And I find that its behavior is inconsistent.

It will always release the bolt when the clip is inserted. I understand that this is normal with new M1s, and this one is immaculate, so I'm going to say this is OK.

But if I cycle through all the caps, loading and extracting a full clip, it will:

-- sometimes (maybe 1 of of 9 rounds) fail to extract the round from the chamber, and so not eject anything
-- sometimes fail to load the next round even with the chamber clear
-- it will sometimes (maybe once of seven tries) fail to eject the empty clip

And so I haven't tried live ammunition or taken it to the range. Now, is this because I'm using snap caps? If I work the operating rod and bolt manually, with snaps caps in 30.06, is this behavior to be expected? Is there anything else I should try next? Or should I take it back to an armorer for a closer look? Thank you!

[RDS]

Try to locate some GI 30-06 dummy rounds. They will work much better.

[HerdingCats]

Ye, thank you, I have some dummy rounds on the way.

[Orlando]

Why are you even using dummy rounds? I have seen them not function in a rifle hand cycling but rifle works perfectly live fire.
Also have you disassembled the rifle, and properly greased it as instructed in the manual?

[HerdingCats]

That's a work in progress. I've got it partially disassembled, lubricated and reassembled. Taking it all apart and reassembling will require a bit more study.

[TJT]

You can't manually replicate the action of the rifle when firing. My guess is it will work fine once you put live rounds in it and pull the trigger. Also, just for the record and your peace of mind, it is impossible to get the dreaded M1 thumb when loading a FULL clip into the rifle. M1 thumb comes from doing stupid things like locking the bolt back and then depressing the follower with your fingers. I've been shooting the M1 rifle for 40 years and have NEVER been bitten. Use it the way it was designed to be used and you'll be fine.
Jon

[lapriester]

No matter how hard you try you will never be able to replicate what happens during live fire when hand cycling rounds of ANY type. It's impossible. Especially snap caps which are designed for single dry fire and were never designed for loading out of an enbloc. Every single "problem" you encountered was a predictable result of hand cycling. Full enblocs will always release the bolt when loaded. If not, your rifle would be malfunctioning and would need repair to correct the timing. Quit dincking around with it. Take it out and shoot it. I'll wager when you do it will function perfectly .

[HerdingCats]

Looking forward to it!

[lapriester]

Ye, thank you, I have some dummy rounds on the way.

Like I said, no matter what you use to hand cycle it won't tell you squat about how the rifle will function....or malfunction. It could seem to feed and function fine and shortstroke, fail to feed, fail to fire, fail to eject or eject the enbloc early, the hammer could follow the bolt forward just to name a few. The dynamics, pressures, operating velocity, friction, vibrations are impossible to replicate and the operation of the rifle relies on all of it.

[Garanditis]

If you thought you already had the addiction, just wait to you get to the range. Fire away, man! And report back. That is all.

[Phil McGrath]

Well, home made dummy rounds work just as good as any USGI dummies do and both are way better than commercial 'Snap Caps". But like everyone has said nothing you can do at the bench will cycle the action like real shooting will.

So hit the range!!

[HerdingCats]

Thank you everyone. This rifle is a crowd pleaser. I get failure to feed once in a while, and once it failed to eject the clip. It seems likely I'm just not greasing it correctly. I will get that sorted out. And, I find my thumb is in no danger at all. Just press down on the clip as best I can -- really need to work on the hand strength -- and give it a little slap. I can't say enough about this rifle.

[Zorba]

M1 thumb comes from doing stupid things like locking the bolt back and then depressing the follower with your fingers.

I did this with my C96 ("Broomhandle") pistol. Once...

[lapriester]

"M1 thumb comes from doing stupid things like locking the bolt back and then depressing the follower with your fingers"

Which also shouldn't happen if the bolt is fully locked back unless you reach way in there and depress it almost all the way to the bottom. Which would REALLY be dumb. You should be able to push down on the follower pretty much all you want, if you keep your hand off the op rod handle, and not release the bolt until it almost bottoms out. If it releases before that you have serious timing problems.