First question for the experts. Short version is my Garand's op rod is really hard to move manually once the bolt has closed on a snap cap.
Here are the details:
Rifle is a recent CMP Special in 30.06, receiver is HRA serial #4698***, 1953 vintage from what I've read online. Haven't had it apart yet, but it should have all the components as described by CMP, including new barrel and walnut stock. Appearance is near new, including the receiver - no pitting or dents anywhere on the outside.
Action works smoothly on an empty chamber. No dragging on the new stock from what I can feel. Spring resistance, lock back and bolt rotation all look and feel correct.
Snap caps are spent shell brass & primers, various head stamps, with what appear to be standard size 150 grain bullets. Overall length matches the PRVI Partizan M1 specific loads I have.
Here's what happens:
From a full clip, bolt will strip off cartridges with occasional forward assistance on the op rod. However, the first time the bolt closed on a snap cap I couldn't pull back the op rod to eject the round. It didn't move at all, even with quite a bit of effort. My first thought was the snap cap was oversized and stuck in the chamber, or the chamber was dirty. I went online to see if there was a recommended procedure. Didn't want to break the extractor. Most common answer was to hold the rifle vertical and gently thump the butt on the floor while applying downward pressure on the op rod. It worked and the extractor looked okay.
So next I cleaned the barrel and chamber, then inserted each of 8 snap caps in the chamber, looking for any overly tight fits. Some were more snug than others, but all could be backed out easily using a fingernail or screwdriver blade. Snap cap sizing doesn't appear to be the problem. Haven't done this with live ammo for comparison due to my inexperience and slam fire possibility.
After confirming that it's okay to do, I then inserted a single snap cap in the chamber and allowed the bolt to close from about 2/3 of its travel. Did this with each snap cap and each time the op rod wouldn't move without the butt thump procedure. I did notice that the force needed to open the bolt seemed to lessen after a few times, so I applied a little Wilson grease to every contact surface I could get to. That seemed to help a bit, but the op rod still won't open the bolt even with a good strong pull.
When the op rod sticks, it won't move at all, as opposed to the resistance point when the op rod contacts the bolt for rotation on an empty chamber (hope I'm saying this right!) No movement as opposed to the slight movement before the first resistance when pulling back.
So my question is, is this okay? If not, what are your recommendations? I don't want to fire the rifle if this could bend the op rod, or worse. It seems like parts wearing in, but there is too much at stake to simply clean, lube and shoot the rifle, IMHO.
Sorry to be so long winded with this. I know it's a tough, robust design - just trying to be careful!
P.S. Forgot to mention, trigger pull on the closed bolt doesn't seem to make any difference. Did some of the butt thumps after pulling the trigger, some not, same results.
Here are the details:
Rifle is a recent CMP Special in 30.06, receiver is HRA serial #4698***, 1953 vintage from what I've read online. Haven't had it apart yet, but it should have all the components as described by CMP, including new barrel and walnut stock. Appearance is near new, including the receiver - no pitting or dents anywhere on the outside.
Action works smoothly on an empty chamber. No dragging on the new stock from what I can feel. Spring resistance, lock back and bolt rotation all look and feel correct.
Snap caps are spent shell brass & primers, various head stamps, with what appear to be standard size 150 grain bullets. Overall length matches the PRVI Partizan M1 specific loads I have.
Here's what happens:
From a full clip, bolt will strip off cartridges with occasional forward assistance on the op rod. However, the first time the bolt closed on a snap cap I couldn't pull back the op rod to eject the round. It didn't move at all, even with quite a bit of effort. My first thought was the snap cap was oversized and stuck in the chamber, or the chamber was dirty. I went online to see if there was a recommended procedure. Didn't want to break the extractor. Most common answer was to hold the rifle vertical and gently thump the butt on the floor while applying downward pressure on the op rod. It worked and the extractor looked okay.
So next I cleaned the barrel and chamber, then inserted each of 8 snap caps in the chamber, looking for any overly tight fits. Some were more snug than others, but all could be backed out easily using a fingernail or screwdriver blade. Snap cap sizing doesn't appear to be the problem. Haven't done this with live ammo for comparison due to my inexperience and slam fire possibility.
After confirming that it's okay to do, I then inserted a single snap cap in the chamber and allowed the bolt to close from about 2/3 of its travel. Did this with each snap cap and each time the op rod wouldn't move without the butt thump procedure. I did notice that the force needed to open the bolt seemed to lessen after a few times, so I applied a little Wilson grease to every contact surface I could get to. That seemed to help a bit, but the op rod still won't open the bolt even with a good strong pull.
When the op rod sticks, it won't move at all, as opposed to the resistance point when the op rod contacts the bolt for rotation on an empty chamber (hope I'm saying this right!) No movement as opposed to the slight movement before the first resistance when pulling back.
So my question is, is this okay? If not, what are your recommendations? I don't want to fire the rifle if this could bend the op rod, or worse. It seems like parts wearing in, but there is too much at stake to simply clean, lube and shoot the rifle, IMHO.
Sorry to be so long winded with this. I know it's a tough, robust design - just trying to be careful!
P.S. Forgot to mention, trigger pull on the closed bolt doesn't seem to make any difference. Did some of the butt thumps after pulling the trigger, some not, same results.
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