Surface corrosion on barrel

[1985Oldvet]

Hello, newly bought M1 Garand rifle. While I was taking it apart to clean it I ran into some surface corrosion on the upper part of the barrel under the removable piece of the stock. Is this something I need to worry about and replace the barrel or just get the corrosion stopped?

[Smokey]

I've often found corrosion in this area. It traps and holds moisture causing rust unless it's coated with grease at assembly. Use a good rust and corrosion remover, being sure to get it out of the pits. Oxpho Blue does a decent job of protecting otherwise bare metal. The barrel is probably OK to use assuming the inside is good. Get some grease and put a thin film on EVERY metal surface on every part as you reassemble your rifle. Also be sure to grease these areas (along with everything else) for proper function:

https://www.garandgear.com/m1-garand-grease/

[1985Oldvet]

Thank you Smokey for the reply. Yeah, I ran a borescope down in that area and it actually looked good. I agree, I'll clean it up really good and apply Oxpho Blue. As I'm reassembling I'll put a light coat of grease on the affected area before installing the hand guard.

[danny]

I would be more concerned with the rot on the front of the receiver.

Danny

[Smokey]

Temperature/humidity changes will leave condensation in multiple places inside the stock and other places that will trap and hold moisture. Grease stays put for years and will provide a protective film with the Parkerizing (which doesn't protect very well from corrosion by itself) to hold it in place. That's why I advocate coating every surface inside the stock with a film of grease. Unless you live in a dry, high dust environment, you will have no problems with dust and crud buildup. I live in the east, where extremes of humidity and temperature will leave the interior wet for days. The grease film was clean and still in place with rifles I disassembled decades later and NO rust.