M1 Clip Early Ejection

2123 Views 24 Replies 12 Participants Last post by tpf68, May 19, 2016

cowpoke

Discussion Starter · May 14, 2016

2

I took my M1 out today rabbit hunting with some friends. It has been awhile since my June of '41 Springfield has been out. The HXP I used functioned great as always. It was a nice change of pace from the usual rabbit hunt, this time donning my WW2 replica cartridge belt and leather flap holster for my .45.

The trusty M1 proved as good, and better (today) as the ARs my friends were using.

However, after maybe my second reload, my rifle started partially releasing the en bloc clip after the fourth round causing a failure to feed. The issue was easily cleared by pushing back on the operating rod with my hand and pressing the clip back into place with my thumb and then sending the bolt home as usual. The stoppage occurred after each remaining shot and then after the third or fourth round fired from each new clip used subsequently.

These clips have been loaded for over a year. That doesn't seem like that would affect them, right? The rifle has never had any other functional issues in the four years I have owned it (CMP Service Grade).

The stoppage is shown in the picture below.

I was unable to duplicate the issue by manually cycling the rounds from the clip.

Any help is much appreciated.

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1 - 20 of 25 Posts

nf1e

· #2 · May 14, 2016

Sure gets the job done. When I was a kid there was a bounty on Jacks in CT.
Now you almost never see one. Even cottontails have fallen victim to coyotes.

Reactions: 2

howardhuges

· #3 · May 14, 2016

Clip latch spring. Me... I would spend the $40.00 and replace every spring in the rifle...clip latch is cheap and had via Orlando who is selling in the FS section now, honest and forthright guy. Those springs may be 70 years old. PS hope you ate Mr cotton tail.

Reactions: 3

howardhuges

· #4 · May 14, 2016

PS Ill give you $600 USD for that malfunctioning old thing....

Reactions: 2

cowpoke

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 14, 2016

howardhuges said:
Clip latch spring. Me... I would spend the $40.00 and replace every spring in the rifle...clip latch is cheap and had via Orlando who is selling in the FS section now, honest and forthright guy. Those springs may be 70 years old. PS hope you ate Mr cotton tail.

Thank you. I reckon it's due for some maintenance. I will give that a shot.

This one was a nasty jack. I like playing on the edge every once in a while, but not sure I want to gamble on eating that nasty thing. My uncle used to always say not to eat a rabbit during months that don't have an "R" in them. I'd probably add a couple months on either end of that advice ha.

cowpoke

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 14, 2016

howardhuges said:
PS Ill give you $600 USD for that malfunctioning old thing....

She's a beaut, for sure!

howardhuges

· #7 · May 14, 2016

Total Kit from fulton Armory...29.99

http://www.fulton-armory.com/images/products/detail/G081.jpg

Reactions: 2

M1AFL

· #8 · May 15, 2016

What kind of en bloc were you using and what was the year headstamped on the HXP?

I have had problem enblocs that caused the same thing to happen in my M-1.

I only use older enblocs for the older (pre 1972) HXP.

NATOBTHP

· #9 · May 15, 2016

Check the tail on the clip release. If it's worn it will also cause those kinds of problems.

cowpoke

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 15, 2016

The en blocs are marked with D A Q letters. Mixed HXP from 70-78. It seems to be a mechanical failure due to the suddenness of the issue. Looks like I need to educate myself on the workings of my M1.
Recent posts have had me wanting to inspect my parts and where they were made. Now might be a good time.

lysander

· #11 · May 15, 2016

Inspect the clips the clip latch spring and the clip latch.

I would check to make sure all your clips have good notches in them, clips were intended to be expendable....

Reactions: 1

MeatyMac

· #12 · May 15, 2016

I'd first suspect the clip latch spring and change it out, but I'd inspect the clip latch, the tip that catches the clip, and I'd also inspect the bullet guide and measure the tip that engages the accelerator on op rod catch for wear, the bullet guide tip should measure .183" new and reject under .179"; if it rejects the tip can be reformed by laying it flat in it's side and peening it back into spec..

I go to Tony at Orion 7 for M1 springs, his new manufacture M1 op rod springs are made of 17-7 stainless steel, I have over a dozen of them in use currently, excellent spring. His spring kits sell for $28 plus freight http://www.m1garand.com/store/m1_garand_spring_kit.html

Reactions: 1

Orlando

· #13 · May 17, 2016 (Edited)

Very rarely is the clip latch itself the cause of the issue
Most causes
#1 clip latch spring
#2 worn lobe on bullet guide
#3 enbocs

Reactions: 1

Jerry M

· #14 · May 17, 2016

Tag for the education.

fyrmastr

· #15 · May 17, 2016

clip latch spring. like HH said change all springs out. i did that when i got my feb 42 SA. got the orion 7 kit.

tpf68

· #16 · May 17, 2016

I have a Winchester M1 that will do the same thing if I use heavily parkarized clips the HXP is loaded into. All of the springs in the rifle were replaced with an Orion-7 kit, no change. If I use older GI clips that don't have the heavy park finish and are smoother, it runs fine. You might try other clips before you start replacing too many parts.

Orlando

· #17 · May 17, 2016

tpf68 said:
I have a Winchester M1 that will do the same thing if I use heavily parkarized clips the HXP is loaded into. All of the springs in the rifle were replaced with an Orion-7 kit, no change. If I use older GI clips that don't have the heavy park finish and are smoother, it runs fine. You might try other clips before you start replacing too many parts.

bullet guide lobe may be close to out of spec

Reactions: 1

Eagle7840

· #18 · May 18, 2016

Magazines are not clips GRR

Orlando

· #19 · May 18, 2016

Eagle7840 said:
Magazines are not clips GRR

?????

tpf68

· #20 · May 18, 2016

Orlando said:
bullet guide lobe may be close to out of spec

Any chance you can elaborate on that or a link that could educate me a little? Thanks.

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