Springfield Armory M1 Garand Instructions Manual

3.  Prepare the rifle for loading. Pull the operating rod handle to the
rear until the bolt is securely locked open. 
(See Figure 21-1).
Caution!Make sure the bolt is not simply resting against the follower. (See
Figure 21-2)
.If the bolt is not correctly locked back the bolt may
slam forward while you are loading the clip unexpectedly.
4. Loading a full clip. Grasp the rifle with your left hand just forward of
and under the receiver. Place the butt of the rifle on or against
something fairly solid such...

UNLOADING
1.  Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
2.  Put the safety “ON”
3.  Place the rifle butt against your hip or thigh or support the butt of
the stock on a table or bench. Place your right hand along the
receiver and using your right thumb over the operating rod
handle pull the bolt slowly to the rear. While doing this place your
left hand over the receiver to catch the cartridge as it is removed
from the chamber and ejected. (See Figure 23-1).
4.  Next pull the operating rod completely to the...

FIRING THE RIFLE
WARNING: BEFORE AIMING AND FIRING YOUR RIFLE BE SURE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. KNOW WHERE YOUR 
BULLET WILL BE STOPPED.
When the rifle is loaded and you intend to fire, aim at your target, move the safety to the off position and pull the 
trigger. Expect the gun to fire loudly and recoil. Do not drop the rifle. The M1 Garand will automatically chamber a
live round from the clip after each shot until the clip is empty. When the clip is empty it will automatically eject from
the rifle and the...

CLEANING THE BORE
Boresolvent such as Shooters Choice®or Hoppe’s Bench Rest®(not regular) is recommended when cleaning your M1
Garand bore. Place rifle with sights down and run wet patch through the bore. Let soak for 20 to 30 minutes then run
dry patches through bore until patch comes out clean. Use bronze bore brush sparingly to help loosen particles.
NOTE:Put solvent on brush - not brush in solvent!Clean brush thoroughly afterward with gun scrubber, lighter
fluid, etc. Good solvent will attack the...

MUZZLE PROTECTOR
Springfield Armory suggests their muzzle protector, (See Figure 29-1), 
as a useful addition to M1 Garand storage. NOTE: Not available for muzzle
brake equipped M1 Garand rifles. This low cost cover not only keeps dirt,
moisture and particulate matter from damaging the rifle bore, but also protects
the front sight and bayonet lug from “dings” and mild shock. 
A clean, dry area, secure from children’s curiosity, is ideal for safe 
storage of your M1 Garand rifle.  Always use a gun lock...

DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY
The Standard M1 Garand has been designed to be taken apart and put together easily. No force is needed if it is 
disassembled and assembled correctly. However, the frequency of disassembly and assembly should be kept to a 
minimum. Constant disassembly causes excessive wear of the parts and leads to their early unserviceability and to 
inaccuracy of the rifle.
Please do not field strip your match rifle unless it is absolutely necessary.
THE THREE MAIN GROUPS
The three main groups are...

DISASSEMBLY OF BARREL AND RECEIVER GROUP
Warning: Removing the operating rod spring is a dangerous procedure. If not 
properly held, the spring will eject the follower rod and could injure you or a
bystander. Wear eye protection at all times.
1. Place the barrel and receiver group on a flat surface, sights down, muzzle to the left, bolt closed. Grasp the follower rod and pull it
towards the muzzle, disengaging it from the follower arm. Lift up slightly, slowly releasing the spring pressure, and remove...

4. Lift the follower assembly out of the receiver. (See Figure 35-1).
5. Pull the operating rod to the rear until it is aligned with the rear of the disassembly notch. Using an upward and
outward movement disengage the operating rod from the receiver. 
(See Figure 35-2). Remove the operating rod by
pulling to the rear and then downward. M1 GARAND OPERATING RODS ARE BENT BY DESIGN, DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO STRAIGHTEN OR ALTER YOUR OPERATING ROD.
Fig. 35-1
Always wear eye and ear protection when using any...

REMOVING THE BOLT
Grasp the right lug and, while sliding it forward, lift it upward and outward to the right front with a slight counter-
clockwise rotating motion (See Figure 36-1).
ASSEMBLY OF BARREL & RECEIVER GROUP
REPLACING THE BOLT
Place the barrel and receiver on the table, sights up, muzzle pointing away from you. Hold the bolt by the right lug and
place the rear of the bolt on the bridge of the receiver, with the firing pin tang pointed down. Turn the 
bolt slightly clockwise until the tang of...

40
M1 GARAND EXPLODED VIEW
39 #Name
1Receiver
2Follower
3Follower Rod
4Follower Arm
5Follower Pin
6Bullet Guide
7Clip Latch
8Clip Latch Pin
9Clip Latch Spring
10Stack Swivel
11Stack Swivel Screw
12Gas Cylinder
13Lower Band Pin
14Lower Band
15Op Rod Catch 
Accelerator
16Op Rod Catch Stripped
17Gas Cylinder Lock
18Gas Cylinder Lock 
Screw
19Op Rod Catch Pin
20Op Rod
21Op Rod Spring
22Bolt
23Firing Pin
24Ejector (Bolt)
25Ejector Spring
26Extractor
27Extractor Spring
28Extractor Plunger
29Trigger Housing...