Springfield Armory M1 Garand Instructions Manual
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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 as your thigh, a table or the ground. Using your right hand place the clip on the top center of the cartridge with your hand extended down the right side of the rifle so that your hand is just forward of the operating rod handle. Push the clip down until it latches. The operating handle and bolt should stay to the rear as long as downward pressure is maintained on the top cartridge. (See Figure 21-3). Caution:Before pushing the clip down into the magazine you must keep in mind that the bolt will slam forward immediately after the clip is latched and you remove the downward force on the clip. So plan to quickly move your right thumb and hand quickly up and to the right to clear the bolt as it slams forward. If by chance you do this too slowly the edge of your hand should catch the bolt and prevent it from smashing your thumb. When loading a Garand clip the first time and thereafter, visualize the entire process including the quick removal of your thumb and hand before attempting it. Only by concentrating on proper loading technique will you avoid an “M1 - thumb.” If the prospect of having your thumb hit by the bolt is unacceptable do not attempt to load your Garand. 21 Fig. 21-1Fig. 21-2 Fig. 21-3RightWrong 5. If the bolt fails to completely strip the first round from the clip it will be necessary to bump the operating rod handle forward with the heel of your right hand to close the bolt. 6. Loading a partial clip. Start by holding the rifle as you would when loading a full clip. (It may help if the rifle is closer to horizontal for this.) Place an empty clip into the magazine and place one cartridge into the clip on either side of the follower slide. Then remembering to keep your hand along the side of the rifle in front of the bolt handle press the second cartridge down with your thumb until it snaps in place. Additional cartridges may be inserted in this manner. Caution:Always keep your hand in front of, not on the operating rod handle to catch the handle and prevent the bolt from slamming forward if the bolt is inadvertently released. (Once attempting this procedure you will realize the benefits of always loading a full clip.) When you have completed adding cartridges, carefully use the edge of your hand to push back against the operating rod handle until the bolt is unlatched. When the bolt is unlatched press the clip down with the right thumb and allow the bolt to start forward pushing the top cartridge toward the chamber. Once this is done remove your right thumb and smartly flip your hand up and to the right allowing the bolt to slam forward and close. 7. It is not recommended that cartridges be loaded one at a time. However, a single loading device is available for NRA competition where loading single rounds is required. 22
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 rear and hold it there. It may be of assistance to grip the rifle with the right hand to hold the bolt completely back. 5. Place the fingers or palm of your left hand over the clip and depress the clip latch with your left thumb. (See Figure 23-2). At this time the clip and cartridges will pop into your left hand. Caution:Do not allow the bolt to move forward while unloading. The top cartridge may get pushed forward and interfere with the ejection of the clip. 23 Fig. 23-1 Fig. 23-2 How to have an empty chamber with cartridges in the magazine. (This cannot be done with a full clip) 1. Point the gun in a safe direction. 2. Pull the operating rod handle to the rear to remove the cartridge from the chamber and hold the handle to the rear. 3. Depress the top cartridge and slowly allow the bolt to move forward overthe top of the cartridge about an inch. 4. Remove your thumb from the cartridge. 5. Allow the bolt to move forward into the empty chamber. Caution:If this procedure is not properly performed a cartridge may be chambered creating a dangerous condition. To avoid this carefully observe the bolt as it closes to make sure that a cartridge is not inadvertently chambered. How to close the bolt with an empty rifle. 1. Place your right hand along side of the open operating rod. 2. Using the edge of your right hand, push the operating rod slightly to the rear and depress the follower with your right thumb. 3. Slowly allow the bolt to move forward overriding the follower. 4. Remove your right thumb. 5. Slowly allow the bolt to move forward until it is fully forward. Caution:Allowing the bolt to slam forward on an empty chamber is hard on the rifle. Avoid it whenever possible. 24 Always wear eye and ear protection when using any firearm. Safety and instruction manuals are available from Springfield, Inc.
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 bolt will lock back. When through firing put the safety “ON” and unload the gun. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. A rifle may be fired from various positions. (See illustrations at the back of the manual.) If you are unfamiliar with shooting a rifle you should get instructions from a competent instructor before attempting to fire your rifle. This manual does not attempt to provide instruction on marksmanship, hunting, self defense or the many other uses of a rifle. Each firearm discipline requires training and practice from a competent instructor. Do not attempt to use any high power rifle such as an M1 Garand for home or neighborhood defense without prior training and consideration of other options. MAINTENANCE Your M1 Garand rifle is one of the finest military-type rifles ever built. Very little maintenance is needed to keep your M1 Garand in superb condition. Disassembly should be kept to an absolute minimum. This is especially true with National Match and Ultra Match rifles, whose actions are glass bedded to their stocks. Unnecessary removal promotes wear, sloppy fit, inaccuracy and defeats the purpose of the bedding. Please do not field strip your match rifle unless it is absolutely necessary. WARNING 25 CLEANING THE GAS SYSTEM The gas system should be cleaned periodically to prevent the build up of carbon deposits and prevent erosion. Use a M10 (See Figure 26-1)or early issue (See Figure 26-2)combo tool to remove the gas cylinder lock screw. Do not attempt to remove the gas cylinder from the barrel as this can loosen the fit and degrade accuracy. Use a cleaning rod, patches, and powder solvent to clean the gas cylinder. Use powder solvent to clean the gas cylinder lock and screw.Heavy carbon build up may need to be chipped or scraped away. Apply a thin film of grease to the gas cylinder lock screw threads when reassembling. CLEANING BORE & CHAMBER The bore and chamber should be regularly cleaned using proper equipment. Modern barrels shoot better when clean. To properly clean the barrel you should remove powder fouling and gilding metal from the bore, clean the flash suppressor and clean various residue from the chamber. When cleaning the barrel, place the rifle upside down to prevent solvent, oil, etc. from entering the stock and the gas system. 26 Fig. 26-3 Fig. 26-1 M10 Combo Tool Fig. 26-2 Early Issue Combo Tool
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 brush. CLEANING THE CHAMBER The chamber should be cleaned periodically with the chamber cleaning brush. The following procedure is used with the rifle assembled and the bolt locked back and the safety on. Apply a light coating of bore cleaner into the chamber, insert early issue combo tool chamber brush into chamber. Work the brush back and forth in a twisting motion several times to scrub the chamber. Remove the brush from the chamber. Use a clean patch to wipe the chamber. Repeat with clean patches until patches come out clean. Do not oil chamber as chamber was designed to operate dry.Fig. 27-1 27 STOCK Once a year, on oil-finished stocks, a light coat of tung oil or boiled linseed oil applied to the exterior wood surface is favorable but not necessary. After applying, immediately wipe wood dry with paper towel. STORAGE Consideration toward safety is paramount in storing your M1 Garand. The rifle should be unloaded with the safety on. A very light film of high quality oil should coat the bore and all metal surfaces. Periodic inspection of your M1 Garand should be performed, especially in environments where high or fluctuating temperatures and/or humidity is present. Use a gun lock when the rifle is stored (See Figure28). Fig. 28 28 Gun Lock Gun Lock Gun Lock Cable Goes Through Barrel
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 when not in use. (Muzzle protector can not be used with gun lock in place.) REAR SIGHT PROTECTOR A rear sight protector, (See Figure 29-2),is available to protect the rear sight aperture and adjustment knobs and is recommended by Springfield Armory. Springfield Armory offers a complete line of options and accessories to accommodate your M1 Garand. Please refer to our general catalog and current price list. Write to: Springfield Armory, 420 West Main Street,Geneseo, IL 61254, or visit our website at www.springfieldarmory.com. Fig. 29-1 Fig. 29-2 29 SIGHTS CAUTION: The sights are not zeroed at the factory. All sights should be “adjusted and sighted in” immediately in order to shoot accurately. A standard sighting in procedure is set forth in the article by Duff and Miller enclosed with your rifle. Note “V” notch at rear edge of hooded aperture. When notch is turned from the “down” position to the up position, your zero will move up a 1/2 minute. When the notch is turned to the “down” position, your zero will move down. Most shooters sight in with the notch down. The M1 Garand standard rear sight does not have a hooded aperture. . MATCH SIGHT FINE ADJUSTMENT Your National Match rear sight, (found only on National Match and Ultra Match rifles), has a 1/2 minute of angle elevation adjustment feature built into the hooded aperture eyepiece (See Figure 30). 2 4 11 A. Elevation Knob B. Elevation Reference Point C. Windage KnobD. Windage Reference Point E. Hooded Aperture Eyepiece Fig. 30 Always wear eye and ear protection when using any firearm. Safety and instruction manuals are available from Springfield, Inc. 30
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 the trigger housing group, the barreled receiver group, and the stock group. Prior to disassembly, put safety on and unload the rifle! Trigger Housing Group Stock Group Barreled Receiver Group Always wear eye and ear protection when using any firearm. Safety and instruction manuals are available from Springfield, Inc. 31 DISASSEMBLY Point the gun is a safe direction. Unload the rifle and close the bolt prior to disassembly (See Page 24) . To remove the trigger housing group place the rifle upside down with barrel pointing away from you. Grasp the forend with one hand. Grasp the rear of the trigger guard with the thumb and forefinger of your other hand and pull upward and outward until the mechanism is released. Lift out the trigger housing group (See Figure 32-1) . To separate the barrel and receiver from the stock, lay the rifle on a flat surface with the sights down and muzzle to the left. Grasp the top of the forend with the left hand and with right hand grasp the rear sights/receiver and pull down. With a standard rifle the stock should separate easily. If not, with the rifle in this upside down position, raise the buttstock and strike down firmly on a hard surface against the stock’s comb while pulling the receiver down with right hand (See Figure 32-2). CAUTION: DO NOT ATTEMPT DISASSEMBLY OF NATIONAL MATCH OR ULTRA MATCH GARAND WITH THE ABOVE METHOD OR THE STOCK MAY BE BROKEN OR DAMAGED. Fig. 32-1 Fig. 32-2 32
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 the operating rod spring and follower rod from the rifle. (See Figure 33-1). 2. Remove the follower arm pin. (See Figure 33-2). WARNING 33 Fig. 33-1Fig. 33-2 Follower Rod Follower ArmFollower Bullet Guide Follower Arm Pin 3. Lift the operating rod catch assembly, bullet guide, and follower arm away from the receiver. (See Figure 34-1). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE ACCELERATOR AND PIN FROM THE OPERATING ROD CATCH ASSEMBLY. Fig. 34-1 Op Rod Catch Assembly Bullet Guide Follower Arm 34
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 firearm. Safety and instruction manuals are available from Springfield, Inc. 35 LEFTLEFT Fig. 35-2 Disassembly Notch Follower Fig. 36-1 BOLT EXPLODED VIEW The bolt should NOT be disassembled. It does NOT require internal cleaning. To disassemble the bolt requires a special re-assembly tool. Any problems with the bolt should be dealt with directly by a professional Springfield technician. 36
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 the firing pin clears the bridge. Guide the left locking lug of the bolt into its groove in the left slide of the receiver. Lower the right locking lug on its bearing surface and slide the bolt halfway to the rear. REPLACING OPERATING ROD Holding the operating rod at the handle, place the front end into the gas cylinder, and posi- tion the rod so that the recess in the operating rod hump fits over the right bolt lug. Move the operating rod handle to the left until the operating rod guide lug fits into the disassem- bly notch on the receiver. Then push the operating rod forward until the bolt is closed. Reinstall remaining components in reverse order. Referring to the drawings will aid in reassembly of the gun. Insure that the extension on the operating rod catch is under the tab of the clip latch. (If you push against the 37 WARNING REFERENCE MATERIALS INCLUDED 1. Department of the Army Field Manual, FM 23-5 2. Zeroing M1 & M1A service rifles by Scott Duff & John Miller. 3. Article on Slam Fire by Wayne FAATZ. If a copy of these articles are missing or additional copies are desired, send request to Springfield, Inc., 420 West Main Street, Geneseo, Illinois 61254, with name and address for a free copy. *TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS MAY BE ALTERED WITHOUT NOTICE. Always wear eye and ear protection when using any firearm. Safety and instruction manuals are available from Springfield, Inc. 38
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 30Trigger Guard, Stamped #Name31Ejector, Clip 32Trigger and Sear Assembly 33Hammer 34Hammer Spring 35Hammer Spring Plunger 36Hammer Spring Housing 37Hammer Pin 38Trigger Pin 39Safety 40Elevation Knob 41Windage Knob 42Aperture 43Base, Rear Sight 44Rear Sight Cover 45Front Sight, Std. 46Front Sight Screw 47New Walnut Stock w/o Hardware 48New Walnut Front Handguard 49New Walnut Rear Handguard 50Butt Plate Assembly 51Rear Swivel 52Butt Plate Machine Screw 53Butt Plate Wood Screw 54Front Ferrule Screw 55Front Swivel 56Front Ferrule 57Handguard Clip 58Handguard Band 59Barrel LEFTLEFT LEFTLEFT LEFTLEFT LEFTLEFT THE FOUR BASIC SHOOTING POSITIONS StandingKneelingSitting Prone 40Springfield Armory M1A Rifle Pictured.