M1 garand bolt won't close help! - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - M1 garand bolt won't close help!

Posted: 9/21/2016 10:45:40 PM EDT

I locked back the bolt on my m1 garand and then tried to close it and now it won't shut. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks!

Posted: 9/21/2016 10:49:54 PM EDT

[#1]

have you recently cleaned and disassembled the rifle? It's easy to put fhe follower arm in wrong, or something like that.

Posted: 9/21/2016 10:51:58 PM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:
have you recently cleaned and disassembled the rifle? It's easy to put fhe follower arm in wrong, or something like that.

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Yep, sometimes the op-rod can get off track too.

Can you post some pictures?

I'd start by taking the trigger group out and separating the stock and action. Usually from there you can get it apart without much trouble.

Posted: 9/21/2016 10:51:59 PM EDT

[#3]

No I just got it today. I'm new to garands so I'm not sure if I did something wrong.

Posted: 9/21/2016 10:57:52 PM EDT

[#4]

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Quoted:
No I just got it today. I'm new to garands so I'm not sure if I did something wrong.

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Ok, if you are new to the garand, here's a quick first tip.

If the gun was not loaded (assuming it isn't) the bolt will lock back if you pull it to the rear. To unlock, depress the follower with your left thumb while holding onto the oprod and applying a little rearward pressure with your right hand. Once the follower is down 1/2" or so, ease the op rod forward and it should go back into battery. Just get your left thumb out of the way!

Posted: 9/21/2016 11:00:01 PM EDT

[#5]

Pull up some YouTube videos and diagnose!

Posted: 9/21/2016 11:04:14 PM EDT

[#6]

Ok will try that, I couldn't figure out how to post photos from my iPhone. Will let you know what happens.

Posted: 9/21/2016 11:07:34 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

I locked back the bolt on my m1 garand and then tried to close it and now it won't shut. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks!

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This might come across condescending but......

Did you try holding the op rod to the rear while pushing the follower down and then see if the op rod will move forwards? Watch out for the Garand thumb

. The rifle might be functioning perfectly normally, but if you're not used to the platform I can see where you might panic when the op rod locks to the rear and won't go back forwards again like an AR.

Posted: 9/21/2016 11:18:28 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

This might come across condescending but......

Did you try holding the op rod to the rear while pushing the follower down and then see if the op rod will move forwards? Watch out for the Garand thumb

. The rifle might be functioning perfectly normally, but if you're not used to the platform I can see where you might panic when the op rod locks to the rear and won't go back forwards again like an AR.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I locked back the bolt on my m1 garand and then tried to close it and now it won't shut. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks!

This might come across condescending but......

Did you try holding the op rod to the rear while pushing the follower down and then see if the op rod will move forwards? Watch out for the Garand thumb

. The rifle might be functioning perfectly normally, but if you're not used to the platform I can see where you might panic when the op rod locks to the rear and won't go back forwards again like an AR.

if you really are totally new to Garands, I would bet this is exactly the problem. if the gun is unloaded, you have to push the follower down. (that's where you would push the enbloc clip in).

don't be ashamed, everyone was new to the Garand once