How to Install a Barrel on the M1 Garand Rifle
Introduced in 1936 and used heavily in WWII, the M1 Garand rifle was formerly the standard-issue weapon to U.S. troops. The Garand is a gas operated semi-automatic rifle and fires a .30-06 springfield cartridge or a 7.62x51 NATO cartridge. The weapon has an effective range of 440 yards. As with all older weapons, parts can become worn and need replacement. Replacing a barrel on the M1 Garand can be done after complete field stripping, and only by using special gunsmith tools.
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Things You'll Need
- Barrel vise with fitted wood blocks
- Action wrench
- Degreaser
- Head spacer
Instructions
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1
Unload the weapon. Visually inspect the weapon to ensure no live ammo is present.
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2
Pull up on the trigger guard and fold it toward the muzzle. Pull the trigger group out of the stock.
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3
Slap the rifle butt firmly. Pull off the stock.
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4
Pull back on the spring arm to unhook it from the action. Pull out the spring.
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5
Pull out the catch assembly pin. Pull out the catch assembly, bullet guide and follower arm.
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6
Pull out the follower. Pull back on the operating rod handle and slightly pull down and outward. Remove the operating rod. Push down on the bolt and slide the bolt out.
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7
Spray degreaser on the barrel and action. Wipe the barrel and action clean of any oil residue.
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8
Secure the barrel between two blocks of fitted wood in a barrel vise leaving the action lug accessible. Clamp the barrel vise down extremely tight.
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9
Attach the action wrench to the action lug. Rotate the wrench counter clockwise to loosen the action lug. Unscrew the action from the barrel.
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10
Screw on the new barrel and hand tighten. Check the barrel head-space using a head-spacer. Screw the action back onto the barrel. Ensure the gas tube hole lines up with the hole in the action lug. Tighten the action lug back down using the action wrench. Reassemble the weapon.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use a piece of brass along with the action wrench to reduce marring the barrel during installation.
Applying sawdust or powder resin to the fitted wood block groove can increase friction and keep the barrel from sliding between the blocks.
Never attempt maintenance on a loaded weapon.
Never point the M1 Garand at anything that you do not intend to shoot or kill.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
