Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

M1 Garand bolt change out

jcoleman
I just purchased a 1954 SA M1 with a IHC bolt I swapped with the proper series SA bolt brand new oldstock will this effect the head space or cause any concern improper lock up it feels positive but I would rather not wear my receiver or bolt upon test firing .Thanks
0

Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • spec.4
    Your replacement bolt needs to be strip down and then check for headspace. Most of the time, it's ok. If you don't have the guages, may want to have an smith do it.

    spec.4
    0
  • Don McManus
    Brownells has go/no-go gauge sets for around $ 50.00.

    http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=52455/pid=26876/sku/_30_06_Headspace_Gauge_Kit

    I use them to check every milsurp rifle I buy, and they are in my pocket at every gun show.


    EDIT:

    jcoleman, the linked go/no-go gauges are headspace gauges, not TE and ME gauges. A properly headspaced bolt closes on the 'Go' gauge, and does not close on the 'No-Go' gauge.
    0
  • nmyers
    If you don't know where your rifle came from (e.g., Civilian Marksmanship Program where it would have been inspected by an armorer), then you should have a technical inspection by a competent gunsmith done anyway. It should cost < $100, far less than a visit to the ER.

    Neal

    EDIT: The only thing that TE & MW gauges tell you is the condition of the barrel. There are many serious problems that can only be identified by a competent gunsmith with a COMPLETE set of M1 rifle gauges.

    "Trust, but verify" ---- Ronald Reagan
    0
  • jcoleman
    Thank you for your time the person I bought it from said it was operational @ time of sale I have TE and Me gauges all is fine in that area just concerned about the bolt swap .Thanks again from a newbe.
    0
  • v35
    Any serviceable, unaltered bolt will fit any serviceable, unaltered Garand and headspace can be expected to be within spec i.e.< 1.951.
    A new bolt will reduce headspace closer to 30-06 minimums.
    0
  • firstharmonic
    quote:Originally posted by v35
    Any serviceable, unaltered bolt will fit any serviceable, unaltered Garand and headspace can be expected to be within spec i.e.< 1.951.


    No. That's why there are headspace gauges. A bolt is a bolt; nobody would swap one out in a 1903 Springfield or a Remington 760 without checking headspace. An M1 is no different. Will the rifle function? Sure will. Will it be safe? Don't know. That's why it should be checked. That's what they do at the Civilian Marksmanship Program as part of their inspection process. And for good reason.

    Edit: John, you really should drop by the CMP's forum at http://www.thecmp.org/forums/index.php , lots of great info there and many experienced M1 guys willing to help. And this GunBroker forum has one of the top experts - Mark Christian - of the M1 Garand world. Mark is on vacation right now but he'll be back. Mark also posts on the CMP forum, but under a different name. Enjoy those Garands.
    0
  • Don McManus
    quote:Originally posted by jcoleman
    Thank you for your time the person I bought it from said it was operational @ time of sale I have TE and Me gauges all is fine in that area just concerned about the bolt swap .Thanks again from a newbe.


    It is important to realize that almost every firearm that failed had fired successfully just one cartridge previously. The Garand is a very safe rifle, and injury due to lack of proper head-spacing is unlikely as compared to the 1941 Johnson, for example. A $ 50.00 investment to verify that everything is proper is, IMO, money well spent.

    Have fun with your new Garand. There are few rifles out there that combine fun, functionality and history like the Garand.
    0
  • v35
    Sorry, "First Harmonic" not to dampen your harmonics but you need to do some research about the history of interchangeability of parts for U.S. service weapons before guessing. I believe the practice dated back to Eli Whitney.
    Commercial firearms may or may not have this interchangeability and revolver internals need fitting but in general, U.S. military small arms parts, including Springfield bolts, are interchangeable.
    Save your money on headspace gages.
    I taught these weapons to company armorers and ran the 7th Division small arms shop for a while.
    0
  • jcoleman
    Thank you all gentleman for your thoughts and experience this is the third Garand I have purchased and I am slooowly increasing my knowledge base of this great weapon. Your time is appreciated.Thanks J.C.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity