A buddy of mine has a M1 Garand in great shape with one problem. When he fires it the spent shell ejects okay but it fails to pick up the next shell to chamber. He brought it over for me to look at and gave me some .30-06 150 grain SPT ammo that is made in Serbia. I don't know a great deal about these type rifles, but suspect the loads (factory) aren't strong enough to cycle the next shell into the chamber. The only only other issue would be the gas tube fuction, but since it ejects I don't think it's this. I was wondering if I would use US made .30-06 ammo like Winchester or Remington it might function okay and not "Short cycle". What do you gus think?

The M1 REQUIRES a faster powder to function properly and not beat the op rod.Adjustable gas plus work, but I still prefer the correct powder. I know Hornady has a specific section for the Garands. 4895, 4064 WW 748, VV 135 -140 all work great. I used VV 150, but it requires an adjustable gas plug to work. I know there are a couple of companies, Hornady being one that offer specific Garand loads, and I know gold match Federal works well. Make sure the op rod is not binding also.

I think Federal is now making Garand specific 30/06 ammo.

Also I think the CMP still has some surplus 30/06 ammo for sale.

The bolt on the M1 requires grease, not oil. That might be the problem if he isn't greasing the bolt. This web page shows the points:
http://nicolausassociates.com/...0Grease%20Points.jpg

I use military surplus rifle grease and it works fine. It doesn't take much, just a light coating. Also be aware that the operating rod can be damaged if he shoots commercial ammo. Use mil spec or if he reloads stay with IMR 4895 or a similar powder and bullet weights under 175 grains. I use 46 grains of IMR4895 and the Sierra 168 Matchking with good results.

Thanks Guys for your help & information. I'll do as you suggest, but wonder if I would gain anything as far as function, by replacing the factory powder with either H-380 or Accurate 4064 or IMR-4350. I've never owned a semi-auto in .30-06 but had another buddy that owned a Remington Model-4 semi in .270. My reloads of 53.5 grains worked fine in his Remington.

i dunno but i've never had a m1 misfeed even using 4831 powder. first thing i'd do is to make sure that the gas cylinder isn't to dirty and fouled. at the same time make sure the op rod isn't bent

Guys, I pulled the bullets on a few cases and replaced the powder charge with 55.0 grs of IMR-4350. Took the Garand out to test it and on the first shot it didn't rechamber another round. BUT on the second fired round it did strip a fresh shell & chambered it okay. SOOO...I decided to up the powder to 56.0 grs. of IMR-4350 and use the same 150 grain SPT bullet. It should work fine now. However, I will tell my Buddy that he need to clean the gas part of the rifle and check out the parts as well. <Thanks>

unless you have an adjustable gas plug 4350 is WAY to slow and the pressure curve is way off for a Garand. It has too high of pressure at the gas port and it WILL hurt the rifle. IMR 4895 is the mil spec powder and it will always shoot fine and function properly.

Slow powders will eventually ruin the op rod of a Garand.

Short cycling...use IMR 4895, 47.5 grains with a M2 ball..yes 4350 way too slow, pressure curve not good. If still short cycles, op rod tip undersized or gas cylinder oversized by wear.

Op rod tip can be miked but you will need M1 gas cylinder gauges to check gas cylinder.

Any one notice a trend! DO NOT use 4350, if you want the gun to last, "op rod" .

DRS

Try this with your buddies Garand.

With an EMPTY magazine and chamber, close the bolt.

Press on the top of the op rod, on the handle where you grab it to pull it back.

When you press down on it, with your thumb, you should feel the op rod move. When you take you thumb off the op rod it should snap back to its original position rather smartly.

If it does not, then the op rod is "called" dead. The different angles of the bends in the op rod are out of spec.

Usually a Garand will not be accurate with a "dead" op rod.

Try to find a new one, especially one marked NM [National Match] if possible.

Also as stated above if the end of the op rod or the gas cylinder is out of spec, then that can cause malfunctions as well

Have the timing checked

Short cycling could be the ammo.... but it is more than likely a worn op rod tip or worn gas cylinder. It could even be something as simole as the gas port being partially covered when the gas cylinder is locked down.

First verify it isn't the ammo, by using a proven load. 4895 is thepowder for an M1

If the problem persists, change the op rod.. if still happens, chage the gas cylinder.

My bet is it's a worn op rod or gas cylinder.

Let us know how you make out.

I have found that the ammo comming out of Europe is a little on the warm side for me in a Garand, but they do sell it. As mentioned, CMP last time I checked has some surplus, Greek origin, but they quote something like 2900fps which is a bit on the warm side as well. As others have mentioned, IMR4895 powder and the Garand is like eggs and bacon. Would not suggest using commercial ammo on a regular basis due to problems mentioned and if you can find some Lake City produced ammo, you are good to go. There are literally volumes of data out there for reloads on the Garand and good non damaging loads are easy to find w/ a bit of searching. Providing the op-rod and button/piston, gas cylinder are within spec. it is hard to find a more relable self loading rifle. If there is a rifle club in your area and they shoot XC/NM style matches there are probably some using the Garand and those folks more than likely would be glad to take a look at the rifle and suggest some good loads as well.

martin