Hollywood
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M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< on: March 4, 2007, 07:07:59 PM >> Quote
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Could some one please post how long (not under tension) the recoil spring for the M1a and M1 Garand should be new and at what length is replacement required.
Thanks.
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #1 on: March 4, 2007, 07:56:12 PM >> Quote
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Free length for the M14 op rod spring is 15.23". Free length for the M1 op rod spring is 20.25". Haven't seen any reference to shorter, used, lengths as a criterea for replacement. You'll generally start seeing flat spots from the spring rubbing inside the tube, which will be your indicator for replacement. HTH
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RevWarVetAssoc Instructor
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #2 on: March 4, 2007, 08:01:46 PM >> Quote
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My M1 book (S. Duff - The M1 Garand: Owner's Guide) gives a length of "between 19-3/4" and 20-1/4". Free space of less than 1/32" or greater than 1/8" between individual coils is considered unacceptable."
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #3 on: March 4, 2007, 08:04:34 PM >> Quote
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If you need a replacement Garand op rod spring, consider the stainless ones from Orion7. I've used those for all of my replacements and haven't looked back. Buy the five (or six?) pack and share the wealth!
No strong opinion on M14 springs. I just shoot my Garands lately.....
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Hollywood
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #4 on: March 4, 2007, 08:25:18 PM >> Quote
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Thanks, one of my springs is in spec, the other out, but I will replace both with the Orions. Samantha and Honey (My two new CMP garands) deserve the best :-) Now they need one more friend so I can use the stacking swivel :-)
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Lend your voices only to sounds of freedom
No longer lend your strength to that which you wish to be free from
Fill your lives with love and bravery
And you shall lead a life uncommon
-Jewel
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #5 on: March 5, 2007, 11:02:56 AM >> Quote
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this is a timely thread as I just had my M14 style rifle rebarreled and while the gunsmith was looking at it he said the recoil spring was over an inch longer than a standard spring. It was very strong and I never new why because I didn't have one for comparison purposes. I wonder if it had been an M1 spring that someone cut down??
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Junior Birdman
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #6 on: March 5, 2007, 11:23:08 AM >> Quote
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I don't think so, IIRC the M14 spring is about twice the diameter of the M1 spring. Maybe just one of those super extra stout aftermarket springs installed? JB
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #7 on: March 5, 2007, 11:41:30 AM >> Quote
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M1 max length 20.25" free length (when in doubt replace spring with known good spring, Orion 7 seem to be the best right now.) The minimum compressed length is determined by compression gauge using 16lbs of force. Just look for wear and measure the overall length.
M1A max length 15.23" testing requires a various weights at at various lengths.
The longer spring is likely a Wolff or some other aftermarket spring.
Generally speaking a bad idea unless you are firing some really heavy ammo.
Hollywood
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #8 on: March 26, 2007, 07:23:48 PM >> Quote
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So do I measure the pieces and add them together.
This is what was in my CMP Garand. This was a field grade, and believe it or not, it shot fine. The short piece where in first down at the bottom of the op rod hole. Been replace with the orion. Funny when I disassembled it first I did get the other pieces out because they where stuck in with grease and then couldn't figure out why the new spring wouldn't fit.
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Lend your voices only to sounds of freedom
No longer lend your strength to that which you wish to be free from
Fill your lives with love and bravery
And you shall lead a life uncommon
-Jewel
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Will I ever be as good as I was?
RevWarVetAssoc Instructor
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #9 on: March 26, 2007, 07:46:05 PM >> Quote
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I'll bet it was hammering the heck out of the op rod and bolt on recoil though. I had a diesel that had a broken spring (2 places) on the #6 cylinder exhaust valve. Drove it like that a couple years and several thousand miles till it finally broke the rocker arm shaft (it was hammering the heck out of the other pieces due to low spring pressure). I put it in the Chevy dealer's garage and they "fixed" it for me for $350. One year later it broke the new rocker arm shaft in the same place. That time I tore into it myself and found the broken valve spring. By the time I found it and replaced that $2.85 spring it had cost me well over $500 letting other "mechanics" work on it. Your rifle is well broke in and "smooth" so once that short spring (usually a short coil spring has more spring tension when compressed than the longer spring - see info on cutting coils off coil springs on cars) was compressed it bounced that op rod back forward with enough force with your well broken in action to still get the job done. I think finding stuff like this is neat because most folks will tell you there's no way a rifle will work in that condition. If something like that that were to happen again I wonder if (being aware of it) it would be possible to put the longer piece into the op rod, turn it so that the long piece "threaded" down between the coils on the broken part and would then remove the short piece when pulled out? Something to keep in mind.
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fred
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Re: M1A/M1 Recoil SPring Length
<< Reply #10 on: March 26, 2007, 08:15:46 PM >> Quote
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Can add the info that a broken op rod spring on an M1A will not stop the rifle, as had one break - and only found out when took rifle apart for cleaning (like, once a year - no telling how long it had been broken). [That's the annual complete field cleaning - of course I cleaned bore, chamber, and gas piston/cylinder nearly every time before I shot - and kept it lubed...)
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