M1 Garand Disassembly

This is the second part of a multi-part series about the M1 Garand service rifle. If you haven't yet seen part one, check it out here!
• The M1 Garand
In part 2, I show you how to do a field strip of the M1 rifle, while also bringing up some info here and there. A field strip is when the rifle is taken apart down to basic parts, while keeping it relatively uncomplicated so that it can quickly be put back together. The purpose of a field strip is to do basic maintenance in the field without damaging or losing any parts in the process. Hope you enjoy!

[@mikeks8181]

I Just Received mine From the CMP! Excellent Video for Us Newbies! Going to be Rewatching this video Over And Over for awhile. Thank you for the information! Simple and to the Point

[@waganupajim2865]

Your vides brought back memories. I served in the Marine Corps 1961-65. I was issued my M-1 in boot camp and carried the same weapon until late 1962 when we were issued the M-14 witch I carried until my discharge in 1965. The big M-1 was not a surprise to me because I had hunted with big rifles all my life. What did impress me was how well built it was. That 2 week I spent at old camp Mathews was a time I will never forget. You mentioned the ping, we were trained to reload a new clip very fast, unless the enemy was in the next fox hole there is know way he could have gotten to me. Sorry for my ravings.

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

Sir there is no need to apologize to anyone. Thank you so very much for your service to our nation, I really cannot put into words how grateful I am of our veterans, especially those who served in not-so-calm times such as yourself. I'm grateful to have you online and within our community here on youtube and it's great to hear first-hand experience about such an amazing rifle. Thank you again, and keep shooting. -Mr. 2nd

[@NoQuestions4sked]

did you make nam

[@cplpinker]

Thank you for your Service, and Thanks your comment .

[@tomhocking895]

I went thru Basic with an M1 in 1963. I got good training, and was fortunate to achieve the 2nd highest qualification score in my company. I wanted a tank, and the Army sent me to the Fulda Gap in Germany just as the M-14s were being issued ('meh'). Just before I left for home, we began hearing rumors that the Army's newest rifle was going to be...a PLASTIC .22! We laughed because it was early March, and we figured it was to be an April Fools' joke! lol Now I've got THREE M1s and one M-14 in my collection (and three of those plastic .22s). BTW-- I was a wiry 125lb kid (in Basic) but we never thought of the M1 as "heavy"; it was what it was, and we didn't know anything else. These 'new guys' must be a bunch of poosies!

[@hugebartlett1884]

I hadn't realised before now just how neat and practical the Garand M1 was. The American soldier was fortunate to have it available in time for the war. Thanks for this demonstration.

[@gtaclevelandcity]

Wait, that compartment in the stock is for a cleaning kit? I that that was a convenient dual cigar holder....

[@unappropriate1]

This video makes reassembly seem easy. Way easier than other videos I have seen. Thanks.

[@Kau75]

I just got my Garand from CMP last weekend; I enjoyed your presentation thoroughly! thank you for sharing.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

In the William Wharton novel "A Midnight Clear" set in WW2, one character, Bud Miller, is described as winning bets by taking down and re-assembling the M1, the carbine, the BAR and other weapons while blindfolded. He is depicted as a mechanical genius, though. The M1 alone seems complicated enough.

[@IBDaddyO]

Excellent, well thought out vid. You are obviously very knowledgeable on this rifle. Thank you.

[@5thgrenadier]

Remarkably well done. Appreciate your time on this! Question: how often should you strip and clean it like this?

[@andrewkenseth4814]

I am awaiting my CMP Special M1 Garand currently. This video was exceptional and I will be using this video for my future field strip lessons. Thanks for making such an informative and relaxed tone video. I do have one question, where did you purchase (what brand if you know) the ammo belt? I've been looking around on the Internet for one and there seems to be a lot of choices. Thanks, I subscribed and I look forward to watching more of your videos!

[@poncoolride]

This was VERY helpful, and a well thought out and executed video, thank you.

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

Glad you enjoyed it, part 3 is on the way but there's a lot I need to backlog before I do that one. Thanks! -Mr. 2nd Amendment

[@boscoboggie]

Great job!! Proud of your info and a part of history.👍

[@Reverend1776]

One of the most informative and easy to follow vids...thanks 2nd.

[@mikewaltz3433]

Thank you so much for posting this video....I haven't been able to shoot my M 1 for over a year and I couldn't figure out how I messed up....simple fix and will be shooting it before the end of the week....

[@MrSliderJack]

Thank you very much for your video! I was concerned my oprod was bent. Thanks a lot for all the tips and the help. It is much appreciated!

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

Thank you for the comment and for watching, glad you enjoyed it! I would only do this maybe once a year or so, but it really depends on usage. I would do this EVERY time you shoot any corrosive ammo or bring your rifle through the rain or wet conditions. For casual shooting, I'd just clean the barrel and action, but you definitely don't want to do this every time you shoot -it puts wear and tear on the gun and your tools when it really doesn't need it. Once a year or once every 1,500 rounds.

[@falconmoose1589]

I keep a very valuable chamber brush in the stock along with grease.

[@davidbundesen5867]

Outstanding video. Very clear.

[@vincentmelini9129]

Nice detailed video. I appreciate the effort 👌🏽

[@ptpatrickusmc]

Just happened across this. Great video. I bought an M1 through a military surplus sale when I was a 2ndLt in training at Quantico in 1991. Its gorgeous and I've only fired it a few times. Time to clean it;)

[@roberttosa2560]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@iceeman32y]

Just started collecting military rifles. I have a m1 Garand and a Romanian SKS also a socom 11 7.62x51. Thanks for the very informative video. Just wish my m1 was as easy to take apart as my Daniels defense AR15. THANKS AGAIN. JAMES H.

[@YankeeLake]

Excellent video.

[@tubularfrog]

Fine video on M1 Garand take down. Thanks.

[@cplpinker]

Came accost your Video. I need to clean my Winchester M1 Garand and this was helpful where as I don't shoot it enough or stay familiar with it enough. Thanks again.

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

Great video. Brings back good memories of military school where we did this daily-along with cleaning-for the first few weeks and then, after Plebe status, weekly. But admit it: This is really a drinking video and the drink word is “op-rod,” right?!?! (I’d be four sheets to the wind by now....)

[@rajenderprasad940]

Fantastic guidelines 🙏

[@petercosgrove6363]

Thank you I am learning a lot from your vids

[@thergcap]

Very good instructive video

[@fontuckydick1]

I have a Springfield Garand and did a field strip and noticed the pin that goes through the upper rear hand guard ring is missing. It goes through the steel ring and passes through a notch in the barrel and stops at other side of ring. This is a new Garand and I havent fired it yet. It should not be fired without the pin, correct?

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

Quite honestly I don't understand what is happening with the rifle and I would consult a gunsmith well-learned on the M1 rifle. When in doubt, it's a good idea to have a competent gunsmith look it over, especially with the pressures and forces going on in the M1 rifle.

[@Bobdangerzone]

This popped in my recommendations at a strange time. I got a m1 garand not to long ago and just before I went to bed I was discussing that I should clean some eternal parts, but then this popped up

[@motor4027]

Nice video. Looks like a sprinfield stock

[@jerrywallis8825]

Biggest problem with M1 is the safety hard to use. So yes I will take them apart to fix. I take care of about 14 M1s for the honor guard.

[@jamesm1755]

highly valuable video

[@axios659]

when i reassemble my m1 i cant get to op rod to go forward in the track... like it'll go into the track at the catch point where it can be removed but i cant get it much further up the track than that. i managed to get it all the way to the breach without the bolt in but cant seem to do it with the bolt. any advice?

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

You insert the bolt into the receiver and make sure it rolls into its tracks and operates properly. Then you roll the bolt back into the receiver heel so that the lug of the bolt is all the way to the rear and above the catch point. Then you insert the piston head of the op rod into the gas cylinder, then line up the op rod handle with the catch point and bolt lug. At this point it may take some up and down jiggling to get it all together with the op rod in the track, but once it's in, the op rod should now be able to advance and bring the bolt with it. It should not require any real force, it's all about lining up the op rod and bolt with the track and making it all fit right. If you're having a terrible time getting it lined up right, take it to a gunsmith and have him check it out. Any gunsmith should know how to do it and if there's a legitimate problem they should be able to at least tell you what's wrong and figure out a solution. The worst case scenario is that the op rod is bent too much, usually by shooting modern ammunition not made to the right specs and gas pressures required for the M1 Garand. The op rod should appear bent when viewing it from the side -the actual design calls for two strategic and intentional bends in the op rod piston cylinder itself, but when viewed from the top, the op rod should appear straight. Did you have a hard time with the op rod when you took it apart?

[@axios659]

sorry for the week long wait on a response, my m1 was bone dry... she just needed some grease and moved just right. thank you for the response, very much appreciated!

[@unclewiddy]

good job

[@AnonYmous-gw5it]

Very good video and thanks for sharing it. Just a small thing: but don't you think you lean a little hard on that word "basically"?

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

I mean, basically it's just a basic video that basically covers the M1 Garand basics. Ha. I've gotten a little better trying to make the videos easier to watch, I can't promise professional presentations but I try. Just an average dude making gun vids, but I appreciate the comment! -Mr. 2nd

[@EdUSAF]

The Op Rod Person was a craftsmen for Sure!!!

[@YankeeLake]

3 (three) Go-NoGo jigs (templates) for quality control after jig-bending. Pretty crazy.

[@5thgrenadier]

That helps a lot-thanks much!

[@1997LT1Camaro]

The underside of the proximal barrel needs to be greased, where you see the wear in the video, along with the bolt. Im sure you know this, but just throwing it out there.

[@josefornell2215]

VERY GOOD,VERY GOOD,THE BEST.

[@jeangloor6624]

bravo merci

[@user-er9ol1qq3h]

我最喜欢的一款枪支👍👍

[@alanholt7320]

Basically?

[@vblake530530]

Came because my dad carried an M1 in WW2 and Korea, and I was curious about it. I bet you could do that with your eyes closed. I’m so confused. Will have to watch this at least 10 more times.

[@feraligatorade99]

My m1 garand's upper receiver rocks up off of the stock. How can I fix this?

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

I need some more information. Does it happen after you've locked the trigger group into the upper group? The upper group should rotate down into the stock and the trigger group sandwiches the stock between the upper group and the trigger group once you snap the trigger guard closed.

[@feraligatorade99]

No, the rocking occurs all the time, regardless of the trigger group positioning. The entire upper receiver (including the barrel) kind of teeter-totters in the stock. After browsing many a CMP forum post, I have come to think that the problem is the stock not fitting tightly enough. I'm either going to replace it, or just throw some shims in it to hold it together more tightly.

[@feraligatorade99]

And by the way, I really enjoyed this tutorial. Being a relatively new Garand owner, I found it delightful to discover how easy it is to take the gun apart into its basic groups.

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

Pyro The Gladiator Good stuff. The M1 is a service rifle, and most of what's left today was utterly abused. It will be normal to have some play, not everything might fit perfectly -but we should be worried about serious "jiggle" because it will affect accuracy and more importantly it could break the stock or be a safety issue. Does your stock have a metal end cap where the sling swivel connects? The barrel band should hook into the metal "U-shaped" end cap that should be affixed onto the stock (where the sling loop is), and then the upper half rotates downward.

[@feraligatorade99]

Yup, mine has the metal end cap. I did find a temporary solution though, I wedged two pieces of paper that I folded several times into the spot where the stock's metal end cap connects. This helped pivot the rear end of the stock upward into the receiver, and made it fit much tighter. The only thing I'm worried about is that there's paper near the barrel and that might become a problem.

[@malikraees1357]

I have M1 granad in pakistan counverd in 8mm

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

Wow. Is that a Khyber Pass rifle? That would be really interesting to see.

[@bajajoes1]

Imagine how much weight could be saved with a synthetic or carbon fiber stock & some special metals to lighten the M1! I would bet you could go to a 6 lb. weapon!

[@sander7165]

The recoil would be worse though and it would look as good

[@phillipperkins4366]

Yes maybe but then that .30-06 would beat the crap out of you. Firing it once or twice, no problem. But using it in combat? You would probably be ready for a nap afterwards.

[@itsnodawayitustabe5654]

Big Daddy to AK

[@pickleball456]

“There’s so much grease in this thing.....”

[@falconmoose5435]

Clean the gas cylinder.

[@robertcomer1162]

Ex ok I'm

[@phillyphilhouse79]

Jesus. I thought the M16/M4 had a lot of parts when it came to the bolt. This shit is confusing. LoL

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

Yeah, you definitely don't want or need to take apart a M1/M1A bolt unless something breaks or you got to swap a firing pin or something. That ejector spring makes it all under a lot of pressure, and it's one of those "I wish I had 3 hands" jobs.

[@phillyphilhouse79]

@@Mr2ndAmendment I just separate the barrel from the stock and run a snake thru the barrel. Clean the chamber, etc and put a coat of oil on it. It shoots with zero issues unlike the AR family of rifles. I've got the national match with the chrome barrel. Its spot on accurate! I love my M1A. My AR15 is pretty accurate too, but nothing beats the feel of watching a physical target like a water melon, bowling pin or brick explode after I shoot it with the M1A.

[@phillyphilhouse79]

@@Mr2ndAmendment So how did the military make you break it down and clean it? This would be a serious headache to do whether its in the arms room or out in the field.

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

@@phillyphilhouse79 How do we have to clean our M4/M16s or how did guys have to clean their Garands/M14s? I've carried an M4 in Afghan and a M4A1 in Iraq, both theaters presented their own challenges with the conditions. Between the modern M4 design, and the ammunition we're issued (M855A1), and using PMags, I'm set. I love my Garand, but if I'm going into harm's way again, I'm taking an AR15-pattern rifle again, even if I had the option to choose anything I wanted. On my issue M4s and personally-owned AR15s, I've had great success with reliability, and field maintenance isn't that bad. In the field, you generally don't take anything apart beyond taking out the BCG and charging handle. Wipe off any carbon or sand/dust, reapply lube, and put it back together. You can do quick field maintenance this way, and push/pull the bolt till you see the gas rings in the vent holes of the carrier, apply drops of oil in there, relube the raceway rails of the carrier and bolt cam, and you're good. That works for a quick job, but the only step beyond this is to take apart the BCG. You can flip the charging handle upside down on a table, and place everything inside the recess of the charging handle to keep it all together while you clean. It's not that hard, and doesn't need to be done often, I've seen AR15s/M4s go thousands of rounds without cleaning and it's not an issue. It'll get filthy with carbon, but it just vents out what it doesn't want and keep going.

[@phillyphilhouse79]

@@Mr2ndAmendment I was there for the invasion of Iraq with the 101st as an 11B. Did time as a door gunner at first, than we were released back to out infantry units in May 2003. They made us clean our weapons everyday over there I remember. Did 2 more tours in Iraq and 1 more in Afghan as a contractor. That was good times and good money. Left to finish bachelors which I completed last december. So worth it.

[@m1garand933]

**ping**

[@turk5832]

Way too complicated to wrap my pea brain around! I'll let my gunsmith take care of this!

[@jerrymartin7732]

One of the worst demos I've ever seen but I'm saving it as an example of what NOT to do as a demo.

[@paulfrehley7352]

Well done, but if this guy says "basically" one more time I think I'm going to explode. I have never heard someone use a completely useless/uneccesary word so many times in such a short period of time.

[@sqwk2559]

Do Not Over-grease any gun. EVER!