M1 Garand Op Rod: To change or not to change?

[Markus2901]

I am owning a M1 Garand rifle, August 1944 Springfield made in good condition. My problem now is: The operating rod, also spingfied made, is uncut, not modified with cut on bottom.

The question now is: Should I change my op rod with a cut one rod? If not really necessary I would like to avoid it. Op rods are, as the Garand, very rare here in Germany, and expensive. Otherwise I do not want to risk my uncut example...

Gentlemen, please help me with some handy tips!


Markus

[Johnny Peppers]

You did not indicate whether you shoot the rifle or not, so I assume from your concern that you shoot it.

Some op rods made without the relief cut were found to have cracks. It was not widespread, but some did. It was never a hazard as has been reported, but just a stress point in the rod that sometimes cracked. Uncut op rods are fairly hard to find now, as any that went through rebuild were modified. You will just have to weigh the slight possibility of ruining a collectible op rod against the cost of a modified rod for shooting.

[Markus2901]

You did not indicate whether you shoot the rifle or not, so I assume from your concern that you shoot it.

Some op rods made without the relief cut were found to have cracks. It was not widespread, but some did. It was never a hazard as has been reported, but just a stress point in the rod that sometimes cracked. Uncut op rods are fairly hard to find now, as any that went through rebuild were modified. You will just have to weigh the slight possibility of ruining a collectible op rod against the cost of a modified rod for shooting.

Oh, yes, I fogot to mention: I shoot my Garand from time to time, I'm not an excessive shooter. Once a month, 40-50 shots maximum.

[SPECTRE9MM]

Markus,

If it were mine I would change out the op rod when going to the range with a post WW2 one (if available in Germany), that way there would be no concern of breaking the uncut original. I would only keep the original op rod in place when the rifle was displayed.

What are the laws in Germany concerning shipping of gun parts? Op rods are available through many sources here in the states, maybe you can have one shipped over if the law allows.

Kevin

[Markus2901]

Markus,

If it were mine I would change out the op rod when going to the range with a post WW2 one (if available in Germany), that way there would be no concern of breaking the uncut original. I would only keep the original op rod in place when the rifle was displayed.

What are the laws in Germany concerning shipping of gun parts? Op rods are available through many sources here in the states, maybe you can have one shipped over if the law allows.

Kevin

Kevin,

thank you for your answer. Receiving gun parts from a foreign country is not a big deal. Except bolts and barrels as so-called "constitutive parts". In a nutshell: Receiving an op rod from the States is, according to the German laws, unproblematic.

Markus