M1 Garand - problem chambering the first round

[Seamonkey]

oh wise ones, guardians of the Internetz knowledge base, I humbly ask for your guidance and bring offerings of spent brass.

Having an issue loading the first round on an M1 Garand. It appears as if the ejector is getting caught on the first round and I have to do either of the following to get the first round chambered.
- pull the bolt back and release several times
- gentle nudge forward

Rifle is a CMP1, functions properly in all other aspects.
Rifle has been cleaned several times, currently using Tetra gun lube and Tetra gun grease

En bloc are from the CMP, I'm having this issue with all 25 as well as some other's I've tried.
M1 Garand enbloc clip - newly manufactured to military specifications.
http://estore.thecmp.org/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=product&ID=PC014

Ammo is Korean surplus M2 ball. I've fired approximately 300 rounds with this issue. Next up is the Greek stuff from the CMP.
I thought this might be a problem with the en block so I left a dozen clips loaded for a month thinking it might stretch out the clips but still having this issue.
Some pics of the marks on the brass.

Suggestions?
649596496064961

[rondog]

Once you push the clip in until it clicks, the bolt will release but it won't strip a round off the clip. Ain't supposed to, or it would be a thumb smashing sumbitch. Bumping the oprod with the heel of your r. hand to chamber the 1st round is normal. Dey s'poda be dat way.

[BPTactical]

First round on the right side of the clip?
There is a correct way to load a Garand clip ya know?

[brutal]

First round on the right side of the clip?
There is a correct way to load a Garand clip ya know?

Not according to that pic in the OP...

[rondog]

First round on the right side of the clip?
There is a correct way to load a Garand clip ya know?

Hell, I thought either way would work. I know I shoot 'em both ways.

[bryjcom]

I thought the way you loaded them depended if you were right or left handed... At least that's what I've been told...

having to to bump the op rod handle to load the first round is quite normal and actually preferred by me.

[ray1970]

I always hated the design. The few I've shot usually drove the first round home when you inserted the clippy thing, shoving my thumb out of the way briskly in the process.

[bczandm]

Does it work with 7 rounds in the clip? If it does you may have a weak op rod spring.
Bob

[sportbikeco]

I always hated the design. The few I've shot usually drove the first round home when you inserted the clippy thing, shoving my thumb out of the way briskly in the process.

If you push the loaded clip down firm and hold it down it shouldn't start moving untill you pull your thumb up.

[ray1970]

If you push the loaded clip down firm and hold it down it shouldn't start moving untill you pull your thumb up.

Thanks. I haven't even loaded one in probably twenty-five years. Think I might just try to continue that trend for the next twenty-five years or so. Problem solved.

[rondog]

I always hated the design. The few I've shot usually drove the first round home when you inserted the clippy thing, shoving my thumb out of the way briskly in the process.

Yeah, they ain't supposed to do that.

[10x]

Worn one's will see the bolt go forward when the clip is inserted. The first round can be either on the right or left. The military had them loaded with the first round on the right. It made loading easier for right handed shooters. Lefties, like me, prefer the first round on the left. It is normal to insert the clip until it clicks then bump the operating rod with the heal of your hand to slam it forward. It is not designed to be eased forward.

[Seamonkey]

First round on the right side of the clip?
There is a correct way to load a Garand clip ya know?


I always hated the design. The few I've shot usually drove the first round home when you inserted the clippy thing, shoving my thumb out of the way briskly in the process.


lol@briskly... got my thumb stamp already out of the way.

Seems to happen for loaded on left or right side.
Insert clip and the bolt moves forward and catches on the top of the brass of the first round. I use the karate chop, pinky pushing down the op rod and thumb pressing the clip in. Exit with due haste

if it's normal it makes sense, wasn't quite sure

Thanks!

[BPTactical]

Did you try a fresh recoil spring?

[Seamonkey]

Did you try a fresh recoil spring?

No, not yet. I don't want to do the walk-of-shame to your shop ... again... [ROFL2]

[rondog]

No, not yet. I don't want to do the walk-of-shame to your shop ... again... [ROFL2]

Get a spring kit from Orion 7. http://www.m1garand.com/