Lubrication of the M1 "Garand" Rifle, caliber .30

I also got this info on lubricating the Garand, M1 Rifle on the CMP site.

How We Reassemble The Feed / Action Assembly The M1 Garand

 

One of the most important things to remember about the M1 Garand's operation is that the old rifles really like to be properly lubricated. When originally manufactured M1s were made in such a way that they could be fired dry, (and this was done a lot in the Korean war thanks to the very frigid temperatures being incompatible with the grease), with 50 years worth of wear on most M1s our opinion is that it is a good idea to lubricate fairly meticulously. We have been lucky in that our local surplus store has been stocking a grease known as Plastilube. This is one of the two lubricants (the other being Lubriplate) that we hav seen recommended for use with the M1 most often. In the photos below you will see what is probably too much grease being illustrated. We did this for photographic clarity as smaller amounts did not show up well because of the fill-flash. Begin by lubricating the receiver, specifically the area where the operating rod will slide. then grease the inside area of the receiver where the bolt will be moved back and forth as well as the areas where the bolt lugs lock down. Next lubricate the bolt. Grease the bottom lightly and then the sides as well as the lugs. Basically any portion of the metal that will come into moving contact with other metal parts gets a little bit of lubrication. When you have lubed these areas of the rifle sufficiently, replace the bolt. How We Reassemble The Feed / Action Assembly The M1 Garand   When we have the bolt and the rear part of the receiver properly lubricated we turn our attention to putting the bolt back in place. To do so simply angle the bolt about 5 degrees counter clockwise, tilt it upwards about 10 or so degrees and then starting with the rear of the bolt I gently jiggle it into place. When the rear of the bolt slips into the receiver you can then drop the front down. Slide the entire bolt assembly back and forth to assure that it moves freely and to confirm that the orientation is right. The bolt should slide easily in the greased wells and it should rotate into the locked position when moved forward. If the bolt is in place correctly begin the process of installing the Operating Rod. How We Re-Assemble The Feed / Action Assembly The M1 Garand   The Operating rod goes in next. Before placing it on the rifle however - lubricate the area where the bolt lug will ride and underneath the 'flat' area just behind where the spring is inserted. This is the area that comes in contact with the bottom of the barrel. Now gently insert the Operating Rod carefully into the Gas Cylinder. Hold the Oprod at the most shallow angle you possibly can in order to make insertion easier and to avoid any chance of bending it. When the Operating Rod is in the correct general position turn the rifle right-side-up and hook the handle end of the rod to the bolt and into the receiver. To do this simply slide the bolt to the rear so that the lug of the bolt is just barely under the forward edge of the rear sight cover spring. I then gently rotate the operating Rod up and into position. To fasten the Operating Rod in - thread the bolt lug into the side of the Operating Rod and with a firm right, inward, and down pressure push the Operating Rod into the notch below the windage knob. Then tilt the weapon forward and backward. If the Bolt and Operating Rod do not slide easily as a unit (using the force of gravity alone) then something is out of place. Once the operating Rod is in position assemble the smaller parts of the mechanism. Now that the lubricant wont be in the way, grease the 'swollen' part of the barrel where the Operating Rod will ride. Having completed most of the assembly, all that is left to finish up is to put the Operating Rod Spring and the Follower Rod in. Take a few minutes to very lightly oil the spring to help keep corrosion down. Also oil the Follower Rod Except for the 'fork' end. When the parts are lubricated insert the spring into the Operating Rod. The end of the spring without the Follower Rod goes in first of course.