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How Tight Is Too Tight For My Garand Trigger Group?

October 3, 2014

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸Armorers Corner▸How Tight Is Too Tight For My Garand Trigger Group?

Having been an armorer for almost five years, I can say that it would be unusual for a CMP armorer to not notice when a rifle requires excessive effort to close the trigger guard. In many cases we find that customers are just unaware of the “normal” range of tightness that can be found with M1 rifles.

A trigger group that fits tightly is good, and should be desired by those of us seeking above average accuracy from our rifle.

Many owners of the famous semi automatic rifle of WW2 and Korea have become familiar with how easy it is to open and close the trigger guard on their rifle. These rifles are generally well broken-in, and have significant compression of the wood as well as wear on the metal parts that perform the task of locking in the trigger group. When the rifles were new they locked up much tighter. Some of the rifles we still have at the CMP that are new or almost new are good examples of how extremely tight they were when originally manufactured.

It is difficult to describe the “normal” or minimum and maximum force that should be required to close a trigger guard. As a minimum you should feel some minor resistance, and the maximum should not exceed a painful hard pounding with the palm of your hand or an equivalent strike with a mallet (I prefer the latter). Tight is good, but there is a point where parts may be damaged or broken in the process of closing the trigger guard.

If you have purchased one of our Garand rifles or one of our new stock sets, and you find the opening and closing of the trigger guard to be too difficult and tight, there is a way you can reduce the tension. If you don’t consider yourself to have some mechanical talent, you may want to leave this to someone more skilled, but you can judge for yourself if you are up to the task.

How to adjust the closing tension of your rifles trigger group

Things you will need:

* 8” double cut bastard file or similar.
* Wide masking tape.
* A 2 7/8” long spacer between .180 and .210 diameter (a piece of 3/16 dowel works)
* A Dremmel tool with a special cutting bit may also be helpful or necessary.
* A dial caliper would also be very helpful.

Click here to download a pdf file.

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One Reply to “How Tight Is Too Tight For My Garand Trigger Group?”

  1. Bill Magilton says:
    May 27, 2020 at 10:47 am

    Thank you, that was the direction I was headed. I feel better now. Thank you again
    Bill Magilton

    Reply

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Civilian Marksmanship Program

The mission of the Civilian Marksmanship Program is to promote firearm safety and marksmanship training with an emphasis on youth. Our vision is that every youth in America has the opportunity to participate in firearm safety and marksmanship programs.

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  • Home
    • NM SUPPORT TEAM – NEW MEMBER FORM
    • Privacy Policy
  • About
    • Director Emeritus
    • Chief Operating Officer
    • Board of Directors
    • Programs Chief
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
    • Air Gun Matches
    • 2020 Graduates
    • College Resources
    • Aces Postal
    • National Matches Junior Camp
    • American Legion Junior 3PAR Tournament
    • JROTC 3PAR Matches
      • National JROTC Air Rifle Championship History
    • Junior Air Rifle Camps and Clinics
      • Application to Host a CMP Summer Camp
    • Junior Distinguished Badge
    • Postal and Regional 3PAR CMP Matches
      • CMP 3PAR Regional Championships
      • CMP 3PAR State Championships
    • CMP National 3PAR Championship
      • State 3PAR Junior Olympic Championships
      • CMP National 3PAR Championship History
    • National Trophy Junior Team Match
    • Junior Highpower Support Program
    • 3PAR Shooting information
      • 3PAR FAQs
      • Sanctioning 3PAR Matches
      • National 3PAR Council
      • 3PAR Forms
      • 3PAR National Records
      • National Standard 3PAR Rules
    • CMP Scholarship Program
    • CMP-USMC Highpower Rifle Clinic
  • Clubs
    • Club-Related Forms
    • CMP Affiliate Rifle Purchase Program
    • Club News
    • Become Affiliated with CMP
      • CMP Affiliation Application Form
      • Benefits of Club Affiliation
    • CMP MOU’s
    • CMP-Affiliated State Associations
      • M1 Garand Fund Development Program
    • Club-Sanctioned Clinics and Matches
    • Find a CMP-Affiliated Club Near You
    • Form a CMP Marksmanship Club
  • Compete
    • CMP National Records
    • TALLADEGA SPRING CLASSIC
    • CMP Smallbore Program
      • Application to Conduct a Smallbore Match
      • CMP Smallbore Postal Program
    • Winter Home Range Series
      • Winter Home Range Series Match Application
    • Get Started
    • Matches
      • Air Gun Matches
      • CMP Match Award Donors
      • Talladega Matches
      • Camp Perry Matches
      • National Matches
        • Smallbore National Matches
        • CMP Industry Day
        • National Matches Support Team
        • Target Sprint at the National Matches
        • Long Range Matches
        • Springfield M1A Match
        • Service Rifle Squadded Practice Information
        • National Trophy Pistol Matches
        • Awards & Trophies
          • Vintage Sniper Match
          • CMP Game Events Awards
          • Long Range Awards
          • Individual Pistol Awards
          • National Trophies
          • National Trophy Individual and Aggregate Rifle Awards
          • National Trophy Team Rifle Awards
          • National Trophy Infantry Team Rifle Awards
          • Team and Special Aggregate Pistol Awards
        • National Matches First Shot Ceremony speakers
        • National Matches Welcome Center Information
        • National Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match
        • National Matches Spectator Events
        • National Matches Camps, Clinics, and Schools
        • National Trophy Rifle Matches
        • National Matches Air Gun Events
        • Directions to Camp Perry
        • Area Lodging Info
        • CMP National Championship Matches
        • National CMP Games Events
        • National Matches Archive project
        • Commercial Row Information
      • Military Matches
      • Rimfire Sporter Rifle Matches
      • All Upcoming Matches
    • Register for a CT Number
    • Distinguished Badge Program
      • Distinguished Marksman Badge
    • Competition Rulebooks
    • Forms
    • CMP Pistol Program
    • CMP Live Target Images
    • CMP Competition Games
    • Marksmanship Forums
    • CMP Rifle Program
  • Education
    • Advanced Maintenance Class
    • Basic Pistol Course
    • Advanced Highpower Clinic
    • GSM Master Instructor Training and Certification
      • GSM Master Instructor Resources
    • Armorer’s Corner
    • Clinics
    • NM COLLECTOR SOFTWARE – CMP EDITION
    • Other Resources
    • Range Officer Training Course
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Rifle
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Pistol
    • Shooting Tips from the USAMU Service Rifle Team
      • USAMU FAQs: Equipment and Ammunition
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Positions
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Techniques and Tactics
    • Information on CMP Target Systems
    • Basic Rifle Class
    • Introduction to Shotgun Class
    • JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course
      • JMIC- Master Instructor Resources
    • State Directors
    • Small Arms Firing Schools at the National Matches
    • Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship 101
    • Coaching Resources
      • Air Rifle Target Stand Plans
  • News & Media
    • National Matches Results Bulletins
    • Instagram Links
    • CMP Media Kit
    • ON THE MARK Newsletter
      • An On the Mark Series by: Gary Anderson
    • Customer Comments/Feedback
    • CMP Publications and Training Materials
    • The First Shot
    • CMP Shooting News Archives
      • Join Our Email List
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
    • Ordering Information
    • Rifle Sales
    • Creedmoor Rifles & Accessories
    • CMP Gift Certificates
    • 1911 Sales Information
    • Videos – M1 Garand
    • CMP Purchase Eligibility Requirements
    • Club Sales Index
    • Custom Gunsmithing
    • Firearm and Parts Sales Links
    • Guns on Auction
    • How CMP Supports Veteran Organizations
    • Visit CMP Stores
    • CMP Target Sales Program
  • Ranges
    • Air Gun Competition Centers
      • CMP Monthly Match Program
      • Open Marksmanship
    • CMP Targets at Petrarca Range
      • CMP Petrarca Monthly .22 Bench League
    • CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park
      • Talladega Matches & Events
      • CMP Talladega Pro Shop
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Shotgun Events
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Sponsorships
      • 5K Range Run & 1K Fun Run
      • Paver Project
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park area lodging info
  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos