Gas Trap pics- as promised

[Dave]

Finally got around to uploading the pics of my gas trap project that Tim just reparked for me (thanks again Tim). There is a crapload of pics at the photobucket link for anyone who wants to browse some gun porn (and thats only half of them!). I took this thing out two weekends ago and I'll be darned if it does'nt shoot as good or better than my best shooters, something I did'nt expect from a gas trap setup despite a new barrel.
The kit is a RatWorx type1, repro comp spring kit came from bubba over on CMP (and it works great). I'll probably post this over there as well but seeing as Tim did the finish work the "opening premier" will be right here, right now. :)

This project was years in the making. Originally was just going to build it as an early receiver, with whatever early parts I could scrounge, and use a WW2 era barrel etc. I actually ended up finding a number of correct parts early on but still had no intentions of doing a gas trap shooter. It was'nt until I was offered the no trap stock (for a price I just could'nt refuse) that I began to think I might just be able to pull this off (special thanks to "gunny"). At that time, the RatWorx kit prices dropped dramatically, so I bought one. I spent another year getting the trigger group items and I finally had a complete kit to assemble. Only problem was not a single part looked that good together. The receiver was some kind of odd translucent looking dark blue/gray, bolt was shiney bright-no finish, trigger housing was a horrible black repark with stains etc, so I decided to have it refinished. I could'nt be happier with the way it turned out unless it could be an original gun. I'll post some target pics later.

Rec #3888, 7th rd fix
RatWorx barrel/gas kit
Original USGI short pinion and flushnut
B-8872 sight cover
C46001 sight base
Checkered elevation and windage knobs-not numbered
B-8868-1 aperture
Repro type 1 follower rod and spring kit
Early "regular" follower assembly
B8869 follower arm
O marked oprod catch
B-8875 bullet guide
O marked clip latch
D 28287 bolt, no revision
Round firing pin
Unmodified D 38382-0 oprod, rebuilt by Columbus Machine. Quite certain this is an un-numbered gas trap rod that someone handstamped(faked)
D28290 trigger housing, modified pad. Of course one week after building this I got an unmodifed one, yet to be installed.
C 46025 concentric ring trigger guard
C 46008-1 hammer (still looking for a no revision)
C-46015 safety
C-46020 trigger
Original no trap, large hole over small SPG stock, restamped SPG and proof P, not numbered. Bought it this way.
Buttplate, original no trap USGI, not numbered
Standard no number screws
B-8889 butt swivel
C-46013-1 stock ferrule
Rear handguard- no clearance cut USGI walnut, not numbered
B 8870-1 handguard clip
Front handguard-USGI walnut, not numbered
Repro (RatWorx kit) front handguard ferrule with lip
C-46000 lower band
Did I forget anything?
I was thinking of highlighting all the stampings but seeing as I built this to shoot, alot, I decided not to as it will not last during cleanings.
Photobucket album link: http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a305/M1Riflenut/Gas%20Trap/

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a305/M1Riflenut/Gas%20Trap/P1120952.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a305/M1Riflenut/Gas%20Trap/P1120958.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a305/M1Riflenut/Gas%20Trap/P1120910.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a305/M1Riflenut/Gas%20Trap/P1120959.jpg

[Skeet6]

Bravo, Dave. That is awesome.
Mike B

[Dave]

The first target is 50 yds, 16 shots. It did'nt long to get it dialed in, first group was only about 6 inches right and low.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a305/M1Riflenut/Gas%20Trap/P1130048.jpg

These are "quick" 100 yds. Not bad considering:
1.-My eyes are pretty bad, and that's no joke either. I've had poor vision/glasses since I was a kid and it's getting worse every year. I really struggle at 100 yds now.
2.-One big thing I really dislike on this rifle is the trigger pull. It's smooth but one of the hardest I've ever had on an M1. I'm going to try one of my tuned units to see what a difference it makes. I won't be grinding/polishing on the gas trap parts!
3.- Shooting bulk HXP 68. I'm sure some handloading experimenting will help as well.
4.- Poor rest when I moved to the 100 yd bench. Was the end of the day and I was shooting off wobbly wood blocks.
That center target has 3 shots in the X :)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a305/M1Riflenut/Gas%20Trap/P1130049.jpg

[melloman]

VERY nice. You might want to insure it.

[cuppednlocked]

Very nice!

[jak]

Looks and shoots great!!

[Rick B]

I hate to say it but that stock is not full length and you can see the rings in the holes from it being covered up. Look closely and shine a flash light in there if you do not see it. I hope you didn't pay a ton for it? Very nice rifle still and happy to see it is shooting that nice with the new fronts ends. Rick B

[Dave]

I hate to say it but that stock is not full length and you can see the rings in the holes from it being covered up. Look closely and shine a flash light in there if you do not see it. I hope you didn't pay a ton for it? Very nice rifle still and happy to see it is shooting that nice with the new fronts ends. Rick B

I believe the stock has been through your shop Rick. :) And no, I did'nt pay much for it considering what it is. In fact, I paid less than what most common WW2 stocks are now selling for now.

[Rick B]

Yes and I have records on it. I did 5 stocks like this back in the early 2000's and stop because they were not being said to be modified and I was surprised a few missed the line on the insides. You stated ""Original no trap, large hole over small SPG stock"" That is why I commented and didn't want to call out who sold it to you. Rick B

[The Garand Guy]

Very nice restoration! Beautiful park job!Good luck!

[The Garand Guy]

I hate to say it but that stock is not full length and you can see the rings in the holes from it being covered up. Look closely and shine a flash light in there if you do not see it. I hope you didn't pay a ton for it? Very nice rifle still and happy to see it is shooting that nice with the new fronts ends. Rick B
What do you mean by "rings in the holes from it being covered up"?

[Rick B]

The end cap I put on which is basically the wood inside of the buttplate once on. Rick B

[Dave]

Yes and I have records on it. I did 5 stocks like this back in the early 2000's and stop because they were not being said to be modified and I was surprised a few missed the line on the insides. You stated ""Original no trap, large hole over small SPG stock"" That is why I commented and didn't want to call out who sold it to you. Rick B

The seller did tell me that it was restored to no trap configuration,and that the markings are repopped,there was no misleading at all, and I was offered plenty of time to send it back if I had wanted to. I did'nt know though that a cap had been added under the buttplate (nice work BTW), I thought it was just resanded or profiled back to no trap which is why these reconversions are a bit shorter than original. I have an early WRA that is like that, was a no trap, got converted to trap, then somone turned it back to no trap.On that one though you can still see the gouged out area made for the buttplate hinge.
Are you saying though Rick, that this was never an early SPG stock, with large hole over small?
Perhaps I should have stated it differently? Like "was a no trap large hole over small that had been modified to trapdoor then back to no trap" or something like that? I did not mean to say it's an original as issued, never messed with SPG stock, but yet it is/was an original SPG stock. Either way, it's the closest thing I'll ever have to a gas trap unless I hit the lottery, and even then you would have to find someone willing to sell. Restored stock or not, I'm quite happy with how it turned out, and most of all, how good it shoots. The only thing that bugs me is that I have been looking for years for an unmodified trigger housing and correct no revision hammer, or handstamped -1 hammer. Guess what? Now that I finally had it refinished and assembled, guess what two items I've just located this past week? Yep, an unmodified housing, already on its way to me, and a handstamped -1 hammer which I'll be sending payment out for tomorrow. Go figure.

[Rick B]

It was a Large over small hole converted back. I also did not state anyone ripped you off just was checking as they have been passed on then resold as originals which is why I stopped doing them.

One from Billy Pyles book sold by Larry Kaufman had this exact thing done [Orignal was swapped for a put back back end that I did] and I told the buyer it was a fake and he freaked on me naturally telling me I didn't know anything.. We spoke by phone and then I showed him the ring and the incorrect proof P from the book to what he had and the incorrect re stamped drawing numbers and he realized he was taken. Larry paid him back the money to get a SPG from someone I had sold to a few years earlier. Apparently someone took the original untouched stock and sold it or traded it then put the modified back stock on it hoping it wasn't found. We think Larry's kid did it. Rick B

[Punch The Clown]

Dave, that is a beautiful restoration! I'm loving it!

[captain_bob_badfish]

Thats a fine looking resto. Congrats!

[bubbaroc]

Nice rifle. You did an excellant job on that one and a great shooter too. I am glad the springs are working well.

Bubba

[Dave]

Nice rifle. You did an excellant job on that one and a great shooter too. I am glad the springs are working well.

Bubba

Thanks Bubba. I was worried about it not having enough "spring" but if anything the springs are a bit strong. I had 2 FTF early on but then went about 100 rds trouble free. I don't think I'll need to do anything to them. It feels very smooth when shooting, no harsh recoil impulse at all. I just need to do something with that trigger pull....... damn its hard. Smooth but very hard. Might monkey with a shorter hammer spring. I did use the longest one in the bin.

[luvmym1 13]

Wow Dave that is a beautiful rifle love the park job, enjoy lots of rounds out of her.

[bubbaroc]

I compared these springs to original ones and they have the same feel . I also checked compression heights, at three different weights, with the originals, they match almost exactly the same as originals, even fully compressed height. We tried to be extra careful to make sure there is no coil bind in the springs during function. If you have any problems with them or the follower rod, let me know and I'll fix it.

Bubba

[themeowman]

That is a great looking rifle! Nice shooting also$clapper$ It is great to see this complete &
being used! Well done!
Tom

[Dave]

That is a great looking rifle! Nice shooting also$clapper$ It is great to see this complete &
being used! Well done!
Tom

Thanks Tom. If you let me know when you'll be at Riley's next I can bring it along and you can fondle it in person. :)
I'm usually there on thursday or friday evenings.

[dan]

Very nicely done sir. having done a couple myself I know what you went through.

Since you plan on shooting it regularly (three cheers for that) I suggest you pay attention to the way the op-rod closes after about ~250 rounds. It may feel a bit notchy as it rotates the bolt into battery. This is caused by carbon buildup on the backside of the gas plug and the op-rod piston face is contacting that buildup. It will be time to remove the plug and scrape it.

Also I would suggest you replace the solid firing pin with a regular production pin for shooting purposes.

Regards, Dan.

[themeowman]

Dave
PM sent
Tom

[timshufflin]

Alright, I have a question Dan. If a guy wanted to make a gas trap rifle and NOT make the thing correct, what would the cost be to just toss a mixmaster together for an example to have on hand?

[Dave]

Alright, I have a question Dan. If a guy wanted to make a gas trap rifle and NOT make the thing correct, what would the cost be to just toss a mixmaster together for an example to have on hand?

Figure the cost of your donor rifle, add to that $2250 for the RatWorx kit. They have type1 or type2, same price. Plus shipping.
Bubba may also still have access to one of the older Barnett kits.

[Dave]

Very nicely done sir. having done a couple myself I know what you went through.

Since you plan on shooting it regularly (three cheers for that) I suggest you pay attention to the way the op-rod closes after about ~250 rounds. It may feel a bit notchy as it rotates the bolt into battery. This is caused by carbon buildup on the backside of the gas plug and the op-rod piston face is contacting that buildup. It will be time to remove the plug and scrape it.

Also I would suggest you replace the solid firing pin with a regular production pin for shooting purposes.

Regards, Dan.

Thanks for the tip Dan. I'll keep an eye on it. I probably will swap out the firing pin, and might keep a few other spare parts handy when shooting it, like a tuned trigger group. Lately I've been thinking about doing another, but not like this. I have an 18K I built with early parts a few years back but used a 1945 gas port barrel. I've been thinking of culling a few spare rifles from the herd and buy another kit for that 18K....... :)

[dan]

Alright, I have a question Dan. If a guy wanted to make a gas trap rifle and NOT make the thing correct, what would the cost be to just toss a mixmaster together for an example to have on hand?



Figure the cost of your donor rifle, add to that $2250 for the RatWorx kit. They have type1 or type2, same price. Plus shipping.
Bubba may also still have access to one of the older Barnett kits.

That about sizes it up. The rifle will function properly with a normal standard op-rod spring and for safely reasons a late firing pin should be substituted. My "shooter" is a low 5 digit with a Barnett front end. The Barnett front handguard ferrule is made like the originals and looks a bit better than the RatWorx ferrule. I was told that the Barnett ferrule was the most difficult part to do.

For the rifle to look "right" it should really have a flushnut rear sight,a solid buttplate and a slant-side op-rod. Of course all of these features will add significantly to the cost of the rifle. If you are doing a late typeII Gas Trap a curved-side op-rod would present the correct appearance. A WRA op-rod (not cheap of course) will look correct on an early rifle, I used one until I obtained a D35382-0 bottom-marked rod.

The Barnett gas cylinder and plug are magnetic stainless like the originals and are blackened in some manner (that appears to be more durable than the original 1936 finish) and more closely approximates a "new rifle" look. I'm sure that the RatWorx parts could be finished in that manner.

Is the RatWorx gas cylinder magnetic?

[The Garand Guy]

I have REPRO keystone springs, $100/set, and REPRO no-trap buttplates,$100 ea, & a REPRO GAS TRAP BARREL FOR $350, & ONE THAT DOES NOT HEADSPACE FOR $160.00+ shipping. i CAN ALSO BLACKEN THE CYLINDERS WITH STAINLESS STEEL BLUEING FOR $35
I also have a REAL late plug for $1500

Tony
Giacobbe, the Garand Guy

[bubbaroc]

I have some more of the lip type ferrules that Gene made and "shootable" new made ,keystone type springs and type I follower rods. Might have a couple of Gene's kits left.

Bubba

[dan]

I have some more of the lip type ferrules that Gene made and "shootable" new made ,keystone type springs and type I follower rods. Might have a couple of Gene's kits left.

Bubba

I want two ferrules and a set of springs and two followers. What do I need to do?

[bubbaroc]

Email sent.

[dan]

Email sent.

Thank you sir.

Replied, we will be doing some business very soon......

[themeowman]

Tonight I got to meet Dave & check out his gas trap. A verynice, friendly guy! His gastrap is sweet$clapper$. It was also my first opportunity to examine Tim's work. All the things I have
read are true, he does great work:D Dave, thanks for meeting up with me. Now we must get
to the range sometime!
Tom

[Dave]

Tonight I got to meet Dave & check out his gas trap. A verynice, friendly guy! His gastrap is sweet$clapper$. It was also my first opportunity to examine Tim's work. All the things I have
read are true, he does great work:D Dave, thanks for meeting up with me. Now we must get
to the range sometime!
Tom

Nice talking to you to Tom, and thanks for bringing that sweet Lend Lease! We should try and get some of the other NH forum members together for a shoot, someday... :)

[timshufflin]

How nice, you two have to keep this love affair alive.

[Dave]

How nice, you two have to keep this love affair alive.

Why thank you for the warm wishes Tim. :)

I just updated the trigger group pics in the photobucket album. I swapped out the trigger housing for an original unmodified one, and the hammer for a correct handstamped one. Figures after years of searching for these two items I would find not just one, but both of them, within a week AFTER I had Tim refinish it. No big deal though, the trigger housing I scored is in excellent shape, no pitting and has 90% of its finish and it matches perfectly to Tim's park. The hammer finish has a little more wear but no big deal, it all looks great. Now if I can find a hammer spring housing and plunger in the white I'll be 100% happy, instead of 99.9% $clapper$