op rod question

[koreanwargrandson]

I was just gifted my grandfathers m1, a six digit Springfield. The rifle is import marked Arlington ordinance on the end of the barrel. For the most part its a standard Korean import, 1953 barrel, mixed parts. Everything on it looks serviceable, till I inspected the channel for the bolt on the op rod. There appears to be a chip out of the edge of the channel, seen here https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/138730113@N07/24559988453/ my question is, will this rod be serviceable as is or should I just replace the op rod? I haven't shot the rifle yet (because of the questionable condition of the op rod). I know the rifle hasn't been fired in at least 16 years, so I really don't know how long the chip was out of the rod or what caused it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[canes7]

Let it ride. If it fails later then replace it later.

[timshufflin]

You see this on roughly 50% of the rifles I get in. canes7 is your guide to greatness :)

[koreanwargrandson]

thanks for the replys, ill reassemble and run with it then

[musketjon]

Send it to Columbus Machine to have it rebuilt for a fraction of what you'll pay for a replacement op rod.
Jon

[Orlando]

That dent/chip is front the op rod dismounting in the past while being fired. Wether the tab is worn or it was operator error???? Shoot a pic of the tab

[koreanwargrandson]

Added more pictures of the op rod track and tab to the link in my op

[Orlando]

Added more pictures of the op rod track and tab to the link in my op

The tab should be square with sharp corners, yours looks to be rounded. The tab may be out of spec. Check it with a micrometer

Tab/Lug Height: .320 to .317 (under .310 calls for rejection)
Tab/Lug Thickness: .100 to .095
Tab/Lug Width: .265 to .235
Tab/Lug Hang .070 to .055

[timshufflin]

I have to ask, does this rifle run? I can nary remember a rifle that has come to my shop with a perfectly in spec oprod tab. They seem to run though. If you are even close, run with it.

[Orlando]

I'm betting tab is out of spec from the dent/peen to the corner. I do agree with Tim though, fire it and if it functions fine dont worry. If it dismounts you can always send it for repair

[koreanwargrandson]

the last time it was fired was 16 years ago, pre 2000, thats when grandpa quit hunting, so the m1 has been silent since then. I was given it in early december and have not had an opportunity to run it yet. once it warms up a bit more Ill take it out and run 3 en blocs of ammo though it. if all goes well ill just go forward as is and keep an eye on it, if i have issues then ill have the rod go in for a rebuild. ill check the specs if i can get my hands on a micrometer. thanks for the information, im sure ill have more questions as i get further into the m1 family.