Should I take this to a gunsmith?

[arskrg]

First off, I realize that I'm an idiot.

I have an M1 Garand and some old Korean ammo. I currently have a spent shell stuck in the chamber and it won't budge.
Problem is, I left it sit in the safe for a week in this condition and now I'm worried that there might be some real damage to the inside of the barrel.

Are there any solvents or lubes I could use to loosen the casing, or should I leave it be and take the rifle to a gunsmith ASAP?

 

[StantonCree]

I would take a wooden dowel and punch it out and call it a day. Chad is better to ask with this stuff but personally I would spray some WD40 down there just as some lube and then dowel it

 

[Doctor_M]

Just don't break the dowel off in the barrel like someone who shall remain me did :-)

 

[lx1x]

+1 dowel.. If still stuck.. then gunsmith.

 

[arskrg]

I tried using a cleaning rod and tapping the end with a hammer.
I guess a thicker dowel would work better.
I'll try this evening and report back...

 

[lee2]

First of all did the extractor rip the rim off like that on initial firing or was that from multiple attempts to remove the case?
If the former I would have a gunsmith check the rifle out.

 

[arskrg]

First of all did the extractor rip the rim off like that on initial firing or was that from multiple attempts to remove the case?
If the former I would have a gunsmith check the rifle out.

It was from the initial firing. Was the first round I shot that morning.

 

[Sticky]

I use a section of aluminum round stock, smaller than the bore diameter, longer than the barrel. (Home Depot or Ace usually have this). Wrap it in a few places with a few wraps of masking tape, slide it down the bore and use it to drive the spent casing out.. works like a champ.

I would take it to a competent gunsmith for evaluation after that before I tried to fire it again..

 

[noahhh]

I use a section of aluminum round stock, smaller than the bore diameter, longer than the barrel. (Home Depot or Ace usually have this). Wrap it in a few places with a few wraps of masking tape, slide it down the bore and use it to drive the spent casing out.. works like a champ.

I would take it to a competent gunsmith for evaluation after that before I tried to fire it again..

This. Never ever use a wooden dowel.

 

[arskrg]

This. Never ever use a wooden dowel.

In case it breaks?
What if I use a pretty small diameter dowel rod and tape the whole thing in case it breaks?
Just a thought...

 

[clandestine]

I use a section of aluminum round stock, smaller than the bore diameter, longer than the barrel. (Home Depot or Ace usually have this). Wrap it in a few places with a few wraps of masking tape, slide it down the bore and use it to drive the spent casing out.. works like a champ.

I would take it to a competent gunsmith for evaluation after that before I tried to fire it again..

This is what I do on empty stuck casings.

O.P. If there is a live round you have to be VERY careful.

 

[arskrg]

This is what I do on empty stuck casings.

O.P. If there is a live round you have to be VERY careful.

I'll go the aluminum rod route, then.

it's most definitely not a live round.

 

[Diesel-Dad]

i like the idea of an aluminum rod over a wooden dowel. ive had plenty of .22wmr cases split and stick in my old marlin i keep one in my range bag.

 

[Blacksmith101]

In case it breaks?
What if I use a pretty small diameter dowel rod and tape the whole thing in case it breaks?
Just a thought...

The problem with a wooden dowel is if it breaks the wrong way the ends will slide past each other and wedge tightly in the barrel. Then you have a stuck shell casing and a wooden plug both stuck in the barrel. Do an internet search on stuck bore snakes for some real horror stories of barrels obstructed with lots of things, including wooden dowels, while trying to get the bore snake out.

 

[j_h_smith]

It also wouldn't hurt to apply some lubricant down the barrel. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then use the dowel of your choice.

 

[Mini14tac]

M1 Garand? Spent case in gun. Was this a FTE or did you put it back in for some reason? Looks like you have found some sound advice on getting it out. I'm just curious why it is in there.

 

[SKIP]

That Korean KA is corrosive. When the spent round is extracted you need to do a real through job of cleaning the bore and gas system. Good Luck.

 

[arskrg]

M1 Garand? Spent case in gun. Was this a FTE or did you put it back in for some reason? Looks like you have found some sound advice on getting it out. I'm just curious why it is in there.

Yes Garand.
The spent casing didn't eject.
I'd imagine it was because I didn't clean the rifle after the prior time I'd fired it, hence the first sentence of the original post. I'm an idiot.
Won't happen again.

 

[Blacksmith101]

Here are some links to help you they are on the CMP Forum Ammunition section.

This is the thread on Noncorrosive Ammo which includes notes on some Corrosive as well (Post#4 says KA is corrosive):
http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=5821

This is the thread on properly cleaning a rifle after using corrosive ammo:
http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=6902

 

[Oldcarjunkie]

Hows the Patient?? did you get it out yet??