Can anyone recommend a good M1 Garand gunsmith that can do welding?

**Mike Miller** · 12-30-17, 18:40

I have an M1 Garand that I bought from the CMP a few years ago that has a small chip of metal missing off the front corner of the disassembly notch in the op rod track, and that causes the op rod to sometimes jump out of its track.

A fellow shooter at the range who owns four Garands took a look at it today and advised me not to shoot it until I get it repaired. He also advised that getting the receiver welded in the spot that I need repairs to may weaken the receiver and cause a potential crack. I'm hoping that a knowledgeable gunsmith with a tig welder could do this without that problem.

Does anyone know of a great M1 gunsmith to send this to?

I'm not really concerned with ruining the potential resale value of my rifle by getting it fixed and refinished, I bought it as service grade and I really just want to shoot it. It has a 1943 Springfield receiver, a 1964 barrel (forgot the maker), and a Harrington & Richardson trigger group.

edit to add: My buddy at the range is a professor in materials engineering, so I trust his judgement on warning of a cracked receiver, I'm just hoping that it can be avoided