Leaderboard

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1053812288 I got mine off of Gunbroker a year or so ago. They were NOS, wrapped in paper and covered with a good coat of cosmoline. They worked just fine in my M1. Mark

The bent one is correct. The idea is that the grip mount flexes/presses against the barrel for a secure mounting of the forend. A while back before he passed away Doug Richardson made a special vise for fitting/removing barrels that had built into it a device to retract the grip mount so it did not make a spiral scratch on the barrel when you screw it in or out. That being said, the flat one is certainly original and for whatever reason is not bent. I just looked at ordnance drawing #6147676 and there is no note that the grip mount is to be bent. Interesting. Bob

Let's see if my $0.02 is even close to correct. The bent one is, well, bent. I didn't spend 5 years in the fourth grade for nothing!

If you arent sure of its life span or how long it has been in the gun, its a no brainer to swap it out. A combination of $50-$75 at MOST when talking about a gun that is $25K or more.....is this even a question? Swap it out, confirm it runs, and keep a record going forward. I got to the point on my shooters I would change the springs out every season...pretty cheap insurance policy for an expensive item.

Although I don't own a M1A1, i would assume that the advice delivered by various Forum members will apply. If the gun shoots well, leave it be. But, look on GB for replacement mainsprings and buffers, then periodically place yours side by side with the replacement spring. If it matches well in length and shows no sign of coil wear, you are good to go. As to the buffer, I'll let my fellow TSMG owners comment.