My son and I shoot M-1's in the CMP Garand matches and the occasional NRA Hi-Power match.
Joe started shooting the Garand when he was about 14, 6' tall and about 120lbs. Never heard any complaints from him about recoil, never could leave the range with any ammo either.
I found a clean 5.8 million Springfield for him and we put a tight new stock on it, I think it shoots better than my rifle.
Last fall, when Joe was 17 we had a hard fought battle at the local CMP match, ended up first and second. That afternoon he got invited to hunt whitetail deer with his girlfriend's dad and and killed a nice 5x5 buck. Made me fell like I'd done something right!

Don't shoot walmart hunting ammo thru a Garand.

The incorrect burn rate can bend the op rod.


NRA Garand Load data
M1 load data (courtesy of NRA)

Also...avoiding "M1 thumb" is a matter of training and technique.

Educational Zone #62 - Great Firearms - The M-1 Garand The Box O' Truth

__________________
NRA Life
USPSA/IPSC

A bit off topic, I need a little advice. Is there a definitive reference book(s) on the M1 Garand? A friend and neighbor has asked me to evaluate several M1 Garands that his father left him. They haven't seen daylight for thirty or more years. I'm not an expert by any means but generally know what to look for in terms of serial numbers, barrel dates, part numbers, and stock markings. I will fill out a data sheet for each rifle then do some research online. Thanks!

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

-- Is there ever. Bruce Canfield's book "The M-1 Garand Rifle" is the absolute bible for all things Garand. It's pricey, somewhere around $75-$80, but it is beyond worth it. I bought my father a copy for Christmas last year and haven't seen him since.

Thanks 19ontheslide!

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

My uncle told me that you would be suprised how fast that you coud run through a rice patty with a M1 rifle.