Sadly, I only have three....two Springfield Armory and one H&R, would like to get a Winchester and IHC....just haven't found them yet...

Randy

Got my first Garand, a 1954 International Harvester, from DCM on 3/14/84 for $121.96. I've had several more since then but currently have four, another IHC and two Springfields. The last Springfield I got is a CMP Special with a new CMP stock and a Criterion barrel. This picture was from a while back when I was trying to figure out the correct way to use the stacking swivels.

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Until a year ago I never owned an M1. I shot my dad's M1s and liked them. When he passed away he was down to one; his favorite, an original Tanker Garand. My younger brother wanted it worse than I did and I took my dad's WWII take home souvenir, a Persian marked Broomhandle Mauser with wood buttstock/holster, and leather strap hanger for wearing it, that he took off a German Col. in Italy. That's a whole 'nother story.

My # two son sells and rebuilds RVs, camping trailers, equipment trailers, bike trailers, etc., etc. He's often offered old firearms as part trade. He's not into guns like my other son so he'll snap a photo with his I phone, send it to me and ask what the resale may be. I've rarely suggested he accept the guns offered as trade material because most were junk brands, worn out, or whatever. But last year he sent a photo of a very nice M1. I asked what the name was on the back of the action and he said Winchester. I said bring it home I need to see it. And how much are you asking for the trailer? He brought it to me and said it was just a little utility trailer he wanted $800 for.

As soon as I saw it, I told him to tell the buyer it's worth more than the trailer but I had no real idea how much. Buyer said; "I'll take a straight across trade." So we did.

The upper stacking swivel was missing and an adjustment knob on the rear sight. I knew little about M1 details just that they were very collectible so I turned to a friend with a book. To make a long story endless it was a true 'Whinny' with all correct code stamps on all the marked parts. Plus it was never refurbished at any armory. I don't know how it came back from across the big pond but not likely thru official channels, if it ever went overseas. It showed a little use but the stock and barrel with excellent bore were original.

It's not in front of me now but IIRC it's a 1944 vintage. Correct parts for those missing weren't hard to find since my friend had them as well as a proper sling. It's a very good shooter!

I've been offered several thousand from 6 to 8 for it. But when I go to the big range in the sky where every shot is a bullseye, it'll go back to my son.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

....especially the rotating mechanism. The en bloc clip is very fast to load with a little practice. They are really great rifle. My problem is that they are so front heavy. Maybe I'd do better if I were younger, but after a few shots the front end starts to droop and I have to take a break before I shoot more. If it weren't for that, I'd have one.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

"original Tanker Garand" ?

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/m1-tanker-garand/

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Only a cold warrior

Love Garands. My eyes not so much. Astigmatism makes open sights tough. I have a Type I National Match that I inherited. Sold it once during hard times. Bought it back about 10 years later. It’s with me for life.
From the CMP bought a CMP Special (rebuild) in 308. Excellent rifle in a better caliber. Took a 160lb hog with it. Not being able to shoot it in certain Garand competitions because of the caliber, I sold it to somebody needing it more than me. In the future I’ll be buying another in 06

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I shot NRA service rifle in the early 90's with a club loaner M1 rifle. Lake City ammo for the entire match was $3.00, and you kept the brass. With getting my NRA classification, I got a rifle through the DCM. Mine is a International Harvester with my birthday stamped on the barrel....12/54
Still have it!

Ok, just got this story recently from my cousin.

My uncle was in the Battle of the Bulge. They were on the high ground overlooking a small occupied town they were soon to attack. While waiting they decided to mess with the Germans by plinking at the bell in the church tower.

He said the Garands were hit and miss, but one guy in the unit that had a 1903 Springfield could nail it every time. They all considered the Springfield as more accurate.

After a while the Germans got tired of this and returned fire with a mortar round... that hit a manure pile and showered them all with manure!

Uncle was eventually wounded and partly disabled, but made it home and had a great life. Lost him at a good old age a few years back.

The M1 Garand is just plain SEXY!!!!

My U.S Military collection goes back to the Civil War and I treasure all of the fine battle weapons I have, but the Garand is at the top of the list!

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

I have always liked the 03 better then the M1, my two current 03's, top a 42 Remington 03, bottom a 1918 Springfield that was barreled in 32. I am pretty sure that both were Greek returns to the CMP.

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

I got the M1 out of the safe to check the SN. It is indeed #44393. So it looks like the receiver was made in June 1940.

We know that no Garands were ever built new as "Tanker" Garands.

We're told that the prototypes and Springfield modified Garand T26 didn't survive except the one museum piece.

By 'original' I mean the original non-military modifieds from the 1960's period. No shortened or welded action, no National Ordnance (and later Alpine) or any other name on it; just a surplus Garand, with shortened front end and the small piece of forward forestock, with the implication that it was late gov't manufacture, and that look like this:


1960s catalog ad for a “Garand Carbine Tanker Model”

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I was thinking MP44. But I'd still rather have 8 shots of 30-06 if I was shooting at somebody from any real distance. I have never heard or even seen anybody say anything negative about the combat effectiveness of the M1 Garand. The Japanese even tried to copy it towards the end of the war, and from what I have read about the STG44, Hitler was asked to approve it for combat use much earlier than 1944, but he felt the K98 was up to the task. By the time it began to be ushered in, the tide had turned in the war. Patton called it the greatest battle implement of all time. I figure he knew more about it then anybody here did. And Korea was only 5 years after WW II ended so I doubt there was much progress in weapon technology that made something else a better option. Only improvement to the M1 that I would like to have seen came to be when the M14 was adopted. Detachable magazines in battle are a big plus, but I've also read that the brass did not want magazines for fear of soldiers wasting ammo. Guess I can see that as the generals who made that decision were coming from a time of bolt action weapons.

The M1 Gun has an excellent thumping factor.

Able to lift a man up off his feet and knock him down, it along with the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911, were what stopped the filthy Nazi and Japanese advance during the WW-II.

It is The Greatest Battle Implement yet devised according to Doug McArthur. Great gun and better than any AR16 poodle shooter .22!

The quote was from General Patton. The M1 Garand was in service about 25 years. The M16 Poodle shooter has been in service about 55. Something must be right about it. In the Gulf, when a bigger bullet with more range was called for, they pulled out M14s, not Garands. I have both and love them both.

No doubt the M16 platform is better now, but there wasn’t a better general service rifle available during WWII and Korea. Would I want to go to battle with an M1 today? Hell no. But in 1942 I would have been happy to have one.

The development of the MKb - 43, later the MP-44 was waylaid by Hitler because of his nostalgia for the K98. It had nothing to do with the combat effectiveness of the K98. Its adoption would not have saved the Third Reich, but the US would've been seriously outgunned facing battalions of Germans armed with Sturmgewehrs. if The era of the relevance of bolt action small arms on the battlefield began to rapidly eclipse when the M1 entered service. Likewise, the wide scale adoption of the AK-47 rapidly pushed the M1 and the M14 into obsolescence.

That said, and this has been studied, you may take 8 round of 30-06, but as far as hit probability and combat effectiveness goes the scale is tilted heavily in favor of the MP-44. Light calibers and 30 round magazines. The current issued small arms landscape of the last 60 years or so demonstrates that quite well. Making aimed hits at or beyond 300 yards on military targets that are actively trying not to be shot is beyond the capability of most of your average grunts. Fielding a general issue rifle capable of hits a 800 yards sounds great in theory, but in a war is just a waste of weight and resources.

I have both the M1 and an AR 15. I like the M1 and am indifferent about the AR 15. Even at my decrepit age, I'd prefer the M1 and its cartridge to the AR 15. It's easy to maintain a rapid rate of aimed fire with the rifle and I can hit with the M1 at long range.

Thread has gotten a bit off course. The OP asked if there were fans of the M1. Pretty much everybody here either has one or wants one. It is my all time favorite rifle. Not some mass produced AR pattern rifle, but an actual issued rifle to American soldiers. One of mine was produced in 1944. Where has it been? Was it carried across Europe? Was it there when a concentration camp was liberated? Or did it stay in the states at some basic training post teaching other Americans to go to war? Who knows? It has more heart and soul then any AR or AK clone ever did or will. And truth be told, it is still capable of defending my home since I have no fantasies of zombie apocalypses. I sold an AR to fund my second one and didn’t regret it a bit. Both my M1’s, along with my CMP 1911, would be my last guns to go, period.

I love them both like which child is your favorite. Situation is,,, ammo is cheaper and optics are more agreeable on the AR. If the gun grabbers have their way, the AR is a goner, the M1 and SKS top loaders will still be with us

Ammo is surely cheaper. Then again I shoot my M1's once a year. Maybe 150 rounds or so. It's the pride of ownership and experience in shooting it that I love about them. Sure, I shoot my AR more. But it doesn't bring me the pleasure the M1 does when I fire it. And I never had a small crowd of admirers around me at the shooting range when I fire my AR. The M1 surely draws a crowd.

Agree fully. There is a satisfaction from shooting a M1. When my eyes were better and my hands more steady I made some great off hand shots that were crowd pleasers. I’m looking forward to shooting some Garand matches this year.
These days for me the optics in the AR make it more competitive. As said above I took a 160lb wild hog with my M1. I wouldn’t try it with a 5.56. With a good shot from a 308 it didn’t flinch but dead within feet

Yeah. The .30-06 sure thumps them down hard.

I've got a few of these fine Weapons of Iron and Wood

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Walked into my friends gun shop and immediatly knew something was up.
He had just brought in about 250 Blue Sky M1 Garands. Looked like a feeding frenzy. So joined the guys who were tearing into all these boxes. Found a nice Springfield armory Blue Sky M1 Garand Which I later learned was made in 1943. Barrel I would rate from very good to excellent paid my $250 plus taxes and out the door. Now for thr fun part. Took it apart and cleaned all the grease out and started on the barrel. Bright shiney lands and grooves. Stock wasn't anything ti write home about but they kept spare stocks just for emergencies. Greased every thing that required it Took it to the range about a week later.Had some LC67 M2 ball. Shot about 75 rounds and had the most fun you could have with your clothes on. Still have her and think we're both ready for another range trip. Even came with a Remington National Match op rod. Frank

Here's a couple of pics from a display I set up for the GCA Convention in 2017.

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I was introduced to the Garand when I entered the service in May 55.
I can't say it was love at first sight though. The love took a while. :-)

I have a 12/42 manufacture date SA M-1 which I cherish.

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Paul
Salome, AZ

My first Garand was a Springfield Armory, commercial, national match. It was my go to hunting rifle for several years, and I did take several animals with it. Several years ago, I acquired, from the CMP, one of the Danish returns. It is a five digit serial number, prewar model, and also a good shooter. Then I picked up an International Harvester manufactured one. I had to have it, since while growing up on a farm in South Dakota, my Dad preferred the IH brand of tractors. I still have all three.

Gun shops locally are closed, no gun shows, the trap club is closed, staying home for the past several weeks and got caught up on my to do list. Finely got around to putting wood bases on a couple of paper weights.

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Can't give that a Like. Capt. Crunch at its worst. What a shame.

I got mine through DCM, it wasn't "unissued" but it came in good shape.

Around the same time, Woolworths had barrels of "Blue Sky" reimports from Korea that were dirt cheap. I was stupid and passed on those because they weren't "pretty."

My love affair with the M1 started in college when I joined my NROTC unit's drill team. We drilled with M1s which made us very unusual because most of the competition had either M14s or 1903s. Forty four years later, I still remember the serial number of my rifle and all of the specs of the rifle.

Just got my 1st one. Kinda a grail gun for me because my Dad carried one in Korea and my Uncle had one in WWII.
It's a November 1943 build with mostly WWII vintage parts except for the op rod from 1954 and a new CMP walnut stock.

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The CMP is really the only place to get an M1. The prices are right and you know the gun has been properly vetted. Well worth jumping through a few hoops to be eligible.

Here's the one that I got from the CMP and held for around 8 years or so. I sold it before we moved out west. As I recall, it was a 1953 model. Great barrel and very accurate.

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I've only got one Garand. The receiver is 1944 Springfield. The rifle was refurbished by Tony Giacobbe, a/k/a, the "Garand Guy" in 2012. It has never been shot since the refurbish. It would be comparable to the CMP Special class of Garands.

These things are beauties just to behold: I view them as no less than impeccable examples of modern industrial artwork.

Pic:



Bayou52

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Bayou52
NRA Life Member

Swearing in, Summer of '66, met a high school buddy who joined the Marines.
He was an island boy from Jamaica.
When I asked him if he knew the difference between the Marines and the Army, he replied that they were the same but the Marines had nicer uniforms.
Heard he played pro soccer after his tour in SEA.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

I have a few! At least two of every manufacturer. Last two are International Harvesters! Enjoy.

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M&P M2.0 Com M2.0 5 FDE 686SSR

I have an all-correct Remington 03-A3 from DCM back in the Dark Ages (I think it was 1975 or so, and a Springfield M1 S/N 820,xxx. The barrel has been replaced with a 1964 Springfield Armory tube, and like most Arsenal reworks is a parts mixmaster.

Even so, it is MY M1, and it will be taken from me when
I join my comrades-in-arms.

Picked up a Garand because I couldn't afford an M1A. Never been disappointed, never looked back.

I think that you qualify as a hoarder.

Yeah, I have a few, after selling off a bunch. Still have a Winny, HRA, IHC and a few Springfields including a 6 digit. Bought most @$495.
A few 03’s and 03A3’s, missing a Rock Island. A Winchester P17, and an M1A, rounds off things.

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Sure you did

Nice work! I like the wood and metal color. These guns are for shooting. I don’t think you can wear it out

^^^ Hi, Rich -

Thanks for the compliment and the advice!

Bayou52

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Bayou52
NRA Life Member

I got one in the late 1970s. Had to join a club and shoot a match to qualify. Got a SA in as close to 100% as I've ever seen a Garand. Then in 1985 all my guns were stolen...except for the M1. The punks left it behind for some reason. I should have kept it but I decided there were other guns I wanted to replace so I sold it. About 10 years ago I ordered another.

I wanted a decent shooter rather than historical so I requested a 1950s H&R. The metal was perfect. No flaws. The wood was a total disaster. Not one square inch wasn't dented or gouged. I stewed for a couple years then paid too much for a smith put on a new walnut stock. It looks better and I try not to think about it cost me. I was hoping for a 1955 but I think it was made in 1954.

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No life story has happy end.