M1 Garand Fans?

[Glenn R. McMannly]

I am a huge fan of the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1.

Does anyone else reload for and shoot with a Garand rifle? They are a great rifle. Thank you.

 

[S-W4EVER]

I only have one M1 Rifle, made in the post-War period. For fifty years I heard old Veterans talk about what a great rifle their M1 was but I never got it until I shot mine for the first time. It took me at least a week to wipe the smile off my face. What’s not to like about an accurate and reliable (& beautiful) rifle?

BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Mine is an old one from 1944...
As General GSP said the best battle rifle in the world....

 

[RdrBill]

M1

OP
Nice setup.
I have owned and shot them. Military Ball only, no reloads.

I only ever shot them One at a Time.

Bill@Yuma

 

[jjrr]

I bought my first M1 from the DCM and I still have it, they are fine rifles and they were the main battle rifle in two major wars our nation has been involved in. Very historically significant piece of military hardware.

 

[crc4]

I am a huge fan of the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1.

Does anyone else reload for and shoot with a Garand rifle? They are a great rifle. Thank you.

I have a 1943 Springfield all matching numbers with a National Match barrel. It's in excellent condition and shoots cloverleafs at 100 yards. I bought it in 1975 when there was a special government program that allowed certain law enforcement agencies to buy them. It cost me $100 and that included shipping.

At the same time I bought about 2500 rds of AP non-corrosive in boxes and in military belts in enblocs sealed in ammo cans. That ammo has never failed and I never shot commercial 30-06 in it. By far the most accurate centerfire rifle I've owned in 60 years.

There is an almost magical quality about the Garand -- maybe it's the historical connections, the cartridge, the feel of the rifle, the confidence it inspires -- that I haven't found in any other military rifle including AR 15s.

The US fighting serviceman was blessed to have such a weapon.

 

[AJ]

Like garands would be an understatement. A friend and I went to CMP North Store every year when I would visit. He would buy two every trip, he now has 30 or so. I would buy one each trip. He has kept his over the years and mine have been used to fund other projects. I have one left and it is a keeper. Made July 1, 1944 all pretty much original with a cartouched stock. We do not reload for ours as we bought enough M2 to keep us going for a while.

 

[scott1970]

My wife surprised me with this '44 Winchester for Christmas year before last.

 

[TXBryan]

My wife surprised me with this '44 Winchester for Christmas year before last.

Boy, did you marry well or what!?

 

[kbm6893]

I have owned three. I stupidly sold 1. The other two will be left for my kids. One is a 1944 Springfield and the other a 1955 HRA. While a modern rifle is more practical, none of them give me the feelings I get when I hold one if my M1’s.

 

[Donn]

I've had an M-1 several years. Much as I like it, I'm glad I didn't have to hump it when I was in.

 

[Electraclyde]

Mine is a Winchester, built in Aug. 1944 I carried and qualified with a Winchester Garand in Army basic training in 1964 I will never part with this Garand.

 

[Valmet]

I’ve owned a dozen of them over the years- mostly SA and a few H&Rs but never a Win or IHC. They’re fantastic rifles and I’m getting to the point where I want one again. Wish I’d hung onto one or two.

 

[Venom6]

Magnificent and historic rifles. Truly helped win the war, and truly saved many of the "greatest generation." As alluded to above, Patton called it "the greatest battle implement ever devised."

But anyone thinking of reloading for it would be well-advised to do some research first. Its gas system is sensitive to port pressure, and requires powder in a narrow burning range to function and not damage itself. Neither is it tolerant of heavy bullets. Ignoring this can result in a bent op rod or worse.

This also limits the numbers of factory loadings which are appropriate. If you buy off the shelf only grab the stuff that specifically says it's OK for Garands (yes, it is out there). Many factory loads are optimized for bolt-actions and max performance, so utilize slow-burning powders and/or heavy bullets, which will bend a Garand op rod just as fast as an inappropriate handload.

There's a fistfight going on in another forum even as we speak about neck-sizing versus full-length for this rifle. Baffles me. Garands can absolutely fire out of battery, for several reasons, not the least of which is insufficiently-sized cases. Yeah, not supposed to, but while rare it can and has happened. Oh, and about primers...

You have a great rifle, learn its nuances and enjoy the heck out of it!

 

[AJ]

You mean like these?

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Mine is a heinz, military parts and barrel with a commercial SA recvr in a Boyds laminate stock with a cherry on top. Shot a garand match with it and it’s harvested deer. A great rifle. Ping.

 

[loc n load]

M1

Yup. Definitely a fan. I own several, competed with an M1 for 20 years.
The majority of rounds that I shot during that time were my handloads in LC brass.
Took this one to the range a couple weeks back. It is a “Blue Sky” import.
My objective was to make POA=POI. Shooting LC M2 at 100 yds. Using a 5” scoring disc for a aiming point.
First three rds were 3” high. Dialed it down, shot three more, and mission accomplished.
Respectable for a 80 yr old rack rifle & vintage ball.
My step son ( 45 yrs old) had never shot a steel & wood service rifle. So I got him some trigger time on the M1. He was very impressed.
Good rifle, good day.

 

[Baxter6551]

I have posted about reloads and commercial.30-06 on other threads based on what I was told while taking the CMP advanced maintenance class at CMP Anniston. They said the bolt blew out the heel of the receiver in the photo due to over pressure reloads. They said DONT SHOOT RELOADS OR COMMERICAL HUNTING AMMO.
I’m sure others here will disagree but I’ll follow what CMP told us - to buy the Garand specific .30-06 from CMP or Federal American Eagle Garand load. I believe there is a Seller & Beloit load that’s good too. Call CMP and ask which commercial ammo is safe. My Garands have the Garand Gear gas plug - see the link. Scroll down to read their extensive information / research.

Ported Gas Plug (TM) - M1 Garand- GarandGear

Oh - and scott1970 - is that Winchester your new Patrol Rifle ?!

 

[AJ]

Mine is a heinz, military parts and barrel with a commercial SA recvr in a Boyds laminate stock with a cherry on top. Shot a garand match with it and it’s harvested deer. A great rifle. Ping.

About 99% of the Garands out there are "Mixmasters". Keeping the same manufacturers parts in the rifle was not a priority. as long as it worked that was all that mattered. The was a category at CMP called "Collector Grade" and these were selling for $1200.00 IIRC. This was when a "Service Grade" sold for $600.00. The first I ever bought was a "Rack Grade" for $350.00 and it was a five digit serial numbered receiver.

Home - Civilian Marksmanship Program

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Btw, I was given the barrel and a bag-o-garand parts in the late 70’s by a hunting bud. I just started buying the missing parts until I had a complete M1. Carried it to a Marine armourer in Jacksonville NC who put it together. I put it in the Boyds after I retired.