Any one own or shoot a Tanker Garand?

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Waldo

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I have a couple of full size Garands. I have seen articles about a guy that shortens the barrel to "Tanker" length. They look interesting. But in reading about Government experiments with shorter barrel Garands years ago, the problem seems to be excessive muzzle blast and flash. I was wondering if any one has a short barrel Garand and what your thought on this are? Thanks for any advice.
 
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I previously worked in a gun store post retirement and we got a "Tanker" Garand in on consignment from an estate. I had an old Army Korean War Vet customer (Charlie), that dearly loved shooting Garands and just had to have the "Tanker". After taking the "Tanker" to the range one time, he came back into the shop and called the rifle every name you can imagine. Charlie said that cursed rifle kicked like an old Army mule and he absolutely hated the muzzle blast. I have no idea what happened to the "Tanker" because shortly thereafter, Charlie laid down to take a nap and never woke up. I assume one of his sons-in-law wound up with it.
 
In the late 1970’s a friend had one that I shot a bit. It was built on a re-weld receiver but functioned reliably. Accuracy was so-so but I don’t remember what condition the barrel/muzzle was in. It threw brass pretty far and was a little louder. I wouldn’t spend my money on one but back then it had a “cool” factor to it.
 
Depends on who built it...and with what.

Fulton Armory? You'll pay a premium and it will run like a scalded cat. Bubba the Backyard Gunboy? You'll curse like you've never cursed before, but at least you can use it as an expensive mail box pole.

Caveat Emptor and INSIST on an inspection with the stock removed and with a magnifying glass under bright lighting.

Just my $.02.
 
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It is possible to get one that runs with a short barrel and US gas block, but it's harder and mostly ones that have been made with great care and some tinkering run well. If you get one with the Italian "dropped" gas block, odds are it will run fine and be reliable with no fuss at all(assuming it was assembled correctly of good parts).
I can't say for sure, but I feel the rather straight op-rod of the Beretta system is likely to create a rifle far more robust and tolerant of various ammunition compared to a stock M-1 and even more so with the bent op-rod shorty.
Yes, they are louder than a full-length M-1, but in this age of muzzle-brake shorty ARs and effective hearing protection, it's not really an issue. Recoil isn't much more than a normal M-1 and if you add an optic (since you are already committing a crime against fussy collectors, you might as well) the weight can help bring recoil back to normal. You can also run the Beretta muzzle-brake that matches the gas block.
Ian's runs the US gas block I think:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qaTRwq-IRc[/ame]
 
A very good friend of mine has a couple of bushels of Garands. Years ago he sent one off to I believe "James River" company and had it converted to a .308 Tanker. It's not bad to shoot and works well. What he has that is LOUD is a 16" SOCOM with muzzle brake..........Really loud.
 
tanker grand

Waldo said:
I have a couple of full size Garands. I have seen articles about a guy that shortens the barrel to "Tanker" length. They look interesting. But in reading about Government experiments with shorter barrel Garands years ago, the problem seems to be excessive muzzle blast and flash. I was wondering if any one has a short barrel Garand and what your thought on this are? Thanks for any advice.
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i have and shoot a tanker Grand. it has no blast or flash. the good thing is "it fits in the truck." some were converted to .308.
 
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