Just shot my Garand for the 1st time...

[PLW45]

Got a M1 Garand as a college graduation present from Mom and Dad. Went to the CMP, picked it up, used lots of the good advice from the members here when I picked it out. Couldn't have been happier.

Due to some family health issues, it was put on the back burner until a couple of days ago, when I got a chance to shoot it.

Man oh man, what a sweet rifle. Once I got it sighted in (and it was pretty close), that was all she wrote. I love this weapon. The history of it, the feel of it, even the weight that soaks up the recoil.

This may be something that other members are used to, but it was my first time shooting a Garand, and I fell in love.

I don't think I'm ever going to let it out of my collection.

Just thought I should share!

 

[USAF385]

Congrats on your new rifle.

The first time I shot one, I was 12ish and the rifle belonged to my grandfather. He didn't let me shoot it until after he discussed it's past and we sat down to watch some WWII documentaries he had.

 

[m1gunner]

Another convert. Congrats!

Take good care of that rifle, it will easily last 100 years with proper care, and continue to be a great shooter the entire time.

Get one of the Otis cleaning cables so you can clean from the chamber and not wear the muzzle with a solid cleaning rod.


It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping!

Enjoy

 

[onegunshort]

Garands are the best, just sit down in the recliner with one and turn on the Military Channel, or pop in Saving Private Ryan.

I picked mine out at CMP also, got a nice H&R and a ton of ammo. It's definitely one I will not get rid of.

Enjoy!

 

[Spotteddog]

Another generation hooked!
CONGRATS!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Way to go! Know it or not you just joined a club! We will show you the secret handshake later. Enjoy your new rifle.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I've got two. Purchased them back in 1989 and 1990 from the old DCM (fore runner to the CMP). Back then, it was only one per lifetime, so I got one, then my wife got one!

I was in Army basic training fifty years ago this summer and that's what we trained with.

I love my two... would not part with them for anything.

If you ever get a chance, go to the National Matches at Camp Perry Ohio and shoot in one of the John Garand matches. I shot in the first five. These are matches that welcome all comers and are there for your enjoyment. Get to learn a lot and meet some interesting folks.

Be sure to learn all you can about the M1. About the only thing you really "need" to know is how to correctly load the eight round enbloc clip, and if you reload, how to reload for it. It will not handle just any propellant. You have to use a propellant that will operate the action at the right speed and pressure.

There have been books written about all this and I'm sure you can get the information.

Congratulations and good luck. A finer rifle has never been made.

 

[MR .44 Spl]

"PING"

Nothing quite like that sound, is there?

Can be a little disconcerting the first time.
I enjoy Garands immensley, only wish I could get more of them.
Now go get Hatcher's "Book of the Garand". It will take your appreciation of the weapon to a whole new level.

 

[FrankD45]

+1 on Charlie's comments.

If you decide to load for it PM me and I will give you my experience on it. A couple of weeks ago I took my son to the range and "let" him shoot my Garand with some new handloads. He fired eight rounds into two "cloverleaf" groups that were about an inch apart off hand at 50 yards. He is now in love as well and threatening to "steal" my baby.

You scored a great graduation gift.

Frank

 

[Alpha06]

Welcome to the club! You are now the proud owner of one of the best rifles ever built.

Dependable, accurate, and very fun to shoot. You just can't beat a M1 Garand in 30-06.

Be careful, you have been bit by the GarandBug. Now you will be needing more than one.

 

[alde]

You can only understand the love of the Garand after shooting it. Enjoy your rifle. Now you need to get a little brother for it in the form of a carbine.

Is your Garand a WW II vintage? Mine is from 1955 but it's a super rifle.

 

[Joe Kent]

A great rifle , as said above, take care of it and it will take care of you.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

Alde mentioned the "age" of his rifle. This is an interesting thing to look up. I can't tell you right now where to go, but these serial numbers and dates of manufacture are easily obtainable on the web. Just use Google to start.

I've got one that is a true "WWII veteran". It was manufactured in July of 1945...war was over in August. The other is from the complete end of the manufacturing in 1957. Both are "SA", Springfield Armory.

 

[ladder13]

Have a few including a Winchester, 2 HRA, a IHC, and a couple WWII and Korean War era Sprinfields including a 6 digit. I love those rifles, accurate and reliable.

Get yourself a 1903 and 1903A3 also, fantastic firearms, all.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

Have a few including a Winchester, 2 HRA, a IHC, and a couple WWII and Korean War era Sprinfields including a 6 digit. I love those rifles, accurate and reliable.

Get yourself a 1903 and 1903A3 also, fantastic firearms, all.

I did; not being obsessive or anything, I managed to get a Garand from each source. The Win is WWII, all the rest are post war. The Springfield is the newest, and the nicest. Lets see, I need an '03 from Rock Island, and how many O3A3 manufacturers are there?

 

[ladder13]

I did; not being obsessive or anything, I managed to get a Garand from each source. The Win is WWII, all the rest are post war. The Springfield is the newest, and the nicest. Lets see, I need an '03 from Rock Island, and how many O3A3 manufacturers are there?

03A3...Remington and Smith-Corona
03..Springfield, RIA and Remington

 

[duman444]

I picked up my 1943 Garand a few years ago. All I can say is that it is made the way a weapon should be made. I am in awe of the average American male of the 40's who stood 5'6"-5'8" and weighed on average 150 lbs. and scheleped that 7 to 8 lbs. beast (+ ammo) all over Germany / the Pacific.
Right after I got it I made a 200 yard shot on a pig in S. Texas. With my aging eyes thats a shot I have trouble with on my scoped deer rifle. The 150 gr. surplus ammo did not have a lot of expansion, but the hydrostatic shock did the trick.

 

[PLW45]

You can only understand the love of the Garand after shooting it. Enjoy your rifle. Now you need to get a little brother for it in the form of a carbine.

Is your Garand a WW II vintage? Mine is from 1955 but it's a super rifle.

It is a 6 digit Springfield. Manufactured in August 1942. It's been rebarreled, but I doubt I would be able to make it a numbers matching rifle anyhow. I asked the armorer to help me pick out a good shooter, and that's exactly what he did.

I gotta be honest with ya'll. . . I spent the week leading up to the trip watching Band of Brothers. Lots of good Garand work in the series!

 

[Class III]

We love pictures, we really do!

Go shoot a few bandoliers of enblocks and post a picture of your thumb! HA!!

I've got six M1's. All US manufacturers are covered. Pre war to 1955 SA. I LOVE my M1's.

Seriously, Welcome to the club.

duman444, the weight of an as issued M1 is nine pounds eight ounces, give or take an ounce or two depending on the density of the wood and what accessories are in the butt.


Class III

 

[Bat Guano]

M1s are family. My father carried one in the ETO; I learned the manual of arms on it, and my son knows how to shoot it. (Grandpa got one from the CMP with the WWII veterans' discount, and we gave it to him.)

Every young American man should know how to field strip, clean, reassemble, and hit with an M1 before completion of American History classes...assuming that there still are such.

Congratulations on yours.