M1 Garand Fans?
- Thread starter Glenn R. McMannly
- Start date
AJ
US Veteran
Still has a lockbar rear sight!
when I see pictures of some of the ragged M1's coming back to this country for sale, perhaps some admirers and seekers of Garands wonder how they were stored or maintained, & serviced when overseas for the past half century or more. When I was with MACV, the Vietnam war advisory command, first six months on a two man roving advisory team, and then the second six months on a two and sometimes 3 man more stationary District team, and I would accompany my Vietnamese counterparts on inspection tours of the small, 15-20 troop outposts, the local troops would fall out for inspection. These very small soldiers, often 5 feet tall at most, would form up with their massive Garands at their side.
I always wondered who in their wisdom issued heavy, cumbersome Garands to these scrawny, small soldiers? Why didn't we give them Carbines, or something else more suited to their size and mission? Plus, when I would peek into their "arms rooms", which had rusty, rotting Garands leaning against the mud walls, I doubted if their rifles would function when necessary, as they sure they wern't being cleaned and carried on patrols, which they never did anyway
Here a picture of a typical small outpost, with trash and wet, rusty ammo for their crooked mortar. I don't think many if any of the returned Garands came back from Vietnam, but I suspect that many that do were used and stored under similar conditions. This is why some have pitting rust under the wood.
Just a historical perspetive where thousands of pristine US weapons ended up, sort of a Garand Purgatory. SF VET
I always wondered who in their wisdom issued heavy, cumbersome Garands to these scrawny, small soldiers? Why didn't we give them Carbines, or something else more suited to their size and mission? Plus, when I would peek into their "arms rooms", which had rusty, rotting Garands leaning against the mud walls, I doubted if their rifles would function when necessary, as they sure they wern't being cleaned and carried on patrols, which they never did anyway
Here a picture of a typical small outpost, with trash and wet, rusty ammo for their crooked mortar. I don't think many if any of the returned Garands came back from Vietnam, but I suspect that many that do were used and stored under similar conditions. This is why some have pitting rust under the wood.
Just a historical perspetive where thousands of pristine US weapons ended up, sort of a Garand Purgatory. SF VET
Have a bunch, but my fav is this tiger striped SG tractor gun from the CMP about 15 years ago.
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AJ
US Veteran
when I see pictures of some of the ragged M1's coming back to this country for sale, perhaps some admirers and seekers of Garands wonder how they were stored or maintained, & serviced when overseas for the past half century or more. When I was with MACV, the Vietnam war advisory command, first six months on a two man roving advisory team, and then the second six months on a two and sometimes 3 man more stationary District team, and I would accompany my Vietnamese counterparts on inspection tours of the small, 15-20 troop outposts, the local troops would fall out for inspection. These very small soldiers, often 5 feet tall at most, would form up with their massive Garands at their side.
I always wondered who in their wisdom issued heavy, cumbersome Garands to these scrawny, small soldiers? Why didn't we give them Carbines, or something else more suited to their size and mission? Plus, when I would peek into their "arms rooms", which had rusty, rotting Garands leaning against the mud walls, I doubted if their rifles would function when necessary, as they sure they wern't being cleaned and carried on patrols, which they never did anyway
Here a picture of a typical small outpost, with trash and wet, rusty ammo for their crooked mortar. I don't think many if any of the returned Garands came back from Vietnam, but I suspect that many that do were used and stored under similar conditions. This is why some have pitting rust under the wood.
Just a historical perspetive where thousands of pristine US weapons ended up, sort of a Garand Purgatory. SF VET
The Koreans were not any better. The average foot solider in some of the countries are peasant farmers, with no mechanical skills. Just as the Russian troops were/are. Clean a weapons after it has been fired??? Only when it quits working is something done to it. Saw some a couple of years ago that the Philippines had in storage. They for the most part looked like they were ready for a scrap yard.
IrishFritz
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I know that listening to old men like me gets tedious, but.... How about the old days of the DCM (predecessor to CMP) when I could shoot a DCM loaner during competition with unlimited ammo. I shot thousands upon thousands of rounds as a teenager with a DCM owned M-1 or an 03-A3. All free! Later I was able to purchase a National Match M-1 from the DCM and I shot it so much I shot the throat out of it. Sadly, I got married and times got tough so the rifle had to go. Twenty years ago I owned 9 papered National Matches including a first variant in pristine condition that belonged to the wife of a Marine colonel (she also sold me her star gauged 1903-A1 national match 1903). Indeed, I have lived through the best of times in our country.
MTPioneer
Member
My brother in law is on the local military honor guard using these rifles. They seem to have a lot of trouble with them firing the blanks continuously. Any advice I can pass along to him?
There are a number of folks on the CMP forum that can likely help with info on making salute rifles run their best. I believe the CMP itself can help/was helping with some repair parts for veterans org rifles if needed.
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Good friend had shoulder surgery few months ago, we are talking about going to the outdoor range and shoot our M-1’s this spring. Since it was his left shoulder hope he is good to go by then and its been to hot for outdoor shooting here.
Not long after I retired, a couple of the Guys at the Range I had joined talked me into shooting the monthly CMP matches with them.
At the time, CMP was furnishing the ammo, LC Ball, and there was only the Match fee, and it was 50 rounds @ 200 yds…. 20 Prone, 10 Sitting, 10, Kneeling, 10 Standing….I went to Anniston and participated in the Volunteer Armorers program…Came back with a Danish return, a WW2 SA ,that had been rebarreled with a Danish VAR barrel that gauged new….Stock looked like it had been dragged down a gravel road, BUT, it had a tight lockup and didn’t bind anywhere….still had the Danish Disc embedded …Consistently shot low - mid 400s using a entry level mat, canvas sling and my old field Jacket…. Some of the other participants started sending their Rifles to DGR to have Krieger Barrels installed on Weineg Stocks…..Usually shot next to a Guy that competed @ Perry every year…and brought back medals…I asked him about Federal Gold Medal 168 match ammo…He said @ 200 yds, no difference between that and LC M2 ball.
I will say that the Danish AMA ammo was/ is equal to any match ammo.
Went back to Anniston in 2007 for the CMP Master Instructor Course and assisted at the Range conducting Garand clinics…Injuries from work caught up to me resulting in No longer being able to shoot Prone …..Last time I checked, alot of Shooters were bringing what they had, including SKS’s and Mattie Mattel’s and the ammo to go with it. CMP no longer issuing ammo, and a lot of the old timers no longer around.
The Greek HXP was subjected to heat for long periods, prior to purchase and varies in consistency….For Garand maintaince, If you do a search, several sites will come up….The Garand, being a Gas Piston Rifle, like the Carbine and M-14 is very, very reliable and consistent, but does need to be cleaned, greased, and oiled. Also, using a Bore guide, available from Dewey, will protect the Rifling at the Muzzle.
At the time, CMP was furnishing the ammo, LC Ball, and there was only the Match fee, and it was 50 rounds @ 200 yds…. 20 Prone, 10 Sitting, 10, Kneeling, 10 Standing….I went to Anniston and participated in the Volunteer Armorers program…Came back with a Danish return, a WW2 SA ,that had been rebarreled with a Danish VAR barrel that gauged new….Stock looked like it had been dragged down a gravel road, BUT, it had a tight lockup and didn’t bind anywhere….still had the Danish Disc embedded …Consistently shot low - mid 400s using a entry level mat, canvas sling and my old field Jacket…. Some of the other participants started sending their Rifles to DGR to have Krieger Barrels installed on Weineg Stocks…..Usually shot next to a Guy that competed @ Perry every year…and brought back medals…I asked him about Federal Gold Medal 168 match ammo…He said @ 200 yds, no difference between that and LC M2 ball.
I will say that the Danish AMA ammo was/ is equal to any match ammo.
Went back to Anniston in 2007 for the CMP Master Instructor Course and assisted at the Range conducting Garand clinics…Injuries from work caught up to me resulting in No longer being able to shoot Prone …..Last time I checked, alot of Shooters were bringing what they had, including SKS’s and Mattie Mattel’s and the ammo to go with it. CMP no longer issuing ammo, and a lot of the old timers no longer around.
The Greek HXP was subjected to heat for long periods, prior to purchase and varies in consistency….For Garand maintaince, If you do a search, several sites will come up….The Garand, being a Gas Piston Rifle, like the Carbine and M-14 is very, very reliable and consistent, but does need to be cleaned, greased, and oiled. Also, using a Bore guide, available from Dewey, will protect the Rifling at the Muzzle.
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smithra_66
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Just saying "reloads" is kind of silly. Reloads can be made to the exact specifications of proper loads for the M1.
Most top level competitors reload.
Yes, don't shoot "improperly assembled reloads" or factory loads that run pressures that are too high for the Garand gas assembly.
AJ
US Veteran
I have a case or two of the Danish tucked away, Good stuff!
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