M1 Garand Fans?

[Glenn R. McMannly]

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

First time I have heard reloaded ammo is not safe in an M1. Most competitors I know reload. I do as well and have never experienced an issue. I cannot possibly imagine firing these old rifles with how expensive factory ammunition is in this day and age.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

You have to use the correct powder and correct weight bullet in your reloads to protect the op rod from damage. But a Shuster adjustable gas plug is an easy way to protect your rifle if you’re using incorrect [for an M1] reloads.

 

[BKLooney]

I love my Springfield M1, a fantastic shooting weapon. Mine was made around 1955/56, incredibly accurate!

 

[22shtur]

I bought one from the DCM in 1988, when you had to have proof of shooting high power and it was one per lifetime. In the 2000's the CMP went to 12 per year, beginning Oct 2023 it will be 6 per year.

I have one from each of the manufactures; SA, WRA, H&R, and IHC.
On the thecmp.org, there is a wealth of information on the M1 Garand.

 

[BE Mike]

I got mine from the DCM in the 80's.I rarely shoot it, but a buddy who has a range at his farm, invited a few of us out to shoot. He has a 14" steel disc set up at 200 yards. I sat down at a picnic table and rested my elbows and hit 2 out of three shots using military surplus ammo. It is also a very soft shooting rifle. Although it is a mostly a safe queen, I'll likely hold on to it for the rest of my life.

 

[Faulkner]

At one time I had half a dozen M1 rifles but I have culled them down to my favorite pair. I shoot them several times a year and usually take one to the deer stand a time or two each season.

I have installed Garand Gear gas plug on mine and stick to bullet weights in the 150 to 165 grain range. I prefer Remington 150 grain Core Lokt jacketed soft point ammo for hunting and I've taken quite a few whitetail deer and feral hogs without any issues to my M1 Rifle.

I certainly have a lot of respect to the young men who lugged M1 Rifle's around on the battlefield with a full pack and ammo load out.

 

[Grayfox]

Love me some Garand!

Top: May 1942 Springfield. I made the trip to Anniston back in 2007 and bought this one from CMP. Its a Danish return.
I also picked up several cases of the Greek M2 ball ammo which I'm still working on.

Bottom: 1955 H&R. This one belonged to a dear friend who passed away. I think of him every time I see it.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

Yes actually some of us do.

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.

Both load and shoot them.

 

[mckenney99]

My first was a Springfield "Blue Sky" Import that once I cleaned the barrel found an absolute sewer pipe of a barrel. Sent the rifle off to have it completely rebuilt in National Match fashion and it will easily out shoot my abilities. My second is also a Springfield (forget the year) that is basically as it left the CMP North Store where a friend stopped each year on his way to Lake Erie.
I highly recommend the The Garand Collectors Association for any and all things Garand related. Only $25 a year and you get 4 beautifully produced magazines a year and membership meets 1 of the requirements to purchase from the CMP.

 

[robvious]

I have a SA 4-1944... and a new in the box SA... YES NIB... the really really post war M1 Garand.... in the 7 million serial number range... and I have never reloaded for it... switched to a M1A before I ran out of military surplus stuff

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Just a shout out to anyone wanting to shoot their Garand in eastern NC. Look up Down East Garand Shooters. They have a short range and use 100 yd downsized targets. A nice club near Greenville NC.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I cut my teeth on M1 Garands in high school ROTC. Shot a lot of matches with them. This one, mine, is a Springfield and dates from 1941.

John

 

[AJ]

The last of the Mohicans! The one I am keeping out of all I have picked up over the years.

 

[pmanton]

My first 9 years of service were with the Marines. They introduced me to the M-1 in 1955. I have and cherish a 1942 Springfield Armory.

 

[SF VET]

My now deceased father in law gave up on his BAR in the swamps and jungle of Buna, when the 32nd Infantry Div and the Aussies took that place back from the Japanese. He told me the Garands worked, but his BAR and others just wouldn't in all that muck. Long decades ago, he bought a DCM Springfield, a mint 1943 which seems to be all original, barrel and so forth, much too nice to ever have been overseas, and about 15 years ago it came to me. They are heavy, but the gas operating system really does tame the recoil.

I am well aware of the risk of a bent operating rod, so reload my own 150 grain ball, with the correct powder and CCI primers for semi-auto rifles, always full length resized. Superb rifles...

SF VET

 

[Greyman50]

Down to one. Have had a 6 over the years, son got one and traded the others for other guns. Used to go to Camp Butner and shoot in some informal matches our club had. Have/ had a target somewhere from one but who knows where it is????. If TSHTF I would not hesitate to pick up my M-1.
Picked up these today at a flea market for guys in the club that just got their M-1s and need clips.

 

[lrrifleman]

At one point in my life, I had three Garands: a 6 digit Springfield from 1940, a Springfield that had been a Danish Lend-Lease, and my 1956 HRA. The HRA was built into an M1MkII that was my service division target rifle and my 1940 Springfield is still here. After the accident I had to let the Dane go.

I reloaded all of my ammo with IMR4895 and either Sierra 168s or GI M72 FMJBTs. My MkII always put my shots where I wanted them!

 

[LVSteve]

Mine is an early 7-digit Springfield that picked up a new barrel somewhere along the line. It has a peculiar brass rack tag, suspected to be related to time in some kind of academy or other. Other than a clean and lube of the action, the rifle is as I received it. I'm not one to attack the wood on my milsurps. ***CLICK FOR FULLSIZE***

I suppose one day I should get around to shooting it along with certain other early semis I own for a comparison. Thus far the French MAS 49/56 is tops, once you sort out the crazy heavy trigger. It's lighter and shorter than the other wood and steel semi-auto rifles of that period. The FN-49 suffers from a stupidly small rear aperture along with Garand equaling weight. Even beefier is the Hakim I own that I have also yet to shoot. That rifle is not likely to win much praise from me due to its rear sight arrangement. We shall see.

 

[MSD2343]

I have two, both purchased about seven years ago from the CMP. My regular shooter is a January 1945 Springfield (top in photo) that came with a new Criterion barrel and CMP stock as a “Special Service Grade.” I’ve got several thousand rounds through it now and it’s still quite accurate.

I also have a July 1944 Winchester that has all USGI parts (not matching unfortunately) that I avoid shooting regularly.

I consider myself blessed to own these historic rifles and can only echo all that has been said before about how there’s nothing else quite like an M1 Garand.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I got a really good deal on my latest.

HRA receiver and other parts this and that pretty clean with what looks like an original Linseed oil stock. And a bayonet.