I got the M1 out of the safe to check the SN. It is indeed #44393. So it looks like the receiver was made in June 1940.
M1 Rifle fans?
- Thread starter Puller
- Start date
We know that no Garands were ever built new as "Tanker" Garands.
We're told that the prototypes and Springfield modified Garand T26 didn't survive except the one museum piece.
By 'original' I mean the original non-military modifieds from the 1960's period. No shortened or welded action, no National Ordnance (and later Alpine) or any other name on it; just a surplus Garand, with shortened front end and the small piece of forward forestock, with the implication that it was late gov't manufacture, and that look like this:
1960s catalog ad for a "Garand Carbine Tanker Model"
kbm6893
Member
I was thinking MP44. But I'd still rather have 8 shots of 30-06 if I was shooting at somebody from any real distance. I have never heard or even seen anybody say anything negative about the combat effectiveness of the M1 Garand. The Japanese even tried to copy it towards the end of the war, and from what I have read about the STG44, Hitler was asked to approve it for combat use much earlier than 1944, but he felt the K98 was up to the task. By the time it began to be ushered in, the tide had turned in the war. Patton called it the greatest battle implement of all time. I figure he knew more about it then anybody here did. And Korea was only 5 years after WW II ended so I doubt there was much progress in weapon technology that made something else a better option. Only improvement to the M1 that I would like to have seen came to be when the M14 was adopted. Detachable magazines in battle are a big plus, but I've also read that the brass did not want magazines for fear of soldiers wasting ammo. Guess I can see that as the generals who made that decision were coming from a time of bolt action weapons.
The M1 Gun has an excellent thumping factor.
Able to lift a man up off his feet and knock him down, it along with the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911, were what stopped the filthy Nazi and Japanese advance during the WW-II.
It is The Greatest Battle Implement yet devised according to Doug McArthur. Great gun and better than any AR16 poodle shooter .22!
Able to lift a man up off his feet and knock him down, it along with the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911, were what stopped the filthy Nazi and Japanese advance during the WW-II.
It is The Greatest Battle Implement yet devised according to Doug McArthur. Great gun and better than any AR16 poodle shooter .22!
But wait
The quote was from General Patton. The M1 Garand was in service about 25 years. The M16 Poodle shooter has been in service about 55. Something must be right about it. In the Gulf, when a bigger bullet with more range was called for, they pulled out M14s, not Garands. I have both and love them both.
The quote was from General Patton. The M1 Garand was in service about 25 years. The M16 Poodle shooter has been in service about 55. Something must be right about it. In the Gulf, when a bigger bullet with more range was called for, they pulled out M14s, not Garands. I have both and love them both.
kbm6893
Member
No doubt the M16 platform is better now, but there wasn't a better general service rifle available during WWII and Korea. Would I want to go to battle with an M1 today? Hell no. But in 1942 I would have been happy to have one.
AManWearingAHat
Member
The development of the MKb - 43, later the MP-44 was waylaid by Hitler because of his nostalgia for the K98. It had nothing to do with the combat effectiveness of the K98. Its adoption would not have saved the Third Reich, but the US would've been seriously outgunned facing battalions of Germans armed with Sturmgewehrs. if The era of the relevance of bolt action small arms on the battlefield began to rapidly eclipse when the M1 entered service. Likewise, the wide scale adoption of the AK-47 rapidly pushed the M1 and the M14 into obsolescence.
That said, and this has been studied, you may take 8 round of 30-06, but as far as hit probability and combat effectiveness goes the scale is tilted heavily in favor of the MP-44. Light calibers and 30 round magazines. The current issued small arms landscape of the last 60 years or so demonstrates that quite well. Making aimed hits at or beyond 300 yards on military targets that are actively trying not to be shot is beyond the capability of most of your average grunts. Fielding a general issue rifle capable of hits a 800 yards sounds great in theory, but in a war is just a waste of weight and resources.
Last edited:
bmcgilvray
Member
I have both the M1 and an AR 15. I like the M1 and am indifferent about the AR 15. Even at my decrepit age, I'd prefer the M1 and its cartridge to the AR 15. It's easy to maintain a rapid rate of aimed fire with the rifle and I can hit with the M1 at long range.
kbm6893
Member
Thread has gotten a bit off course. The OP asked if there were fans of the M1. Pretty much everybody here either has one or wants one. It is my all time favorite rifle. Not some mass produced AR pattern rifle, but an actual issued rifle to American soldiers. One of mine was produced in 1944. Where has it been? Was it carried across Europe? Was it there when a concentration camp was liberated? Or did it stay in the states at some basic training post teaching other Americans to go to war? Who knows? It has more heart and soul then any AR or AK clone ever did or will. And truth be told, it is still capable of defending my home since I have no fantasies of zombie apocalypses. I sold an AR to fund my second one and didn't regret it a bit. Both my M1's, along with my CMP 1911, would be my last guns to go, period.
Hell Yeah!
I love them both like which child is your favorite. Situation is,,, ammo is cheaper and optics are more agreeable on the AR. If the gun grabbers have their way, the AR is a goner, the M1 and SKS top loaders will still be with us
I love them both like which child is your favorite. Situation is,,, ammo is cheaper and optics are more agreeable on the AR. If the gun grabbers have their way, the AR is a goner, the M1 and SKS top loaders will still be with us
kbm6893
Member
Ammo is surely cheaper. Then again I shoot my M1's once a year. Maybe 150 rounds or so. It's the pride of ownership and experience in shooting it that I love about them. Sure, I shoot my AR more. But it doesn't bring me the pleasure the M1 does when I fire it. And I never had a small crowd of admirers around me at the shooting range when I fire my AR. The M1 surely draws a crowd.
Last edited:
Agreed
Agree fully. There is a satisfaction from shooting a M1. When my eyes were better and my hands more steady I made some great off hand shots that were crowd pleasers. I'm looking forward to shooting some Garand matches this year.
These days for me the optics in the AR make it more competitive. As said above I took a 160lb wild hog with my M1. I wouldn't try it with a 5.56. With a good shot from a 308 it didn't flinch but dead within feet
Agree fully. There is a satisfaction from shooting a M1. When my eyes were better and my hands more steady I made some great off hand shots that were crowd pleasers. I'm looking forward to shooting some Garand matches this year.
These days for me the optics in the AR make it more competitive. As said above I took a 160lb wild hog with my M1. I wouldn't try it with a 5.56. With a good shot from a 308 it didn't flinch but dead within feet
kbm6893
Member
Yeah. The .30-06 sure thumps them down hard.
Frank46
US Veteran
Walked into my friends gun shop and immediatly knew something was up.
He had just brought in about 250 Blue Sky M1 Garands. Looked like a feeding frenzy. So joined the guys who were tearing into all these boxes. Found a nice Springfield armory Blue Sky M1 Garand Which I later learned was made in 1943. Barrel I would rate from very good to excellent paid my $250 plus taxes and out the door. Now for thr fun part. Took it apart and cleaned all the grease out and started on the barrel. Bright shiney lands and grooves. Stock wasn't anything ti write home about but they kept spare stocks just for emergencies. Greased every thing that required it Took it to the range about a week later.Had some LC67 M2 ball. Shot about 75 rounds and had the most fun you could have with your clothes on. Still have her and think we're both ready for another range trip. Even came with a Remington National Match op rod. Frank
He had just brought in about 250 Blue Sky M1 Garands. Looked like a feeding frenzy. So joined the guys who were tearing into all these boxes. Found a nice Springfield armory Blue Sky M1 Garand Which I later learned was made in 1943. Barrel I would rate from very good to excellent paid my $250 plus taxes and out the door. Now for thr fun part. Took it apart and cleaned all the grease out and started on the barrel. Bright shiney lands and grooves. Stock wasn't anything ti write home about but they kept spare stocks just for emergencies. Greased every thing that required it Took it to the range about a week later.Had some LC67 M2 ball. Shot about 75 rounds and had the most fun you could have with your clothes on. Still have her and think we're both ready for another range trip. Even came with a Remington National Match op rod. Frank
I was introduced to the Garand when I entered the service in May 55.
I can't say it was love at first sight though. The love took a while.
I have a 12/42 manufacture date SA M-1 which I cherish.
I can't say it was love at first sight though. The love took a while.
I have a 12/42 manufacture date SA M-1 which I cherish.
My first Garand was a Springfield Armory, commercial, national match. It was my go to hunting rifle for several years, and I did take several animals with it. Several years ago, I acquired, from the CMP, one of the Danish returns. It is a five digit serial number, prewar model, and also a good shooter. Then I picked up an International Harvester manufactured one. I had to have it, since while growing up on a farm in South Dakota, my Dad preferred the IH brand of tractors. I still have all three.
OldK22
Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2013
- Messages
- 622
- Reaction score
- 1,500
Gun shops locally are closed, no gun shows, the trap club is closed, staying home for the past several weeks and got caught up on my to do list. Finely got around to putting wood bases on a couple of paper weights.
Attachments
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked
