vonn
US Veteran
The more you shoot it the better you will like it!
My first M1 Garand
- Thread starter jsfricks
- Start date
Stirling
Member
That is indeed a fine looking rifle! I wish I could own one. A friend of mine offered me a Winchester manufactured M1 as well as a BAR when the firearms laws changed here. I had no choice but to pass. The Garand is a rare beast here with Lee Enfield No.4s being the former service rifle.
Electraclyde
Member
Qualified with the Garand in the U.S. Army back in April 1964
Have owned 2 since then, (none right now).
Currently on a M1 Carbine spree and having fun.
By the way, with my last Garand (an H&R from 1955) I was able to shoot a 7/8", 3 shot group at 100 yards. Garands are very accurate.
Have owned 2 since then, (none right now).
Currently on a M1 Carbine spree and having fun.
By the way, with my last Garand (an H&R from 1955) I was able to shoot a 7/8", 3 shot group at 100 yards. Garands are very accurate.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
Congratulations. It is a great rifle. I fired my first Garand in 1964 and lived with it for the next four years. Many nights sleeping with the rifle field stripped because I didn't disassemble it quick enough. You really get to know a rifle that way. I finally bought my own from the CMP in 2003. It is an early August 1943 and a sweet shooter. I put two clips through it every year and love every trigger pull.
StakeOut
US Veteran
Years ago the DCM that later became CMP gave M-1 Garands and AMMO to Rifle and pistol clubs.
Before the Gun Control Act of 1968, used surplus imports did not require any marking of any kind, and none were used
A few decades ago many thousands of M1 Garands and M-1 Carbines were imported back to the US from South Korea by Blue Sky Imports.The barrels of these rifles were deeply stamped at the forward portion of the barrel with the words Blue Sky.
These rifles ranged between very good condition to really bad.Many needed to be rebarreled.
I owned a 1955 Springfied National Match,a 1943 Springfield and a Blue Sky Import that I chambered/rebarreled to .308.
M1 Garand serial number / stock cartouche list
M1 Garand serial number stock cartouche list
Before the Gun Control Act of 1968, used surplus imports did not require any marking of any kind, and none were used
A few decades ago many thousands of M1 Garands and M-1 Carbines were imported back to the US from South Korea by Blue Sky Imports.The barrels of these rifles were deeply stamped at the forward portion of the barrel with the words Blue Sky.
These rifles ranged between very good condition to really bad.Many needed to be rebarreled.
I owned a 1955 Springfied National Match,a 1943 Springfield and a Blue Sky Import that I chambered/rebarreled to .308.
M1 Garand serial number / stock cartouche list
M1 Garand serial number stock cartouche list
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I cut my teeth on the M1 Garand at age 14, in high school Army JROTC. I was so impressed with its awesome mechanics that I took to drawing its mechanisms in other classes. As a junior in high school, in actual competition with the best of six other high schools, I could run 25 yards, skid to a stop, assemble a nearly completely disassembled M1 and fire a blank in it less time than it takes to tell it. I won that competition, and the second place cadet from a competing high school was a full 15 seconds behind me. I could have done it blindfolded, but that would have taken just a mite longer. As an adult, it was one of the first high-powered rifles I acquired, and I have that rifle still. It is one of the rare lend-lease guns that were proofed by the British during WWII, and came out of Springfield Armory originally in 1941. It still has the original barrel.
I think John Garand did more to save American skins during the war than any other individual. George Patton was right - "The finest battle implement ever devised." I devoted a chapter on it in my book 101 Classic Firearms. Anyone armed in battle with an M1 today still has an incredibly effective weapon at his disposal.
That "ching" sound as the last round in the clip is fired will always be music to me.
John
I think John Garand did more to save American skins during the war than any other individual. George Patton was right - "The finest battle implement ever devised." I devoted a chapter on it in my book 101 Classic Firearms. Anyone armed in battle with an M1 today still has an incredibly effective weapon at his disposal.
That "ching" sound as the last round in the clip is fired will always be music to me.
John
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SOMEDAY... ( Sigh )..
Maybe someday.. 
( Looking for the green with envy emoticon
)
Maybe someday.. ( Looking for the green with envy emoticon
)
What sound is more recognized, the Ping of the Garand clip or the chunk-chunk of a 12 gauge pump gun. My Garand came from the DCM (forerunner to the CMP) back when they were allotted 8000 units to sell in a year, my order got there a little late so I waited 14 months for it to be shipped (the next fiscal year). Mine's a Springfield also, and a great shooter with all matching walnut stock.
The books by Scott A. Duff for WWII and post war M1 Garand are a must.
Some new en blocs are parked. Steel wool and gun oil will fix them from sticking.
Part one of cleaning M14/M1A. Same deal as the Garand. Some neat tricks.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNKcWNeQzDE[/ame]
Some new en blocs are parked. Steel wool and gun oil will fix them from sticking.
Part one of cleaning M14/M1A. Same deal as the Garand. Some neat tricks.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNKcWNeQzDE[/ame]
Slufstuff
Member
Nice M1! Coincidentally, I have a March 1945 SA also. It is a post war rebuild service grade I got from the CMP probably 10 or 12 years ago.
In the heat & noise of battle........NOBODY hears the "ping"........That's an old myth.
IMHO...Racking a pump gun when hearing a break-in/burglar is STUPID too...The ONLY thing the bad guy should hear is......BOOM!!!!!!!!
StakeOut
US Veteran
My first experience shooting the M-1 Garand was the 900 inch range at USMC Recuit Depot Paris Island S.C.
Then off to the big range out to 500 yards
I had just shot fairly well offhand at 200 yards and kneeling/sitting at 300 yards so the next move was back to 500 slow fire prone.
Upon arrival at the 500 yard line I again blackened my front and rear sights on the kerosene lamp before putting the cotton back in my ears and assuming the prone position at my firing point.
When the line was ready and I was fully concentrated on the front sight blade,exhaling half my breath,slowly squeezing the trigger straight to the rear so the round firing would be a complete surprise.
Just as sear disengaged from the hammer hooks and my 1st 500 yard shot ever was about to be launched down range I peeked at the target.
Seconds later my buddy in the pits was waving Maggie's Drawers.
My DI,standing behind me,was not impressed with my 500 yard marksmanship and let me know about it later back at the barracks.
Then off to the big range out to 500 yards
I had just shot fairly well offhand at 200 yards and kneeling/sitting at 300 yards so the next move was back to 500 slow fire prone.
Upon arrival at the 500 yard line I again blackened my front and rear sights on the kerosene lamp before putting the cotton back in my ears and assuming the prone position at my firing point.
When the line was ready and I was fully concentrated on the front sight blade,exhaling half my breath,slowly squeezing the trigger straight to the rear so the round firing would be a complete surprise.
Just as sear disengaged from the hammer hooks and my 1st 500 yard shot ever was about to be launched down range I peeked at the target.
Seconds later my buddy in the pits was waving Maggie's Drawers.
My DI,standing behind me,was not impressed with my 500 yard marksmanship and let me know about it later back at the barracks.
Last one? Ha! More like your first of many...Now that you have an excellent shooter you will need to find an original WWII example. If that is a Springfield then next will be a WWII Winchester. Once you have the two WWII manufacturers you will need to add a Korean War vintage M-1 to your stable. Careful now, because there are 3 manufacturers during this era, Springfield, Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. and International Harvester Co. Now that you have filled the rack with these, time to go back and fill in the gaps in the WWII years, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945. Throw in a couple of sniper variations (M-1C/M-1D) a National Match or two, then a pre-war - you're getting there now. Yeah, it all starts with that FIRST one.
In your picture that looks like an Open Box SA stamp on your stock next to the Raritan Arsenal rebuild cartouche...that would make that a sniper stock correct for an M-1D and worth a few chips in its own right.
Enjoy.
In your picture that looks like an Open Box SA stamp on your stock next to the Raritan Arsenal rebuild cartouche...that would make that a sniper stock correct for an M-1D and worth a few chips in its own right.
Enjoy.
SilentKnight
Member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2014
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I always wanted one, especially the Tanker model. I inherited two M1s from my German father in law and the ATF would not allow them to be imported because of ridiculous rules about importing former weapons of war. You could buy them off the rack in the US and of course it was made here!! What a load of poop! Sold them there and haven't ended up with one... YET!
ColbyBruce
Member
If he is still alive, Hook Boutin in west Georgia (somewhere around Temple or Buchanan) can tune that rifle up and really make it shoot. He worked on my brother's Garand four years ago. He was old then.
I also shoot 150 gr cast GC bullets in my garands.....Works fine.......Smokes a little....Never clogged a gas port.....If ever did. Would be easy to clean.....Also shoot cast in my M1 carbines.
sw44spl
Member
I have 2 one springfield 1954 dated and A H&R 1955 dated.Both wonderful guns.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
In the early 1980s I got the Garand bug and ordered one from the DCM (now CMP). No specification on make or age. It was $132.50. What arrived was an IHC in 100% condition. Literally brand new in the box. No signs of being used or even handled in any way.
Then in June of 1985 my home was burglarized and all my guns were stolen except for the Garand. No idea why it was left behind. Deciding there were other guns I needed more I sold it to buy something else. Should have kept it.
Around 2009 I decided to buy another. Not interested in a beat up war veteran I wanted a decent shooter. So I ordered the H&R from the 1950s. Not as historic but they were said to be in better cosmetic condition. Now the price was $495 or something like that.
The rifle I got had perfect metal. Maybe refinished, it looked flawless. Not a mark on it. The wood was another matter. It was the worst looking stock I'd ever seen on a rifle. Oil stained and it looked like a golf ball with all the small dents completely covering the wood. There was not a single square inch of stock surface free of dents or gouges.
I tried to refinish the stock but it still looked horrible. I wound up buying a used stock at a local gun show. Not great by any means, but it was only $25 and it was a big improvement.
I was hoping for a 1955 date (my year of birth) but I think 4788376 is probably from 1954.
BTW- I have a "Blue Sky" M1 Carbine. Inland dated on barrel 4/44. I wonder if it may have gone ashore at Omaha Beach on D Day? Sure looks like it's been through a war...
Then in June of 1985 my home was burglarized and all my guns were stolen except for the Garand. No idea why it was left behind. Deciding there were other guns I needed more I sold it to buy something else. Should have kept it.
Around 2009 I decided to buy another. Not interested in a beat up war veteran I wanted a decent shooter. So I ordered the H&R from the 1950s. Not as historic but they were said to be in better cosmetic condition. Now the price was $495 or something like that.
The rifle I got had perfect metal. Maybe refinished, it looked flawless. Not a mark on it. The wood was another matter. It was the worst looking stock I'd ever seen on a rifle. Oil stained and it looked like a golf ball with all the small dents completely covering the wood. There was not a single square inch of stock surface free of dents or gouges.
I tried to refinish the stock but it still looked horrible. I wound up buying a used stock at a local gun show. Not great by any means, but it was only $25 and it was a big improvement.
I was hoping for a 1955 date (my year of birth) but I think 4788376 is probably from 1954.
BTW- I have a "Blue Sky" M1 Carbine. Inland dated on barrel 4/44. I wonder if it may have gone ashore at Omaha Beach on D Day? Sure looks like it's been through a war...
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