New to me U.S. Rifle Cal. 30 M1

[oysterer]

I was always told every American man needs to own an M1 Garand. That's not very inclusive...maybe even discrimination. However, finally I got one too and I have to say, this thing is among the most fun to shoot.

Got one of the CMP expert, 30-06 H&R late receiver 5.8 million, new Criterion barrel and new wood. All other parts on the rifle are around 1942 - 1944. The wood was terrible looking, after lots of sanding and linseeding for 2-3 week I now made it my own and it turned out tremendously beautiful.

Made up some rounds w H4895, broke in the barrel for the first few trips and they hit. I could shoot steel w this thing all day long and have a zen moment. Group at 100 yards w my old eyes through the peep sight (pic of the group tilted, sorry).

 

[mocha001]

congratulations,

 

[Baxter6551]

Usually the CMP stock sets are pretty good. It's a beauty. Best of luck with it and good shooting. Here's a couple of helpful links.
Sighting in your Garand
https://www.nicolausassociates.com/PDF/M1GarandRifleGreasePoints.pdf
Here's mine that I built at the CMP advanced maintainance class in Anniston a couple of years ago.

 

[Greyman50]

Garand's are Grand, enjoy.

 

[mckenney99]

Every time I pick up a Garand or even an M1 Carbine, I am amazed at how many of those rifles America's workers/craftsmen turned out in such a short period of time. These rifles were crafted by workers on mills, lathes, presses and drill presses using gauges and MkI eyeballs, there were no CNC machines and almost all had parts interchangeability between type. Truly amazing and a testament to "The Greatest Generation".

 

[Targets Guy]

Nice get. I picked up my 1943 at the CMP as well. Brought back many memories.

 

[edjack]

Patton praised it as the finest combat rifle ever produced.

 

[KEN L]

They are a thing of beauty, no matter what they look like. Welcome to the club!

 

[zwartepiet]

Beautiful M1 oysterer! Really nice job on the stock! With the new barrel that's going to be a hammer!

This is how it all starts! Now you'll need to find the Springfield, Winchester, and IHC.

 

[stanmerrell]

Oh, really nice, well done on the stock. Very nice...

 

[oysterer]

Truly amazing and a testament to "The Greatest Generation".

So true: It is a truly remarkable rifle in every way. Every time I pick up mine I wonder where the trigger group has been storming the beaches in WW2 and what we stood for then and where we are headed now. It's a mystique and I enjoy having a solemn morning w it shooting.

 

[Golddollar]

I was always told every American man needs to own an M1 Garand. That's not very inclusive...

Every American woman needs to own one too. I helped a dear lady friend get her M1 back in the mid-1980s. She was an Air Force Colonel and we were in Air Force ROTC together back in the early 1970s. She had come for a visit and mentioned that she was looking for an M1. It just happened that the Woolworth's store (now I'm showing my age) at one of the malls in town was selling surplus M1s, Swedish Mausers and probably other old military rifles. So I told her I know where we can find one, and we went to Woolworth's and she became the proud owner of her own M1 Garand. I already had one from the DCM or I would have bought one there too.

 

[colkid]

I ordered two M1-30-06's from Arkansas. One was from 1943 and the other from 1957. I liked that. Sold one but kept the 1943. Pass it to One of my offspring someday.
I have about five .30 caliber ones. Love them also.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Nice rifle you have there........Now go find some 30/06 Greek HXP.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

Welcome to the M1 Garand addiction! You did a very nice job on that stock.

Of all the semi-auto rifles, the M1 is about the easiest to load for. Tested M1 recipes all seem to do well in the old war horse and brass lasts a long time.

If you can find one, General Hatcher's "Book of the Garand" is a good start on understanding the M1 Garand. Canfield's book is also a good tome to find.

 

[murphydog]

Nice work on the stock and good shooting. But where is the eighth round on the target? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Toter]

Got mine back in the 1990s from the DCM back then. You had to show evidence of shooting the Highpower course of fire, I think 100 rounds, and your gun club had to be DCM affiliated. I recieved a nice Springfield Armory example, with the nice dark green parkerizing. I think it was $300 at the time. Don't know what they are going for today. Shot an M1 the first year I shot the National Matches at Camp Perry in 1997. Properly set up with NM sights, you could do reasonbly well at the 600 yard stage.

 

[oysterer]

Nice work on the stock and good shooting. But where is the eighth round on the target? Inquiring minds want to know.

Alan, very true. Round 8 went to ring a steel silhouette. The next 8 went there too, all rang I think. That was my second outing, 16 rounds, cleaned barrel very well and now waiting for the 3rd trip.

Loading for it, struck gold w 150 gr Sierras, 42 gr of H4985, ~2400 ft/s, easy light load, gun cycles very well and hits how I like it.

About the stock, I think Dupage makes it, rough, milling marks everywhere and a terrible dry powdery dark walnut stain uneven in places, that all must come off. Started sanding w 320, then BLO soak for 1/2 day, wiping, then sanding, repeat, 400, more BLO, 1000 and been doing it for a while. Now it looks like something. When you get one of these, take the time, it's worth it.

This rifle sold at the cost of 1 day at Disney. 1K. I still had to show competitive shooting results, affiliated club membership, proficiency in this and that and so on. Notary public, little bit of a paperwork but all worth it. Wish I had done it earlier...hope this isn't turning into the next thing...

 

[KEN L]

Nice work on the stock and good shooting. But where is the eighth round on the target? Inquiring minds want to know.

Look again. There is a double at 11:00 in the inside center ring of the bull. Nice shooting!

 

[Llance]

Big O keep adding the linseed oil, rubbing it in with your hand until you think your arm is going to fall off. When you have enough on the stock it'll turn a loverly dark cherry brown. A picture of mine to follow over the weekend.