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

[Puller]

Deans Gun Restoration did a make over with my June 1944 SA garand a few years ago. Reparked, new Wenig stock and checked all the parts as to be serviceable. DGR is now out of business, a shame that!

Dean did a makeover on a rifle for me as well before he sold the company, he has since passed away. Man he did great work

 

[Toter]

I find it interesting that the M1 Garand action cycles much faster than an AR. A whole lot faster. Seems so unusual, since the 30/06 is so much longer than the 5.56. Truly an amazing design. I had the great fortune of meeting Hook Boutin (RIP), a very accomplished M1 armorer in Anniston, AL, and had him set up my M1 for the National Matches at Camp Perry. He was truly one of a kind. Used to tickle me when he would refer to his son as a "Yard Ape".

 

[JohnRippert]

Years ago I dropped by the CMP South Store in Anniston, AL on the way back from visiting my sister and the kids in Cherry Point, NC while her husband was deployed. I picked up a couple wooden cases of the HXP .30-06 on enblocs and a stripped Winchester M1 Garand receiver. Had a nice SA barrel from the '50s and found everything else I needed on Ebay. Most from someone who probably parted out a '50s era Springfield. I put it together with a CMP receiver wrench and barrel vise, plus a bubble level and a couple steel rods on my Dad's old wooden work table. They are fantastic rifles.

 

[oysterer]

Thanks everyone for your comments, pictures and great stories. Keep the coming! One day I'll have stories to tell about this rifle over the years that I have left. Going to figure out some local Garand matches next.

 

[tndrfttom]

I made these barrel and receiver wrenches around 1972 when store-bought tools for the M1 weren't commonly available. Probably rebarreled a dozen M1s for friends and for my own use. I soft-soldered copper sheeting inside the receiver wrench to keep the receivers from getting scratched - worked fine.

 

[ggibson511960]

Best Barrel Source??

I've had one for years. It is rough. Fired cartridges look like alligator hide from chamber pits, but it still shoots well, a true war horse. I finally got around to re-barreling it with a cheap barrel I sourced years ago. Now the bad news. The amateur gunsmith I used over-clocked the barrel. The front sight is 20 degrees past vertical. This looks like an un-recoverable problem. Loosening the barrel to index it correctly would likely loosen it too much. Cutting back the shoulder and re-chambering looks like more trouble than it's worth.

So I have decided to try again with somebody who knows what they're doing. Who is the best source for new barrels and re-barreling?

 

[Trooperdan]

. Loosening the barrel to index it correctly would likely loosen it too much. Cutting back the shoulder and re-chambering looks like more trouble than it's worth.

So I have decided to try again with somebody who knows what they're doing. Who is the best source for new barrels and re-barreling?

CMP custom shop will do re-barreling for you

 

[Liftrat]

... This looks like an un-recoverable problem. Loosening the barrel to index it correctly would likely loosen it too much. Cutting back the shoulder and re-chambering looks like more trouble than it's worth.

Wow, 20 deg is a lot! I've heard of shimming the barrel, or rolling the shoulder to tighten up draw, but think that that would mess with your headspace at this point. I recommend the CMP also, though outfits like Fulton and Shuff's will also do the work.

 

[poprivit]

If you are new to Garands, Google "M-1 Thumb".

 

[stansdds]

If you are new to Garands, Google "M-1 Thumb".

Thankfully, that is one thing I have yet to experience.

 

[Grayfox]

Love me some Garands!

Top one is a May 1942 Springfield. Some years ago I a made a road trip to CMP in Anniston and picked it up. Its a Danish return.

The bottom is a 1955 HRA. It belonged to a dear friend who sadly is now gone.

 

[JohnRippert]

If you are new to Garands, Google "M-1 Thumb".

If a Garand is in proper working order you should not ever get M1 thumb while loading it. The only time I have been bit was when I pulled the bolt "almost" all the way back and it hung on the back of the follower. When they do that the slightest touch will release the bolt and pain ensues.

 

[LVSteve]

"Hakim Hand" is similar to M1 thumb, but sufferers say it might actually be worse.

 

[bummer]

The one I own is a Blue Ski Import from the late 80's. The barrel was a sewer pipe so off she went to Springfield Armory for a new standard grade barrel.