M1 Garand What do you think?

[mmattockx]

An M1 weighs 11 pounds? How about 9.5 pounds! (I just weighed mine). A clip of 8 rounds is still NOT gonna make it to 11 pounds

According to US Army Field Manual FM 23-5, the weight is 11-1/4lbs with full clip, sling and cleaning equipment in the stock. Purple, where did you find the 9.5 lb number in there? Mine only lists the weight with accessories in the general data.

Mark

 

[purple]

According to US Army Field Manual FM 23-5, the weight is 11-1/4lbs with full clip, sling and cleaning equipment in the stock. Purple, where did you find the 9.5 lb number in there? Mine only lists the weight with accessories in the general data.

Mark

Oops, my bad. I was looking at a couple of references and quoted the wrong one. TM9-1275 states 9.5 lbs for the rifle alone and 11.2 lbs for rifle plus bayo and M1907 leather sling. FM 23-5 does indeed quote 11.25 lbs for rifle plus sling, 8rd clip and cleaning kit.

OK TM 9-1005-222-12 quotes 10.5 lbs for the rifle and bayo. Now where are the discrepancies from? Could be variations in the weights of the various types of bayonets, slings, and even the cleaning kits. Anyway, nothing a healthy young man (or even a healthy old one) can't deal with.

 

[angrysoldier]

anyone here ever get svt 40 thumb when disassembling one? i got one hell of a wack by the spring and guide once.

 

[Axel J. Rose]

/

The Garand is a better all purpose rifle because it is chambered in a reasonable hunting calibre. An SKS is fine for plinking and making noise, but not much else. If your purpose is to learn to shoot well, a quality rimfire is a much better tool for that than the SKS. And when I say quality rimfire, I don't mean a 10/22. Look at bolt action rifles from CZ, Brno, even Savage. Buy lots of ammo and learn the techniques, then practice regularly.

Finding a Garand will involve searching classifieds and the EE. A decent one will run you around $800 +/- at current rates if/when you find it.

Mark

Thanks for the clarification. I'll start looking for one right now, on top of the rest too.

 

[John Sukey]

anyone here ever get svt 40 thumb when disassembling one? i got one hell of a wack by the spring and guide once.

SVT40 thumb is NOTHING compared to AG42B thumb. When that bolt closes it's like a bank vault!
Fortunately I have never had the experience of that or M1 Thumb.

Oh by the way have you ever noticed the AG42B on the rack at a gun store? The trigger snappers just can't figure out how to close the action once they open it.

 

[Pak75]

The Garand has history and is super dependable.

As far as a .22 for your first gun, thats what I would recommend. I was the same way when I started, I was forced to use a .22 and I hated it. Now, after more than 25 years of shooting, I reach for my .22's more and more.

In my opinion, a Garand for your first gun may be a mistake. Some find the kick to be fairly hard and you don't want to develop a flinch as a new shooter.

Exactly true. Also look or a .22lr with a similar sight picture to the rifle you will be using as your high powered rifle. This is the way militaries around the world have trained their soldiers cheaply. A Marlin 795 or 60, or a Ruger 10/22 with TechSights would be a great training first gun option. Also look for milsurp .22 training rifles but be careful! Their addicting!

Too bad you can't qualify for a CMP rifle. I got both my Mossburg 44US Trainer .22lr and my accurate service grade M1 garand from them at less cost than a single shootable M1 on the civvy market.

 

[arctic_front]

M-1 Garand

I too am very interested in owning a Garand one day. I think they are a work of art.

I don't know diddly about them, but I'd like to know if there is any sources out there (S.Korea?) that one could find a 'New in box' example in the original .30-06?

Also, what tweaks a good gunsmith does to make them operate better and smoother without altering the rifle too much? I heard in this thread about an aftermarket adjustable gas port. Is this part required for a properly operating unit when used with hand-loads at, or above, milsurp loads?

Also, the few Garands I've seen up close had a similar stock finish. Do they all look like that, or did different country's armories use different finishes?
I'd like to find an example with a stock in very good condition without major dents that could be sanded and refinished to highlight the wood-grain and beauty of the stock.

Thanks.

 

[Brutus]

Anyone who finds that an 11 pound semi-automatic 30-06 Garand, with NRA handloads, kicks too much, should immediately turn in his man card.