The M1 Garand Build Thread

Yes Claven you are right I went with a used barrel TE2 ME1, and a used walnut stock I Plan to re-finish with BLO over the winter. With exception to my op rod, and gas cylinder the rest of my parts are PB. None of my parts came off of Ebay, all were sourced from private sources for fair prices. I am confident although my stock is used, after I strip, and steam the few minor dents out of it, and refinish with BLO and USSR stain it will be nice, and as it sits now it locks up tight, so i will avoid the time consuming process of fitting a replacement stock. I think we all have our different reasons for building and different visions of what we are building. For me I like to build and learn about the process; I am aiming to build a nice shooter, and own a piece of history.
Claven I think your $1500 project tag is right on the money, my cheaper parts, and the fact I have my vise from M14 builds to use, and the good deals i have received has kept my build on the low side.
I would like to build a 308 version in the future, maybe in the future we will see cheap M1 carbine receivers, that would be nice.
 
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Claven2 said:
If you end up at under $1400 after tools, you are doing much better then most. If you are doing it cheaper that this price, likely you are using tired old Korean e-bay wood and a non-new barrel in most cases.

IMHO, this is a $1500+ project for most folks, probably NOT including tools.
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I went with the old Korean wood but it was not to cut costs but instead for the look. The one I got is in not to bad of shape and has the Korean markings on it. I think a number of people got into this project thinking they could quickly turn out a rifle and make a few bucks. For me it's more for the experience, I want the old war torn looking rifle, I'll never sell it so for me that's fine.
 
Used barrels work great provided that bores are not pitted, the crown is good and they run 5 or less on a throat gauge and 2 or less on the muzzle gauge. These were basically the US Army inspection criteria to put the rifle into storage for re-issue without replacing the barrel. Muzzle wear is more critical to accuracy and many otherwise good barrels were toasted by improper or excessive use of a cleaning rod. This is why you should use a proper rod guide when cleaning an M1. These are commercially available and fit around the muzzle and gas cylinder lock to keep the rod centred in the bore. A barrel which reads 3 at the muzzle can still be a good shooter provided that the crown is in good shape.

In addition to the barrel condition, there are many other fit areas, incl op rod, handguards, stock, gas cylinder and lock, sights and lower band, which have an impact on accuracy. The rifle needs to be both tight and loose in the right places. The acid test is to shoot it from the bench with good quality ammo.
 
purple said:
Used barrels work great provided that bores are not pitted, the crown is good and they run 5 or less on a throat gauge and 2 or less on the muzzle gauge. This is why you should use a proper rod guide when cleaning an M1.

In addition to the barrel condition, there are many other fit areas, incl op rod, handguards, stock, gas cylinder and lock, sights and lower band, which have an impact on accuracy. The rifle needs to be both tight and loose in the right places. The acid test is to shoot it from the bench with good quality ammo.
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I lucked out with a used SA'53 that gauges TE3 ME2 & gleams from end to end. $120. to the door.

Have been useing a 6.5/7mm case, cut off below the shoulder, to protect the muzzle/crown when cleaning. Works well and costs squat all.

"there are many other fit areas"
And that is the golden egg of this thread!.
My ignorance of things garand was profound, until you savvy experienced gents put out the goods. Thank you all, most sincerely, for your unstinting transfer of that hard won knowledge to us newbs.
There will be many a better Garand built as the result of you'se guy's largesse.

Should be stickied ... eh Mods?


wgamble89 said:
I went with the old Korean wood but it was not to cut costs but instead for the look. For me it's more for the experience, I want the old war torn looking rifle, I'll never sell it so for me that's fine.
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Yes ^
This building of one's own rifle, it puts the soul into it all.
Partner showed up in camp, just last weekend, with a very nice Breda he'd picked up EE for $1200 all in. A shooter it surely is, and came right out of the box sighted dead nuts on at 100. Built very right by a 'name' member here.
It's $ 300 LESS than it will cost me to build, and it's already 'ping'n away in his capable hands ... and yet do I regret doing it my slow, inconvienient way ???. well NO, I don't. This will be another year of fun to fruition.


josey wales said:
I think we all have our different reasons for building and different visions of what we are building. For me I like to build and learn about the process; I am aiming to build a nice shooter, and own a piece of history.
Claven I think your $1500 project tag is right on the money.
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^^^
Buddy has a mostly SA M1, your average tight Garand, (but it needs a gas tube, as prior bubba, he done lopped off the bayo lug:().
Asked me to help him out with load developement.
After two or three arbitrary test loads, it would hold consistent 1 3/4 MOA for 5 at 200. 165gr Horn. interlocks, seated to the cannelure.
Damn! ... hope mine will shoot near that well !!!.

To all of you, and especially Claven and purple, such a good thread. :D
 
So, I have read through the majority of this post among a few others that I searched for on CGN. Does anyone have a good source of information that describes the difference in the make of the parts? I ordered a Breda receiver over the Beretta one for really no justified reason at all (I admit, impulse). I have a lot of learning to do, though, since it appears there are various makes of each part. So, what is the difference between the Breda and Berretta receivers? What would typically be the marked parts in a rifle with either of these parts? Etc...

Thanks ahead of time! I am sure others have these same questions but may not be willing to ask.
 
There is no difference between Breda and Beretta receivers or parts made by these makers, except for the markings. Breda parts are marked either "BMB" or "BMR". Beretta parts are marked "PB". Original rifles from both makers will include parts marked by that maker. Breda and Beretta parts, as well as parts made by the 4 suppliers of Garands to the US military are interchangeable, except for some unique parts used in the very early gas trap rifles.

With time and patience it is possible to assemble either a Breda or Beretta rifle with all parts made by the appropriate maker. Breda and Beretta parts are not as common as they once were. Both Breda and Beretta rifles were built to a high quality line.
 
purple said:
There is no difference between Breda and Beretta receivers or parts made by these makers, except for the markings. Breda parts are marked either "BMB" or "BMR". Beretta parts are marked "PB". Original rifles from both makers will include parts marked by that maker. Breda and Beretta parts, as well as parts made by the 4 suppliers of Garands to the US military are interchangeable, except for some unique parts used in the very early gas trap rifles.

With time and patience it is possible to assemble either a Breda or Beretta rifle with all parts made by the appropriate maker. Breda and Beretta parts are not as common as they once were. Both Breda and Beretta rifles were built to a high quality line.
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Thanks for the quick lesson. This is the kind of thing I was looking for. One more question, though. How about SA marked parts? When were those introduced?
 
SA marked parts were introduced in 1936.

Late Beretta production used Breda-supplied receiver forgings and possibly some other Breda-made small parts. All M1 Garand military parts are interchangable.
 
OK so here is a little information for everyone regarding Constantine/Redfile3 on Ebay for those that have ordered parts from him. Just got off the phone with CBSA in Mississauga. There is one poor soul there dealing with all of this stuff right now, and according to him, they believe most of the stuff coming in from Greece appears to most likely be stolen or otherwise come upon by illegitimate means. He said that at this point, CBSA is not able to prove anything, and after speaking with Interpol and Greek authorities, no further action/investigation is planned on their ends (this is not to say that things won't change soon if more information comes up, such as where these things were potentially taken from, if that is indeed the case).

What this means is that so long as the parts in the packages check out as legit, they are sending the packages through. He was saying that some parts sent have been incorrect (BM59 parts instead of the ordered Garand, parts for example. This looks bad for you initially, but so long as you can show CBSA that you actually ordered non-prohib parts, you're fine) and there have even been cases of people actually ordering prohib parts (Bren). Also, a lot of the parts are being mis-declared and undervalued, mine was listed as machine parts and valued at 10 euros. He said no big deal, that's on the shipper, not our fault, but still another red flag for CBSA. Also, sometimes apparently the parts are listed on Ebay as coming from locations other than Greece (US, Europe) but they actually come from Greece (red flag!).

He confirmed I was who I said I was, and my address, and that I actually ordered the part and it was what it was supposed to be. Gonna be sent my way no further issues.

I asked him, and he said it was cool to post a message here with his contact info. He is seriously backlogged and is doing his best to get in touch with all the package owners. Feel free to contact him if you have a package with firearm parts, especially ones from Greece, stuck at customs. He is in Mississauga, and likely the ones from Greece are there. If it's stuck at customs and he doesn't have it, he can direct you to one of the other 2 warehouses where it might be.

contact CBSA Officer Hatfield (905)625-7037 with your tracking number and he will help sort you out

Just give a dingle and help the poor man clear out the backlog, and get your parts rolling ASAP! He said it would be easier to call him instead of him tracking you down.

Another thing to note is he said some of the packages are coming in as simply addressed to a person in canada, no specific address, so obviously it ain't gonna make it to you.

Also, just as a warning for anyone thinking of ordering from redfile3 or other parts dealer on ebay, be careful. In the future you might get burned if they catch the guy/guys on the other end of this (as in lose your parts). I know that even though I am going to get my bolt, I don't feel too comfortable knowing there is a possibility it might be stolen, or something else shady. I know we all wanna get our guns complete, but I for one won't be doing it with redfile3 anymore. I was gonna put a second gun together and use him for another barrel and bolt, but not anymore. If there is a chance its not legit, I'm out, no matter how good the price is. I want a 'clean' gun!

Food for thought.

Play safe, play smart!

Chad

-oh, and I'll post another thread separate from this with his contact info in case not everyone reads this one...
 
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OOH, I'm happy my bolt and barrel came through when they did. I just checked his ebay page and he no longer has any items up for sale. Also when i bought the bolt and barrel they both said shipping from the US on the ebay page, but sure enough package was from Greece.
 
Well I have been following this thread for awhile. Curiosity was definitely peaked. I'm planning a Breda/beretta 308 build. Currently only lacking a receiver...hopefully I can locate one shorty to get this finished and back in my hands.
 
There are lots of local sources for parts; why deal with the hassle of Constantine, in the last few weeks I have seen all the parts required to build a Garand advertised here.
If you need parts why not post a looking for thread? there are lots of people with parts. With that said Garand parts are not cheap, and it is not just the Canadian mark up. Take a wander over to the US Garand boards to see what they are paying.
 
There are more than enough parts floating around on EE for a few guns! I was lucky that i had pretty much everything sitting around except a receiver. Now that I just ordered the receiver I just have to wait for a few parts in the mail.

I even picked up a 308 "spacer" block on ebay.

I think I will get it all reparked to look nice and uniform and use an adjustable gas cylinder screw so that things run good.
 
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Here's mine 100% done ! I tried hard to get the handguard wood to match, but no dice.

i9vd.jpg

ilw4.jpg

kmkm.jpg
 
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