Gevarm Model E1 Carbine Automatique

[Tom E Gun]

I thought some of you Rimfire Gunnutz may be interested in my latest acquisition. It is a French semi-auto .22 that fires from an open bolt. I saw this rifle on a Vendors website and it looked strangely interesting, so I did a little research and found this Youtube video:

With not much more information than that, I decided to buy it and see what it was like. I figured if I didn't like it I could resell it for roughly what I paid for it. One thing that I found slightly annoying, prior to this purchase is that I found various comments stating that it was an accurate rifle, but no quantitative information (ie: 1.25" groups at 50 yds, etc.), and considering it fires from an open bolt, how accutate could it be I wondered? So for anyone that is interested I have included the 2 best groups from today (out of about 8 groups shot at 25yds).

I took it to Elimsprints backyard range today and between the 2 of us we put about 50 rounds through it. It functioned flawlessly and indeed proved more accurate than we thought possible at 25 yards. We didn't try any fancy ammo, just Federal Auto Match, which did not provide very impressive groups and Mini-Mags that proved much better, see the target below:

As you might imagine it has a very long creepy trigger pull, plus you have to keep it on target while the bolt slams forward, which is actually quite challenging and fun in an unexpected way. Elimsprint commented that the trigger pull is similar to a springer air gun. Are there any other Gevarm E1 owners out there?

 

[Jgoulin]

I have the same rifle. I have shot it a bunch and have no complaints. Surprisingly, while legal in Canada, they are a no go in the US. Apparently very easy to mod to full auto.

 

[Stray03]

I have the same rifle. I have shot it a bunch and have no complaints. Surprisingly, while legal in Canada, they are a no go in the US. Apparently very easy to mod to full auto.

Anything open bolt is which is why the US and canada usually bans anything open bolt right off the bat. This one Was deemed not as worrysome as some of the other toys I guess (Or just stayed off the radar of the antis).
Wish they allowed more open bolt guns, I hate that my Suomi is a closed bolt.

 

[metalbender]

Had one back in '66, traded it in '68. Lots of dead gophers, a few bush rabbits, yum. Yes they are accurate, open sights way back then. GeVolet also had a line of .22 ammo including tracers. IIR the gun was $60 at a the old Regina Hardware, across from the cop shop. Ammo was cheap from Army+Navy.

 

[Tyroma]

I've had one for years! Great gun. Another little known fact about them, is they are one of the only semi – automatic 22 rifles that will chamber and cycle 22 short. You just have to remove the bolt and spring, and reposition them somehow. I don't recall exactly what the process was, but there is a diagram online somewhere. And yes, I've tried it, and it cycles 22 shorts like a champ!

 

[Collint2005]

I've got one too, great for shooting other people's dud shells too. It always seemed reasonably accurate.

 

[Tom E Gun]

I did a little more research and found this diagram, according to this I am missing a part. I don't seem to have the reversible spring guide (item 11/14 below):

 

[marshall]

I have sold a few of these, many came with a 25 rd. mag, which is about the same price as the rifle now.
There are 3 models of these.
About 6-8 years ago I had some BOL stock that was found in France, They sold fast-Ie I priced them ttto cheap.
I know a few guys that collect these things.
Just be careful as it is easy to break the frame , don't use it as a club.

 

[p.Rundle]

an accurate open bolt? my day has been made

 

[Dave in Calgary]

I found that I had to be sure the take down screw was tight or it was very inaccurate.

 

[Tom E Gun]

.....don't use it as a club.

Words to live by

an accurate open bolt? my day has been made

I know, it seems like an oxymoron, but if you can overcome the long creepy trigger and if you are shooting from a rest so that the rifle stays at the same point of aim during the bolt travel, it can be pretty accurate. I would expect my groups to open up a lot if I was firing offhand.

 

[9.3mauser]

Learning to compensate for that "twitch" as the bolt releases is good practice. I never benched mine, but it was always good enough to hit a grouse or rabbit in the head at 30 yds. Nice wood on yours. I've been told they used French walnut in those, which seems appropriate. Don't lose the clip, you'll never find another.

 

[gunrunner100]

I've had one with a 20 round mag for years.
They're fun.

 

[9.3mauser]

. Another little known fact about them, is they are one of the only semi – automatic 22 rifles that will chamber and cycle 22 short. You just have to remove the bolt and spring, and reposition them somehow. I don't recall exactly what the process was, but there is a diagram online somewhere. And yes, I've tried it, and it cycles 22 shorts like a champ!

Reading this made me curious... I never bothered trying before, because I didn't think it would work, but it cycles CCI Quiet .22 flawlessly! Another feather in the Gevarm cap. Accuracy was so-so, but I think this is the fault of the ammunition. I've never gotten stellar accuracy out of the Quiet .22 from any gun I've tried it in.

 

[rgwhitman]

I have owned these and found accuracy to be excellent when held security in shooting bags on a bench. Obviously it takes extra care to shoot this type of action well while standing. I did a chronograph test with various 22lr ammunitions in the Gevarm and other brands and types of 22lr actions. The double firing pin strike of the Gevarm always gave a more consistent velocity than any other action . It has lead me to think that at some point I would like to duplicate this double strike firing pin on a bolt action 22lr. I believe it would be a sicnificant advantage in a target 22lr bolt action.

 

[metalbender]

A quick note. When doing a mag dump with the 20 rnd mag, the empties will stick to the skin of somebody beside you.

 

[BARguy]

If you guys think your E1s are accurate now you should glass bed the fore end and mount a pistol scope on the barrel like I did. And by the way the trigger is adjustable.

 

[Tom E Gun]

If you guys think your E1s are accurate now you should glass bed the fore end and mount a pistol scope on the barrel like I did. And by the way the trigger is adjustable.

That is very interesting. Can you share more info about how to adjust the trigger and how accurate your rifle is?

 

[dak47]

My Pops gave me his with a lot of #####ing and grumbling under his breath when I was about 14 or so...... I made up for it by gifting back several nice, accurate bolt guns over the years. Was never wowed by the accuracy but I've never cleaned it (38+yrs) and I'm going to refinish, buff, polish every sq mm of that rifle in honour of me Dad....

Dirk

View attachment 101989View attachment 101990

 

[BARguy]

Hey Tom if you look at that parts diagram you posted you will see an adjustment screw behind the trigger, it adjusts the second stage of the trigger pull. Glass bedding the barrel and the rear of the fore stock where it contacts the receiver greatly improved the accuracy but it would not stay sighted in with a scope mounted on the reciever so I mounted a pistol scope on the barrel. Now it stays sighted in.