M1 Buddy cleaning-stuff for M1 Garands ...

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boomer49

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Hi Guys,

I just bought a nice old M1 Garand (vintage 1943 from the Springfield Armory) and want to take good care of it.

Has anybody used the handy-looking Garand gun-cleaning accessories from M1 Buddy? It's a small company down in Texas ... always a good sign.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqCMpli36SQ&t=96s

One of their combo-kits with their own M1 Buddy gadget plus two bore brushes and a 30-06 chamber brush and muzzle guide would seem to be a good idea. Everything but the rod ... which we all have already.

Just looking for some feedback. I was surprised that they ship to Canada at decent USPS rates!!! Plus reply to emails really fast ...
 
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Joe Amorosi said:
Not worth it IMO
It takes 30 seconds to pull the trigger group, op-rod and bolt.
If I were to clean my Garand, I would also need to re-grease all the moving parts at the same time.
Kinda makes the M1 Buddy redundant.
Click to expand...

Thanks for responding. And you do that every time you shoot the thing?
 
Yes, I watched that cool little video on the company website ... but I don't know how to post videos. Incidentally, I stumbled across the M1 Buddy at another company's (Tekmat) YouTube "Quick Field Cleaning" video ... which was what I was looking for to begin-with ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tymkiWX_qhs
 
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I shoot about 100 rnds per range trip. I give it a good cleaning every three or four trips and before I put it away for the winter. I take it out of the wood to keep the solvent from damaging the wood. As I said before, it is more important to grease it regularly to prevent failure to feed/eject issues. I was once told buy an old Garand guy to "Don't be stingy with the grease. You should be able to see it from 20 feet away" LOL
All the M1 Buddy does is stop the bolt from slamming shut accidentally while your cleaning rod (or fingers) are in the breach and to keep the solvent, patches, grunge etc from getting into the guts of the rifle.
If the bolt is removed (and it should be for a proper cleaning and greasing...) and its out of the wood, there's no need for the M1 buddy.
I looked into them years ago and saw them for sale at local guns shows from time to time and decided to pass. Just another piece of useless kitch.

EDIT
I remove just the bottom wood. Not the forend or top hand guard. No need
 
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Joe Amorosi said:
I shoot about 100 rnds per range trip. I give it a good cleaning every three or four trips and before I put it away for the winter. I take it out of the wood to keep the solvent from damaging the wood. As I said before, it is more important to grease it regularly to prevent failure to feed/eject issues. I was once told buy an old Garand guy to "Don't be stingy with the grease. You should be able to see it from 20 feet away" LOL
All the M1 Buddy does is stop the bolt from slamming shut accidentally while your cleaning rod (or fingers) are in the breach and to keep the solvent, patches, grunge etc from getting into the guts of the rifle.
If the bolt is removed (and it should be for a proper cleaning and greasing...) and its out of the wood, there's no need for the M1 buddy.
I looked into them years ago and saw them for sale at local guns shows from time to time and decided to pass. Just another piece of useless kitch.

EDIT
I remove just the bottom wood. Not the forend or top hand guard. No need
Click to expand...

That's a lot of bullets downrange in one session, so I understand your more-detailed cleaning protocol. I was thinking more of the quick basic routine as described in that TekMat video that I later added to this thread. The fellow who sold me the rifle definitely made it clear that proper greasing was important (as needed) ... and even supplied me with some of his good stuff.

EDIT Mar 6 : Brownell's might think maybe you're over-doing it ... :)

h??ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4wpB9MZ-4
 
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I like my Garands.... It helps if you reload. 10-12 clips down range per trip is a lot easier and faster than you think, especially if you bring a friend.
If all you want to do is basically swab the bore, I could see the M1 Buddy saving you from getting Garand thumb (yes... it REALLY hurts, and you will bleed the whole time it hurts...).
As far as grease goes, Lubriplate I think is the goto lube but, I've been using a tub of that white wheel bearing grease that I bought at Canadian Tire years ago
Once you take it apart the first time, you'll see how quick and easy it is to do it. Well worth the extra effort IMO
 
Joe Amorosi said:
I like my Garands.... It helps if you reload. 10-12 clips down range per trip is a lot easier and faster than you think, especially if you bring a friend.
If all you want to do is basically swab the bore, I could see the M1 Buddy saving you from getting Garand thumb (yes... it REALLY hurts, and you will bleed the whole time it hurts...).
As far as grease goes, Lubriplate I think is the goto lube but, I've been using a tub of that white wheel bearing grease that I bought at Canadian Tire years ago
Once you take it apart the first time, you'll see how quick and easy it is to do it. Well worth the extra effort IMO
Click to expand...

Thanks for the encouragement. I know I'm gonna have to do a partly-disassembled clean and lube at the end of the upcoming summer, but I'm just a little nervous about doing it now.

Your comment reminded me of a rousing drinking song that used to be performed (and was recorded) by a popular Celtic-style band in Ontario I think. It's quite long and lots of fun ... with great lyrics ... but two lines I remember perfectly because they had such a great rhythm and flow ...


I wish I had a legitimate reason
To go to Canadian Tire!
Maybe a pound of lithium grease,
Or a length of 20-gauge wire?
 
Joe Amorosi said:
I shoot about 100 rnds per range trip. I give it a good cleaning every three or four trips and before I put it away for the winter. I take it out of the wood to keep the solvent from damaging the wood. As I said before, it is more important to grease it regularly to prevent failure to feed/eject issues. I was once told buy an old Garand guy to "Don't be stingy with the grease. You should be able to see it from 20 feet away" LOL
All the M1 Buddy does is stop the bolt from slamming shut accidentally while your cleaning rod (or fingers) are in the breach and to keep the solvent, patches, grunge etc from getting into the guts of the rifle.
If the bolt is removed (and it should be for a proper cleaning and greasing...) and its out of the wood, there's no need for the M1 buddy.
I looked into them years ago and saw them for sale at local guns shows from time to time and decided to pass. Just another piece of useless kitch.

EDIT
I remove just the bottom wood. Not the forend or top hand guard. No need
Click to expand...

Yikes! I just found this old video from some wily retailers ...

h??ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4wpB9MZ-4

... and these folks would seem to disagree! And I'm pretty-sure they're not doing it for the profit-margin on a $12 sale ...
 
I Dont Care About You said:
There is no good reason to clean a rifle every time it has been shot. You are more likely to damage the thing from over cleaning, than by just leaving it alone.
Click to expand...

That's kinda what I was thinking. The folks at Brownell's probably are a good source of reference ... just a quick thorough scrub/brush/wipe in 10 minutes with the intact rifle like they describe in the video ...
 
Joe Amorosi said:
I like my Garands.... It helps if you reload. 10-12 clips down range per trip is a lot easier and faster than you think, especially if you bring a friend.
If all you want to do is basically swab the bore, I could see the M1 Buddy saving you from getting Garand thumb (yes... it REALLY hurts, and you will bleed the whole time it hurts...).
As far as grease goes, Lubriplate I think is the goto lube but, I've been using a tub of that white wheel bearing grease that I bought at Canadian Tire years ago
Once you take it apart the first time, you'll see how quick and easy it is to do it. Well worth the extra effort IMO
Click to expand...

Hmmm ... at my range, it's an iron-clad rule ... friends are welcome but ... not allowed to shoot. I get it. It's an insurance thing that I thought that all Canadian shooting ranges must satisfy to get RCMP accreditation for PAL'S and RPAL's and RPAL 12-6's ... but I could be wrong.
 
boomer49 said:
Hmmm ... at my range, it's an iron-clad rule ... friends are welcome but ... not allowed to shoot. I get it. It's an insurance thing that I thought that all Canadian shooting ranges must satisfy to get RCMP accreditation for PAL'S and RPAL's and RPAL 12-6's ... but I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Being in S. Ontario, our range options are limited. My range charges $500/year membership fee which gives me a gate pass and access to all the range activities (rifle, shotgun, pistol, archery etc.). As a member, I am allowed to bring two guests per trip for an extra fee ($20 each person). The guests can be licensed or unlicensed but, the rules regarding them are slightly different and strictly enforced. We have at least two full time range officers walking the line at all times. I am responsible for my guests. We must share a bench and I must be literally within arms reach of the shooter at all times in case I have to move in and take control of the firearm if things go south...
I personally feel that the rules are a little Draconian but, they are meant for our safety so I understand. I have seen a few people do some really stupid things there and get perma-banned. If you look at the underside of the roof over the benches, you will find more than one "ventilation hole" in the tin.
 
Joe Amorosi said:
Being in S. Ontario, our range options are limited. My range charges $500/year membership fee which gives me a gate pass and access to all the range activities (rifle, shotgun, pistol, archery etc.). As a member, I am allowed to bring two guests per trip for an extra fee ($20 each person). The guests can be licensed or unlicensed but, the rules regarding them are slightly different and strictly enforced. We have at least two full time range officers walking the line at all times. I am responsible for my guests. We must share a bench and I must be literally within arms reach of the shooter at all times in case I have to move in and take control of the firearm if things go south...
I personally feel that the rules are a little Draconian but, they are meant for our safety so I understand. I have seen a few people do some really stupid things there and get perma-banned. If you look at the underside of the roof over the benches, you will find more than one "ventilation hole" in the tin.
Click to expand...

Aha! That makes sense. I live in rural Alberta ... east a the Rockies and west a the rest, and our small-town clubs are not as elaborate/busy or expensive. Rules rule everywhere ... for a good reason.
 
I have one of the Garand 'Buddies'. It is worth it if you limit your detailed stripping of the rifle between range trips and just want to send a few patches before and after shooting sessions.
I use Militec grease which I find stays in place, so pulling the upper from the stock isn't often needed, imho.

It isn't something I'd go out of my way to source separately, but for the $6 they cost from Brownell's, it is worth throwing one into the next order you build out.
 
beltfed said:
I have one of the Garand 'Buddies'. It is worth it if you limit your detailed stripping of the rifle between range trips and just want to send a few patches before and after shooting sessions.
I use Militec grease which I find stays in place, so pulling the upper from the stock isn't often needed, imho.

It isn't something I'd go out of my way to source separately, but for the $6 they cost from Brownell's, it is worth throwing one into the next order you build out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for chiming in ... that's exactly what I was thinking. I'll probably only shoot about 200 rounds at the range this summer in five or six visits ... with simple cleaning afterwards. The fellow who refurbished/rebuit the rifle supplied it with a tube of his favourite grease, and I may (or may not) re-apply some before winter ... if I think I can do it easily and properly. I'm not too handy (at the best of times) and am a bit concerned about ####ing-it-up.
 
Hey Boomer
I really hope you enjoy your new Garand. Personally, I think everybody should have at least one in their safe. The first time you shoot it you will come home with a sore jaw. Not from the recoil but, from grinning ear to ear. I've never seen anybody shoot one that didn't have a mile wide smile on his face after the ping. Once you get comfortable with it, you may want to consider some of the accessories that were made for this rifle.

These are some of my personal favourites

Just some food for thought....

Cheers
 
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