M1 Garand 2 Groove Barrels

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FALover

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I am currently laid up with no knee. (long story) As I have lots of time and pretty much immobile I am reading. Real books on paper! One publication is an old war department technical manual. TM9-1275 to be precise. Now as I have gone through this more than once there is one paragraph that has me questioning some of the advice and information that I have gotten regarding the existence of two groove Garand barrels. The general consensus is that the Garand never had this type of barrel and any found are a hybrid of demilled Garands and 1903 surplus barrels. However,the manual states TM9-1275,Section 5, paragraph 5, Data a. Rifling:

Number of grooves...........................4-rifles of old mfr. 2-rifles of new mfr.



Now remember this manual is the 1947 updated version so what is old/new is subject to interpretation. This information has led me to believe the the Garand rifle was fitted with new, two groove barrels at some time in the manufacturing or refurbishing process. Now the questions. Who made these barrels? What arsenals were doing the refurbishing at this time? Are there any records of how many of these barrels were produced and used? I have a two groove barrel that is in excellent condition but due to some of the information I have received, I have been wary of using it. If it is indeed a true USGI replacement barrel it will have a place in an upcoming build. Any and all information, guesses, rumours or other tidbits are welcome and appreciated. Thanks,FAL.
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Ive been "Garanding" for many years and have never heard of an authentic US GI Garand barrel. We do know that some commercial enterprises re-worked surplus 03A3 Springfield 2 gr barrels as humped up Garand barrels by cutting them and sleeving them into the rear part of a Garand barrel, Avoid shooting these.
 
Just got a new book today, all the way from England. ;) Lot of good info from the horses mouth.

http://www.amazon.ca/The-Book-Garand-Julian-Hatcher/dp/1614273359

Grizz
 
I have one of those hybrid barrels on a rewelded Garand that I picked up at a gun show when I was in my teens. I had never heard of a reweld, nor did the vendor see fit to educate me.

Now, being much older, and a little wiser, I can see where the two barrels are mated, and a few other details that were invisible to my teenage self.

Please do be careful during your convalescence. I have a friend who has had both knees replaced. It’s easy to FAL over if you don’t watch out...
 
flying_scotsman said:
I have one of those hybrid barrels on a rewelded Garand that I picked up at a gun show when I was in my teens. I had never heard of a reweld, nor did the vendor see fit to educate me.

Now, being much older, and a little wiser, I can see where the two barrels are mated, and a few other details that were invisible to my teenage self.

Please do be careful during your convalescence. I have a friend who has had both knees replaced. It’s easy to FAL over if you don’t watch out...
Click to expand...

I unfortunately wound up with one from an online purchase. I stripped the good parts and deactivated it for display. What else do you do.
 
This thread got me curious enough to check my copy of The M1 Garand Rifle, by Bruce Canfield.
On pages 311-312, he talks about both 2 groove and 3 groove experimental models.

Winchester studied the possibility of switching to 2 groove, and visited a factory in Canada to learn more. (John Bertram & Son)
In the end, they decided not to.

At least one test gun was made with 3 groove by Springfield.
 
Last edited:
tootall said:
This thread got me curious enough to check my copy of The M1 Garand Rifle, by Bruce Canfield.
On pages 311-312, he talks about both 2 groove and 3 groove experimental models.

Winchester studied the possibility of switching to 2 groove, and visited a factory in Canada to learn more. (John Bertram & Son)
In the end, they decided not to.

At least one test gun was made with 3 groove by Springfield.
Click to expand...

Having read my Hatcher now, he glosses over the subject in one sentence, by making a general statement that 2 groove barrels were used later in the war. :confused::confused:

Grizz
 
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