M1 Garand - a good choice?

Royal1664

Royal1664

Member
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
Location
Calgary
Hey there,


I've started looking at options for a rifle to shoot at a 300m range and possibly enter iron-sights competitions on a casual basis, and thought I'd ask for some advice:

Initially I was looking at getting an M305 and taking it to a gunsmith to tweak if needed so I'd have a acceptable semi-auto target rifle for cheaper than a Springfield. Obviously that's not an option these days so I'm looking at alternatives and the Garand seems a possible good choice.

I like old mil-surp stuff but I don't want to wreck a collectors piece by plinking with something that would be best preserved for posterity (I believe some of the Garands available are post-war models?).

Prices seem to be upwards of $2k so I'd be saving my pennies for a while which is why I thought I'd ask the knowledgeable gurus here if it's a wise choice.

Cheers
 
M-1 rifles have been used for serious target competition in the US for decades.
A good one is certainly capable of performing well at 300m.

Many of the rifles you see for sale are bitsers, assembled from who knows what parts by someone who may or may not have the slightest idea about what he is doing. Doesn't seem to affect the price, though.
Actually, a properly set up parts gun, with a new barrel and NM setup would work well. If you go that route, I would suggest a 7.62x51/.308 barrel.

Unless you really want a semi auto, one of the Swedish M1896 rifles with rear aperture sight would be a good choice. Have to be careful with bore condition though. The Swedes shot these rifles and some may well be past their best before date.
 
If you are going the M1 Garand route, invest in
various National Match sight assemblies
They make a few different kinds.
They make non hooded NM apertures and various hooded apertures
Then there is the National Match sight base and Windage knob
Then you find some one who can glass bed the receiver to an oversize wood stock
There are a few good gunsmith's and Garand builder's in
Canada
A good rifle by a good builder / assembler will cost
Parts aren't easy to find to do this
A new gas cylinder could be a benefit

stock
 
I set up a M-1 for competition. Years ago, when they were moderately priced.
Bought a Springfield - no idea where it was from. Had been refurbished at Springfield in Sept. 63. It had a gouge in the chamber. Probably suffered a broken case which was dug out with a screwdriver. Sent it South, had a NM grade barrel in .308 installed. Stocks were sound but well used. Bought a NOS set. Bedded the barreled action into the stocks according to the procedure used to set up NM rifles.
The DCRA used to have a vintage military rifle match shot during the Annual Target Rifle matches. Won a gold with this rifle.
So yes, a M-1 will work for target shooting. I suspect to duplicate this rifle nowadays would scare $2500.
 
Few other options..
US M1917 or P14 are around, a bit cheaper, plenty accurate.
K31 with diopters.
S&L M69
CG 63/80
 
The P'14 or M1917 with a parker Hale 5b sight would be excellent, the bore being crisp.
I had a K31 with the target irons and a scope mount. It shot really well.
Never had a M69, but do have a M52. It is also a good shooter.
The CG 63 and 80 rifles were used for competition in Sweden for years. Some were made in .308 in addition to the standard 6.5x55.
A good No. 4 with a target rear sight like the PH5C can hold its own. Shot one back to 900y.

Most any military rifle will shoot really well if the bore is excellent. The sights are generally the limiting factor for serious target shooting. Windage adjustment made with a hammer and punch doesn't help, nor do 100m elevation increments. Having to aim off doesn't help.

Just keep your eyes open. Bore condition is really important. Be careful. Prices have been rising rapidly; get your money's worth.
 
tiriaq said:
Many of the rifles you see for sale are bitsers, assembled from who knows what parts by someone who may or may not have the slightest idea about what he is doing. Doesn't seem to affect the price, though.
Click to expand...

These are very wise words. With picking an M1 Garand these days you have to be careful to spot the differences between a rifle built / rebuilt / refurbished by a US Government arsenal and one assembled by someone here in Canada who may (or really may not) know what they are doing. Many of these rifles have been "corrected" and have had parts swapped out to appear to be something they are not. Alternatively, with receivers, barrels etc being available, some have chosen to try their hand at amateur gunsmithing by assembling rifles. Some are done well - others not and the price should reflect that.

All that being said, the M1 is a great choice for both collecting and fun competition shooting. I have fired my 1941 produced with with it's original barrel out to 300m and really enjoy doing so. They are "combat accurate" and generally will do alright, but the history and fun that come with these rifles is hard to beat.
 
From the standpoint of range use, the M-1 sights are some of the best out there. Fully adjustable for windage and elevation with repeatable clicks. The front sight can be shifted laterally for zeroing, so that the windage scale can be centered.
 
I much appreciate all the wisdom and advice!

I'll keep my eyes open and put some funds away. A little torn between making sure that I take the time and end up happy with whatever I end up choosing and not wanting to be priced out of the market.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom