M1 Garand Build Required Specialized Tools

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avroe

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While i've seen many a Garand build thread on CGN, I don't think i've seen a thread that outlines ONLY the specific M1 Garand Specialized Tools needed to build a Garand rifle from scratch parts.

...ignoring the common tools that are used on many a firearm design build, which tools are specialized and uniquely required to build a Garand rifle specifically from parts? (including tools needed to install barrels to receivers etc).

Would also be great to know which of these tools are commonly available as modern manufactured tools vs. which of these tools are only available as decades old originals?
 
You need the following:
1. barrel vise (usable for other rifles with interchangeable inserts). A Garand specific vise with steps cut to fit the barrel can also be purchased
2. receiver wrench(usable for other rifles if it is a Brownells wrench with different heads for different receivers)
3. Go and no-go headspace gauges (usable for any .30-06)
4. Pull through finishing reamer if installing a new barrel.(usable for any other .30-06)
All of these are available from Brownells and may be imported w/o restrictions.

You will also need a setup to verify that the barrel is properly indexed. There are several ways of doing this.
 
brownells sells a level to line up front and rear sights or you can use two metal rulers. Best to get someone who has experience in receiver,barrel and bolt setup.
 
Brownells sells the Badger Ordnance barrel timing fixture for the Garand. I've used one for a dozens of barrel installs over the past 15 yrs and they work great. The fixtures install on 2 flat surfaces for comparison, the flat portion of the receiver between the 2 receiver "ears" and the front sight lug on the gas cylinder. Proper barrel timing/ alignment is achieved by visually comparing two pieces of a flat ruler or aluminum angle which fits into slots in the fixtures for parallelism. I use 30 inch pieces of aluminum angle for this. The longer the angle, the more apparent any differences will be. I also cross check this with a $15 dial type angle finder on the same 2 flat surfaces. To be honest the angle finder always confirms the barrel timing which was established by using the fixtures, so you could get it done by using angle finder alone.

A person could also use a large crescent wrench as a receiver wrench being very careful to use a cardstock pad (cut them out of a cereal box) to surround the receiver top and bottom and prevent scratching the surface. The torque load is taken by the top and bottom surfaces of the receiver, so a crescent wrench would work OK, but you might need to use a piece of steel pipe around the handle to get more torque.
 
I personally would avoid using a crescent wrench on the receiver.Too much chance of damage.I've seen several receivers damaged by a "gunsmith" using crescent wrenches.The same "gunsmith" as well.He never learned from his mistakes.I use the Brownells wrench system and a barrel vise that I made.American Gunsmithing Institute may still sell an action wrench as well.
If you're only doing one rifle it would be cheaper to pay a gunsmith to install and headspace the barrel.
 
The US CMP used to sell excellent purpose made barrel vises for both the M1 Garand and M1903 Springfield. I also have their Garand action wrench. It works great and is big enough to stun an elephant. The Brownells action wrench is an excellent system as you can use the basic wrench with different heads for different receivers/actions. I agree with the advice to hire a someone with the proper tools to do a barrel installation if you are looking at a one time job.

Knowledge is the best tool of all. Any aspiring Garand builder should get the Kuhnhausen Shop Manual on the M1/M14 before going anywhere. A good buy from Brownells @ $50 a pop.
 
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