M1 Garand Model Differences. What Are They?

.45_Funk

.45_Funk

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Alright boys and girls--I'm hoping this site ain't another 'boys club'--I'm relatively new to the world of firearms, so, naturally, I have a lot of questions pertaining to a great deal of various things. I figured I start with this one.
I'm very intersted in purchasing an M1 Garand, and I've noticed there are many different models out there. I'd like to know more information about the various models, and also which is the most preferred.
Any and all help would be much appreciated. Thank-you very much.

Peace
 
There are a number of M-1 Garand models and some new models currently being manufactured by Springfield Armoury Inc. Wikipedia has pretty good historical data on the rifle. You might be able to get more specific information under Main Battle Rifles.

Quick reference of variants
U.S. Army designation U.S. Navy designation Description
T1 N/A Prototype
T1E1 N/A A single trial rifle that broke its bolt in the 1931 trial
T1E2 N/A Trial designation for gas-trap Garand. Basically a T1E1 with a new bolt.
M1 N/A Basic model. Identical to T1E2. Later change to gas port did not change designation
M1E1 N/A M1 Garand variant; modified cam angle in op-rod
M1E2 N/A M1 Garand variant; prismatic scope and mount
M1E3 N/A M1 Garand variant; roller added to bolt’s cam lug (later adapted for use in the M14)
M1E4 N/A M1 Garand variant; gas cut-off and expansion system with piston integral to op-rod
M1E5 N/A M1 Garand variant; 18-inch barrel and folding stock
M1E6 N/A M1 Garand variant; sniper variant
M1E7/M1C N/A M1E6 Garand variant; sniper variant with M81 scope (though the M82 or M84 scope could be used) on a Griffin & Howe mount
M1E8/M1D N/A M1E7 Garand variant; sniper variant with M82 scope (though the M84 scope could be used) on a Springfield Armory mount
M1E9 N/A M1 Garand variant; similar to M1E4, with piston separate from op-rod
M1E10 N/A M1 Garand variant; variant with the "Ljungman" direct gas system
M1E11 N/A M1 Garand variant; short-stroke Tappet gas system
M1E12 N/A M1 Garand variant; gas impingement system
M1E13 N/A M1 Garand variant; "White" gas cut-off and expansion system
M1E14 Mk 2 Mod 0 M1 Garand variant; rechambered in .30 T65/7.62x51mm NATO with press-in chamber insert
T20 N/A M1 Garand variant; select-fire conversion by John Garand, capable of using BAR magazines
T20E1 N/A T20 variant; uses its own type of magazines
T20E2 N/A T20 variant; E2 magazines will work in BAR, but not the reverse
T20E2HB N/A T20E2 variant; HBAR variant
T22 N/A M1 Garand variant; select-fire conversion by Remington, magazine-fed
T22E1 N/A T22 variant; unknown differences
T22E2 N/A T22 variant; unknown differences
T22E3 N/A T22 variant; unknown differences; uses T27 fire control
T26 N/A M1 Garand variant; 18-inch barrel and standard stock
T27 N/A Remington select-fire field conversion for M1 Garand; ability to convert issue M1 Garands to select-fire rifles; fire control setup used in T22E3
T31 N/A Experimental bullpup variant
T35 Mk 2 Mod 2 M1 Garand variant; rechambered for .30 T65/7.62x51mm NATO
T36 N/A T20E2 variant; T20E2 rechambered for .30 T65/7.62x51mm NATO using T35 barrel and T25 magazine
T37 N/A T36 variant; same as T36, except in gas port location
 
There aren't a variety of models of the M-1 rifle available.
Almost all the M-1s you see for sale are standard, garden variety service rifles. There are different manufacturers, and there are variations in some of the parts, depending on when the parts were made.
Keep in maind that almost all rifles in US service were rebuilt over the years, and most of the ones supplied to various allies were rebult as well. A never rebuilt, all original parts M-1 is a rare rifle. There are those who will swap parts to try to achieve a facsimile of an original rifle, but these are just parts guns.
If you are thinking of buying one of the M-1D sniper variants, be careful. A lot of these were made up from parts.
If you are looking to buy an M-1, look for sound overall condition, and a sharp bore. There are lots of parts in one of these rifles, and if you have to start replacing parts, the cost can escalate rapidly.
 
If you really want to learn about the Garand (which I did before I purchased mine), I highly recommend going over to the CMP forums (civilian marksmanship program). It's a government program run in the States that sells surplus Garands for dirt cheap to get people into shooting, and the people on that board eat sleep and live Garands.
 
Thanks, guys. Now, when dealing with a seller, what kind of questions should I be asking? I don't want a collectors piece, I just want a good, solid M1 Garand, so what should I be looking for?
 
Bore condition.
Condition according to NRA standards.
Defects, damage.
These are all older rifles, many have been around the block more than once.
Do business with a reputable dealer.
 
"...currently being manufactured by Springfield Armoury Inc...." Not any more.
You can download free .pdf manuals for the M1 here. Note the need for the provided UN & PW. http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/
Buy a copy of Hatcher's Book of the Garand too. Your local gun shop or Amazon.
Don't bother with Wikipedia. It isn't a good source for info. Anybody with Internet access can post there. A lot of Internet nonsense gets promulgated there too.
 
.45_Funk said:
Oh, okay. So nothing real specific to look out for? Alright. Thanks, again.
Click to expand...

A M-1 is a rather complicated firearm, and will be 55 to 70 years old.
There are lots of specific things that could be checked. Things like worn gas cylinder/piston, bent operating rod, throat erosion, muzzle wear, worn out receiver track.
If you cannot inspect the rifle, and don't know exactly what to look for, buying from a reputable dealer is your best bet.
Sunray mentions some excellent references.
 
The various model are really just the different makers - Springfield, always good and pure USGI; Winchester, name recognition but pathetic wartime quality control and lagging productivity; International Harvester, postwar contracts well-made; Harrington and Richardson, likewise a well-respected maker; Breda and Beretta, Italian companies that made guns in the '50's for Denmark and others, very good quality despite the undeserved snobbish rejection by American collectors. Springfield Armory (the maker of the current US M1A), not a good reputation amongst the collectors but you never know what you might find ...
 
There is nothing out of the ordinary with a WW2 era M-1 Garand, if are simply looking for a shooter grade rifle. The stuff you see on the market is generally surplus from either a foreign or domestic army inventory.
If, by chance, you are looking for a collectible Garand then things change dramatically as there are variants and manufacturers that can be considered collectible...as well as the originality of a rifle and how anal you would like to be to have everything on it proper for the DOM. The probability of finding an original unaltered Gas Trap Garand in Canada is virtually nil...hopefully someone out there will prove me wrong on this and post photos of their Gas Trap. Note, An original Gas Trap is running about 50 to 75,000 US.
The M-1 is one the sweetest shooting rifles there is...just this weekend I used one in a 300 yard match and smacked a 12 inch square gong 4 out of 5 times from crossed sticks...the 5th shot was my fault and I apologized to the rifle for screwing up.
 
Heh Heh.
Damn, I've wanted an M1 Garand so much more after I started this thread. Every couple hours I keep checking the EE for new listings. Do you know of any other reputable dealers that may be carrying one?
 
Strongly consider getting the Kuhnhausen manual (which also covers the M-14)
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=...BER_GAS_OPERATED_SERVICE_RIFLES_A_SHOP_MANUAL
and watch out for 'cut-and-shut' jobs rewelded out of scrapped receivers (unlikely in Canada, but they do exist).
Remember that later (1950s) guns and parts incorporated all the earlier accumulated wisdom and experience.
Collecting M1s is a bit like collecting P38s - there's a heck of a lot of them around, and you're driven to exercises in cryptanalysis to discern much difference between them.
 
Yeah. I'm single, and I've a good paying job, so money isn't currently an issue. However, I'll probably be back in school next year, and there are plenty of women around, so I need to make the aquisition before the funds are gone. ;)
 
Condition, Condition, Condition. Now I did pick up one a few years ago since da gubmint made me give back the one they issued me. I had to have the bolt replaced as it was found to have a cracked locking lug. It is a bitzer but it is STILL an M1. Picking up a new return spring would be a good idea in case you run into any problems.
 
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