M1 Garand - What should I know?

[jethunter]

This ain't a honeypot, lol. Trust me bro.

Gosh mister, it sure is good to have your assurances you're clean. It means a lot to us.

Look on the CGN ee for garand rifles.

 

[MooseSlayer07]

I am confused.
You suggest this firearm as a 'dream rifle' and that to me suggests you already know lots about this firearm .
Yet, you can not articulate why it is a thing to dream of a thing and try and source one for purchase.
Beware of Garand Thumb, it is a real thing.
Just as Hickcock45

I've fired a Garand before, and thankfully did not suffer from Garand thumb.

You know, it is possible to like the esthetics and history of a particular firearm without knowing a thing about how it operates,...

That said, me personally, I enjoy learning how they operate and what not, but some people just like the way they look

Well, I am in that boat. I love the esthetics, it's history and how the rifle handles, but I don't know very much about the inner workings aside from my basic knowledge on how semi-auto firearms operate.

A lot of the M1 rifles in Canada were assembled from miscellaneous parts by hobbyists in a home shop, perhaps with correct tools and gauges, perhaps without.
Best to get one that is an actual surplus rifle.

I'll keep an eye out for those, thanks.

Lots of good youtube resources on this dated and historic firearm.
By todays standards it is very outdated, heavy, cumbersome, mechanically complex, not optic friendly.

I have watched many videos on the Garand, but I also want to get opinions and experiences from folks on this forum as well, so I can get a balanced understanding of it. As for it being outdated by modern standards, that's not a concern for me. I love the rifle's design, history and handling.

You're basically describing the difference in perspective of new shooter with a video game background (have seen lots of guns, know their names, and have fantasies), and someone who has been around firearms for most of their lives.

What is a forum if not to ask sage minds the right questions?

Exactly. Though, I have handled firearms for my entire life, but it's only been bolt-action 22s and shotguns until very recently.

Forums a a great wealth of info. This one very much. You said it, it's the right questions.
Simply where to source one? Well, in google type in the model, add Canada and a link shows at top. Simply click and add dream rifle to cart. Done. Dream acquired.
I mean, with the recent bans and new members seeming to endlessly post and question some firearms not yet banned, or newly banned, people are sensitive sharing info.

If I had a dream muscle car and may have not owned a muscle car, I would be reading all sorts of sites, not just going on a forum and asking very broad questions. How valuable would a response be on a classic car site be if I posted "Hello! I'm interested in purchasing a Ford Mustang, as that is my dream car. What are some must-knows about using and owning one of these beautiful cars? Where would be the best place to source one, aside from a local dealer?

A thought out, valuable question will return valuable info here. Years ago I posted about an 1800's rifle. I added what I knew, pic's etc and was directed to a more specialized website. By the time it was done, I knew the time period and location it was made. The gunsmiths name. Even the time frame it was reworked by same gun smith. It was impressive, humbling and appreciated

That is a fair point, thank you for your input. Better to think out specific questions instead of creating a thread that asks broad questions.

Make sure the bolt is locked locked back and not just resting on the butterfly follower or whatever its called prior to cleaning and sticking your thumb in there with patches and Q tips ……. You really dont wanna find out the hard way about lock back aka garand thumb like I did

Noted, thanks.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Garand Thumb refers to loading the beast.....

 

[MooseSlayer07]

Garand Thumb refers to loading the beast.....

Yes, I am aware of that fact.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Yes, I am aware of that fact.

 

[tiriaq]

Some of the last surplus imports were the Italian Tipo 2 rifles, arsenal converted to 7.62x51. One of these would be an excellent choice.
But all M1s seem to command high prices, even the bitsers.

I've never experienced M1 thumb, but I did have an unfortunate experience with a G43 once...

 

[wolf300H&H]

I gotta guy in Edmonton that will but a new bbl on an m1 if needed …… i just did and currently trying to make 150s work

 

[MooseSlayer07]

Some of the last surplus imports were the Italian Tipo 2 rifles, arsenal converted to 7.62x51. One of these would be an excellent choice.
But all M1s seem to command high prices, even the bitsers.

I've never experienced M1 thumb, but I did have an unfortunate experience with a G43 once...

I have seen those ones, and I certainly agree that they are a good choice. Though, I would like to get one chambered in 308 Winchester. My family already has the reloading supplies for 308. It's my understanding that the you can safely fire 7.62x51 out of a rifle chambered in 308, but not the inverse because 308 generates more PSI than 7.62x51.

 

[CeeJay]

They are great! don't get one.. get two!

 

[MooseSlayer07]

They are great! don't get one.. get two!

If I had the disposable income, I surely would, lol. Over the course of the next 6 months, I'll be putting aside money from my paycheques for one of these. I'm selling off a whole bunch of stuff I've collected as well, to fund getting myself an SKS, Winchester SXP or Mossberg 500, and a Mosin Nagant.

 

[tiriaq]

,308 in a 7.62x51 M1 is not an issue. What you do want to watch is the gas pressure at the muzzle. You have probably heard that bullets over a certain weight should not be used in a M1. It is not the bullet weight - it is the gas pressure at the muzzle. If the pressure is significantly higher than that produced by issue ammunition, the action gets battered because the operating rod velocity is too high. Mid range powders work best. There is a wealth of information available about loading for M1 rifles.

 

[MooseSlayer07]

,308 in a 7.62x51 M1 is not an issue. What you do want to watch is the gas pressure at the muzzle. You have probably heard that bullets over a certain weight should not be used in a M1. It is not the bullet weight - it is the gas pressure at the muzzle. If the pressure is significantly higher than that produced by issue ammunition, the action gets battered because the operating rod velocity is too high. Mid range powders work best. There is a wealth of information available about loading for M1 rifles.

Thank you, I'll look into that.

 

[Steiner]

"By todays standards it is very outdated, heavy, cumbersome, mechanically complex, not optic friendly."....a wonderful piece for it's time.

With that comment i meant it shouldn't be considered a public danger. But since they are banning 22lr it's a moot point.

 

[tiriaq]

There are adjustable aftermarket gas plugs. This allows the operating system to be tuned for the ammunition being used, within reason.

It has been mentioned that M1s are not optic friendly. This may be one of the more significant shortcomings. That leather cheekpiece on the M1 sniper rifles - it is not there to raise your head up to the scope - it is there to move your head off to the left.

 

[CeeJay]

There are often lots of M1's available on the EE here, prices vary, due to WW2 / Korean war vintage vs post wars, as well as USGI vs Italian and original 30-06 vs re-chambered .308. Gun stores have them in stock from time to time as well. There is also ####### too. Myself I prefer vintage USGI rifles in the original 30-06 chambering. One is from 1944, my other is 1953. I love em both equally, the 44 one is parts correct minus the barrel. The barrel is only a few years old and is one part I will never have a problem changing as it definitely helped out general accuracy over the old worn out barrel and I do shoot them often. The 54 is parts correct and shoots great no need to change the barrel yet. The good part is new barrels are still being produced at an affordable price, and surplus parts are still out there. I have heard CMP has run out of USGI receivers and are looking to produce their own, this could have a positive effect on further parts availability.

If you want WW2 vintage then look for Springfield and Winchester only, they were the only ones to make them before and during WW2. During the Korean war H&R as well as International Harvester produced rifles along side Springfield, but Winchester didn't make them during that war.

If USGI means nothing to you, then go for the Italian made Beretta or Breda which are built just as good as USGI, they just don't have the wars tied to them.

308 is still somewhat cheaper than 30-06 and is fun to shoot. But if we are going for cool points 30-06 wins hands down. An enbloc full of 30-06 looks cooler than one in 308.

There are adjustable gas plus out there to make the rifles shoot softer with modern loads, and they work well.

All of that being said if you do decide to go the CMP route and you do get a CMP receiver build, please post as much pics and info you can here.

 

[Snider shooter]

I m going to slip this story in. I like doing it everytime.
At the range a few times I’d overhear a young fellow talking about how he would love to own a Garand but they just cost too much and they always state hopefully someday I’ll have one.
I’ve let them shoot one of mine. The look on their face after shooting one is priceless. You can tell they loved it.
I’ve had a couple tell me after shooting mine they knew they absolutely wanted one.

 

[tiriaq]

M1s can certainly be great shooters. They also have about the best sights of any of the vintage service rifles.

 

[MooseSlayer07]

There are often lots of M1's available on the EE here, prices vary, due to WW2 / Korean war vintage vs post wars, as well as USGI vs Italian and original 30-06 vs re-chambered .308. Gun stores have them in stock from time to time as well. There is also ####### too. Myself I prefer vintage USGI rifles in the original 30-06 chambering. One is from 1944, my other is 1953. I love em both equally, the 44 one is parts correct minus the barrel. The barrel is only a few years old and is one part I will never have a problem changing as it definitely helped out general accuracy over the old worn out barrel and I do shoot them often. The 54 is parts correct and shoots great no need to change the barrel yet. The good part is new barrels are still being produced at an affordable price, and surplus parts are still out there. I have heard CMP has run out of USGI receivers and are looking to produce their own, this could have a positive effect on further parts availability.

If you want WW2 vintage then look for Springfield and Winchester only, they were the only ones to make them before and during WW2. During the Korean war H&R as well as International Harvester produced rifles along side Springfield, but Winchester didn't make them during that war.

If USGI means nothing to you, then go for the Italian made Beretta or Breda which are built just as good as USGI, they just don't have the wars tied to them.

308 is still somewhat cheaper than 30-06 and is fun to shoot. But if we are going for cool points 30-06 wins hands down. An enbloc full of 30-06 looks cooler than one in 308.

There are adjustable gas plus out there to make the rifles shoot softer with modern loads, and they work well.

All of that being said if you do decide to go the CMP route and you do get a CMP receiver build, please post as much pics and info you can here.

I would love to own an issued Garand, but that alone will spike the cost. The Italian ones seemed to be the best priced as well. Hopefully, if CMP does start producing their own receivers, the cost up here might go down a bit as well.

30-06 is a beefy round, just more expensive, lol.

I'll look into the adjustable gas plugs, thanks.

The CMP route is an option, but I haven't yet researched the process of importing a firearm from the US.

 

[MooseSlayer07]

I m going to slip this story in. I like doing it everytime.
At the range a few times I’d overhear a young fellow talking about how he would love to own a Garand but they just cost too much and they always state hopefully someday I’ll have one.
I’ve let them shoot one of mine. The look on their face after shooting one is priceless. You can tell they loved it.
I’ve had a couple tell me after shooting mine they knew they absolutely wanted one.

I was interested in getting a Garand, but after I shot one for the first time, I was also smitten. They are my favorite US service rifle. Price isn't too much of an issue for me, as long as it falls within $2500.

 

[MooseSlayer07]

M1s can certainly be great shooters. They also have about the best sights of any of the vintage service rifles.

Another reason I love the rifle is just that, the sights.