M1 parts or whole?

I

ilikeoldguns

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If I ever wanted an M1, what is the smarter way to go?

Wait for a whole gun to come up when I have the money to buy it, or buy parts here and there as they come up?

In my limited experience so far; the hardest part of the gun to get is the stock...but given what a "Sporter" m1 looks like and how rare those are, I wonder if that would be true here with a parts gun?

In addition; I know M1s are sensitive to their ammo; lighter loaded .30-06 is preferred, dedicated M1-loaded ammo is best and modern hunting ammo should be avoided. Are later-built M1s less sensitive in this way? Are there stronger parts you can swap in? If I had the choice, I'd rather a stronger, more tolerant M1; not because I want to pump max-power .30-06 through it, but because #### happens; manufacturers make errors an so do reloaders and I'm a reloader.

I could care less about an original gun with matching numbers; I *like* project guns. But if I'd save a lot of money and time buying a whole rifle, maybe that would be better if I just kept my eyes peeled and Had basically a pampered safe queen. Finally maybe some essential parts are especially hard to find for building one up yourself? I found that with my lee-enfield.

Thanks for your time.
 
Right now, I'm leaning to buying complete rifles as its getting harder to find affordable parts these days. It quickly adds up. I think the best deals are to buy whole guns in "rough" shape and then upgrade them as parts become available. There are a few out there on the EE now for around the $1000 range with mismatched parts/handguards etc. Should shoot reasonably well if the barrel isn't in too rough a shape. I was able to get a great deal on International Harvester a few months ago for $850. It had a synthetic stock and a lot of pitting in the receiver, as well as a firing issue (later identified as a a hammer spring being installed upside down). I just picked up a mint condition stock/handguard set for $150 and am completely happy now. Most "decent" M1s are in the $1300-$1500 range. The ceiling would be the James River Armoury ones that wanstalls has in stock occasionally at around $2000 for a shiny newly restored one.
 
Rickster66 said:
Right now, I'm leaning to buying complete rifles as its getting harder to find affordable parts these days. It quickly adds up. I think the best deals are to buy whole guns in "rough" shape and then upgrade them as parts become available. There are a few out there on the EE now for around the $1000 range with mismatched parts/handguards etc. Should shoot reasonably well if the barrel isn't in too rough a shape. I was able to get a great deal on International Harvester a few months ago for $850. It had a synthetic stock and a lot of pitting in the receiver, as well as a firing issue (later identified as a a hammer spring being installed upside down). I just picked up a mint condition stock/handguard set for $150 and am completely happy now. Most "decent" M1s are in the $1300-$1500 range. The ceiling would be the James River Armoury ones that wanstalls has in stock occasionally at around $2000 for a shiny newly restored one.
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Very few if any M1 Garands were made with matching parts. You can just about make a bet that a Garand with matching parts is a put together.
 
Finding rebuildable m1 garands is a good idea. There are many out there that are in nice condition that can become great guns.
 
Building one with cost you more money...but then you get the fun of actually building one.
You also have the advantage of being able to put a brand new barrel on.
 
The dollar the way it is it looks cheaper to buy than to build.
I have a barrelled action waiting for the dollar to increase
 
wbaad said:
The dollar the way it is it looks cheaper to buy than to build.
I have a barrelled action waiting for the dollar to increase
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Think you might be getting your pension before that happens. Till oil goes up, we'll be sucking eggs. Positive side, a previously built Garand should increase in value. Tell my wife. it's better than owning gold. :)

Grizz
 
So if i was to build one, are there parts i could get; like better barrels or receivers which would reduce the sensitivity to modern .30-06 loads?
 
ilikeoldguns said:
So if i was to build one, are there parts i could get; like better barrels or receivers which would reduce the sensitivity to modern .30-06 loads?
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There are modern barrels available, but the issue of using higher power loads is the operating rod being the weak point, not the barrel. There are adjustable gas plugs to counter this.
 
wbaad said:
There are modern barrels available, but the issue of using higher power loads is the operating rod being the weak point, not the barrel. There are adjustable gas plugs to counter this.
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Like a full-on gas regulator? At least as easy to use as an SVT-40 gas regulator? That would be pretty cool, and sounds really easy to drop one in.
 
ilikeoldguns said:
Like a full-on gas regulator? At least as easy to use as an SVT-40 gas regulator? That would be pretty cool, and sounds really easy to drop one in.
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Not an adjustable regulator like an SVT. No. The ones for Garands are either a 'Ported' plug, which just has a milled out plug. No vents or orfices. Just larger internal volume for the gas to expand and lower pressure before impinging force on the op-rod. The other style will have a hole drilled and tapped at the end of it. You then change screws that have tiny holes drilled in them until the rifle functions, while bleeding off gas. The problem with this, is that you have to put the correct screw in for the load you're using. Typically they will come with 5 different screws. And even then, it's not a quick adjustment like an FAL/SVT/FN49. It takes tools.
 
After seeing what one Ontario retailer was asking for Tipo 7.62 builds I am certain I am sitting on a gold mine here. I build my own for fun and relaxation. Our CDN$$ makes it a pricey project at times but careful shopping, some trades and patience will pay off.
 
FALover said:
After seeing what one Ontario retailer was asking for Tipo 7.62 builds I am certain I am sitting on a gold mine here. I build my own for fun and relaxation. Our CDN$$ makes it a pricey project at times but careful shopping, some trades and patience will pay off.
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What is a Tipo?
 
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