My M1 Garand…Safe to shoot?

#4mk1(T)

#4mk1(T)

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My M1 Garand…Safe to shoot?

As a few of you will know I am an Enfield collector but after reading so much about the M1 Garand and the 30-06 round I decided I wanted to try one out. At the last gun show I attended there was a nice looking one for sale but priced a bit high at $200.00 but I bought it anyway. I figure I won’t be able to find one of the $179.00 Lever Arms ones around now and I don’t have to pay shipping or tax so $200.00 wasn’t so bad I guess.
Now to my question: When I got it home I noticed the rifle has two holes drilled in the barrel. One on top of, and the other in the side of the barrel just ahead of the chamber. They don’t go all the way through but are quite deep. Should I be worried?
In addition the back hand-guard of my Ram Line synth. stock is to long. Do they make ones that are shorter or do I just trim the one I have? See photo #1 below.
Now my last question. The seller gave me a bonus Cleaning Funnel with the rifle. He said it’s for pouring water down the barrel after shooting corrosive ammo. The thing is when I use it water leaks out around the bottom getting the wood all wet not to mention the rest of the rifle. Do I need to buy an “O” ring or something? See photo #2 below.
Thanks in advance for your responses and have a great April Fools day!





Photo#1:
DSC03329Medium.jpg


Photo#2:
DSC03332Medium.jpg


Full rifle shot:
DSC033391Medium.jpg
 
I love the way the cleaning funnel attaches, "O" ring or possibly silicone would seal it up well, even some teflon tape. Remember to wipe the wood right away,you don't want any corrosive material reacting with your sweat. :D
 
looks like someone tried to tap a mount. i wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't pour water down the barrel either unless the entire front end was dissassembled for the water might travel into the gas vent and fowl up the pistion. Mind you, soapy water works well for extreme carbon build up.
 
Some guys shouldn't own rifles .. when they clearly don't know what they are buying..and screwing it up for the rest of us who keep informed and are genuine user/collectors - it is scary how little people know!

The funnel is quite obviously a very rare and early innovation used to facilitate the loading, and wide deployment, of field expedient flechette rounds.

The device was intended to be issued only to cooks and other administrative personnel so that they could provide "FPF" or final protective fire in the event of an enemy break through on rear echelon ("B") positions such as field kitchens and mobile bath units.

Typically brads or other small metallic objects eg staples from HQ offices and thumbtacks could be substituted for the issue flechettes which were produced, coincidentally, by the same company that provided safety pins for field dressings. Blank rounds could be used but ball ammunition was the preferred choice as it provided excellent secondary pyrotechnic effect which was most impressive at the close range these devices were intended for.

Regrettably these devices were deemed to contravene Article III of the Haig Convention (unless used with specified Boch-stitch staples). They were withdrawn from service.

Your particular specimen is typical showing the general lack of usage that rear echelon troops might make of this type of weapon. It is likely that the "funnel" device, as others have so quaintly called it, was left on the weapon to preclude mounting of the then current bayonet - this was often felt desirable to prevent unnecessary self inflicted cuts and stabbings frequently experienced by cooks and clerks with limited field experience.
 
AP said:
Some guys shouldn't own rifles .. when they clearly don't know what they are buying..and screwing it up for the rest of us who keep informed and are genuine user/collectors - it is scary how little people know!

The funnel is quite obviously a very rare and early innovation used to facilitate the loading, and wide deployment, of field expedient flechette rounds.

The device was intended to be issued only to cooks and other administrative personnel so that they could provide "FPF" or final protective fire in the event of an enemy break through on rear echelon ("B") positions such as field kitchens and mobile bath units.

Typically brads or other small metallic objects eg staples from HQ offices and thumbtacks could be substituted for the issue flechettes which were produced, coincidentally, by the same company that provided safety pins for field dressings. Blank rounds could be used but ball ammunition was the preferred choice as it provided excellent secondary pyrotechnic effect which was most impressive at the close range these devices were intended for.

Regrettably these devices were deemed to contravene Article III of the Haig Convention (unless used with specified Boch-stitch staples). They were withdrawn from service.

Your particular specimen is typical showing the general lack of usage that rear echelon troops might make of this type of weapon. It is likely that the "funnel" device, as others have so quaintly called it, was left on the weapon to preclude mounting of the then current bayonet - this was often felt desirable to prevent unnecessary self inflicted cuts and stabbings frequently experienced by cooks and clerks with limited field experience.
Click to expand...

After reading that, I can't help but laugh to the point of tears while picturing someone pouring water down their barrel and cursing the leaky "bonus cleaning funnel". :D

This thread is epic.
 
AP said:
Some guys shouldn't own rifles .. when they clearly don't know what they are buying..and screwing it up for the rest of us who keep informed and are genuine user/collectors - it is scary how little people know!

The funnel is quite obviously a very rare and early innovation used to facilitate the loading, and wide deployment, of field expedient flechette rounds.

The device was intended to be issued only to cooks and other administrative personnel so that they could provide "FPF" or final protective fire in the event of an enemy break through on rear echelon ("B") positions such as field kitchens and mobile bath units.

Typically brads or other small metallic objects eg staples from HQ offices and thumbtacks could be substituted for the issue flechettes which were produced, coincidentally, by the same company that provided safety pins for field dressings. Blank rounds could be used but ball ammunition was the preferred choice as it provided excellent secondary pyrotechnic effect which was most impressive at the close range these devices were intended for.

Regrettably these devices were deemed to contravene Article III of the Haig Convention (unless used with specified Boch-stitch staples). They were withdrawn from service.

Your particular specimen is typical showing the general lack of usage that rear echelon troops might make of this type of weapon. It is likely that the "funnel" device, as others have so quaintly called it, was left on the weapon to preclude mounting of the then current bayonet - this was often felt desirable to prevent unnecessary self inflicted cuts and stabbings frequently experienced by cooks and clerks with limited field experience.
Click to expand...


That is pure gold!!
I love this part, "Regrettably these devices were deemed to contravene Article III of the Haig Convention (unless used with specified Boch-stitch staples). They were withdrawn from service."
 
So if I understand what some of you are saying, what was sold to me as a Cleaning Funnel is in fact ether a loading device or a projector for specialty shot of some kind. In affect a Blunderbuss adapter you think??? Perhaps it’s time for Clancy to chime in on this??? I got a small bag with some other parts with the rifle. I found what appears to be a leather brace for the stock made by some company called K-Line. I guess it’s incase you split the stock well shooting heavy shot loads?
 
I found what appears to be a leather brace for the stock made by some company called K-Line
Click to expand...
... I urge you to exercise extreme caution with that "item"..while I am not entirely sure what the "leather brace" was used for I am reasonably certain it was not discussed in decent circles. I strongly recommend you wash your hands thoroughly if you handled that object.
As you know .. like many companies that produce "paraphernalia" of this sort - clearly some form of disgusting "objet d'amour" .. "K-Line" is also well know as the manufacturer/distributor for "K-Y". Lord knows what it was really used for and I feel that further speculation would only result in being banned from this board!
 
That "funnel" is actually to allow storage of dozens of rifles in an armoury without using up valuable floor space with floor-mounted racks.

The armoury would have two rubber coated steel rods about twelve feet long and two inches apart. The muzzle of the rifle would fit in and the rifles would hang by the dozen from the expanded diameter of the Rifle Hanging Aid, which you have been incorrectly informed was a funnel.

That is why the RHA (Rifle Hanging Aid or Rifle Hanging Adapter if USMC issued) can be removed from the rifle when issued and storage becomes the problem of the soldier.

The drilled hole on the side of the receiver is to attach the rifle to a vehicle mount so that the driver may fire the rifle straight forward, similar to a machine gun in fighter aircraft. It was found that better accuracy was gained by the driver steering the vehicle rather than trying to aim the rifle while driving.

And one more point; absolutely everyone here knows that John C Garand was a Canadian?
 
AP said:
The device was intended to be issued only to cooks and other administrative personnel so that they could provide "FPF" or final protective fire in the event of an enemy break through on rear echelon ("B") positions such as field kitchens and mobile bath units.
Click to expand...

The funnel type device may have also been used as a biscuit cutter so the cook could be ready to defend his kitchen at all times while preparing biscuits and gravy for the troops.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biscuits_and_gravy
 
The only thing I wonder about is the 200$ pricetag. If you paid 200$ for that garand I am the most jealous individual on this forum.
 
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