SAFN Vs M1 Garand
- Thread starter sidester
- Start date
They are both great. I have two .30-06 SAFN's, one stock and one sniper put-together with original 4X OIP scope,mount and rings and two M1 Garands, one stock and one original M1D sniper. All four are in excellent condition.
A few thoughts below:
1. SAFN sniper is really nice with the 4X OIP scope compared to the 2.2X M84 scope, but the wooden cheek piece on the buttstock makes using the iron sights impossible while it is mounted. The good thing is that the wooden cheek piece isn't really needed to use the scope as well as the irons. The scope on the SAFN is also mounted directly over the bore for a more natural shooting cheek weld compared to the M1D's left offset mounted scope.
2. The M1D benefits from being able to use the scope and the irons with the leather cheek piece installed.
3. The SAFN rear iron sight is basically a large flat metal piece with a peep hole in it making it not very useful for moving targets/hunting as it blocks out the entire area surrounding the target like a scope whereas the M1 rear sight is a ghost ring and you can see everything around the target as well as the target and front sight which is great for moving targets/hunting.
4. The SAFN has a built-in adjustable gas valve, although you have to remove the front handguard to do this. The M1 can use the adjustable gas plug to reduce OP rod bashing. The SAFN has a more durable gas system and piston that is completely hidden and protected by the handguards. The M1 has a more delicate hollow OP rod that connects to the bolt on the outside of the receiver and could possibly be damaged easier.
5. The M1 is allowed 8 rounds legally even for hunting in ON., the SAFN is limited to 5.
6. The M1 "Pings" which is very cool!!!!
7. The M1 has fewer parts and is way easier to field strip to clean without the use of any tools.
They are both amazing rifles and I won't be parting with any of them any time soon...
I will have to get out some time this summer and do a shooting comparison with all four. I'll try and post some pics when I get the chance.
If I think of anything else, I will add to the list above.
I'm sure others can add to it.
Ian
A few thoughts below:
1. SAFN sniper is really nice with the 4X OIP scope compared to the 2.2X M84 scope, but the wooden cheek piece on the buttstock makes using the iron sights impossible while it is mounted. The good thing is that the wooden cheek piece isn't really needed to use the scope as well as the irons. The scope on the SAFN is also mounted directly over the bore for a more natural shooting cheek weld compared to the M1D's left offset mounted scope.
2. The M1D benefits from being able to use the scope and the irons with the leather cheek piece installed.
3. The SAFN rear iron sight is basically a large flat metal piece with a peep hole in it making it not very useful for moving targets/hunting as it blocks out the entire area surrounding the target like a scope whereas the M1 rear sight is a ghost ring and you can see everything around the target as well as the target and front sight which is great for moving targets/hunting.
4. The SAFN has a built-in adjustable gas valve, although you have to remove the front handguard to do this. The M1 can use the adjustable gas plug to reduce OP rod bashing. The SAFN has a more durable gas system and piston that is completely hidden and protected by the handguards. The M1 has a more delicate hollow OP rod that connects to the bolt on the outside of the receiver and could possibly be damaged easier.
5. The M1 is allowed 8 rounds legally even for hunting in ON., the SAFN is limited to 5.
6. The M1 "Pings" which is very cool!!!!
7. The M1 has fewer parts and is way easier to field strip to clean without the use of any tools.
They are both amazing rifles and I won't be parting with any of them any time soon...
I will have to get out some time this summer and do a shooting comparison with all four. I'll try and post some pics when I get the chance.
If I think of anything else, I will add to the list above.
I'm sure others can add to it.
Ian
FWIW, the SAFN was the proto-FN-FAL and became the rifle of the free world until well into the 1980's, moreso than the M14 that evolved out of the Garand. It was a more versatile design adapted to many calibers and was much more ammunition tolerant than the M1.
The sights on the M1 are arguably better, but the operating principles of the SAFN are still widely in use - not so for the M1 (unless you coulnt the mini-14, I don't).
The sights on the M1 are arguably better, but the operating principles of the SAFN are still widely in use - not so for the M1 (unless you coulnt the mini-14, I don't).
I didnt shot my egyptian SAFN yet but i like better the layout and the mechanic of the SAFN over the Garand. Garand sights are better but the en bloc clip is not the greatest idea. The Garand can be disassembled more easily since you only need the tool to remove the gas plug,after that the rifle,stock included are taken apart without tools. Like Smitsauce said,both rifles are on the never sell list 
Joce
Joce
Try both rifles in a 3 gun match where each stage requires 20+ rds of rifle ammo. That will give you the answer which is the best rifle for accuracy, fast reloading, magazine pouches, cheap en block clips vs magazines. One is a competitor, the other isn't.
I'd rather buy a M14 type semi for the money anyway instead of a Garand.
Even Garand was peeved he had to use that clip and in 30-06 instead pf .276
Only complaint I have with the SAFN is the iron sights for long range, but usable in daytime avg. distance combat.
Like my 7mm a bit more than my 8mm and 30-06 one.
Even Garand was peeved he had to use that clip and in 30-06 instead pf .276
Only complaint I have with the SAFN is the iron sights for long range, but usable in daytime avg. distance combat.
Like my 7mm a bit more than my 8mm and 30-06 one.
