M1 Garand Roll Call

[zouavexx]

How many of you own the M1 Garand?

I have had one for years.

Mine was made in Feb 1942, has a low serial number (under a half million) and is one of my most favorite rifles. I have taken several deer with it (I use 5 shot clips) and will probally take it out again this season.

Zouave

[pro2nd]

I was lucky and caught a military auction at loring AFB 15 years ago I bought three an international harvester a springfield and a winchester I only paid 325.00 for the three but like I said that was 15 years ago.

[Dan44]

Got mine 5 years ago from CMP. If I had to sell my guns it would be the last to go!

[negative1x]

I have 6 of them including the D model I won in the DCM lottery.

[neilwest]

1. I got mine also through CMP. 1947 complete got accessorries from old memerablia dealer in the area. Place of honor in my gun collection

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Don't have one but it's one of my prefered list....That and an M1 Carbine.....Even toyed with the idea of buying one of the Century parts guns,though from what I hear it's probably not a good idea......Anybody have one of the Century Garands????

[Schuetzenman]

Yep, I've got 3 all from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). First one came in with a Winchester receiver. It's a rebuild from 1965. Red Birch stock. Serial number puts it as being manufactured 1 to 2 months after Pearl Harbor.

Last two I got were just before they raised the price to $520 delivered. One was an H & R and the other a Springfield. The Springfield is a 1944 dated receiver about June of that year. The H & R is a 1956 model. Lucked up on this one to a large degree. Looks like its the original DOD stock and original barrel. Makes it a lot easier to do a restoration if you have the original barrel.

Also picked up a stripped receiver from them at the same time, a "B" grade model that except for having the original Parkerized finish worn off to about a 20% remaining level is perfect. It dates from June of 1945. I haven't decided how to do this one up yet. I have a parts kit that is a stripped down Danish Garand.

Danish Garands are US guns lent to Denmark that have been brought back home. Unfortunately do to the stupidity of Polititians most of these were disassembled because they wouldn't let them be imported back in. Anyway, I have a mint as far as I can determine VAR danish arsenal barrel in the kit and the typical fish scale pattern Beech Wood stock typical of Danish Garands. The barrel should be impressive, seems short throated and a super tight muzzle. The kit also came with a mint Springfield trigger group, (hasn't even got the finish worn off the sear surfaces of the trigger and hammer). Last goodies was a Remington NM (National Match) Operation Rod and a Winchester Bolt! Kit came from Tapco 2 years ago. Wish I'd of had money to get more of those kits then.

My delima is that I wanted to have a .308 caliber Garand because of ammo availability and cost. Sigh, some day I'll decide what to do with the receiver.

[TheRifleman]

I have one, even shoot it a few times but I know very little about it. It has a national match barrel in it and nothing on it matches number wise but it looks good.

[Skip]

I bought mine from the DCM for $125 when most of you weren't born.

[scottsw1]

I have one that I purchased from an individual in '94 and I paid $325 for it back then. I love this gun and hope to pass it on to my son many years from now.

[mktoo]

Feb. '43 Springfield here with a SA '50 barrel in such great shape I almost hate to shoot it, but I just can't help myself!

[srv656sxx]

I like em, but find the prices to be prohibitative. It's like every gun owner in the US wants one, and i think they're over priced. Where can i find a decent one at a decent price? I like em, but don't feel like i should pay more than a FAL's price for one.

Shawn

[TheRifleman]

I know what ya mean Shawn. I bought mine for $350. a few years ago off my brothers father in law. You see those from Springfield Armory on gun show tables for $1050.+ Damn things must be gold plated.

[srv656sxx]

Originally posted by TheRifleman
Damn things must be gold plated.

Exactly. :rolleyes:

I know they have a bit of cultural significance, and i know they are nice rifles, but really... a clip fed semi-auto 30-06 that costs more than a mag fed semi-auto FAL and AK put together? come on. really.

I want one, but not bad enough i guess.....

Also, I want an M1 carbine, but those bastards are expensive too! Anyone got a decent source for one of these? I want one, but a pistol cartridge weird ass looking rifle that is said to be grossly underpowered for the prices I see them at is crazy.

JMHO.

Shawn

[NC_Rebel]

Don't own one, but I was impressed with the one Schuetzenman let me shoot. I have to agree with Shawn, they're just too dang expensive. :(

Shawn, M1 Carbines are a dime a dozen around here it seems. Go to a gun show, any gun show, and you'll see more M1 Carbines than any other type of military gun. The amazing thing about it is many dealers are trying to sell them for around $300. It's un-freakin-believable!

[Schuetzenman]

Shawn,
go to www.odcmp.com and check out the requirements for getting a surplus M1 Garand. This is how I got mine. Current cost for a US Grand is $520 delivered Fed-X to your front door and a Danish Garand is still $420 delivered the same way. They have a section to search for clubs in your state that have Garand Clinics. These are where they teach rifle shooting and this is how you get qualified to purchase a Garand from CMP. Once you shoot the Garand Clinic it's good for 5 years. During that time you can continue to purchase Garands and spare parts. Also they have drawings / lotterys on special rifles like 03A3 rifles or 03A4 Sniper rifles, M1D and M1C Sniper Rifles.

Now they aren't going to be minty fresh. They WILL have a wide mixture of parts in them. But they are ORIGINAL Garands not a reproduction. The stocks will be really good to beat to hell. You never know what you're going to get. I believe it is worth getting the rifles with the stocks on them. You can just get a barreled action and then put it in an reproduction stock from Boyd's. Reason I think people should get them in the stock is that sometimes you can strike gold in a stock. Occasionally an original sotck with Cartouche comes on a rifle. Some Garand stocks like Winchester stocks are worth as much as you pay for the complete rifle to the collector market. Some can be worth nothing too!

You have to have one of these! There's something that happens when you pick one up and level it off at a target. Hard to explain.

I thought it was just me but I had my Bro in Law and his son down in July I think it was. Anyway, they are from NJ and they don't get a chance to shoot let alone own guns there. Too much B.S. and licencing to go through. Anyway, I let them shoot AK's, AR-15, M1A / M14, Lee Enfield and My #1 Garand. Both of them at the end of the day said the Garand was their favorite of the bunch.

I asked why and they couldn't quite put their finger on it .. . . . verbalize it clearly. The best they could do is say there was just "Something about it, feel, balance and the sense of history the Garand represents".

You HAVE to get one of these! They are going to run out some day soon and then it'll be too late! Get one or you will be sorry!

[M1shooter]

Bought my M1 in Dec. 1999 at Collector's Firearms in Houston, TX for $525.00.

-Springfield Receiver 86xxxx (September 1942)
-Springfield Barrel (January 1953)
-Mill trigger guard
-Winchester front sight (or so someone told me once)

I have had to replace the gas cylinder and the hammer. I replaced the springs, too, because I had no idea how old they were. The rear handguard developed a crack, so I replaced it, too. Wasn't the original handguard, though. It was a different type of wood from the rest of the rifle.

I have also refinished the stock. The old finish was in pretty bad shape. Now I treat it with linseed oil every once in a while.

The barrel is a marginal 2, but I have shot a 16-shot three inch group (from benchrest, of course). That's pretty good for me. All in all, it is a fine rifle.

Patrick

[Schuetzenman]

M1Shooter, welcome to the forums. It sounds like you are getting what I see as average service grade accuracy. I love the Garands, there's something about them . . . a feel sort of and the balance. I just don't get the same feeling with any other rifle.

[M1shooter]

Thanks for the welcome, Schuetzenman. I'm not completely new to this forum. I was a part of it when it was www.guns.com a long ways back, and I went by Patrick Charles (Anyone remember me? :-) ).

That was back when I was in Texas. I'm up in Colorado, and after an 18 month hiatus, I've finally located some clubs that hold Garand matches (YAY!). That was something I had done before, and have been itching to do again. I've got the M1 in perfect shooting condition, so I'll be heading out to those matches next month. If all goes well, I may head for the national John C. Garand match at Camp Perry. Anyone ever been there?

On important fact I left out from my above post. The 16-shot 3-inch group was shot on a 200yd. range, so 1.5moa. I was on a bench rest with sandbags holding everything in place just letting the rifle do all the work. But I was really happy with its performance.

Patrick

[Schuetzenman]

Well 200 yards puts a different spin on it for sure. Now you're talking better than average accuracy! Very nice. So are you shooting stock ammo or do you handload?

[Richard Simmons]

Haven't fired her yet but I'm already wanting another Dane.

[tripntx]

I received my one and only garand a couple of weeks ago. It was a danish issue, springfield receiver s/d 2,9xx,xxx june '44, var barrel with very strong rifling. The overall appearance is not that good but she functions excellant. I've only shot one clip through her to make sure for proper function. I plan on taking it to the range this weekend.

I plan on ordering another one in the fall.

I wish the 400 rd of ball ammo would show up!

[Schuetzenman]

Originally posted by akxvntx
I received my one and only garand a couple of weeks ago. It was a danish issue, springfield receiver s/d 2,9xx,xxx june '44, var barrel with very strong rifling. The overall appearance is not that good but she functions excellant. I've only shot one clip through her to make sure for proper function. I plan on taking it to the range this weekend.

I plan on ordering another one in the fall.

I wish the 400 rd of ball ammo would show up!

Those VAR barrels are quite good, many feel better than any US made barrels in fact. You're going to love shooting it I bet! I love shooting my CMP Garand's!

[HatchetJoe]

My addiction to these is under control and am down to 4, but I just counted 8 M14 types, and I don't have a .308 Garand so I need at least one more.

[Schuetzenman]

LOL! 8 M14 types, 4 Garands but needs another! :D

[Faulkner]

Can you really have too many Garands? They may be pricey but there is just something about holding one in your hands. . . .

http://www.picturefuse.com/images/0202/2299.jpg

[wdmason99]

My Springfield M1 has S/N 7006951, and the only info on that number is "mfd after 1956" I have no history on it, but it functions perfectly and shoots accurately from 100 -300yds, benchrest. I agree with those that say the "feel" of the rifle is kind of extraordinary.

[Uncle Milt]

I have been colleting Garands for over 30 yrs,and have had every type of Garand that you can get except for a Gas Trap model.
Now , I am down to around 12 Garands (all correct ) including 2 "D"and a newly aquired "C" and enough parts to do whatever to any of them that I want......
BUT since discovering this board ,I have discovered the beauty of C&R rifles too !:) It would be impossible to re create my collection today due to the cost,but the C&R rifles are not only much ,much,more reasonable in price. They are a blast to shoot too ! Thanks for the new addiction guys ! It is a welcome change from the big buck world of putting a garand back to origional specs..... Unk ;)

[Uncle Milt]

Originally posted by wdmason99
My Springfield M1 has S/N 7006951, and the only info on that number is "mfd after 1956" I have no history on it, but it functions perfectly and shoots accurately from 100 -300yds, benchrest. I agree with those that say the "feel" of the rifle is kind of extraordinary.

Hi Guy, Just for Your info on history of your Weapon.
The highest serial number garand made by Springfield Armory is 6,084,405 and it is in the Springfield Armory National Historical Museum.
All Springfield Armory rifles with a 7,000,000 and higher number are comercial models made by Springfield Armory,Genesco Ill.
This is a Commercial firm ,not to be confused with the U.S.Government. They Make high Quality recievers and assemble them with new old stock parts to make Garands that are very nice,but were never in the military .
You are lucky to have one with an early mil. barrel,as most have commercial barrels..
If I can help answer any questions on it "just Ask"

Uncle Milt ,Garand Nut !:)

[wdmason99]

Hey Uncle Milt, thanks for the info. I'll try to contact the "other SA" and get some more data on this rifle.

[Uncle Milt]

Originally posted by wdmason99
Hey Uncle Milt, thanks for the info. I'll try to contact the "other SA" and get some more data on this rifle.

Thats probably a good idea to find out the year of manufacture..
But if you take it down, I can tell you what your parts are from buy the numbers on the ,Op rod, Trigger housing,
And barrel .......or any numbers or letters on the other followers etc............so feel free to give me a personal email and I will be happy to fill you in with what you have. ;)
I'm with You ,I love the heft and feel of the Garand as there is so much history in each one !
Semper Fi,Uncle Milt

[bigtuna]

Compliments of Uncle Milt, I too have 2 M-1's an Apr 42 and a 44 (both Springfield).

I took his daughter out with me Monday to shoot (She is my soon to be lovely wife) and let her shoot Betsey (yes I name them, so I'm strange :p ).

But you see Betsey got jealous. On the eighth round my sweetie fired, she kind of got hit in the nose with the back of the receiver, and not half a second later the clip ejected and beaned her to boot.

The hardest thing was trying not to laugh and appearing sensitive and caring (which I am Milt, so put down the phone).

Needless to say the trip to the country ended not too soon afterwards, due to that and no fewer than 3 malfunctions in my other weapons (including my damned SAR 3).

I'm rambling but the Garand is a symbol for me, of a time when America was greater, her Government wasn't half filled with power mad, self serving pigs at the trough. It gives me hope that I won't have to see anymore Newsweek magazine covers with the former First Husband on them. Sorry my right wing is showing.

God I need to sleep. Thanks for reading.

[Schuetzenman]

If she got punched in the nose she was holding he weapon too loose. Tell her to hang on tighter!;)

[Uncle Milt]

Originally posted by Schuetzenman
If she got punched in the nose she was holding he weapon too loose. Tell her to hang on tighter!;)

AMEN Schuetz ! I guess the old jar head has to take the kids out and teach them a thing or two !:rolleyes:

I think I got Big Tuna Boy to understand that it's Not the ammount of Noise and Smoke you make when you shoot ,It's the ammount of hits that is important ! :p I am just proud that My girl at least tried to shoot a Garand , She was only offered 22s growing up,that was my fault!

I totally forgot to tell him You have to hold on tight too !:)
She probably held it like Hillery Clintons hand shake ,Limply !
Sorry Girl,but you have to grip it !

We always used what we called a spot well on our (R) hand where the thumb joins the hand to put our cheek bone on it ,to always hold the same sight picture.

And at the same time we (most of us anyway) would put out tip of our thumb on the back of the receiver as a reference point and also gripped the stock at the same time, giving us not only a consistant sight picture,but a good control too!

If the Enbloc hit her in the Brain Housing Group, then she definately was too loose and the recoil was pushing the rifle back too far.......Oh well gotta go to the range soon, Maybe she would like to shoot the .50 BMG Unc;)

[Schuetzenman]

Yeah Milt, you'd think a human would grasp the fact that they need to hold on tight but it escapes many a newbie. LOL!

[bigtuna]

I think it was probably her father's fault for not thinking a girly could shoot. In all honesty, I should have been paying more attention to her.:p

Like I told Unc, all she needs now is a case of Garand thumb, and she'll have nothing bad to look forward to. Except picking up the brass afterwards :cool:

Oh yeah, if she gets to shoot the .50, can I too if I mow the lawn?

[Schuetzenman]

I really can't fathom how people get Garand Thumb. I've never been bit putting in ammo or releasing the oprod on an empty chamber.

You might ask . . . Schuetz how do you do that? Easy you put your hand down the right side of the receiver. Your hand should have all the fingers together like you're going to do a Karate chop. Put your pinky up against the inner curve of the oprod charging handle then push down on the follower or press in the enblock full of ammo. When the clip and ammo is in or you've pushed the follower enough to release the oprod it will bump against your pinky or back side of your hand. At that point lift your thumb up and pull your hand away. If it has ammo you'll probably have to bump the charging handle with the heal of your hand. No ammo, it'll fly shut when you pull away your hand. Hummm . . . maybe I'll take some pics of the technique some day and post them.

[M1shooter]

Thanks, Uncle Milt, you just gave me a new idea that will likely help my grouping with my M1. Never thought to use my right thumb as a reference point for my cheek. Since I'm shooting in a competition next weekend, I need all the help I can get.

I got M1 Thumb once. It happened because I hadn't checked to make sure the action was open all the way. I didn't pull the oprod back far enough to engage the oprod catch. Instead, I just pulled it far enough back so that the follower came up enough to blobk the bolt. As I went to release the oprod, the bolt slipped off the follower and bit me. Learned my lesson. MAKE SURE YOU PULL THAT OPROD BACK FAR ENOUGH!

Patrick

[Uncle Milt]

Ya know Schuetz,If people would slow down when loading and think a little,and not try to load in a record time there would be a lot less flat, Black & Blue,Nailess thumbs in the world .:o

Smashed my finger lots with a hammer but NEVER with My Best friend "My Garand ".:rolleyes:

And Back to M1 shooter ,
I never shot Hi Master,just Distinguished Expert but another technique that works great is for off hand shooting.
Lets see if I can explain it with words....Help Me Schuetz !!!!
Hmmmmmm(clearing my Voice)!

With Your Right arm down barrel twords the ground,You hold the rifle by the pistol grip and Lay it on it's Right side(assuming you are Right handed) . Next you place the butt plate in your shoulder sideways with the top still to the right .

As you raise your arm up to the regular shooting posistion you rotate the rifle to the vertical posistion. This if done correctly should lock the weapon into your shoulder.

The higher you raise your elboe the tighter the lock.
BUT don't get to where you are forcing it as that will make you wobble.
Next place your left hand under the trigger assembly fingers forward , and if your arms are long enough rest your left elboe on your chest or abdomin......You can put all in the black when you get it down ,and you will surprised how easy it was.

Also forget what they told you about shooting with one eye closed. Just once try it with both eyes open,your depth perception works best only with both open.

That works for most people. Drop Unc. a line and tell me how it worked for you guys,and also if you could follow my blurb!!!

As far as thumb on the reciever ,it works if you have large hands,I am 6'5" 225 lbs .
If you have smaller hands and it doesn't feel right ,put a piece of black electrical tape or duct tape on the stock so the FEEL is the same every time you take your thumb and face away or put them back.

One of the biggest problems I incurred training new Marines was teaching them to have a consistant sight picture and Grip !

Get those together and You will hit !! ;) Unc

[HerrdoktorSchuetzengruvin]

I am a proud new Garand Papa.

Springfield in the 1.3 million range. The receiver was blued at one point, which is an unamerican thing to do. I wonder which country it came from?

[zouavexx]

Originally posted by HerrdoktorSchuetzengruvin
I am a proud new Garand Papa.

Springfield in the 1.3 million range. The receiver was blued at one point, which is an unamerican thing to do. I wonder which country it came from?

Good for you!

I don't know, denmark or korea maybe?

Post a picture in General Discussion when you can!

[HerrdoktorSchuetzengruvin]

Originally posted by zouave


Good for you!

I don't know, denmark or korea maybe?

Post a picture in General Discussion when you can!

Will do, and thanks for the welcome to such a fine new aspect of rifle collection. I love my Garand.

The serial number is in the 1,824,7XX range, btw, not the 1.3 range I quoted earlier. The barrel is a 1945 replacement.

Korea does sound reasonable, did we leave them with a bunch of these that maybe got back to DCM?

[zouavexx]

Originally posted by HerrdoktorSchuetzengruvin
Korea does sound reasonable, did we leave them with a bunch of these that maybe got back to DCM?

I think Blue Sky got a big shipment of them in the mid-80's.

[denver]

One of my friends has the FAL itch, which means I've got my eye on his .308 tackdriver Garand. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Hey M1Shooter. Welcome to Colorado. I spent many a rainy Saturday afternoon in Collectors Firearms during my Houston days.

[rob1]

CMP Feb '44 Springfield Armory I got just before the last price increase. Would be a value at ten times the cost, but I probably wouldnt have it then! Probably would be my last to go as well.

[Falcon 17]

Just bought one on Tuesday. Tried it out today,it just became my favorite rifle. Had one a few years back and traded it. Didn't shoot like this one. Cost me $700.00 ,but I think it was worth it.:)