Posted on 12/02/2009 4:23:41 PM PST by Chasaway
Just picked up a 1943 M1 Garand.
What I'd like to know is...EVERYTHING about the Garand.
1. I need to know where to get ball ammo to feed it (it's a bit scarce, as far as I can tell);
2. I'd like to know the best data sheet/book on the Garand (breakdown, cleaning, greasing, etc.);
3. The best info I can get on making the weapon as accurate as possible (peep sights on the current configuration);
4. Where I'm most likely to pick up the best (and best valued!) accessories for it (slings, parts, etc).
I know...I should Google all of this. I HAVE! The Google results are enormous! But as always, FReepers have been the best on gun stuff!
And it's my bet that there are some Garand owners/aficionados on FreeRepublic...
Any thoughts or ideas...or even comments about the rifle?
Thanks in advance...
Chasaway
LOL! "M1 thunb", baby. There's those who have, and those who will...
Occasionally, the CMP gets a lot of M2 ball in that they sell.
You should stock up on:
1. en bloc clips. Sure, they seem cheap, sure, they see plentiful - right now. They might not always be thus.
2. If you’re going to shoot it, you should get a cleaning kit for it. Use a one-piece rod to make the barrel last as long as possible.
3. If you’re going to shoot competitively, you should investigate whether NM front & rear sights are OK for you. The front NM blade is thinner, and the rear aperture will be smaller, and rotate +0.5 minutes - 0.5 minutes. The downside to the NM sights is that they require more light to use.
4. If you’re going to shoot is a lot, consider getting a set of go/no-go gages for it.
I guess the hammer is for self-defense in case you run out of bullets and are too tired to use the bayonet.
To Chasaway: When this makes sense to you,... welcome to the club.
That be a 1917 M95 Steyr carbine which shoots the 8 x 56r cartridge. The hammer is to beat your shoulder if you want to experience what it is like to fire it without going to the range!
M95 carbine. Can’t afford a Garand!
Watch out for “M1 Thumb!”
Mark
Do not cold blue or hot blue it. Unless you are willing to do an incredibly painstaking Smithsonian quality restoration, don't rephosphate it as the new phosphate will overlay the numerous scratches and be immediately recognized afterwards as a rephosphate.
If you want an accurized gun, get a post Korean war Garand and trick it out to your hearts content.
I should have made it clear, no Garand, M95 carbine.
$99 special at Big5
nice refurb. forced matching numbers (bolt restamp and magazine lineout and restamp) Shot well yesterday at the range. 50 yards anyway. I can't see that far to begin with!
Nice rifle. Have fun. Get it checked out to be safe. (headspace. bore wear,)
Your Garand fires .30-06. Nothing scarce about it.
Not quite as common as .308, but still one of the top few rifle cartridges.
Whoo baby!!
Yep...CMP is terrific.
But they’re all out of 30.06 ball right now.
I saw some Greek ammo from back a ways, but they sold out of that pretty quick...
I’m still in the hunt.
That must have been the M1A2 version.
Oh, it makes sense to me.
I read up on the weapon before I got into it. A big deal in almost everything I read was the “thumb”. The guy I bought the weapon from is a collector/consultant and even he re-upped on the whole “M1 thumb” thing.
I’ve been loading/unloading this thing to the tune of about 100 clips per day to get quick/better at it..with an ENORMOUS amount of attention to my thumb and the follower!
Oh, I get it!
You guys are terrific...
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