M1 Garand

[Ackleyman]

Have being reading quite a bit about the 30-06 M1 Garand . Just seems like a very cool rifle with the 8 round Enbloc clip. They seem to command a good dollar today.
Have any comments about yours ..? Accuracy...reliability
Thks.

[Dick284]

I’ve got a Breda Mfg, Danish marked M1, that has a Var barrel dated 1957.
Accuracy is outstanding, and reliability is very good.

Bought it in 1994 for $150 from the old SIR mail order.

[Grizzly Adams1]

I built a .308 version on one of those cheap Danish receivers. About 1500. later. Great rifle though and no regrets.

Grizz

[catnthehat]

I have a friend who owns about 40 of them, all restored/rebuilt with Criterion and Kreiger barrels.
Accuracy with the irons past 500 needs to be experienced to be explained !
Cat

[Grizzly Adams1]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I have a friend who owns about 40 of them, all restored/rebuilt with Criterion and Kreiger barrels.
Accuracy with the irons past 500 needs to be experienced to be explained !
Cat

Georgie Patton claimed it was the greatest battle field implement ever devised. Who could argue with him ?

Grizz

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Georgie Patton claimed it was the greatest battle field implement ever devised. Who could argue with him ?

Grizz

Personally speaking for the rifles of the era that could be argued as far as pure accuracy and reliability goes.
Cat

[fordtruckin]

One of my unicorn rifles. Never found one in decent shape for a price I am willing to pay. Now they command a fairly high price even for heavily used ones. Will probably have to find one through the CMP. Would love one made by Singer sewing machines or International Harvester!

[Ackleyman]

Reading a bit more the conversion from '06 to 7.62 NATO was attempted with a chamber bushing that didn't fly to well . Then a grooved bushing....still not right , especially for a combat weapon. Finally the US Navy contracted Springfield Armory to make approx 3000 barrels with a 1:12 Vs .30 cal 1:10

Thks for reply's , certainly a lot of history behind this fine rifle.

[Ackleyman]

Reading a bit more the conversion from '06 to 7.62 NATO was attempted with a chamber bushing that didn't fly to well . Then a grooved bushing....still not right , especially for a combat weapon. Finally the US Navy contracted Springfield Armory to make approx 3000 barrels with a 1:12 Vs .30 cal 1:10

Thks for reply's , certainly a lot of history behind this fine rifle.

[IronNoggin]

Around 25 years ago a Buddy of mine from Whitehorse and I found 100 of them, re-barreled & refurbished and warehoused in Sweden.
We bought them all.
For less than $ 100 per.
Scattered them to Buddies right across Canada.
Held onto a few, but when the prices went nutso on them the enticement became too much.
Sold my last one 2 years ago, for well over $ 1K.

Did like playing with them and shooting them.
Cut down many a tree... LOL

Cheers,
Nog

[Grizzly Adams1]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

One of my unicorn rifles. Never found one in decent shape for a price I am willing to pay. Now they command a fairly high price even for heavily used ones. Will probably have to find one through the CMP. Would love one made by Singer sewing machines or International Harvester!

Aren't you in the US ? I gather there are still some available through the Civilian Marksman Program.

Grizz

[Hawkeye]

Perhaps someone can comment on the appropriate ammunition.
I understand that using 'full power' conventional 30-06 ammo is hard on them and that one should buy either ammo designated for use in them or if hand loading, use a somewhat lower powder charge (I have seen data specifically for them)

[Grizzly Adams1]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Perhaps someone can comment on the appropriate ammunition.
I understand that using 'full power' conventional 30-06 ammo is hard on them and that one should buy either ammo designated for use in them or if hand loading, use a somewhat lower powder charge (I have seen data specifically for them)

You can buy an adjustable gas plug to compensate for non standard loads. They are designed to operate around specific bullet weight and pressure standards, Military spec ammo works just fine.

Grizz

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Perhaps someone can comment on the appropriate ammunition.
I understand that using 'full power' conventional 30-06 ammo is hard on them and that one should buy either ammo designated for use in them or if hand loading, use a somewhat lower powder charge (I have seen data specifically for them)

You want to run them at about 50,000PSI, so using a 165-168 grain bullet and around 47 grains or so of H4895 or around 49 grains of IMR 4064 should keep you inside the pressure ceiling depending ding on the brass and particular rifle
Case length is also important being a semi auto as is OAL.
Cat

[Bourbon Outdoorsman]

Great rifle, i picked up a mint Harrington & Richardson M1 Garand this summer from a Cop. The rifle is beautiful and shoots amazing

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Perhaps someone can comment on the appropriate ammunition.
I understand that using 'full power' conventional 30-06 ammo is hard on them and that one should buy either ammo designated for use in them or if hand loading, use a somewhat lower powder charge (I have seen data specifically for them)

If it is a stock gas system the powder burn rate must land in a specific range, also remember the M1 ball loading was a 150-152 grain bullet at around 2700-2750fps, if the burn rate isn’t around that of H or IMR 4895, and the velocity isn’t around that of the designed ball ammo loadings, you’ll hammer the OP Rod and bend it.

Great read here:
https://www.handloadermagazine.com/m1-garand-handloads

[Ackleyman]

Very interesting read .
Thks

[Jayhad]

I've wanted to purchase one for years, but in an EBR chassis.
Sorry for the heresy.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by Jayhad

I've wanted to purchase one for years, but in an EBR chassis.
Sorry for the heresy.

Heresy is a kind term.

May you end up in purgatory with such ideas.

[fps plus]

Over the years I have installed a few barrels on receivers for guys. It entail index and setting chamber for correct headspace. Last one was a 35 Whelen ! That one intrigued me .
.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by fps plus

Over the years I have installed a few barrels on receivers for guys. It entail index and setting chamber for correct headspace. Last one was a 35 Whelen ! That one intrigued me .
.

My friend has one in 6.5x55 and one in 9.3x62 as well.
I like the sights on them
Cat

[Grizzly Adams1]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

My friend has one in 6.5x55 and one in 9.3x62 as well.
I like the sights on them
Cat

Some heretics have even converted them to manually operated straight pulls.

Grizz

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Some heretics have even converted them to manually operated straight pulls.

Grizz

Well, people will tinker!
I really have no love for that heavy , clunky rifle myself, but then I like Lee Enfields !
Cat