My new toy finally came in... M-1

[ChronoSphere]

Got this in the mail from the Civilian Marksmanship Program about a week ago. This is, as the title says, an M-1 Garand rifle, the standard U.S. battle rifle during the Second World War, and saw heavy use during the Korean war and limited use during the Vietnam War. This particular rifle has a serial number of 733,XXX, which means it was manufactured sometime between June/July of 1942, which makes it almost 63 years old.

Mechanically the rifle is sound, and the metal parts show little wear. The stock and handguards (the wooden parts) leave a little to be desired though. I may refinish them if I can't get the CMP to send me replacements, I'll be calling them in a few days about it. She may not be the prettiest thing in the world, but its a genuine piece of history, and this rifle in the hands of some unknown American GI helped make sure there was still a America for me to be born in. It's at the gunsmith's right now, I'm looking foward to shooting in sometime this weekend. These are not the best rifles in the world for accuracy and marksmanship, but they're still pretty good, and you can't beat the price. Hopefully it'll be ready in time for UF, so I can join a rifle team and compete in the matchs that are always going on in Gainesville and greater Alachua county.

Click the below link to see the full-size picture.

Click Here.

[Kam]

Nice... I've been wanting one for a long time.

[Biohazzard56]

I have a Mosin and an Enfield, the M1 is next on my list. Im saving up for a PSP right now though. What kind did you buy? Rack or Service Grade?

Refinishing the stock maybe a good idea, with CMP rifles you get varying kinds of stocks and conditions. I restore rifles, so I try not to damage the original finish. But after looking at that picture, you may want to refinish it.

If you dont mind me asking, why did you take it to a gun smith.

Nice M1!

You should also try out these forums, they have an M1 Garand forum since most of the guys on the forum are World War II collectors and have M1s as well as other rifles. They have plenty of help and links on any problem you would ever want to know.

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forums.com

Oh and about accuracy, dont worry. Old rifles are great for marksman ship, ive out shot a 1,400 dollar AR-15 with my M44 Mosin. Garands are great, they kick like a bitch, I put quite a few rounds inside a tiny ring a 100 yards.

[ChronoSphere]

I'll probably be refinishing the wood, its rather dinged up. Got it back from the smith's btw. Said that there's a kink in the op-rod spring, nothing major, but would hurt to replace since they're cheap. Also said that there's a bit of muzzle crown wear, again nothing major, but that this rifle wouldn't be a match shooter without a match trigger job, sanding and fiberglassing the stock interior , and a possible rebarrelling depending on what kind of groups the existing barrel would give me with the rest of the work done <- thats why I took it to a smith, and it was free anyway.

I just got in the mail today 10 of the little thimble sized grease containers that fit into the stock, as well as the original (unused) buttstock cleaning kit for it. I didn't mention this, but I also bought 960 round of .30-06 surplus ammo with it. I'm going to clean it this weekend and take it out for a spin. I'll let you know how bad my shoulder hurts after that :P

[Biohazzard56]

And I thought an 880 round can of 7.62x54R was bad....

[ChronoSphere]

lol, well, it was .22 cents a round instead of paying $1.20 a round for the commercial stuff, but you had to by it in bulk. So I did the math, and I saved quite a bit of money.

[Fragmatic]

.30-06? You could go hunting with that M1!

Edit - MAKE A VIDEO. I want to hear the "pok pok pok pok pok pok pok pokPINNGGGGGGG" noises

[Roswell34]

I live in Gainesville =P

Anyways very cool, always liked WWII weapons.
Id wanted to get a German MP40

[Biohazzard56]

Originally Posted by Fragmatic

.30-06? You could go hunting with that M1!

Edit - MAKE A VIDEO. I want to hear the "pok pok pok pok pok pok pok pokPINNGGGGGGG" noises

Do you like picking lead out of deer?

My Marine Instructor goes hunting with an M14, which has a 20 round mag. Basically the same gun, in different calibur. It has a full-auto feature but its shit.

There are places online to watch videos of it firing.

[Fragmatic]

Originally Posted by Biohazzard56

Do you like picking lead out of deer?

My Marine Instructor goes hunting with an M14, which has a 20 round mag. Basically the same gun, in different calibur. It has a full-auto feature but its shit.

There are places online to watch videos of it firing.

"pok pok pok pok pok pok pok pokPINNGGGGGGG"

[Biohazzard56]

Originally Posted by Fragmatic

"pok pok pok pok pok pok pok pokPINNGGGGGGG"

Its actually not that much of a pok, its like zeus thunderclap. There isnt a clearly defined pok sound like in most games. I guess maybe when the shell comes out of the stripper clip and hits the extractor. Im was just more focused on controlling recoil when I fired it. The ping is true and it sounds AWESOME!

[ZjinPS]

I have looked into the CMP more than once with the primary intent on nabbing a good deal on that rifle. But to be in the CMP you must be in a club of some sort. Unfortunately for me the NRA doesn't count. Atleast it didn't when I last checked.

Right now, I am eyeballin' a Mauser that is being advertised in the NRA magazine. A Kar-98 with field kit and bayonette for about $299. They are said to be in very good condition and can be fired out of the box. It seems like a good deal, it comes with all sorts of little knick knacks. It is dated in the early 40's. But like the ak-47 that mauser was manufactored in about a zillion factories in about as many countries. If anyone is curious I can reply with the info.. as I dont have the mag with me atm.

[ChronoSphere]

There's a list of clubs the CMP is affiliated with on their website - by their own regs membership cannot be more than $20 a year. Every state in the union has a statewide sports shooting association that can be joined by mail - thats what I did, joined the Florida Sports Shooting Assocation. Even its its $20 on top of the cost of the rifle, its worth it. A comparable gun (after I clean this puppy and clean the stock it'll look pretty good) at a gun shop is a minimum of $750, probably 850-900 more likely.

[Biohazzard56]

Originally Posted by ZjinPS

Right now, I am eyeballin' a Mauser that is being advertised in the NRA magazine. A Kar-98 with field kit and bayonette for about $299. They are said to be in very good condition and can be fired out of the box. It seems like a good deal, it comes with all sorts of little knick knacks. It is dated in the early 40's. But like the ak-47 that mauser was manufactored in about a zillion factories in about as many countries. If anyone is curious I can reply with the info.. as I dont have the mag with me atm.

Thats kinda steep for a K-98, you will still have to clean any surplus rifle you get from anywhere. NEVER fire a surplus rifle, M1s, Mosins, Enfields, Mausers, or anything else. With all that cosmoline on it, with that said

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/W...ser_Rifle.html

FFL Required. Thats a great K98, with all German markings, and all the serial numbers are matching!

[SandTrout]

I've wanted an M1 for a long time, and now I'm jealous . Oh well, don't break it, it's a piece of history, you know.