Need a little help wtih M1 Garand

[legendre]

I know we have a couple of serious M1 rifle gurus around the Twin Cities.. I've chatted with them at shows. But do any of them frequent this forum?

About a year ago I picked up a Garand from my father-in-law. It's an IHC gun, and best as I can tell, it was an early FedOrd import. I've done some basic checking, and it appears to be complete and even assembled from "correct" parts. Beyond that, I really don't know the first thing about these fine firearms.

If at all possible, I'd really like to sit down with someone who knows these guns, to go over it with me, check the headspace (I don't have gauges) and verify that it's ready to rock. It also seems to have a lot of muzzle wear, and I'd appreciate some thoughts on re-barreling. Does anyone around here know these guns well? Got the time to sit down with an M1 newb and show him the ins & outs?

Thanks in advance!

[farmerj]

I could help you out with the use/assembly/disassembly of it. As to the head space/erosion gages, I don't have them.

I was using my Garand for service rifle competition and out to 1000 yard for matches.

[hoel6466]

I have a set of headspace gauges you can borrow. I can also help you rebarrel if necessary.
I would suggest shooting it first to see if it needs it. If it is assembled with correct parts and it shoots well enough for your needs I'd leave it.

[legendre]

I have a set of headspace gauges you can borrow. I can also help you rebarrel if necessary.
I would suggest shooting it first to see if it needs it. If it is assembled with correct parts and it shoots well enough for your needs I'd leave it.

Howdy hoel6466,

I don't know if I'd need to borrow the gauges, if you'd not mind my stopping by to use them - but either way, that's a very friendly offer! I'll PM you and maybe we can set something up.

If the headspace is sane, then I'll be very happy to take it out and see how it shoots. The barrel is correct, and externally it looks good. But a number of other parts have worn / weak finish, and I'd like to improve that if possible. Again, I know so little about such a broad and detailed subject, that I'd not want to really do anything at all to it, until it's been properly assessed.

Thanks again.

[Rip Van Winkle]

Here's a basic guide to the M1 from the CMP

http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com/

[bofe954]

If it's all actually correct I wouldn't rebarrel it. If it doesn't shoot well and you want a shooter, sell it and buy something else.

International Harvester made the fewest Garands of any of the manufacturers. Nice, correct IHC garands can sell for over 2K. IHC receivered mixed up guns sell for $900 or so.

Springfield made over 4 million garands, IHC made around 350,000.

post some pics, does the serial look like the one linked below?

http://www.thegca.org/glossary-of-terms#ARROWHEAD

[legendre]

does the serial look like the one linked below?

http://www.thegca.org/glossary-of-terms#ARROWHEAD

No, the markings are squared off. It's a 4540XXX receiver.

[hoel6466]

Here is a link to some good info. It should answer most of your questions.
http://www.garandgear.com/

If you are still interested in headspacing the rifle just let me know.

And I had to add...