Couple of M1 Questions

racdrof · 06-28-2008, 06:22 PM

New to the M1 thing, and want to be safe with it, so I have a couple of questions. Will any .30/06 ammo chamber in the M1, or is there something special I need to know about the ammo? Question #2, where is the safety? Might sound silly, but I want to know before heading out to the range.

.22guy · 06-28-2008, 06:29 PM

I'm pretty sure most any 30-06 will chamber, but you shouldn't fire just any ammo in it. If it is too fast it will bend your op-rod and damage the rifle.

If you look around you will find pretty good deals on M2 ball ammo, designed for this rifle.

The safety is on the front of the trigger guard, push it back towards you for SAFE, push it forward (towards the muzzle) for FIRE.

Orlando · 06-28-2008, 06:54 PM

As already stated use nothing but M2 ball ammo, no commercial ammo unless you first install a adjustable gas valve. Surplus ball ammo is a heck of alot cheaper than any commercial ammo anyway. When buying surplus make sure you know if is corrosive or not and clean accordingly

Dookiebutt · 06-28-2008, 07:02 PM

Ben Hartley · 06-28-2008, 07:31 PM

Racdrof:

.22 Guy said: "The safety is on the front of the trigger guard, push it back towards you for SAFE, push it forward (towards the muzzle) for FIRE."

The rifle must be cocked to engage the safety. Yes, you can get it engaged without first cocking the hammer, but you'll almost certainly break the safety. Note: even a properly operating safety may be a bit stiff.

Ammo? Stay away from commerical stuff if you can. Good surplus M2 ball is readily available You might try Orion 7/Tony Pucci, at Orion 7 Enterprises Inc.

If you absolutely hafta-gotta-must shoot commercial stuff, temporarily loosen (do not remove) the gas cylinder lock screw, and single load. This removes any undue pressure strain on the operating rod. (It's not the chamber pressure, it's the higher pressure at the muzzle/gas port with most commercial ammo that does the damage.) Try to stay with 150-grain FMJ bullets, if possible.

HTH

Ben Hartley

Orlando · 06-28-2008, 08:02 PM

Sorry but I cant agree with your advice. Single loading commercial is a very bad risk of a slam fire. As stated before buy surplus ammo or use a adjustable gas valve if you must use commercial ammo. No need to cut corners, do it right

killer · 06-28-2008, 08:28 PM

http://chasse-tir.ifrance.com/M1%20G...Operations.pdf

Does this make my butt look big in black? She said.

Dookiebutt · 06-29-2008, 07:13 AM

Well, I'd take off that grooved lower band and sell it. Then I'd buy a new lower band and a stock ferule that's not broken. With the money left over, I'd apply it to a Boyds stock set (on sale at Midway for $89) and make that Garand look nicer, IMHO.

Orlando · 06-29-2008, 07:18 AM

You have better eyes than me Dookie! But I agree , a Garand just doesnt look right dressed in anything but wood

nathangdad · 06-29-2008, 07:20 AM

original bullet weight and muzzle velocity for which the gun was designed. Big hint - that is what you want.
Big disaster - other loadings that put undue stress on the operating rod.

Orlando · 06-29-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

original bullet weight and muzzle velocity for which the gun was designed. Big hint - that is what you want.
Big disaster - other loadings that put undue stress on the operating rod.

Op Rod and more importantly the heel of the reciever.

racdrof · 06-29-2008, 06:39 PM

Ok, Thanks for all the info. Will make sure to get the right ammo. Don't want to tear or blow anything up. Got a gun show on Aug. 2nd, will look there for right ammo.

tbonecpk · 06-29-2008, 09:50 PM

I dunno where but I read somewhere that commercial loads of 30-06 is being manufactured at lower pressures because there are still a lot of older rifles that cannot handle the higher pressures of modern ammo. Correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe I saw it on a thread here.

ma96782 · 06-29-2008, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbonecpk

I dunno where but I read somewhere that commercial loads of 30-06 is being manufactured at lower pressures because there are still a lot of older rifles that cannot handle the higher pressures of modern ammo. Correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe I saw it on a thread here.

The problem is that some may be suitable and some may not be........the mfn of the ammo doesn't usually disclose that info. Course, you could ask their tech dept. about the ammo you picked up.

Or, get an adjustable gas plug.

But, the easier/cheaper way would be to just shoot M2. BTW......CMP's HXP M2 ammo is about the BEST deal you'll find, currently.

And, IF you re-load...........just load with a powder that is close to IMR4895 in burning rate and do not exceed 180 gr., for a bullet. You can of course ignore the advice. But, if/when you end up with a bent op rod........well, there you go. The other way, is to just load with specifically TESTED M1-Garand Load Data.

Aloha, Mark

killer · 06-30-2008, 01:09 AM

I've read a lot of posts on different forums regarding the M1 Garand and it seems to have the most varied difference of opinion on just how tough or weak it is. I ran across an article talking about testing it to see just what would blow it up. They kept increasing the pressure until the left lug cracked and then they backed off and fired aother 5000 rounds with it...and yes the bolt kept working despite the left lug being cracked.

tbonecpk · 06-30-2008, 11:46 AM

I usualy shoot M2 Ball anyway I was just wonderin thanks ma

rfc357 · 06-30-2008, 05:40 PM

Modern commercial .30-06 ammunition is loaded to much higher pressure than US military .30-06. I find it hard to believe the Hornady light magnum stuff is within SAAMI limits, based on the informal shoulder test.

Orlando · 06-30-2008, 05:57 PM

There is no commercial ammo loaded today that I know of safe for the Garand without use of a adjustable gas screw.
The Grand is not weak, Commercial ammo was not designed for the Garand so that makes it weak? It is not high chamber pressures that is the problem but rate of burn of modern powder that can slam the Op Rod bending it or worse slam the bolt into the reciever cracking it.
Another good tip is to replace the Op Rod spring (if you havent already
) The bolt actually hits the reciver with every shot fired. The only thing cushioning the blow is the Op Rod spring. Makes you think doesnt it? Why rely on a 50 year old spring. First thing I do when I get a Grand is change that spring. Stay away frm Wolf brand springs, they cause more problems than fix on the Garand. I recommend springs from Orion7.
Sorry for getting sidetracked

06-28-2008, 06:22 PM	#1
racdrof Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 191	Couple of M1 Questions New to the M1 thing, and want to be safe with it, so I have a couple of questions. Will any .30/06 ammo chamber in the M1, or is there something special I need to know about the ammo? Question #2, where is the safety? Might sound silly, but I want to know before heading out to the range.

06-28-2008, 07:02 PM	#4
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 1,163	+1.

06-28-2008, 07:31 PM	#5
Ben Hartley Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jaffrey, New Hampshire Posts: 146	Safety on M1 / .30-'06 ammo Racdrof: .22 Guy said: "The safety is on the front of the trigger guard, push it back towards you for SAFE, push it forward (towards the muzzle) for FIRE." The rifle must be cocked to engage the safety. Yes, you can get it engaged without first cocking the hammer, but you'll almost certainly break the safety. Note: even a properly operating safety may be a bit stiff. Ammo? Stay away from commerical stuff if you can. Good surplus M2 ball is readily available You might try Orion 7/Tony Pucci, at Orion 7 Enterprises Inc. If you absolutely hafta-gotta-must shoot commercial stuff, temporarily loosen (do not remove) the gas cylinder lock screw, and single load. This removes any undue pressure strain on the operating rod. (It's not the chamber pressure, it's the higher pressure at the muzzle/gas port with most commercial ammo that does the damage.) Try to stay with 150-grain FMJ bullets, if possible. HTH Ben Hartley

06-28-2008, 08:28 PM	#7
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 905 Images: 6	http://chasse-tir.ifrance.com/M1%20G...Operations.pdf Does this make my butt look big in black? She said. __________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/ Last edited by killer; 06-28-2008 at 08:48 PM.

06-29-2008, 07:20 AM	#10
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,472	A little research will lead you to the . . . original bullet weight and muzzle velocity for which the gun was designed. Big hint - that is what you want. Big disaster - other loadings that put undue stress on the operating rod.

06-28-2008, 06:29 PM	#2
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,157	I'm pretty sure most any 30-06 will chamber, but you shouldn't fire just any ammo in it. If it is too fast it will bend your op-rod and damage the rifle. If you look around you will find pretty good deals on M2 ball ammo, designed for this rifle. The safety is on the front of the trigger guard, push it back towards you for SAFE, push it forward (towards the muzzle) for FIRE. __________________ Guns: they are like baseball cards except they are cool and you can kill things with em. -Billy

06-28-2008, 06:54 PM	#3
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 542	As already stated use nothing but M2 ball ammo, no commercial ammo unless you first install a adjustable gas valve. Surplus ball ammo is a heck of alot cheaper than any commercial ammo anyway. When buying surplus make sure you know if is corrosive or not and clean accordingly

06-28-2008, 08:02 PM	#6
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 542	Sorry but I cant agree with your advice. Single loading commercial is a very bad risk of a slam fire. As stated before buy surplus ammo or use a adjustable gas valve if you must use commercial ammo. No need to cut corners, do it right

06-29-2008, 07:13 AM	#8
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 1,163	Well, I'd take off that grooved lower band and sell it. Then I'd buy a new lower band and a stock ferule that's not broken. With the money left over, I'd apply it to a Boyds stock set (on sale at Midway for $89) and make that Garand look nicer, IMHO.

06-29-2008, 07:18 AM	#9
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 542	You have better eyes than me Dookie! But I agree , a Garand just doesnt look right dressed in anything but wood

06-29-2008, 06:39 PM	#12
racdrof Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 191	Ok, Thanks for all the info. Will make sure to get the right ammo. Don't want to tear or blow anything up. Got a gun show on Aug. 2nd, will look there for right ammo.

06-29-2008, 09:50 PM	#13
tbonecpk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego Cal Posts: 1,590 Blog Entries: 2	I dunno where but I read somewhere that commercial loads of 30-06 is being manufactured at lower pressures because there are still a lot of older rifles that cannot handle the higher pressures of modern ammo. Correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe I saw it on a thread here. __________________ "Speak softly but carry a big stick" -Teddy Roosevelt

06-30-2008, 01:09 AM	#15
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 905 Images: 6	I've read a lot of posts on different forums regarding the M1 Garand and it seems to have the most varied difference of opinion on just how tough or weak it is. I ran across an article talking about testing it to see just what would blow it up. They kept increasing the pressure until the left lug cracked and then they backed off and fired aother 5000 rounds with it...and yes the bolt kept working despite the left lug being cracked. __________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/

06-30-2008, 11:46 AM	#16
tbonecpk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego Cal Posts: 1,590 Blog Entries: 2	I usualy shoot M2 Ball anyway I was just wonderin thanks ma __________________ "Speak softly but carry a big stick" -Teddy Roosevelt

06-30-2008, 05:40 PM	#17
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Modern commercial .30-06 ammunition is loaded to much higher pressure than US military .30-06. I find it hard to believe the Hornady light magnum stuff is within SAAMI limits, based on the informal shoulder test. __________________ Certified rifle and pistol instructor

06-30-2008, 05:57 PM	#18
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 542	There is no commercial ammo loaded today that I know of safe for the Garand without use of a adjustable gas screw. The Grand is not weak, Commercial ammo was not designed for the Garand so that makes it weak? It is not high chamber pressures that is the problem but rate of burn of modern powder that can slam the Op Rod bending it or worse slam the bolt into the reciever cracking it. Another good tip is to replace the Op Rod spring (if you havent already ) The bolt actually hits the reciver with every shot fired. The only thing cushioning the blow is the Op Rod spring. Makes you think doesnt it? Why rely on a 50 year old spring. First thing I do when I get a Grand is change that spring. Stay away frm Wolf brand springs, they cause more problems than fix on the Garand. I recommend springs from Orion7. Sorry for getting sidetracked