Hey everyone just signed up and wanted to say Howdy! I don't have a Garand yet but I made a deal with a guy on one of my motorcycle forums to buy his in two weeks. Don't know anything about it except that its SN checks out to 1943 and its a SA rifle in pretty good condition.
The only thing I'm getting is the rifle and some clips and since I know absolutely nothing about this weapon except that I've always wanted one I have some questions:
Is there any place on line that you can download free service/user manual for the M1 Garand?
It looks like the normal type of bore guides that are used on bolt rifles may not fit on a Garand - is some dissassembly required to get a cleaning rod down the barrel?
Do you need any special tools or accessories to properly clean the weapon after shooting? How about to field strip. If yes where's a good place to buy what's needed?
Thanks!
For a little background info on me here's a list of the guns I currently own:
RRA NM AR15 lower with 26" White Oak Arms Match upper and 16" Stag Arms M4 upper.
Remington 700P in 308 with Leupy scope
Kimber 8400 Montana in 270 with Nikon scope
Yugo M48 Mauser in 8mm Mauser
Marlin Glenfield 30A in 30-30
Armi Sport 1861 Springfield repro front stuffer in 58 cal
Springfiled single shot 12G shotgun
Springfiled Trophy Match 1911-A1 45ACP
Springfield XD45 5" barrel 45 ACP
No safe queens here, everything I own goes to the range to make noise and punch paper. Also I'm a reloader, can't really remember the last time I shot a factory round.
Welcome to the forum! I have some good info in pdf files. If you have a high-speed connection, I can send FM 23-5 to you. It's a 7.59 Mb file, and an article on corrosive primers by headstamp, grease points, etc. PM me with your e-mail address if you're interested.
Dave
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Welcome to the forum, Bayou.
When you get your Garand, check the trapdoor in the butt plate. Sometimes you'll find a cleaning kit and/or disassembly tool hidden there. If not you'll want to pick one up off EBay or Numrich. Some do without, but I find the tool handy.
Remember to only shoot M2 ball ammo unless you invest in an adjustable gas plug. And stay away from the Korean surplus. Most folks find the Lake City or Greek HXP surplus ammo works well.
Again, welcome to the forum and enjoy your M1!
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"Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." -- Lazarus Long
This site has other .pdf files for the trigger group, etc. Lots of information there.
As the Garand has to be cleaned from the muzzle, you need a bore guide designed to do this. Disassembling the receiver does not provide access to the bore from the breach end, but there are lots of other things in there that can be cleaned while it's apart. ( )
Despite that fact that a cute jointed rod can be stored in the butt, the best rod to use is a one piece coated rod, like the Dewey.
Depending on how "detail" your field strip is, you may need things like a brass drift to remove pins. Also, a gas cylinder wrench helps in dealing with the gas cylinder lock screw without torquing the barrel. If you want to take the bolt apart for periodic maintenance, a bolt disassembly tool helps (though it isn't absolutely necessary.)
You can get these things from Midway. Fulton Armory sells Garand-specific tools, also. Fulton Armory also sells books which cover the Garand, and these are excellent to add to your library. The one I'm thinking of is "The M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide".
Thanks for all the replies. Also thanks for the tip about needing a muzzle end bore guide. I see the procedure for a complete strip from the links posted above but I didn't find a recommendation for how often the M1 needs this. What's the recommended procedure for cleaning after a trip to the range. I imagine I'll probably put about 50 rnds through her each time out. Should I do a complete strip and clean after every use?
You do not need to do a complete tear down after every trip to the range unless you are shooting corrosive ammo.
I just clean the bore, wipe down metal with oily rag , after a trip to the range. I will do a complete teardown , clean and lube once a year.
I have never used a bore guide and dont beleive its needed, especially if you are using a coated rod. The muzzle isnt that delicate that a coated rod will wear it.
If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy using one then by all means do it
Just my opinion
Don't forget the most important thing of all is to fire M2 Ball spec ammo out of it only. If not you will bend the op-rod and then be in a world of trouble.
Don't forget the most important thing of all is to fire M2 Ball spec ammo out of it only. If not you will bend the op-rod and then be in a world of trouble.
^^^^ +1 ^^^^ M2 Ball is a must. I got an ear full from the other M1 Garand shooters when I mentioned that I had shot commercial Federal Eagle. Surplus Lake City and Greek Ball should still be around. Pick up a couple of dozen Garand enblock clips too; they're still plentiful and not expensive. Also, get a correct green cotton canvas military sling or an M-1907 leather sling. Welcome to the site and enjoy your Garand.
Don't forget the most important thing of all is to fire M2 Ball spec ammo out of it only. If not you will bend the op-rod and then be in a world of trouble.
I was planning on using handloads. I have a decent supply of 168 gr Nosler HPBT Match as well as 168 gr Hornady A-Max bullets on hand. From what I've been able to gather so far on various forums IMR4064 would be a good powder to use and I'll need to get an adjustable gas plug to adjust the speed of the Op rod. But all this is new to me, I'm planning to spend some time on Garand reloading fourms to ask a bunch of questions before I shoot anything out of her.
I was planning on using handloads. I have a decent supply of 168 gr Nosler HPBT Match as well as 168 gr Hornady A-Max bullets on hand. From what I've been able to gather so far on various forums IMR4064 would be a good powder to use and I'll need to get an adjustable gas plug to adjust the speed of the Op rod. But all this is new to me, I'm planning to spend some time on Garand reloading fourms to ask a bunch of questions before I shoot anything out of her.
You will need the adjustable gas plug if you want to shoot those handloads. Just wanted to make sure you knew about that so that you didn't damage your firearm and then wonder why.
)
