[Grampa]

After a few years of hinting, my dad finally passed along the Garand he bought through CMP back in 1978. It was dry as a bone, and hadn't been shot since he received it.

It's a Winchester, with no wear on most of the parts. The trigger assembly looks new. The receiver is stamped "NM". The barrel is stamped "4 53", so I'm guessing it is 50 years old this month. I tore it down, inspected it, oiled everything lightly, and greased it lightly in the usual places, and took it to the range this morning.

Of course, it shot great! Not a single jam or misfeed. Certainly more accurate than I am. I put 40 rounds through it, sighting it in. And just having fun shooting it. What a great rifle!

The handloads I shot through it were light to medium loads, with 150 FMJ military ball bullets. I did use a Lee factory crimp die. Most all of the brass has bad dings in the neck of the brass. Is this because they are light loads, so the rifle may be somewhat short cycling?

[ScottsGT]

Sounds like one fine rifle you've got there. Also sounds like a National Match. Probably worth quite a bit. I think the light loads could be your problem, but have you heard of the CSP forum? A great bunch of guys for helping out a newby to the Garand, but don't stir up the hornets nest by asking why guys are reselling their CMP rifles! You'll be called every name in the book!
http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/garand/garand.pl
This should help you out.

[JohnKSa]

1. Replace the recoil spring.

2. Make sure your powder/load is compatible with the gas system. If the pressure is still high (is that a slow powder?) when the bullet passes the gas port, you may be giving the op-rod more of a kick than is good for it.

3. If you look at the receiver portion of the rifle carefully, you should be able to see where the brass is hitting and getting dinged. If you can't fix it any other way, you could stick a small self-adhesive felt or rubber furniture pad on the spot doing the dinging as long as it doesn't interfere with functioning.

[hondo68]

Click on "serial numbers" at the top of CSP Garand page and find out if that barrel matches the year of the receiver. I think the barrel should be stamped NM too.

[Grampa]

The receiver is not stamped "NM", just a couple of the parts. No, the serial number of the barrel does not match datewise. The barrel is also stamped "SA", which I presume means it is a Springfield Armory barrel. The serial number of the receiver shows it was made in June, 1942. This is pretty obviously one of the common CMP rebuilds. The gas tube is the most worn looking part. It is very rough on the exterior, but has been refinished (parkerized?).

But it's mine now, and I'm glad it's not too valuable to shoot!

I hope a dad passing it down to his son doesn't make it controversial... :)

[Matthew_Q]

Your loads could be the problem, as some have stated.

The Garand is not just sensitive to the bullet you're pushing, but the powder you're pushing it with. IMR4895 is the most equivalent, with IMR4064 a close second. Any slower powders can cause too much pressure in the gas cylinder, and bend your op rod. Bullets, of course, affect it, too. I wouldn't use anything heavier than the 168gr pills.

Definitely replace the springs. (op rod, extractor, ejector and clip latch) You have no idea how long they've been in that rifle, or how much use they've seen. It's just better to spend $20 and side with caution. Check out Fulton Armory... they have a spring set with all of those springs for around the aforementioned $20.

Glad you got a nice rifle, tho. The M1 is probably my favorite rifle of all time... I think any American who enjoys the shooting sports and passtime, should have at least one M1. :D

[hps1]

I was issued a NM rifle in 1961 while shooting w/base AMU. It had NM on the rear sight, op rod and side of barrel between the front sight and rear loop on gas cylinder. Front sight was finer than the standard sight and I think it had NM on it, also IIRC.

Matthew's powder advise is good. My garands like 45 to 47 gr. H4895 with 168 gr. Sierra match kings or 150's. Usual disclaimer, start low and work up!!!!! This load very closely duplicates the M72 Match ammo which used a 173 gr. FMJBT bullet loaded to 2640 fps. Do not use slow powders such as 4350 or heavy bullets in the garand or you will wind up with a bent op-rod. Sierra is now making a 175 gr. MK which is excellent for long range shooting. Personlly, I will not shoot anything heavier than a 180gr in my rifles.

Garands are hard on brass and it is fairly common for case neck to be dinged, especially if using commercial brass. GI brass is heavier and holds up a little better. You will probably also note extractor marks on head of the cases. With proper load and good springs, your rifle shoud throw most cases somewhere between 12 and 3 o'clock.

Sounds as if you have a really nice garand. Enjoy.

Regards,
hps

[HerbG]

Dings in case necks are normal for every Garand I've ever fired regardless of the ammunition. The expander button usually irons them out when they are resized. Other than appearance, I've never had the slightest problem with cases fired in Garands. Just reload them, shoot them again, and don't worry about them!

[jacks308]

Of the Garands I've shot the worst offender dinged the necks about 4% of the time and not bad enough that the expander button wouldn't fix it .
Not to worry friend , shoot and be happy .

Jack

[foghornl]

Direct quote from Hogdon's web site about relaoding for the M-1
If loads are to be used in a semi-auto, especially the Garand, H4895 should be the powder of choice to protect the operating rod. The gas system of the Garand was designed to use the amount of gas produced by H4895 for proper function.

I found out the hard way about bullets heavier than 165 Gr in the M-1...You WILL damage the op-rod.