[Jmurman]

Is it necessary to use Mil-spec primers for the Garand?

I'm thinking of the #34 CCI vs a regular Lrg Rifle primer.

Any thoughts?

[Steve in PA]

I've reloaded over 2k rounds for my M1, all using CCI Large Rifle Primers, not one problem.

[HSMITH]

I would, I have seen a Garand slam fire before though so maybe I am biased.

[Grumulkin]

I've always used regular large rifle primers in my Garands except when shooting military surplus ammo. I probably shouldn't though and plan to change my practice. Though I've never had a slam fire, I never want one.

[P-32]

I have shot reloaded '06 though my M-1 as well using many a CCI 200 large rifle primers without problems over the last twenty years. I would make sure the primers are properly seated, below flush.

The problem is the M-1 as well as the M-14/M-1A and M-16/AR-15 all have free floating firing pins. When a round is chambered, the primer will be "dimpled". This is a slight firing pin mark on the primer and is very much normal, even on GI ammo. If you use a primer which is very sensitive, like Federal, there is an increased chance the round will go off before the bolt is completely closed....AKA, slam fire. High primers and sticky firing pins also increase the problem. Seems too that single loading rounds without some sort of device to slow the bolt down increases the problem. I use a "SLED" which is a mod'ed clip to hold just 1 round and allow the bolt to close on it.

My 308 M-1 which is match tuned has a sprung firing pin. I used CCI 200's and switched to Federal GM primers without any problem but it's another story.

I understand the CCI #34's are also mag primers. I would work up any prior load work as pressures would increase. I too have seen the results of a slam fire. The shooter was injured with a M-14 type rifle at Camp Perry back in 1990. I do not know if the shooter was shooting M-852 (GI match) or using reloads.

I also had a boss, who tied the back hooks down on a M-1A to see if it would go full auto. It did, but the op rod came off and the bolt came out after 3 rounds according to him. I didn't always work for the brightest people. ;)

[Sunray]

"...except when shooting military surplus ammo..." What did you use in surplus ammo? From where?
"...necessary to use Mil-spec primers for the Garand?..." Nope. CCI 34's are a marketing thing. Regular LR primers have been just fine in all my semi's for eons. Load as per your manual using IMR4064 or IMR4895 and 150 to 180 grain bullets.
165 grain hunting bullets seem to give the best hunting accuracy and versatility. 168 or 175 grain match bullets for target shooting.
I've never once, in 30 years, seen nor heard of a slam fire with properly loaded ammo, fired out of a properly maintained rifle. Not once. Nor have I ever seen nor heard of any rifle being damaged by the ammo. 220 grain bullets worked just fine out of my rifle with no fuss. Not a steady diet of them though.
"...I have seen a Garand slam fire before..." No offense, but can you provide some details? Slam fires are caused by bad ammo or dirty bolts that cause sticking firing pins or broken parts. Just curious.

[Ol` Joe]

If anyones interested Graf is running a special on M34 mil spec primers.

http://www.grafs.com/product/2143

[30Cal]

I've shot through at least 5k WLR primers in M1's and M1a. I uniform the primer pockets so that they are about 0.010" below flush and I clean out the pocket after each firing. I check by hand that each one is seated below flush.

Ty

[YellowLab]

Every AR-15 has a free float pin, and think of the billions or rounds gun owners are sending (or reloading) through the breech on those rifles.

I don't think ANY commercial .223 or .30-06 ammo uses milspec (ie hard) primers.

Slamfires, like winning the lottery, are statisticaly possible, just depends on how well you like your odds.

[Gewehr98]

CCI #34 primers, I buy 'em several thousand at a time. I've had exactly one slamfire about a decade ago, using Winchester Large Rifle primers in a Remington Model 8. It was my fault, and nobody got hurt, save for the hole in the wall between the garage and living room. So now for all of my autoloading military rifles, and the Rem Model 8, I use the CCI #34 primers. I've not switched to them for the Browning Belgian BAR sporting rifle yet, but I believe it has a firing pin rebound spring, just like the later Remington Model 81 went to.

I had a slamfire with an 8mm FN-49 about 8 years ago, scared the bejeezus out of me, but we believe it was the hammer following the bolt forward instead of a sticky firing pin. The gun had a very light trigger pull, and I sold it for parts after the accident. CCI #34 primers may or may not have helped that gun.

[Deanimator]

CCI primers are very hard. You shouldn't have any slamfire issues with them, assuming you seat properly.