The only rifle that I've ever encountered that literally ate its own receiver when used was / is the Rem 74xx/75xx series semiautos. They are literally a life-limited item. I've had one, for a bit, and that was enough.A slight improvement over the 7400, still not the gun I'd choose to blow off a bunch of assorted .30-06 ammo, unless you're considering it disposable.
...Options that I'm aware of:
- CMP M1 Garand of questionable quality...
've had several BAR and they are NOT delicate guns; they are built to be used.
Both these rifles are BIG and they are HEAVY and it boggles my mind to think of you guys carrying them. Thanks for doing so. Your son, Tim.
I have two of these, that I built myself using OOW receivers. I don't think this will serve the OP's purposes, despite having a 3-position gas regulator that can account for variations in ammunition.Or a genuine 1918 BAR... they now make a semi-Auto version of the full-auto unit.
https://www.oowinc.com/exclusives/semi-auto/1918a3-slr/
They may be hard to find though.
My M1 was a FedOrd rebuild... I'm going to guess it was a Korean return, or maybe Greek. The stock has as much putty in it as a '72 Pinto, and it's definitely a mix-master parts collection. It did come with a new barrel, and it shoots quite well. Not bad for $360. It's a MAY42 6-digit Springfield, if I did my research right.
That is false information.Standard factory ammos do require an adjustable gas plug,...
Could you explain that?That is false information.
Yes...the garand can safely use commercial ammo with no modifications. Both commercial and milsurp ammo operate at similar pressure.Could you explain that?
I suggested the Rem 760, .308 to a friend about 50 years ago, when we were young adults and he still has it! It's been a great trouble-free rifle and it shoots like a bolt gun! They're also lighter to carry than the semi-autos. (I'm still a bolt-guy though.)I'd get a Remington 7600 pump and a case of Mountain Dew..............
Too much false information there to be trustworthyhttps://thegca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Can-I-Use-Commercial-Ammo.pdf
The GCA (Garand Collector's Assoc.) did a series of articles on what ammunition is suitable for the M1 Garand.
I’d like a BAR with a steel receiver first, alloy receiver BAR second and Benelli R1 third.For Hunting, I'd go Browning BAR all the time, with the Benelli R1 being a second choice.
Too much false information there to be trustworthy
Chamber pressure differences for one...Such as...?
Sounds like the shell is being kicked sideways before the bolt is completely back, possibly a lighter spring for the ejector?I have owned an M1 rifle for about 20 years now and in more recent times have added a Browning BAR as well. I see multiple other posters have already completely covered it but for whatever its worth I concur with them. The modern BAR (mine is Hells canyon or some such bs name... does kind of look cool) isn't exactly a battle rifle obviously and it may not be as rugged as an M1 on a relative basis but I would definitely not think of it as "delicate" It'll take whatever reasonable wear and tear you ask of it and whatever you want to do to smash it I would speculate the limiting factor would be whatever optic you mount on it rather than the rifle itself.
The only little quibble I've had with mine is that it consistently dents the necks on the brass it ejects. I'm not sure why that is but as a reloader I wish it didn't do that. If you don't reload its a non issue and one of these days I mean to try to research that so if anybody knows..... I'd be interested to learn.
Yes...the garand can safely use commercial ammo with no modifications. Both commercial and milsurp ammo operate at similar pressure.
The best thing you can do to keep it running is properly greasing it and inspec oprod spring.
It's not as weak as the internet makes it out to be
Claiming that M2 ball was made specifically for the garand when it wasn't.
the garand can safely use commercial ammo with no modifications.
Never bent an op rod, eh? Good maintenance does reduce the chances of it happening, but the OP mentioned unknown reloads, and that changes things. An M1 wouldn't be the rifle I'd chose to use up such rounds; quite honestly for unknown rounds, no rifle would be; I'd take them down and reuse some of the components. But some of what he has is commercial, and I stand by my choice there: the commercial BAR.
It would be more correct to say the M1 Garand as issued was tailored to the M2 round.
That's a broad category for 30-06. All commercial ammo? Target Sports USA has 10 pages of commercial 30-06 ranging from 125g to 220g. You've tried them all?