Is it bad I want a M1 Garand in .308?

Maybe get a bm59

It would depend on WHY you want a 308 Garand.

Either way, if it's just something you want and you can afford it, sure why not.

But if it's just simple as you already shoot 308 and don't want to add another cartridge, just get a 30-06 and diversify a bit.

Are you talking about an M1 with the en bloc clip chambered in .308? I was issued the M14 in basic which is 7.62 Nato or 7.62x51 which I really liked. I haven't had my hands on the Springfield Armory rifle but it does interest me.

Heir Kommt Die Sonne said:

Mainly because i tried diversifying too much on my calibers a while ago and so i never stocked up as much as I should've in a particular caliber. Therfore my reloading supplies are very low on all the calibers.
I want to stick to .308

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That's fair. Depending what powders you Stocked up on, the only difference should be the case itself and 30-06 brass is pretty easy to get ahold of.

First, get an M1. I suggest the CMP. Second, send it to the CMP Custom Shop. Third, throw money at it. Fourth, get your 308 M1. Easy peasy...

https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/services-for-the-m1-garand/

Heir Kommt Die Sonne said:

newer one made by Springfield Armory

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I'm confused by this part.^^^^^^^

Todd.

Heir Kommt Die Sonne said:

The CMP is in Arkanas?

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You can mail order (follow the eligibility requirements) or go to either of the stores (follow the covid rules). One store is at Camp Perry, Ohio. The other Anniston, Alabama. Anniston is the principal location. Most people mail order.

https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/eligibility-requirements/

1. Get a CMP Special Grade M1 rifle (RM1308SPECIAL) in .308. ($1050)
Or...
2.a Get a CMP Service Grade M1 rifle (RM1SERVICE) in .30-06. ($750)
2.b Send the stripped Bbl'ed Receiver to Shuff's Parkerizing for a new Criterion .308 Bbl. ($310 installed)
...and have them return the OEM .30-06 Bbl. to you as a spare.




GR

ApacheCoTodd said:

I'm confused by this part.

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SAI, before building M1A and pistols broke into the market by selling Garands in many configurations. "Jungle" & "Tanker" particularly.
They also offered several caliber choices, to include .308
They were using parts from cut receivers and installing them on new cast receivers.
Much in the smae way as the M1A would be built.

Garandimal said:

Get a CMP Special Grade

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Pretty sure you can ask them to .308 a Rack Grade, which would be "good enough" really.

I cannot come up with a valid reason why you shouldn't have a rifle configured the way you want.

If it puts a smile on your face, do it.

Garandimal said:

1. Get a CMP Special Grade M1 rifle (RM1308SPECIAL) in .308. ($1050)

GR

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This is the way.

I love my 308 M1 Garand.

I specifically wanted a 308 so I could shoot it and not worry about ammo availability and selection.

I loooooooove shooting the M1.

A M-1 Garand in 308 Win is one of my dads most accurate rifles. Sure, the loose nut behind the gun has something to do with it and so does an well built rifle.

Is there such a thing as ".308 M1 Specific Ammo" or could you just "shoot what you got"? Just curious.

I understand the M1 USGI Garands (serial number just above 6 million and below) are much better than the Springfield Armory M1's (serial numbers 7 million and up).

I have several CMP USGI Garands but only have experience with Springfield's M1A.

As said, if you can get a CMP Special chambered in 308 Winchester, they are refurbished rifles with new stocks and barrels. Essentially as new a USGI rifle as you can get today. Unfortunately, stock available to sell at CMP is limited these days. Lots of popularity and a limited number of folks inspecting and rebuilding rifles.

CMP is located in Anniston, AL with a satellite store in northern Ohio.

The requirements to qualify to purchase a CMP Garands are pretty easy although specific. Check the CMP sales site for information. As a side note, the Garand Collectors Association qualifies for the club membership.

https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/

bk42261 said:

Is there such a thing as ".308 M1 Specific Ammo" or could you just "shoot what you got"? Just curious.

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I suspect 308 Garands would have the same powder limitations as the 30-06 Garands. With a relief plug in the gas system, then any ammunition could be used. The OP rod is the weak link in the Garand recoil system and with too much port pressure you run the risk of damaging the OP rod. You do not want to damage the OP rod.

Yes.

rabid wombat said:

First, get an M1. I suggest the CMP. Second, send it to the CMP Custom Shop. Third, throw money at it. Fourth, get your 308 M1. Easy peasy...

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This is exactly what I did.

My worn original Blue Sky '06 barrel was no great loss (though I kept it anyway) and 7.62 M80-spec ammo is (or was) much easier to source than 30-06 M2 ball in my locale. Final cost to convert was around $350, including shipping and the brand new Criterion Barrel. The biggest issue was the almost one-year wait for the CMP Custom Shop to provide me with a work order number -- they were really backed up when I got onto their waiting list a couple years ago.

Absolutely get one. I got way lucky, my 7.62 Garand is a 55 model, x navy match rifle so I didnt have to build one specifically for 7.62, but I would have anyway. Schuster gas plugs are really the best way to go if you dont reload. 2750 fps is about the max for the gas system and the semi slow powders are suited for this IMR 4895 is one. With the gas relief plug installed, one can use factory rounds, if you can find them, I usually dont go heavier that 168grn, but that's just me.
Nothing wrong with wanting a ' newer ' production Springfield rifle, but, it's not ' the Springfield ' armory that produced it.

If you want a shooter a Garand in 308 makes sense. Much more 7.62 NATO available.

I recently sold a 308 Tanker but a 308 CMP Special is on my buy list.

To answer the OP’s original question...

The government converted a number of Garands to 308 Win. Then, 308 Garands should be an accepted modification.

I did get a 308W CMP Special Garand a number of years ago. There is a spacer avaliable for the magazine in the Garand that prevents 30-06 ammunition from being loaded in a 308 Win Garand.

If one rebarreled his own Garand, I’d recommend using the magazine spacer.

Also, I put a laminate stock on my 308 Win Garand so that it is easily distinguishable from the standard 30-06 Garands. I still have the original stock if I want to return the rifle to “original” condition.