CMP.308 M1 Garand - Talk me out of it

There is no "real down side". If you want the rifle, then buy the rifle.

M1 Garand, CMP Special (.308)
Allow 30-60 days for delivery.
M1 Garand Springfield Armory receiver. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture. A .308 spacer block is installed to prevent the loading of a .30-06 round into the chamber.

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For the paltry sum of $995 + S&H one of these can be yours to cherish and enjoy for many years to come.

I figure it this way, do what you have to do. Maybe because I am getting older but I find the recoil less in the .308 Garand making it more enjoyable to shoot, not that a standard 30-06 is unpleasant to shoot. Because I happen to enjoy them does not mean you should run out and buy one though.

Ron

Nope...

just buy it............................................chris3

The "real" downside is that it isn't a "real" Garand unless it shoots .30-06 or .276 Pedersen. Also, it means you will have to reload for another caliber which means acquiring new brass etc. If you are the type of guy that likes having 50 different calibers to load for then I say go for it. I used to be that type of guy until I realized that I have guns that I never shoot because I just don't want to change out any of my four reloading presses to another caliber because I have them perfectly set up for the ones I use the most.

Ah... I've been looking at those with a great deal of wantin'.

So, I can't offer any reason that you shouldn't get one, funds permitting.

As you point out, they're re-barrelled, stocked and in all likelihood going to be something like and arsenal refurbished weapon.

First spare 1K I've got will probably buy one.

Jeff B.

My favorite M1 shooter is a .308. Do not ask me to talk you out of it.

Glad I bought one. Very nice shooter. The rifle looks like total brand new. All the old parts are refinished, the barrel and furniture are brand new. I haave 4 other Garands of different grade and thought I was through buying. When the 308's came on the scene I had to have one. If you reload now, it won't cost more than 35 bucks to get set up for 308.

Just curious, what ammo are you using in a 308 Garand?
Will it fire standard 308 and 7.62x51?

Yeah...308.

Double Vision said:

Just curious, what ammo are you using in a 308 Garand?
Will it fire standard 308 and 7.62x51?

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Yes but...

There is commercial ammunition available from several manufacturers as long as you use ammunition designed for the rifle much like the 30-06 Garand. You would not for example use many of the hunting loads out there. There are also hand loads tailored out for these rifles in 30-06 or 7.62 NATO (.308 Win.). You want to keep your pressures within limits including the actual curve. Most shooting these rifles get either suitable military surplus made for such rifles or roll their own.

There are also a few variations of gas cylinder plugs that allow excess pressure bleed off.

Ron

The CMP 308 Special is a nice addition to any M1 collection. No help from me.

There is commercial ammunition available from several manufacturers as long as you use ammunition designed for the rifle much like the 30-06 Garand.

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In a 30-06 Garand I'm using the CMP surplus ammo.
In a 308 Garand would it be OK to use commercial 150+/- gr 308 ammo?

As a former owner of a 7.62 navy garand I can see only one downside. You will only want another!

Double Vision said:

In a 30-06 Garand I'm using the CMP surplus ammo.
In a 308 Garand would it be OK to use commercial 150+/- gr 308 ammo?

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Federal American Eagle Ammunition 308 Winchester 150 Grain Full Metal Jacket works well. For accurate loads the Federal Gold Match 168-gr. FMJBT loads are good but not inexpensive. The Remington UMC Ammunition 308 Winchester 150 Grain Full Metal Jacket loads work fine also. Since I roll my own I am not up on others, I would get some good dope from CMP.

Ron

A Garand in 308....

is a real Garand. The navy bought a bunch of them back in the 50s. The reason i didn't type in the nato caliber is because I am lazy...chris3

Oh man you just blew my Xmas budget! I've got to order one of these I'd two DCM Garands (predecessor to the CMP) but I don't shoot them much because they are .30-'06 whereas I've got .308 ammo out the wazoo.

When you order...

your 308 Garand.......order a couple cans of 3006. chris3

ball3006 said:

is a real Garand. The navy bought a bunch of them back in the 50s. The reason i didn't type in the nato caliber is because I am lazy...chris3

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Navy .308 Garand Conversion

Wasn't it back in the 60s? Also, weren't the rifles conversions?

Back in the 1960s, the US Navy decided to rechamber a bunch of its M1 Garand rifles to 7.62 NATO. The proper way to do this would have been to simply put new 7.62 barrels into the rifles – but the Navy wanted a cheaper route. So instead, they decided to make chamber inserts that could allow the use of 7.62 NATO in existing .30-06 barrels. The notion was that the chamber insert could be fixed in place simply by slipping it into the chamber of an M1 Garand and firing two rounds of M80 7.62 ball ammo to seat it in place. No threading, no adhesives – just a pressure fit. Well, Springfield Arsenal took several of these rifles and tested out the conversion.

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Ron

Only one downside.
They can be finicky shooters.
US Military conversions tend to run better than civilian conversions without modification but gas port size is critical.
My 7.62X51 converted M1 has a Shilen made barrel.
The gun required opening of the gas port and an extra power recoil spring for perfect functioning.
Once the tweeks were made, the rifle shoots and continues to shoot match capable groups, even with many thousands of rounds fired.
Also, you have to stay with ammunition that meets NATO specification, no warm/hot loads, & no fast burning powder reloads.
Stay in those parameters and you will have a rifle you will be proud to own and shoot.

Oh, to add.
You will make the right choice going with a properly chambered barrel version.
The sleeved guns never worked out too well and are best considered as collctor rifles rather than serious shooters.
The H&R purpose made replacement barrrels have a good reputation for excellent accuracy potential.

no fast burning powder reloads

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You've got that backwards Onmilo. Slow burning powders are what you want to avoid with the Garand.

.308 garand

How about this ?????


Mag-fed Garand
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Magazine-fed Garand image gallery
The Mag fed Garand above in first photo is an M14 Mag Fed Mini-G with a 5″ BM59 tri-compensator, Standard Parts drop down BM59 style gas cylinder, Ultimak Scout rail, Dupage Trading Nutmeg laminate stock, finished in maganese parkerizing. It’s important you know this because EVERYONE calls and wants one just like it so you need to know what having one “just like it” entails. You’ll have a tough time finding the 5″ muzzle brake but the 3″ version can be had.

Ever wish your Garand could keep on going after those first eight rounds? How about a magazine-fed Garand? I can completely modify your M1 to accept standard M14 magazines, or just get you started with a basic receiver mod and let you do the rest. I can also do the more complex BM59 style mag-fed modification, but you’ll have to supply some of the parts. No matter the type of conversion, I will have your rifle finished in no less than 15 business days after I receive it. No heat is used to modify your receiver unlike some other shops. Check the ordering page for return shipping rates.

Deluxe Garand M14 Mag-fed Modification $800
Send me your complete standard M1 and I’ll install a .308 barrel, exchange your old follower parts for my M14 mod oprod parts, swap out your trigger group, modify your receiver and
(517) 896-0523 (call any time, 9AM-9PM EST)
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