saiga308
Member
in 308? nice are they any good?
in northern utah
Federal Ordnance “Tanker” M1 Garand .308 4 sale tonite $675
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saiga308
Member
humm
The ones you see on the market today are all commercial conversions,and many don't function correctly. The "tanker" designation was just a marketing gimmick, as they were never intended for use by tank crews.
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saiga308
Member
what the heck
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saiga308
Member
i seen many other videos they seem to be ok some after market clips hangup sometimes
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adcoch1
Member
There are a few guys that know how to build them out there. The OP rod mods can be tricky though, if I had the cash I'd chance it.
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saiga308
Member
its hit and miss with
Federal Ordnance out of South El Monte ca some of the receivers were cut and re welded others are cast that are ify and others are fine..
AlexanderA
Member
This is what I'd be worried about. At the time these "tanker" Garands were being put together by commercial vendors, many of the available receivers were salvaged from scrap. And many of these scrapped guns had shot-out barrels. They were bored out and relined with lathe-turned surplus 2-groove Springfield barrels, which were plentiful at the time.
The first Garand I ever owned (which I bought in 1969) was just such a reweld. Being a young collector at the time, I didn't know anything about this. Later, I tried to use the gun in matches and had all sorts of unexplained malfunctions. As I learned more, it became obvious what it was. (I still have the gun as a reminder of my early collecting ignorance. I might as well keep it because it has no resale value. At least it's a Winchester.)
But even if a "tanker" Garand was put together using a bona fide, non-cut receiver, the very concept is a nonstarter. There's a reason the army didn't proceed with the idea.
In a word, no.
Charlie98
Member
I've got a FedOrd .30-06 Garand, it's a piece of junk. It's been rebarreled, to judge by the barrel stamping, but it has more putty in the stock than a '73 Vega's fenderwells, and the repark is so thick you can't really read the SN. I don't believe it's a reweld... trust me, I've looked. It's a fun shooter, and feeds and fires fine... so it works for me. I bought it new (as a new FedOrd rebuild) in the early '90's, for $360. The dealer had both the .30-06 and the .308 versions.
kBob
Member
hmm the cap on the upper hand guard looks awfully BM59. Looks wise I would prefer the short forearm section the military test rifles and some other makers provided though this might provide better accuracy potential.
It is interesting these things became known as tanker Garands as the original intent was to provide Infantry with a rifle as short as a M-1 Carbine that still had the ability to shoot through walls and logs. For the most part tankers never even got carbines and were issued handguns and M3 series SMGs from 1945 until the first Gulf War.
I would say if the price were right, you have the money, you are aware of the risks and it is what you want, then it is "worth it" other wise no it is not.
-kBob
It is interesting these things became known as tanker Garands as the original intent was to provide Infantry with a rifle as short as a M-1 Carbine that still had the ability to shoot through walls and logs. For the most part tankers never even got carbines and were issued handguns and M3 series SMGs from 1945 until the first Gulf War.
I would say if the price were right, you have the money, you are aware of the risks and it is what you want, then it is "worth it" other wise no it is not.
-kBob
ApacheCoTodd
member
Tanker? Not a bad concept if executed properly.
.308 Grand? As above if NOT involving a *Navy Sleeve*.
Fed Ord? Bad enough reputation + personal experience that I will never pay more for one than the sum of un-altered parts. They don't all suck but when they do - they are essentially worthless.
Todd.
.308 Grand? As above if NOT involving a *Navy Sleeve*.
Fed Ord? Bad enough reputation + personal experience that I will never pay more for one than the sum of un-altered parts. They don't all suck but when they do - they are essentially worthless.
Todd.
1KPerDay
Member
Mine is okay (.30-06 “tanker”) and is not a reweld based on the drawing numbers aligning with serial number range and careful examination of the op rod track.
it’s not 100% and I would definitely not buy any Fed Ord without a robust understanding of drawing numbers, doing your research, and checking out the rifle in person. Garands are awesome but each part does 5 things and if it’s worn or bent it’ll give you fits.
spend your dough on a service grade from the CMP until they run out. IMO
it’s not 100% and I would definitely not buy any Fed Ord without a robust understanding of drawing numbers, doing your research, and checking out the rifle in person. Garands are awesome but each part does 5 things and if it’s worn or bent it’ll give you fits.
spend your dough on a service grade from the CMP until they run out. IMO
Charlie98
Member
Actually... now that I'm looking at it... that's not a Tanker... it's just a Garand missing the forward handguard... or am I missing something? I thought Tankers were actually shortened...
1KPerDay
Member
It’s shortened to about 18”. Look at the space between the rear of the gas cylinder and the stock. On a full length Garand the front hand guard goes there.
Charlie98
Member
Ok. The angle of the OP's posted photo is a little odd... I was looking at it scratching my head.
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saiga308
Member
SOLD! that was fast?
that was fast?
Charlie98
Member
SOLD!
Jeepers... Knowing what I paid for mine, and the quality of it... not in a million years. Hmmm... now that has me thinking....
rdnktrkr
Member
I also would check out the CMP, that way you would have a great rebuild that has been checked out and if you have any problems or questions they are friendly and helpful.
I take all Garand clips and run them through the tumbler with walnut media, mineral spirits and car polish, that seems to make them run smoothly.
A friend has a 308 Garand and it shoots well, I've not shot it but I've never seen a malfunction with it. It weighs about the same and I download a 30-06 to a level that functions the action and is very accurate at 100yrds that is lower than a 308 load, so I don't see an advantage to it.
I take all Garand clips and run them through the tumbler with walnut media, mineral spirits and car polish, that seems to make them run smoothly.
A friend has a 308 Garand and it shoots well, I've not shot it but I've never seen a malfunction with it. It weighs about the same and I download a 30-06 to a level that functions the action and is very accurate at 100yrds that is lower than a 308 load, so I don't see an advantage to it.
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