I've got a question about the Garand rifle 7.62 Nato conversion. I just picked up an example from the local gunshop that has been marked on the barrel "Arlington ORD Arlington VA 7.62 NATO". It has a steel reciever block to prevent the loading of 30-06. This thing functions fine too. Anyone have detailed information on this type unit? I know the Navy had some converted and most likely the Gaurd and Reserves might have used this in the early 1960's because the M14 was being deployed to Viet-Nam about that point. It is interesting that the SA serial number puts it at DEC 43. I think it's an original DOD converted garand. What do you think? Any and all info welcome. I think I did ok price wise too. I picked it up for 650 clams. The bore is shiny and crisp, metal is all VG to excellent, all wood will be replaced.
7.62 Nato GARAND
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ocabj
Member
From what I understand, it's a Blue Sky import. Blue Sky imported Garands and converted some to .308 using commercial barrels.
As far as actual service use of a .308 Garand, the Navy tried using a chamber sleeve with a .30-06 barrel. I don't know if it saw actual use.
The Navy did make Garands in .308 as Navy Trophy rifles. These are pretty rare. Check out the bottom of the following page:
http://www.scott-duff.com/M1Garand.htm
You didn't acquire what would be a collectible rifle as far as Garand collecting goes. But if the rifle works fine and shoots well, then you have yourself a fine shooter and for $650, that's not bad.
As far as actual service use of a .308 Garand, the Navy tried using a chamber sleeve with a .30-06 barrel. I don't know if it saw actual use.
The Navy did make Garands in .308 as Navy Trophy rifles. These are pretty rare. Check out the bottom of the following page:
http://www.scott-duff.com/M1Garand.htm
You didn't acquire what would be a collectible rifle as far as Garand collecting goes. But if the rifle works fine and shoots well, then you have yourself a fine shooter and for $650, that's not bad.
Blue Sky
I forgot about Blue Sky...you're right. One good thing is that it does have a WWII serial, and it's in pretty good shape. I've been seeing them for between $800.00 and $1800.00 depending who's selling it. Since the only thing that needs replaced is the stock set to make it look new...I don't think I did bad either. I guess the part that confused me is that Importers are supposed to have all info stamped on the gun, and it wasn't there. Then again...how long ago did Blue Sky build these things? Most likely before the law changed about identification. Blue Sky is not marked anywhere on this unit. So that is what threw me off. Thanks for the input. It's still an awsome little unit.
I forgot about Blue Sky...you're right. One good thing is that it does have a WWII serial, and it's in pretty good shape. I've been seeing them for between $800.00 and $1800.00 depending who's selling it. Since the only thing that needs replaced is the stock set to make it look new...I don't think I did bad either. I guess the part that confused me is that Importers are supposed to have all info stamped on the gun, and it wasn't there. Then again...how long ago did Blue Sky build these things? Most likely before the law changed about identification. Blue Sky is not marked anywhere on this unit. So that is what threw me off. Thanks for the input. It's still an awsome little unit.
30Cal
Member
Arlington and Blue Sky were just two of several firms that imported M1's from Korea back before Clinton.
Ty
Ty
I too picked up my Garand domestically chambered for .308 (SA circa 1943); and immediately had it re-barreled for .30-06 to go with my Win M70.
I then proceeded to convert it to M-1C standard, it hurt to drill and tap the receiver, but she rocks to 500 yards with the mil-spec barrel. Except for the scope she's mil-spec, so I can still shoot in matches...
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Congratulations on picking up a piece of history.
I then proceeded to convert it to M-1C standard, it hurt to drill and tap the receiver, but she rocks to 500 yards with the mil-spec barrel. Except for the scope she's mil-spec, so I can still shoot in matches...
.Congratulations on picking up a piece of history.
Thanks for the info...
I got it. Arlington ORD was an importer (pre-Bush SR and Klinton). There is NO DOD acceptance/ proof stamped on the barrel like my 30-06 Garand (also WWII). Since it is a 7.62 barrel, no sleeve which is better. The steel reciever block is robust and looks like it is actually part of the reciever. It feeds .308 like it was originally designed for .308 instead of 30-06. Even though it's not a collector grade, they still command a healthy price tag if in VG to excellent condition. Most of the Garands that are non-collectable grade need the wood replaced and re-parked, maybe some small metal parts replaced. when I get done doing the face lift on this, I'll have the same gun that Orion and others charge $1200.00-1800.00 for. Since the thing has already been checked for headspace etc, I wont have to be concerned about that especially with a new commercial barrel because they had to check that before it was put on the market (liability). Thanks for the help.
I got it. Arlington ORD was an importer (pre-Bush SR and Klinton). There is NO DOD acceptance/ proof stamped on the barrel like my 30-06 Garand (also WWII). Since it is a 7.62 barrel, no sleeve which is better. The steel reciever block is robust and looks like it is actually part of the reciever. It feeds .308 like it was originally designed for .308 instead of 30-06. Even though it's not a collector grade, they still command a healthy price tag if in VG to excellent condition. Most of the Garands that are non-collectable grade need the wood replaced and re-parked, maybe some small metal parts replaced. when I get done doing the face lift on this, I'll have the same gun that Orion and others charge $1200.00-1800.00 for. Since the thing has already been checked for headspace etc, I wont have to be concerned about that especially with a new commercial barrel because they had to check that before it was put on the market (liability). Thanks for the help.
nbkky71
Member
Vic, I think that the $1200-$1800 .308 Garand rifles you're seeing are full-tilt national match models, with great deal of work done to accurize them.
M1 Garands can be chambered in .308WIN fairly easily & relatively inexpensively. Rack grade rifles can be had from the CMP for $350 and the rifle can rebarreled for about $250-$300.
Regardless, congrats on the new purchase. We'll also need to see some pictures of your new rifle! How about a range report as well?
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG PING!
EDITED - Actually, upon doing some math, you can easily spend $1000 to get the rifle, have it re-barreled, reparkerized and a new stock fitted to an M1 rifle.
M1 Garands can be chambered in .308WIN fairly easily & relatively inexpensively. Rack grade rifles can be had from the CMP for $350 and the rifle can rebarreled for about $250-$300.
Regardless, congrats on the new purchase. We'll also need to see some pictures of your new rifle! How about a range report as well?
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG PING!
EDITED - Actually, upon doing some math, you can easily spend $1000 to get the rifle, have it re-barreled, reparkerized and a new stock fitted to an M1 rifle.
P-32
Member
The Navy M-1 which where converted to 308 will have the reciever marked as a Mk 1 or a Mk II. The mark 1's had the insert which proved to be unsat for the military. Great rifle for shooting once in awhile. The Mk II's had a SA 308 (7.62) barrel which seemed to shoot everything pretty well. The insert was white plastic and is really not needed. '06 won't load into a 308 chamber anyways, no matter just how hard you try.
The M-1's which are given out as tropy rifles are out of the Navy supply. Could be either a Mk 1 or a Mk II, I've seen both. I've also seen '06 M-1's given out as well. The real prize was the Remmington 720 in '06. There was only about 1,100 of these rifles built and the Navy bought most of them as the Navy was low on rifles over all at the start of WWII. The Navy ran out of the 720's maybe ten years ago. The 720 was a bolt hunting rifle. After Rem built the small run of 720's, they switched to the much more common 721.
The Navy's service rifle is always one behind what the Army/Marines are using. Todays Navy service rifle is still the M-14, and not because the M16 is being used in the sand box.
The M-1's which are given out as tropy rifles are out of the Navy supply. Could be either a Mk 1 or a Mk II, I've seen both. I've also seen '06 M-1's given out as well. The real prize was the Remmington 720 in '06. There was only about 1,100 of these rifles built and the Navy bought most of them as the Navy was low on rifles over all at the start of WWII. The Navy ran out of the 720's maybe ten years ago. The 720 was a bolt hunting rifle. After Rem built the small run of 720's, they switched to the much more common 721.
The Navy's service rifle is always one behind what the Army/Marines are using. Todays Navy service rifle is still the M-14, and not because the M16 is being used in the sand box.
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