CMP M1 Garand Service Grade

[Col. Plink]

Sounds fantastic, wish I could go get another. I think I'll have to be content with my field grade for some time. Some more HXP would go down right, and I recommend to all new Garand owners to get an adjustable gas plug (screw-in, sets with a ratcheting allen screw). Worry-free use of commercial ammo (mine likes 180-gr Federal PowerShock), but I'll maintain that the fast-burning surplus stuff just feels better when it goes off.

 

[Double Vision]

OK, I've got a stupid question here...
What caliber ammo does the M1 Garand use?

I'm seeing .30 Ball M2.
What's the difference between .30-06, .30 carbine, and .30 Ball M2?

Is the CMP the best/only place to get the correct ammo or what commercial ammo will work in the M1 Garand?

 

[USSR]

What caliber ammo does the M1 Garand use?

Commercially it is known as .30-06, but the military designation is M2 ball. However, most commercially made .30-06 ammo is not suitable for the M1 Garand's gas system. Is that complicated enough?

Don

 

[Tim the student]

What caliber ammo does the M1 Garand use?

They are almost always 30-06. Some shoot .308, but no CMP gun does, or ever has that I know of.

.30 Ball M2 is 30-06. .30 carbine is .30 carbine.

CMP is definitely not the only place to get safe ammo for it, but it is by far the cheapest that I am aware of. You can usually find it on Gunbroker, or at gun shows for far more than the CMP is charging.

Hornady has an M1 safe load, as does American Eagle. If it isn't labeled "Garand Safe" or something like that, assume that it is unsafe.

It won't hurt you, but the port pressure can damage the oprod. People argue about this, but I'm not risking it. If you want to, that's on you. It isn't a velocity thing, it is a powder burn rate thing.

If you do want to shoot commercial, get an adjustable gas plug. They are about 35 - 40 or so.

Have fun!

 

[sappnasty]

Tim: Where can you find these adjustable gas plugs? Sounds like a great investment. I have also heard that the M1 Garand isn't particularly found of commercial ammo. After all, ammo made then is worlds different than ammo made now....so it doesn't suprise me. I plan on only shooting the M2 ball from the CMP or the Hornady "garand safe" ammo. When I go up on the 9th, I plan to get a can or 2 of the M2...maybe a carton of Hornady as well

 

[Tim the student]

You can get them from Midway or Brownells.

Two different companies make them, McCann or Schuster. They have different designs from each other. I've never used them, but to me it looks like the Schuster is more adjustable (which would be nice, since you can "tune" it more precisely than the McCann, while the McCann is more repeatable (which would be nice if changing ammo, and then back to another style you have shot before.) Someone who has used them can comment as to if my thoughts are more or less true, and can share their experiences with them. I have read that guys can increase precision with surplus ammo, but obviously I don't know if that is true or not. IMO, they would be great if you wanted to hunt with an M1 (and don't handload.)

I've never shot the Hornady ammo, but I can't imagine that it sucks. I'm not sure if it is worth the price though. (It hasn't been for me so far, but I also handload for my M1 when I have time.) Again, others who have used it can comment on it, and can actually speak from experience.

 

[Col. Plink]

The Schusters are adjustable right down to one click being the difference between firing&ejecting and firing&cycling.

 

[ol' scratch]

I don't know if you decided what to do or not, but here goes.

Go to the store if you can. It is an experience. If you have the funds, pick up a CMP special service (with correct barrel) and a service grade with a correct stock for the rifle that is near correct. My special service was correct with the exception of the stock. I swapped the stock and have a correct rifle. I also have a shooter. I prefer the H & R rifles, but to each his own. My Special Service cost me $895, the service was $600 plus tax.

I don't know why, but there are always people on this thread who say "I bought a CMP Garand X number of years ago and it was crap." My rifles have new 'CORRECT' barrels on them. One H & R has an original LMR barrel, the other is HRA marked and correct. Both gauged in at a 1 at the muzzle and 2 at the throat. I just picked them up this summer. I also coached my father-in-law as to what to look for. He has a correct now with a barrel in the negative numbers and an H & R with a correct HRA barrel and chamber in the white. It also gauges at a 1 muzzle, 2 throat. A friend purchased an H & R this summer--Same as the above mentioned rifles as far as wear.

If you just want a great example of each, pick up a service grade Springfield and an Service Grade H & R. If you can go to the store, try and find the parts that match each. If you can get that lucky you will have two correct rifles for $1200.

I think part of the reason some people have posted having problems with CMP rifles in the past is because they didn't understand grading and purchased shot out Rack or Field grades. Get a service grade.

I will post pics a little later...

 

[Col. Plink]

You don't have to buy a Service Grade, especially if you're going to the store. Draft the help of an employee and save some bucks (buy more ammo!)

 

[Spec ops Grunt]

I'm so going to get one after I get my AK.


So service grade is the best bang for your buck for a shooter?

What about the different brands, whats the difference?

 

[Col. Plink]

I found an excellent shooter in Field Grade on a visit to the south store...

 

[P-32]

A friend of mine just got his H&R Service grade. All I can say is Wow! All H&R except the Barrel which is a correct LMR and the op rod which is S/A. Over all pretty close to my Correct grade H&R. The wood on this rifle is even pretty good.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

I went with a service grade a number of years ago and thought that it was the best bang for the buck. Buy as much ammo as you can because they are a joy to shoot.

I have not tried either adjustable gas plug yet.

Jim

 

[Tim the student]

So service grade is the best bang for your buck for a shooter?

Maybe, it depends. As a general guideline, I would say yes - but it isn't absolute by any means. But, your odds of getting a shooter FG are much slimmer than getting a shooter SG if you mail order. Like Col Plink, I had a good FG shooter.

What about the different brands, whats the difference?

Not to be a smart aleck, but the name is the difference - which affects collectability. All are made to the same specs - but I have read repeatedly that the Winnies were the roughest out of the factory. A guy working at the North Store (can't remember who) told me that, and I have read the same thing more than a few times. When you buy the name, all you are guaranteed to get is that receiver, so you can have HR parts on a Springfield etc etc, until you get to the higher grades.

 

[dzelenka]

Very lucky draw. The LMR barrels are the best G.I. barrels. I just picked up a Correct Grade with an LMR barrel. It is a virtually new gun. I looked through both the South store and the North store for one.

I know someone suggested to go to the store and get a field grade. It is not how I would proceed. There may be a few gems, but mostly you have rifles with worn parts. Collectors like them because yo are more likely to find older WWII parts, but I wouldn't buy one for a shooter (unless your intent was to rebuild it).

 

[sappnasty]

8 more days until the big trip....cant wait!

 

[ol' scratch]

A friend of mine just got his H&R Service grade. All I can say is Wow! All H&R except the Barrel which is a correct LMT and the op rod which is S/A. Over all pretty close to my Correct grade H&R. The wood on this rifle is even pretty good.

You mean LMR. That Op rod may be correct. When they used the LMR barrels, H & R was known to use some 65 series SA parts. Mine has the same barrel and a like new SA op rod and bolt. My rifle has a serial number in the 5.6 million range. Does your friend have a rifle in the same range?

 

[Geneseo1911]

Me either Sappnasty....sounds like I will not be there the same time as you, but I can't wait to go down. I have been fighting 35 mph wind, snow, power outages, and generators that don't want to work since 3PM....Alabama and then on to Florida is sounding pretty darn good right now.

 

[ol' scratch]

Here is my correct rifle.

It started as a special service. I swapped stocks on my other H & R and now it is correct. Everything matches the year. The barrel date is 3-55. The chamber is in the white and the park matches. I have taken it to the range once since I bought it. I sent thirty rounds down the pipe so far. It is VERY accurate.

The bayonet in the picture (sorry for the blur) is an uncut 10 inch Oneida DATED 1943. Very rare. I like it because it matches the finish of the rifle.

Some of you 'purists' may criticize my choice of bayonet. I have a book with a GI using a M1905 cut down. It is dated 1957.

I have another H & R I may post pics of. It is a straight service grade and I used the stock from it to make this one correct.

 

[P-32]

That Op rod may be correct. When they used the LMR barrels, H & R was known to use some 65 series SA parts. Mine has the same barrel and a like new SA op rod and bolt. My rifle has a serial number in the 5.6 million range. Does your friend have a rifle in the same range?

Roberts H&R is in the same S/N range as yours. His barrel is a 2-55. All I know is for the $ it is one fine rifle. I paid a lot more for my correct grade H&R and the only difference I see is I have a better stock. Both mine and Roberts trigger group is going to need some work. Long and creepy. If I'm shooting a John C. Garand match, I grab the trigger group out of my 308 M-1 which has been tuned.

 

[sappnasty]

5 more days! yay

 

[FlyinBryan]

if chuck norris was a rifle he would be an M1 Garand.

 

[1KPerDay]

ha haaa!


BTW beautiful rifle scratch.

 

[stonecutter2]

I ordered a CMP Service Grade H&R last year. It's got throat erosion measurement of 1+ and muzzle erosion 1. It shoots VERY well.

Here's some pics and stuff:
http://mrkruk.com/garand/

 

[snakeman]

I want one!