Guy B. Meredith
Member
I have had no interest in long guns over the last 40 years but have always had an itch to take up the government’s offer through the CMP. Recently I became the owner of a USGI SA Field Grade M1 Garand of 1943 vintage for $375 plus shipping.
I had seen comments that the Garand in general is not very accurate compared to other battle rifles and not to expect better than 4 MOA accuracy from the Field and Rack Grades sold by the CMP. I purchased this one for historical and sentimental value and did not expect much more of it than pleasant days at the range with possible cost of re-barreling if I wanted to get serious.
My first trip to the range ended up being spent on sorting out the rear sights that I had taken apart the previous day and working on not flinching. (Did I mention that I have the mother of all flinches from that Argentine Mauser in 30-06 40 years ago and a few boxes of 12 GA slugs?)
Second trip to the range. Dunno the first thing about shooting iron sighted rifles at distance so I used the same computer distance glasses and POI aim as I do on the revolver.
As on the first trip I started at 50 yds. Shot one clip and decided it was time to graduate to 100 yds. (See photo). I could not see the holes even with a 35X scope and figured it was either the best group I'd ever shot with a serious rifle or the worst and had to wait until target change to see for sure. The ragged 4 shot hole and adjacent single were shot with the same sight picture. The two at 7:00 were with my eyes closed--the flinch.
The 9" (?) bullseye totally disappeared for me at 100 yds. I spent quite a bit of time playing around with sight picture. While firing one clip I zoned in for 7 rounds (see 100 yd photo), but for the most part I struggled to see the target or develop a good sight picture.
Having read not to expect better than 4 MOA with the Field Grade, my jaw dropped with a resounding "thud!" as I watched the groups develop. Total disbelief. I am just not that good with a rifle.
All shot with the CMP surplus ammo.
Gotta work on that sight picture. In the meantime I would be interested in finding someone who can shoot well enough to give me an idea of the potential of this rifle.
I had seen comments that the Garand in general is not very accurate compared to other battle rifles and not to expect better than 4 MOA accuracy from the Field and Rack Grades sold by the CMP. I purchased this one for historical and sentimental value and did not expect much more of it than pleasant days at the range with possible cost of re-barreling if I wanted to get serious.
My first trip to the range ended up being spent on sorting out the rear sights that I had taken apart the previous day and working on not flinching. (Did I mention that I have the mother of all flinches from that Argentine Mauser in 30-06 40 years ago and a few boxes of 12 GA slugs?)
Second trip to the range. Dunno the first thing about shooting iron sighted rifles at distance so I used the same computer distance glasses and POI aim as I do on the revolver.
As on the first trip I started at 50 yds. Shot one clip and decided it was time to graduate to 100 yds. (See photo). I could not see the holes even with a 35X scope and figured it was either the best group I'd ever shot with a serious rifle or the worst and had to wait until target change to see for sure. The ragged 4 shot hole and adjacent single were shot with the same sight picture. The two at 7:00 were with my eyes closed--the flinch.
The 9" (?) bullseye totally disappeared for me at 100 yds. I spent quite a bit of time playing around with sight picture. While firing one clip I zoned in for 7 rounds (see 100 yd photo), but for the most part I struggled to see the target or develop a good sight picture.
Having read not to expect better than 4 MOA with the Field Grade, my jaw dropped with a resounding "thud!" as I watched the groups develop. Total disbelief. I am just not that good with a rifle.
All shot with the CMP surplus ammo.
Gotta work on that sight picture. In the meantime I would be interested in finding someone who can shoot well enough to give me an idea of the potential of this rifle.