Garand

[SunnySlopes]

I'm thinking of ordering a rebuilt ("special grade") Garand from the CMP.

What parts do you switch out to make it safe to use modern ammo?

 

[Liberty1776]

An adjustable or vented gas plug is probably a good idea. I believe Midway sells them.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Alternatively, handload. Stick to 150 to 165 grain bullets and take the starting load in your manual for H4895 or a similar burning rate powder.

Since full length resizing is indicated, an X-die which allows full length resizing with minimal case length growth is a good idea.

 

[Reloadron]

Schuster DCM Adjustable Gas Plug with Wrench M1 Garand Steel Parkerized is one example of gas plug that can be changed. There are several flavors of gas plugs out there.

As to ammunition? A few major manufacturers offer loads made for loading in the M1 Garand.

Finally if you get into rolling your own the Hornady 9th edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading offers some very good loading data tailored for the M1 Garand.

The CMP website has a wealth of information as to the care and feeding of the M1 Garand rifle. Enjoy your new rifle should you get one.

Ron

 

[Onmilo]

I use both McCann and Schuster gas lock screws.
The Schuster is best set to one specific load while the McCann, with the different vent screws, can be set up to shoot several loads by just changing the vent screws
Color code or number the screws to the various loads for quick selection. HTH

 

[Jim Watson]

I would shoot standard military ammunition.

You may can get still get Greek surplus.
Hornady loads M1 specific ammo.

Handloads to mil spec velocity with medium burning powder like 4895 (IMR or H) are fine.


Has anybody ever done port pressure measurements of standard sporting ammo? Why would a commercial loader like Remington use 4350 instead of 4895 when it would cost them money to give the same performance? I do not refer to gimmick ammunition like "Light Magnums" or grizzly bear handloads for utter maximum power out of the 06 chamber.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The adjustable gas plug is a necessity if you're going to shoot commercial ammo but I would stick with surplus military ammo.

In any case, when I bought my M1 rifles I put a set of Wolff replacement springs in the rifle and they worked perfectly. (the Rifle Service Pak) http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=2&mID=88

Hornady also sells match ammo specifically tailored for use in the M1 that seems to be very accurate.
http://www.hornady.com/store/30-06-168-gr-A-MAX-M1-Garand/

 

[Fishbed77]

I've been using Garand Gear's "Ported" Gas Plug and it has been working well for me. It costs a little more than the Schuster or McCann plugs, but doesn't require any adjustment. I have been sticking to 150-grain bullets, though.

 

[cfullgraf]

I'm thinking of ordering a rebuilt ("special grade") Garand from the CMP.

What parts do you switch out to make it safe to use modern ammo?

The various adjustable gas plugs mentioned should basically answer your question.

But, I am in the camp of using only Garand safe loads in a Garand. Surplus Greek HXP is reasonably plentiful still and Hornady sells a Garand safe load.

If you get into reloading, you can load hunting bullets in your Garand safe loads if you thinking about hunting with your Garand. It is the powder that makes the cartridge safe for the Garand.

Modern powders burn slower than what was available when the Garand was designed. The port pressure is therefore too high and risks damaging the op rod on the Garnad, hence the adjustable gas plugs that relieve some of the port pressure.

Another note, the op rod is not straight. When you get your Garand, you will see that the op rod has a slight dog leg in it. That is normal.

The CMP Specials are nice rifles.

 

[SunnySlopes]

Thanks so much for all the advice. Tomorrow I'm sending off my paperwork (which I've had ready since last year) for the gun.

And I do reload. So I'll start with a few boxes of Garand safe commercial ammo. Then I'll hand roll my own.

Thanks again. I sure appreciate THR.

 

[ball3006]

When you order your rifle, order a can of greek ammo too. It is much cheaper from the CMP than any where else......chris3

Here you go.... http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/ammo.htm#Greek3006 chris3

 

[SunnySlopes]

It says the ammo attracts a magnet. Is it steel cased?

 

[ball3006]

No, Greek ammo is brass cased and boxer primed, thus reloadable......chris3

 

[USSR]

It says the ammo attracts a magnet. Is it steel cased?

That refers to the bullet jacket, which is mild steel instead of copper jacketed.

Don