Garandaholics Anonymous

[Thunderstick]

Thanks to all those on this board who supported me in my endeavor to fix my short cycling rifle. I bought my rifle at a gun show in August. Paid $750-$800 (yeah yeah, probably too much but that's behind me now.) It's a beautiful looking Garand! (A veteran told me that he had never heard 'beautiful' and 'Garand' used in the same sentence.) The rifle appears to be all SA. From what I can tell, the receiver was made in August 1943. Someone told me that the 64 on the barrel means it was rebuilt in 1964. Obviously reparked. No markings on the stock.

Did it see action in WWII? Don't know but it's nice to think about the possibility! I bought the sling from Orion 7. Rifle came with the cloth sling but my dad always talked about using the sling in the Army so I knew I needed a better one!

I don't have any range reports. I'm not the best shooter in the world but now that it doesn't short cycle anymore, I can focus on sighting it in. Best part about this US Rifle Caliber .30 M1............it's MINE!

Here are the numbers:

1) Ser # 1957XXX
2) Barrel SA6535448 8 64 90 11 P M
3) Op rod 7790722 SA
4) Rcvr B11 C D28291 30
5) Bolt 5528287-SA J-1-A

Any additional insight on the numbers is appreciated!

 

[longtom4570]

Nice very nice, if the 64 is on the reciever leg and it also has some sort of intials before it it, it tells you where it was rebuilt. If you are interested you can get a book with collectors info in it. Above all else go out and SHOOT IT

 

[G.I.Jew]

I would need the whole serial number to find out if it had any action. You can look up your serial number here, and if you are lucky, it's service record will be listed.
http://www.armscollectors.com/srs.htm

 

[Thunderstick]

GIjew,

I've been there.......done that......wasn't listed.

Thanks though!

 

[VG]

Sir, the late SA barrels are goos shooters. I have sent you a PM.

 

[Swampy]

Thunderstick,

Nice M1.... congrats.

Re numbers.... the barrel is an SA replacement barrel manufactured in August of '64. Those mid 60's SA barrels are very good.

The date on the barrel tells you when the barrel was made, not when it was installed or when the rifle was rebuilt.

Obviously your rifle was rebuilt at some point. It MAY have some electropenciled arsenal initials and a month-year on the receivers right leg. Not all rifles rebuilt during the 60's Clean & Repair programs were so marked.

Best,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[Thunderstick]

Thanks swampy, I'll check that out. I'm glad to hear good comments about my barrel......sort of supports the amount of money I spent.

I don't have any of the fancy, smancy barrel gauges. I just know that it takes about 3-4 good whacks with a framing hammer to get an '06 round into the muzzle!

Ok, just kidding there..........when I insert an '06 round, there is between 1/8 and 3/16 of the slug still exposed between the end of the barrel and the beginning of the case. That seemed good and tight to me.

 

[Thunderstick]

I plan to replace the images of my rifle tonight. Somebody PM'd me and said that laying the rifle on the flag was not proper flag etiquette and after researching it I certainly agree.

I hope I didn't offend anyone. I consider myself a patriot and flag waver. I purchased the M1 out of respect for those who defended our freedom. In no way did I intend to disrespect the flag!

 

[VG]

Although some people voice concerns about use, I applied Neatsfoot oil to my reproduction M1907 sling as that was the practice "back in the day" apparently.
Makes it a nice brown.

Others voice concern that Neatsfoot will soften the leather too much and allow it to stretch too easily. Did my nearly three years ago, no problems yet. Pecard's dressing is supposed to be excellent in lieu of neatsfoot.

 

[foghornl]

Not proper flag etiquette, but am I going to be offended and complain? ?

In one word, NO!

Without the M-1's of WWII and Korean service, we may not have been able to fly that flag today.

I have my Dad's funeral VA-provided flag in the glass-front triangular case, that sits atop my Weapons Cabinet. The way I see it, Dad's Flag watches over my weapons, and my weapons keep his flag secure.

Same reason I also have my own US Rifle Cal .30 M1, International Harvester 1955 Vintage.

 

[Thunderstick]

Just for clarification.......and out of respect for the person that PM'd me.

They were extremely courteous and were not complaining to me. Just FYIing me that what I did was violating the standards for flag etiquette.


It was my decision to replace the images using a different background out of my own respect for the flag.