M1 Garand! Couple of questions...

[TCW]

Hi All,

Well, I've decided to order an M1 Garand from CMP and have a couple of questions.

1. The difference between the "rack grade" and the "service grade" Springfields is noted as barrel wear and maybe the condition of the stock. Do you think I could expect more wear in the other parts of the gun as well (trigger, action, etc). I am considering saving the $100, getting the "rack grade" and having a new .308 barrel installed...cheaper ammo...plus a new barrel

2. Any specific suggestions for a new barrel? I have found them online for $150.

3. A local gunsmith charges $100.00 for barrel installation. Does that sound right?

4. Any good online sources for surplus 30-06? CPM is sold out. If I can find some cheap, maybe I'll just get a "service grade" M1 and keep the barrel.

5. How do the Danish versions (VAR barrel) compare to the Springfields?

Thanks for any input!

TCW

 

[jacks308]

for the most part you won't find more wear on the other parts.It can be a crap shoot in either grade . Wilson makes a good barrel , I have a Barnett medium in 3006 and it's great . Money well spent !
A hundred bucks for a fourty of fifty dollar job ? Your call , Dean's Gun Restoration or Champion's Choice come to mind Barnett Is still installing tubes as well .
Cheapest ammo now is .308 , If you don't mind reloading the 06 you can save all the rest of the work for another time . You may find cheap 06 from time to time but probably less than .308 .

Jack

 

[Blackcloud6]

I would recommend going with a service grade and keep it in .30-06. Instead of spending the money on a .308 barrel and the labor to install it, buy reloading equipment and load .30-06.

If you do want to make a .308 garand, just buy a receiver from CMP and look around for a parts kits and send it off to Deans, Fulton, Orion or one of the other such places and have them make one up for you. My neighbor did that (it think from orion) and got a real nice gun. Call one of them before you order anything and see what they need. But there's no need to by a rack grade just to tear apart.

 

[Tom C.]

CMP Garand

My CMP Garand didn't display much accuracy until I had it worked over. Then the original barrel proved to be very accurate. I also got one of the Korean expat Garands. It's barrel was worn out and hopeless. I replaced it with a Barret heavy barrel in .30-06. I also replaced the wood and did the usual accuracy things. Now it looks new and shoots fine. Try the original barrel and see. It is a crap shoot.
I see ads for M-2 ball. Don't remember who at the moment.
The Danish guns are reputed to be good. I have no first hand knowledge.

 

[jem375]

there is a lot of military surplus ammo for the 30-06 Garand......I have 3 different makes of surplus ammo for my 2 garands.....and most of these come loaded in garand clips......

 

[Chipperman]

The Korean and Danish surlpus ammo has been the most prevalent around me. The Korean is beginning to dry up now. Hopefully a huge warehouse somewhere will dump another load of it to the distributors soon.

 

[TCW]

Thanks for the replies!

If I bought a receiver from CMP, what other parts would be needed besides a barrel and stock. Where could I get them?

Again, any barrel or stock recommendations?

Thanks!
TCW

 

[Tom C.]

Receiver only

If you buy the receiver only, not only the barrel and wood, but all the little parts. It would probably be cheaper to get a complete gun and replace barrel and wood as necessary. You may be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the barrels and wood on G.I. guns. To obtain the accuracy the gun is capable of, you will probably have to take it to an expert to work it over in the usual ways, glass bed stock, etc.