M1 Garand newbie questions

[wsryno]

CMP came through for me with my first service rifle purchase: M1 Garand HRA service grade, 5,59xxxx serial number series. I've been to the range a few times and have generated a few questions that I hope you can help me with.

For the record: Hand loads 46.5gr IMR4895, WLR primer, commercial 1x fired brass, Sierra Pro Hunter 150gr (flat base). I sighted in at 25 yds using a 4" red circle with center-hold. I shoot several other iron sight rifles and shoot best with center-hold. I know the traditionalists are shaking their heads right now...

(1) No trouble at all zeroing and calibrating the elevation. However, to zero the windage, I centered the windage knob and drifted the front sight. I had to drift it all the way to the right side of the post (see pic). And I still had to move the windage knob 4 clicks to the left to center the shot groups. I would have expected the front sights to be MUCH closer to center line than this. Is this unusual? Am I making some M1 newbie shooting error (head position, sight picture, ??)?

(2) I've considered this rifle for deer hunting from a tree stand, shots usually in the range 75-150 yards, however the safety is VERY LOUD! It's a very positive contact On or Off, but it's SO LOUD going either way that I don't think it will be appropriate for those quiet mornings in the tree stand. Any way to quiet down the safety without compromising safety? I think the Dremel tool is off the table LOL!

After the second time sighting in I went to the 200 yard range and hit the 12" gong with 8 of 8 shots, so I know the rifle is shooting 6MOA but of course I'll get more data on actual accuracy as I get more range time. I ran out of ammo or I would have been trying the smaller gongs for kicks.

As I discussed in a previous post, I'm fairly sure this is the rifle my Dad would have carried during the Battle of the Bulge so it's been a humbling experience for me to learn about this rifle. Now if I could only get my hands on a 1944 or 1945 M1 instead of a mid-1950's version...

 

[HKGuns]

Are you certain you are adjusting each windage adjustment correctly? Sounds like you may be working each end of the rifle against the other. Remember, you move the windage dial in the opposite direction of the error of your group. I wouldn't think you'd have to mess with the front sight post at all on a Garand.

Also, are you loading Garand safe loads? The gas system of the Garand is designed around a specific load and if you just load up your normal 30-06 load you risk damaging the operating rod of your rifle.

Read through this material.....

Sighting in your Garand

 

[Orlando]

Sounds like you are adjusting sights wrong as suppested.
Front sight goes oposite the direction you want shots to hit. Rear sight goes same direction you want shots to go

 

[Welding Rod]

Since I don't use the rear for windage adjustments, and a front sight positioned like yours would drive me insane, I center the front and dial all zeroing windage in on the rear sight.

You likely have a poorly clocked (indexed) barrel, a barrel that isn't too straight, or badly fitting stock, or perhaps a bit of any combination.

To quiet the M1 / M14 safety I don't flick it off. With the muzzle in a safe direction I put my first finger on the front of it and my thumb on the back and ease it forward slowly in a controlled manner.

 

[USSR]

Front sight goes oposite the direction you want shots to hit. Rear sight goes same direction you want shots to go

+1.

Don

 

[TxBobS]

Sounds like he is doing it right. He moved the rear in the opposite direction he moved the front.

The procedure sounds right also. Center the rear sight, drift the front the get to zero. If the front won't go far enough, then you have to turn the windage knob. Being that far off would make me consider verifying my sight picture and then maybe a new barrel if it didn't group well.

 

[wsryno]

Yes these are Garand-safe loads. Yes I am adjusting the sights correctly.

With the front and rear sights both at centerline, POI was 3 inches right. So I drifted the front sight to the right as far as you see it (move front sight in opposite direction of desired POI). The POI was still right, but now only about an inch. So I moved the rear sight off the centerline 4 clicks left (move rear sight in direction of desired POI).

@HK, here's a quote from the link you provided: "...You may, of course, have to put a click or three on the windage if your front sight starts to overhang the sight base. If you find that your front sight is "way too far" over, you may have a bent barrel or other problem..."

TxBobS and Welding Rod may have confirmed my concerns of a bent barrel. I think I need to recruit some help from a Garand Guru at my range and check the indexing and stock fit before considering a replacement barrel.

ON the other hand, if it groups well enough (3MOA?) then I wouldn't need to replace the barrel just because the front sight is way over to the right, right?

 

[plouffedaddy]

Yes; grouping is the barrel/bore/ammo combination and POI is the sights.

 

[USSR]

With the front and rear sights both at centerline, POI was 3 inches right.

POI 3 inches to the right at 25 yards? Personally, I would contact the CMP and see what they can do for you. That just ain't right!

Don

 

[carbine85]

With the front and rear sights both at centerline, POI was 3 inches right. So I drifted the front sight to the right as far as you see it (move front sight in opposite direction of desired POI). The POI was still right, but now only about an inch. So I moved the rear sight off the centerline 4 clicks left (move rear sight in direction of desired POI).

You should move the front sight to the left to move POI to the right. It's the opposite of the rear sight.
It's easy to check for a bent barrel. I don't think it's bent.

 

[USSR]

You should move the front sight to the left to move POI to the right. It's the opposite of the rear sight.

It's shooting to the right, so he wants to move the front sight to the right (as he's done) to move the POI to the left.

Don

 

[wsryno]

POI 3 inches to the right at 25 yards? Personally, I would contact the CMP and see what they can do for you. That just ain't right!

Yes, with front & rear sights at centerline POI was 3 inches right at 25 yards. I know, it seems like a lot. I'll contact CMP and see what they have to say; I'll post their response here. Thanks to all so far!

 

[Orlando]

Does your rifle have a new commercial stock? If so it is not unusual to have to slightly modify them. It is possible that you may need to remove some wood in the barrel channel.
If you remove rear handguard and them install action back in the stock , look to see if the barrel is rubbing on the channel

 

[carbine85]

Quote:
You should move the front sight to the left to move POI to the right. It's the opposite of the rear sight.
It's shooting to the right, so he wants to move the front sight to the right (as he's done) to move the POI to the left.

Don

If you are trying to change the point of impact with the front sight it's moved the opposite of the rear sight.

 

[wsryno]

Quick update: CMP called me back today. They are sending me a prepaid FedEx return label, they assured me they will make it right either by fixing the rifle or replacing it. So far so good from CMP. Will update when it's all done.

 

[cfullgraf]

Good deal. CMP has good customer service.

WWII serial numbered Garands are getting in short supply. While you could request one in a mail order (ask for s/n less than 3.8 million as opposed to "a WWII serial number"), you might be more successful if you can make a run to one of the CMP stores. You can pour through the inventory and pick out one.

A store trip is worth the trip in itself if it is not too costly or can be shared with others.

 

[wsryno]

Anniston AL is 1800 miles round-trip, Port Clinton OH is 1000 miles round-trip. Even in my Prius at 50 MPG and $4.00/gal that's $144 or $80 just in fuel cost. Throw in Subway sandwiches, a few hotel rooms, a thermos of coffee, a 12 pack of Bud (on the conservative side), and pretty soon I'm out $400. Not to mention the time spent in The Dawg Haus when the wife finds out I wasn't really at a church retreat that weekend

 

[2zulu1]

Anniston AL is 1800 miles round-trip, Port Clinton OH is 1000 miles round-trip. Even in my Prius at 50 MPG and $4.00/gal that's $144 or $80 just in fuel cost. Throw in Subway sandwiches, a few hotel rooms, a thermos of coffee, a 12 pack of Bud (on the conservative side), and pretty soon I'm out $400. Not to mention the time spent in The Dawg Haus when the wife finds out I wasn't really at a church retreat that weekend

You could tell your wife you took a wrong turn at the Grand Canyon. Only 1650 miles to Anniston from here and the dog house will fit in the back of the pickup.