My uncle's M1

[ThreadKiller]

I called my uncle tonight to wish him a Merry Christmas. (Yes, that's right, I said Merry Christmas!)

Years ago, he was a member of the South Dakota National Guard and they shot M1 Garands at the time. He told me one day they were on the range and his was the last squad out. No one had hit the 500 yard silhouette all day long. His company commander took him aside and told him, "I want you to hit that target." He did. 8 out of 8 times. He says he can still remember the SN of that weapon.

So the other day he got a chance to pick up an M1, so he did. It was built by IHC, with whom he was employed for many, many years before they shut down.

He says the old IHC brings back many warm memories for him.

I believe it does.

Tim

Merry Christmas to all!

 

[jefnvk]

Sounds like he did something good for himself.

I've always wanted to pick up an M1 Carbine made at the Saginaw Steering Gear plant. My grandfather and many family members worked there, and it is only about 20 mi from where I live.

 

[Art Eatman]

Yeah, symbols and memories. I feel pretty lucky to have the Carbine my father carried in WW II in France/Germany...

Art

 

[ScottsGT]

Wow Art, The ACTUAL carbine he carried!? That's a real treat. I always hear of .45's staying with the original GI it was issued to, but never a long gun. Too hard to sneak into a lunch box or under a coat!

 

[ACP230]

We had IHC M1s in JROTC in High School.
I'd like to pick one up, but they seem to be scarce and expensive these days.

 

[George S.]

IHC Garands are getting hard to find but you can still get a nice Springfield M1 from the CMP for a good price. My April 41 SA is a great shooter and a real piece of Amercian militart history.

 

[Dienekes]

ACP 230, you could probably get an IHC from the CMP if you asked nicely--whichever grade you opt for. Every time I ordered one after the first one I specifically asked if I could get an IHC, Winchester, or H&R, and darned if they didn't grant my wish each time.

I am getting ready to do my own barrel change for the first time. Half the fun of owning a Garand is the education you get.

 

[Swampy]

dienekes wrote:

ACP 230, you could probably get an IHC from the CMP if you asked nicely--whichever grade you opt for. Every time I ordered one after the first one I specifically asked if I could get an IHC, Winchester, or H&R, and darned if they didn't grant my wish each time.

Must have been a while since you last ordered from the CMP there dude...

For the last 3 years the CMP has been selling M1 rifles based on manufacturer. Each maker has it's own stock number and pricing.

Unfortunately... the rarer varieties like IHC and Winny sell out quick. CMP is not at present taking orders for either IHC or Winny. When they accumulate a small stock of one or the other they will announce it on their website that they are opening up the order list for that makers rifles. It's a madhouse as guys flood the place with orders.... until CMP comes back and says "NO MORE"... All the ones we had are gone and we have "XXX" more orders than rifles. The backorder list is again closed (no NEW orders accepted... returned to customer) until they find enough IHC's or Winny's to fill the backorders and build up another small stock..

The way it's been running IHC's & Winnies get put up for sale approx. once every 9-12 months. If you don't get your order mailed off within 2-3 weeks of the announcement you miss the boat and have to wait till the next time.

At present however.... the CMP does have a small stock of refinished barreled recievers in Service Grade. All makers are available. This was just announced last week. If you have access to a parts kit and want to build up an M1 on a Winny or IHC receiver.. now's the time to get your order in. The IHC's & Winny's won't be there for long you can bet.

Swampy

Garands forever

 

[Art Eatman]

Didn't have all the gun-phobia at the end of WW II. All that was needed was the sign-off from the commanding officer. Pistols, rifles, shotguns--all were legal.

Some guys managed to sneak disassembled full-auto stuff back. Schmeissers and suchlike.

Whatever would be unobtrusive in a duffel bag...

Art

 

[Dienekes]

Swampy--Yeah, I completed my "set" of M1 manufacturers about 4 years ago. After those I got one for my father under the WWII provisions and a minus wood one. and a Greek would be a good project for a 7.62 conversion...

If I've learned one thing it's that most of these opportunities only come around once, and you either jump on them then or watch them leave the station.

OTOH, I remember all too well when the old DCM made getting an M1 a paper obstacle course, allowed you only one a lifetime, and you waited a lot of months to get it. So these may turn out to be the "good old days" the next generation missed.

 

[Mike Hull]

ScottsGT; Wow Art, The ACTUAL carbine he carried!? That's a real treat. I always hear of .45's staying with the original GI it was issued to, but never a long gun. Too hard to sneak into a lunch box or under a coat!

Another reason is, they gave officers the option of buying their issue rifle/pistol at the end of the war, upon discharge. It was a very low price even by todays standards.