New Garand or Old Garand?

[kBob]

Ummm, If we are talking about the Korean War and Inchon then nobody was carrying a .308 Navy Garand as they had not happened yet. Might have been a Navy Garand but it was .30-06. Sorry if I misunderstood and there was another combat action involving Inchon a few years after the Korean war I am unaware of.

-kBob

 

[Powder296]

get an original in aught6. Do some research and look at a few before you decide. It's not hard to find an original in very good condition. My current one is a '45 receiver and barrel, it's tight. Gas block is tight. I traded a '43 with a '54 barrel that the rifling didn't go all the way to the muzzle on, also had a lose gas block. Personally, I think your better off with .30-06 in the M1. The .308 is great if you want a shorter action, but all the Garands are built with long actions, and it won't take strong reloads unless you want to buy op rods.

If you really want spen too much on one and want one that looks brand new, check Fulton Armory. They build "new" M1s on original receivers

 

[theotherwaldo]

-I never said that Dad always told the absolute truth... .

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

They stopped wit hthe chamber inserts fairly early on, and went with correctly-chambered barrels. USN used 7.62 Garands for most of a decade.

See, I had it backwards. Thanks Cap!
What, if anything, did the Navy do to prevent op-rod damage? Or was the GI 7.62 load mild enough that it wasn't an issue?

 

[Merle1]

Problem was, those used chamber inserts and they were known for all manner of horrible failures. Would be a valuable collectible, but definitely not a shooter.
But yes, shooting a Garand is as American as a warm apple pie.
You know, like, uh, eating it, and stuff.....

Only the earliest ones used inserts - later they were re-barrelled with a proper 7.62 NATO barrel.

 

[Merle1]

I'd prefer .30-06.
I've got some emotional baggage about Garands in general and .308 Garands in particular. Dad used to tell me about losing most of his gear in a training accident off Okinawa and "requisitioning" an old Navy Garand in .308 to carry ashore at Inchon as a Marine forward observer attached to an Army unit - and how many times that old rifle saved his neck.
Problem is, I loved my Dad but I didn't like him very much - and every time I think of Garands I think of him.
Consider this purchase to be a form of therapy.

HMMM, I didn't think they were reworked that early.....

 

[boom boom]

At the quoted price, the new receiver Springfield is close to fully priced. An original Garand will appreciate more in price over time while the other is basically a pretty shooting parts rifle which will be valued as a shooter and for the sum of its parts.

 

[bbqreloader]

I would be very interested in the release of those. But indecisive between the Garand and the carbine. Both interest me..

 

[Panzerschwein]

IMHO the post war M1s that were more or less built and thrown in a warehouse are the best.

Still old enough to be cool, but not have the collector's value of the WW2 era guns, and in awesome/like new shape to make a totally good shooter.

 

[hps1]

I've owned two original Garands and one match grade 308 built by an Army armorer on a SAI receiver. Never had any issues with the original 30-06 and the only problem I had with the 308 was that the armorer told me the magazine block was not necessary.....and he was correct......until the op-rod spring weakened sufficiently to reduce follower arm tension and began having failure to feed on last round out of clip. Then 7th round began jamming. Turns our the last two cartridges in the clip were sliding forward in the magazine well during recoil and allowing bolt to get a running start before contacting cartridge base. When it finally "batted" a round completely over top of rifle, I finally figured out what was going on. More often, the bullet would strike butt end of barrel too high to enter chamber wedging the round. Put in new op-rod spring and all was good again.

Having said that, I prefer the original issued rifles.

Regards,
hps

 

[Danoobie]

As a shooter, I'm getting a little burnt out on these worn out bores with a little history attached to them.
Love 30.06, really like the Garand platform, but it's time to see what one fresh out of the box can do.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Go with an original.

 

[dh1633pm]

I have one of those hated SA receiver Garands. The receiver actually says "lithgow" on the bottom. Its fit and function are excellent. Never a misfire or failure to feed. I have shot case loads of ammo out the thing. Its nice. I didn't buy it to have a collectors item. I got it to shoot. Meaning history aside, its a great shooter. I wanted one that if it tipped over, I wouldn't have to cry and get embarrassed in front of my shooting friends.

Now for the history. There is just something about an original that you can't beat with a stick. I got one of those too. I don't shoot that one, although I have.

 

[Reloadron]

Then, yesterday, I walked into my favorite LGS. They had an absolutely pristine 1990s Garand in .308 for about twice as much as a rack-grade mixmaster.

Which way should I jump?

Which way you jump is entirely up to you. Me? Personally I would choose an original GI flavor but that being just me. I suggest you begin doing some reading on the rifle and its history and asking yourself what you want the rifle for and how you intend to use the rifle. Answering those questions you can make a better well informed decision as to which flavor rifle you would like.

While I do not have a .308 Winchester Garand I do have one I chambered in 7mm - 08 Remington. I also have a brand new 20 year old .308 Winchester barrel laying around. If I come across a beater receiver I have enough parts to build another rifle.

Anyway, only you can decide what you want for your own use. Just decide based on some good research and asking questions. Enjoy whatever you choose. They are a great rifle.

Ron

 

[Merle1]

Which way you jump is entirely up to you. Me? Personally I would choose an original GI flavor but that being just me. I suggest you begin doing some reading on the rifle and its history and asking yourself what you want the rifle for and how you intend to use the rifle. Answering those questions you can make a better well informed decision as to which flavor rifle you would like.

While I do not have a .308 Winchester Garand I do have one I chambered in 7mm - 08 Remington. I also have a brand new 20 year old .308 Winchester barrel laying around. If I come across a beater receiver I have enough parts to build another rifle.

Anyway, only you can decide what you want for your own use. Just decide based on some good research and asking questions. Enjoy whatever you choose. They are a great rifle.

Ron

good advice here!

 

[P5 Guy]

Search the old threads for commercial made M1 Garands.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/how-good-are-the-new-springfield-garands.141730/

 

[someguy2800]

I would get an original from the CMP and have them put a 308 barrel on it. I will be buying a special grade 30-06 when they come back in stock.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The only thing connecting the original Springfield Armory and the current Springfield Armory Inc. is the name Springfield. If you want to compete in matches you will need an original M1, not a copy under current rules from what I know.

As for the "mixed match parts" statement, when it comes to original armory rifles that Is 100% acceptable and not a minus. CMP goes over every single gun and repairs anything that is broken or out of spec. I only suggest you buy a "Rifle Service Pack" spring kit from Wolff Gunspring because sometimes the springs are weak. You are going to love shooting the M1.
https://www.gunsprings.com/GARAND/M1 (US) .30/cID2/mID88/dID111

 

[GBExpat]

Which way should I jump?

Good God, man, have you no soul? Milsurp Garand!

 

[DavidABQ]

When you shoot an original M1, not only do you feel more American as was previously pointed out but women will flock to you. Shooting M1 Garands make anyone look studly.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Well.
42 votes for the veteran, 2 for the noob.
And I agree with the majority in this case.
Coincidentally, my membership card for the Garand Collectors Association came in today... .

 

[Garandimal]

USGI Service Grade U.S. RIFLE CAL. .30 M1 from the CMP.

Yes, unless you are Extremely lucky/unlucky, it is worth every penny of the additional cost.

If you desire .308? Go w/ a Special Service Grade.




GR

 

[Garandimal]

As a shooter, I'm getting a little burnt out on these worn out bores with a little history attached to them.
Love 30.06, really like the Garand platform, but it's time to see what one fresh out of the box can do.

Got an armload of Service Grades from the CMP w/ < 0.75 ME and < 1.50 TE.




GR

 

[GBExpat]

Yeah, years ago I had 15 CMP M1s before I could rein in the impulse to buy more ... still have them.

 

[CapnMac]

What, if anything, did the Navy do to prevent op-rod damage? Or was the GI 7.62 load mild enough that it wasn't an issue?

Never heard of op rod issues, and bunches of these were recruit trainers.
Now, if I had to guess, I'd bet the 7.62nato barrels had a more favorable external contour (recall that the cal..276 Garands had no bend in their op rods at all--the bend was necessitated by the larger contour needed for M2 ball).