New vs. Old Production Garands- How to tell the difference?

[Avenger29]

Can anyone tell me how to tell the difference between a new Springfield Armory Inc. Garand and an old production Springfield Armory Garand? This particular example is in .308, and I don't know if new prod. Garands in .308 were built with a shorter reciever or standard length. I can always have it rebarraled to .30-06 later if it is an old production Garand if I want to, but I don't know if this is one is new or old. I don't have the serial number, either. Can anyone help?

 

[GRIZ22]

Old production will say Springfield Armory not Springfield Armory Inc. All Garands are built with the same receiver length even the ones the Navy put together. The only mods required are barrel, different size gas port, and a spacer in the magazine well. Reversal of these three items is all that's required to make it 30-06 The spacer is not required for functioning but prevents someone from trying to load a clip of 30-06. Ammunition for a 30-06 Garand must be within pressure specs of military M2 Ball. 308 Garands should be used with NATO spec ammo or equivalent. Standard 30-06 or 308 can damage your rifle. If you get an adjustable gas plug you can shoot anything. I just stay with MILSPEC or equivalent handloads.

I wouldn't worry about rebarrelling to 30-06. You're giving up 100 fps in the 150 grain bullet (see above regarding ammunition) and 7.62 NATO surplus is a lot easier to find for less.

 

[Avenger29]

Thanks for the info- I know about the mods to convert it between .30-06 and .308/7.62x51. Just wanted to know about the reciever and manufacter. Thanks for the help, that answers it perfectly- unless anyone has info to the contrary...

 

[30Cal]

USGI M1 production ran to a little past 6million.

Springfield Armory Inc (no relation to the USGI federal arsenal) serial numbers start at 7million.

 

[Mr White]

Nevermind. I posted exactly what 30Cal posted w/o reading his post first.