Optical sights on M-1 Garand

[elktrout]

I am wanting a garand pretty badly, but due to an old eye injury in my right eye, I don't shoot iron sights very well. Are there any other sight options that can be fit to the Garand, such as the various red dot sights? If so, do they hold up to the slamming of the action? Thanks.

 

[sharkhunter2018]

There are plenty of optics that would hold up to the M1. Aimpoint would be a good choice. How much you lookin' to spend though?

As far as mounts, your options are limited. M1D and M1C mounts and scopes are not cheap and don't see them very often. IIRC, someone makes a scout rail but I can't remember who makes it.

 

[Ian]

There's a scout rail made by AmegaRanges, and it's excellent. Definitely the way to go for mounting either extended eye relief scopes or red dot type optics on an M1.

 

[Buckskinner]

good thread here:

with pics, even..
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=255192

 

[TIMC]

One of the B-Square mounts would probably be perfect for you. I had one on my Garand for a while, it is off-set to the left and actually easier to look through with your left eye when shouldered right handed. The mount is very solid and no drilling or other permenate modifications to the gun required.
This is the best pic I have of when it had the scope on it.

 

[dmazur]

Here's a rather poor picture of an M1 Garand with a forward scout mount and an Eotech sight.

The Eotech can't be hurt by Garand recoil. I'm not sure driving over it would hurt it. I've heard the same thing about the Aimpoints, but some of the inexpensive red dots are not as well made. (It is hard to drop $300 on a red-dot... )



I found that a cheek weld isn't necessary with the Eotech, as it is a true holographic sight. If I rest my chin on the stock, I get good accuracy with the higher sight line.

The Amega Range scout mount doesn't alter the Garand...it can be restored to original condition just by replacing the original rear handguard. One thing to note, you may need a special tool ($15) to take off the rear handguard without breaking it.

 

[Tom609]

Have you tried shooting LH? A retina problem forced me to change too.

 

[elktrout]

Thanks guys for the info. It gives me enough info to start my search for a sight arrangement that will work for me.

 

[amprecon]

Here's my recent Garand setup using an Aimpoint 2X 1moa CompC3 on the forward scout mount. It's worked out pretty well so far.

 

[krs]

I have the B-Square mount cited by TIMC above and agree that it's a solid way to put on a scope.

It requires that the rear sight be removed because it uses the sight base and ears.
It gives a Weaver/picatinny rail to mount any optic but it is set off tp the left to allow normal en bloc loading.

Fulton Armory carries both this and a 'scout' top guard type for Garands.

 

[elktrout]

Amprecon,
Can you still use the iron sights with the set up you have on yours?

 

[amprecon]

Negative, but with 50,000 hour battery life, I don't anticipate the Aimpoint failing. However, if it were to fail I can quickly remove the red dot and the irons would be available for use in mere seconds. The irons are visible through the notch cut-out in the forward scout mount when the optic is removed.

 

[MechAg94]

I tried the scout mount. It gets pretty hot after a number of rounds. Make sure your optics can handle that. My EOTech sits right down on the rail and it got warmer than I thought it should. An AIMpoint sits up in rings and may not get as hot.

 

[elktrout]

On an unrelated note, what ammo do you guys use in your Garands? I downloaded a copy of the Springfield Armory owners manual on the Garand, and they basically don't recommend anything but military ammo. As I understand, military ammo is nearly extinct for the 30-06. Do you use any commercially loaded other types?

 

[amprecon]

I have a bunch of milsurp I bought awhile back.

 

[dmazur]

Hornady has just come out with a special Garand load that is supposed to duplicate mil-spec ammo. However, it is priced around $2/round.

You can get an adjustable "gas nut" and set it up correctly for commercial ammo (150 gr) OR reload to mil-spec using recommended powders and bullet weights.

AFAIK, there is no safe commercial ammo, except that which says it has been specifically designed for the Garand (like the Hornady.)

I believe CMP still has Greek HXP for sale. You have to meet the requirements for a CMP sale, and there is a considerable backlog in orders. But it isn't "extinct", yet...

 

[lead-inspector]

B-Square

+1 on TIMC I installed a B-Square on my rifle. I used a Black & Decker Workmate to hold the rifle while I used a small mirror to look through the bore at a porch light aprox. 100 yards away. Then I aligned the cross hairs on the light. On the paper first shot.

Steve

 

[bistrisokol]

Is there a short 1x dot scope and mount that can be mounted in the rear sight mount?

Short enough to fit between the back of the enbloc and the shooter with a few inches to spare. Could bolt in the hole for the windage spline.

 

[Ian]

If you have some machining skills and tools, a Burris Fastfire could probably replace the rear sight pretty well, and is definitely small enough to not get in the way of loading and ejecting.

On an unrelated note, what ammo do you guys use in your Garands?

I expect most folks have Garands in .30-06, but mine is in .308 and eats standard M80 surplus ball. Cheaper than -06 back when I got it...