Service Grade Garand report

[Mustang51]

A few years back I got a service Grade Garand from the CMP. I haven't shot it much, but last weekend my younger son came up for the weekend and we got a chance for a trip to the range. Took some rifles that I haven't shot much...couple of GI M1 carbines, the SG Garand and a few C&R semi's...a Remington 81 and a Winchester .351 SL.

We had a bit of trouble sighting in the Garand...finally found that the front sight was loose and sliding around on the reverse dovetail.

Here are some pics of the SG Garand...

 

[Mustang51]

After we tightened down the front sight, we shot some of the PPU "Garand -safe" ammo and some Hornady 150 gr CMP "range ammo"



The SG seemed to like the Hornady ammo a little better. My son (who is a better shot than I), shot this 100 yard group with the PPU



I shot this 100 yard group with the Hornady ammo.

 

[Reloadron]

Always a pleasure to shoot those rifles. Assume it shot well once the front sight was tightened? Never mind, caught your second post.


Ron

 

[Mustang51]

Yep..we wasted a fair amount of ammo trying to sight it in. As you can imagine, the windage was all over the place. It finally slip enough that my son noticed it as it was about to fall off the rifle.

Luckily I had a correct size Allen wrench and we made a guess as to the center of the front sight base, and I tightened it up. Shot like a dream after that.

My son really is a better shot than I--he proves that whenever we shoot together at the Vintage Military Rifle Silhouette match. I think his group was bigger because the PPU ammo, while good, wasn't as good as the Hornady.

 

[RT.45]

That's a good looking m1. I love mine, had it out today ringing the steel plate at 200 yards. That might not be a big deal for a lot of shooters but it is to me. Today was the first time I tried to hit that plate. On previous occasions I could barely see the plate because most of the orange paint had been shot off of it. This morning I was checking out the 200 yrd range and saw the square plate had a fresh coat of paint, untouched. Well, now it needs another paint job. He he.

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[Mustang51]

Sounds like you had a lot of fun!

Post some pics of your Garand when you get a chance

 

[tcoz]

If I had to get rid of all but two of my rifles I'd keep the M1 Garand and M1 carbine. They're a blast to shoot and the only ones that I have an emotional attachment to.

 

[aka108]

Some of the service grades shipped a few years ago looked a good as the correct grades. Looks like you got one.

 

[Mustang51]

If I had to get rid of all but two of my rifles I'd keep the M1 Garand and M1 carbine. They're a blast to shoot and the only ones that I have an emotional attachment to.

I probably would do the same...thank God I don't have to make that choice

 

[Mustang51]

Some of the service grades shipped a few years ago looked a good as the correct grades. Looks like you got one.

Thanks, aka!

Funny thing about this one is that it was my first order from CMP. The CMP got back to me and advised that they were out of Service Grades at the time. I figured that I better order something, just in case the CMP was permanently out of SG's, and ordered a Field Grade, while leaving my SG order with CMP. The FG that I got was a nice January, 1944 Springfield model (2.5 mil serial number) with a 1-44 dated SA barrel (proably original) and a bunch of period correct parts. The FG's barrel is in good condition (1+ on the CMP gauge) and it is a good shooter too.

Later, the SG arrived and I was thrilled with it.

 

[RT.45]

here's a couple of pics of my special grade I received on 5/5 of this year.

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[Mustang51]

Here's a couple of pics of my special grade I received on 5/5 of this year

.

Damn .45, that is a fine looking Garand. Did you get it in 30.06 or .308?

 

[Reloadron]

Fine looking rifle there RT, the new walnut combined with the good looking parkerizing makes for a real nice look.

Ron

 

[RT.45]

It's 30.06. The specials come with an unfinished stock. I used the pure tung oil kit from garand gear to finish it.

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[Geno]

Those are among the most beautiful rifles ever designed. In many ways, I like them even more than the M1As. They are a great piece of history. Thanks for the pics!

Geno

 

[Mustang51]

It's 30.06. The specials come with an unfinished stock. I used the pure tung oil kit from garand gear to finish it.

It sure came out looking nice.

I'll have to post some pics of my John C Garand match rifle. I had it made up from a barreled receiver from CMP with a new CMP stock.

 

[Mustang51]

I'm continuing to get to the range and shoot various ammunition in my Garands to nail down the best for each one. This afternoon I got to the range for a few hours to shoot a couple of the Garands and a few Swiss rifles.

I tried some Hornady 168 gr AMAX M1 Garand match ammo and a clip of my handloads in the service grade.

Here is the Hornady match ammo @ 100 yards. The first round hit down at 7 o'clock. I made a sight adjustment and then shot the remaining 7.



I then fired 8 of my handloads...IMR 4064/168 gr Nosler CC. The service grade like it almost as much as the Hornady match ammo.

 

[Hardtarget]

You've got a good looking rifle there! Big, heavy, loud...and fun.

My grandson, (11 yrs old) shot mine two weeks ago. He said that after three shots his shoulder started to notice the recoil. I pointed out he had already shot a dozen rounds with his .270 Win. He just grinned.

Mostly I shoot my reloads through mine. Our club only has 200 yards so I don't know how it (or I) would do with more distance.

Keep taking it to the range. Too much fun to leave it at home!

Mark

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, Mark.

These rifles aree great fun to shoot.

 

[RT.45]

I'm continuing to get to the range and shoot various ammunition in my Garands to nail down the best for each one. This afternoon I got to the range for a few hours to shoot a couple of the Garands and a few Swiss rifles.

I tried some Hornady 168 gr AMAX M1 Garand match ammo and a clip of my handloads in the service grade.

Here is the Hornady match ammo @ 100 yards. The first round hit down at 7 o'clock. I made a sight adjustment and then shot the remaining 7.



I then fired 8 of my handloads...IMR 4064/168 gr Nosler CC. The service grade like it almost as much as the Hornady match ammo.

Have you shot any of the Greek ammo from the cmp ? If so how does it compare to other ammo you've shot ?

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[Mustang51]

Have you shot any of the Greek ammo from the cmp ? If so how does it compare to other ammo you've shot ?

I haven't yet. I've got some HXP and some LC ammo and intend to shoot it next time I go to the range. I'll post an update when I have.