Shuffs Mini-G garand?

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swampcrawler

swampcrawler

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So I just noticed this thing last night. IV been on a quest for a general purpose (hog and deer hunting, defense if needed over the first choices of handgun and shotgun) rifle for quite some time now. The commonly accepted answers to this role for some reason I just don't care for.. The AR 15 and 10, various AKs, sks, ruger gsr, mossberg mvp, ect all have some aspect that, intellectually justifiably or (usually) not, turn me away.

But this thing, I think, may satisfy both my realistic needs and my tendency toward "old school cool". Basically just a tanker garand, it weighs in at 7.5 lbs which is nice. As far as I know the builder is very reputable. It seems like the perfect balance of fire power, portability and uniqueness for me personally. Just wondering what you folks think about it.

Screenshot_2014-10-17-09-13-08.jpg

And a pretty cool video

Shuff's Parkerizing Mini-G Promo: http://youtu.be/XlYJacucucQ
 
While I don't have a Mini-G, I do have something very similar - a Beretta BM62. The difference in handling between my 62 and a Garand is amazing. And while my 62 has a magazine, I'd probably much prefer the simpler Garand En-Bloc clips for my uses. I think a Mini-G would be an excellent hunting rifle, although I would probably pay the extra $200 to have it chambered in 308.
 
I want to get another Garand and send it to Shuff's for a .35 Whelen barrel. I've been thinking about it for years. Maybe I'll do it someday.
 
Hrm.... I'm thinking a Mini-G, if it could be done in .358Win, loaded with some heavy bullets, would make of heck of a thumping woods round if one were in bear/moose type country.

The heavier bullets could make up for the velocity loss one would experience shooting battle rifle rounds in a short barrel.
 
I want to get another Garand and send it to Shuff's for a .35 Whelen barrel. I've been thinking about it for years. Maybe I'll do it someday.
Click to expand...
If I had more money laying around - plus a spare Garand - I'd be more inclined to go with a .375 Whelen . . . supposedly that's as large a bullet as you can modify a .30/06 case for and still reliably achieve good headspace on the shoulder. And it should still take standard en-bloc clips. Since it's on the parent case, conversion should be much simpler than (for example) the .458 conversions that McCann used to do.
 
Just to clarify, Shuff's Mini-G conversion runs a 16.1" barrel, for which he offers 2 or 3 muzzle brake options. For the conversion, you can retain your 30.06 barrel or he can install a new .308 Criterion tube for $200 on top of the total cost.

The M1 "Tanker," as originally envisioned, sported an 18" barrel in 30.06 with no comp or muzzle brake. Later, various commercial versions called "Tankers" or "M1 Tankers," such as those marketed by Arlington Ord., came with 18" tubes in either .308 or 30.06.
Although some sellers of commercial Tanker builds used re-welded receivers, not all of them did, and many of these run fine, with and without MBs, provided the op rod spring gets changed out every 500-rds or so. These shortys need more watching and care, but if cared for they do shoot & run well.

Below is a pic of my old A.O Tanker in 7.62. It serves as my "trunk gun" ... for whatever.
Runs 100%, is surprisingly accurate with a variety of commercial .308 & mil-surplus 7.62 ball, and is legal in 50 states.
The MB is Schuster's latest version for M1s; stock pack is from Olongapo thru Brownell's.
Due the math: with a clip loaded and 2 in the pack, you've got 24-rds of 7.62 "on the gun." ;)

Tanker-2.jpg

Schuff's Mini-G uses a Wolff's XP "Tanker" op rod spring on a modified follower rod. Due to the 16.1" barrel, he reduces the length of stock op rod significantly and then bends it precisely to get smooth reciprocation on the shorter set-up. I have yet to see a bad review of the Mini-G from one of his customers.

FWIW, Fulton Armory makes a traditional 18" Tanker (sold sans MB), and having handled one at Camp Perry during the NMs in July, I can tell you it was sweet to shoulder, pointed very well, and the new wood looked great.

Hope this helps. :cool:
 
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Thanks for all the info guys. The pics settled it for me.

So now, 30-06 or 308? I don't know how efficient the 06 will be from a 16 inch tube.
 
Get you a BM59 from Schuff; it's more, betterer.

Here' my attempt at a conversion (his are obviously much nicer than I can do ;))

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One thing to keep in mind with the mini-Garands; they are still 308/30-06 with a steel butt, but are lighter than original. I'd highly recommend scabbing on a BM59 muzzle break (or modern tacticool equivalent) while they're still around; very effective devices. Recoil on mine, with that horrible little sheet metal pad, but maybe a little bit more harsh than my AR70 in 223. Ear-pro and eye-pro (for the 3ft flame out the sides) is highly recommended, though.

TCB
 
Barnbwt, yea I was kind of expecting firing it to be something akin to this.

Screenshot_2014-10-18-02-41-43.jpg

But other than that it should be amusing... I can't imagine that stock of yours being in any way pleasant to shoot! Should make for an easy to transport package though. I'm very excited about this. I just need to find a doner rifle for a decent price.
 
Here's my "Tanker" built by http://www.dgrguns.com/ - it's in 7.62 NATO. (Less muzzle blast than in .30/06)

When I got my CMP rifles, brochures from DGR were included; that sort of endorsement - as unofficial as it may be - speaks to the quality of Dean's work.
 

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swampcrawler said:
Thanks for all the info guys. The pics settled it for me.

So now, 30-06 or 308? I don't know how efficient the 06 will be from a 16 inch tube.
Click to expand...
Go with whatever you want / have invested into the cartridge.

I went with 30-06 on mine ... works great.
For $575 and shipping Shuff makes one awesome product.


Garands_zps342f258b.jpg
 
You are getting the Mini -G for a brush rifle anyway ,right? At those distances you will notice no difference in accuracy with the shortened barrel.
 
Although I am "of an age" to appreciate such things, and have fired a friend's Garand before, I've never been tempted to look into buying a CMP Garand.

Until now.

Dang, that is just beautiful. That conversion addresses my only real sticking point with the Garand--its overall length, which always seems and looks ungainly...handles like a 12' knight's lance.

That shortened barrel and handguard looks...just right. Bet it handles beautifully.

I think I want one, and I hope I haven't waited too long to get a CMP Garand. Going to check on that right now.

Thanks again for posting.
 
I am definitely an M-1 Rifle guy. Have had several over the years. A couple of years ago, I saved up the money for a Mini-G conversion and went down to the South store to pick out a donor rifle. About a month before I sent it off, I lost my job. Two years later, getting back on my feet, my next bonus check will probably get it done! I want mine in .308 with the scout scope mount. I want it for much the same reason the OP wants one. Plus, to me a Mini-G is old school cool.
 
As far as stock fit and finish goes, I know Dean at DGR takes extra special care to fit your stock to your rifle for maximum accuracy. I have held a DGR reworked gun and the stock fit to metal will make your eyes pop out of their sockets.

I have also handled a Schuff's Tanker and I think they look and handle a bit better than the 18".

Whatever you go with, please post up pics..

We live for pics around here.
 
Oh trust me, there will be pics. I'm currently working a 2 month job in the Peoples Republic of Soviet California, but upon returning to my wonderfully pro-gun home state I'll start digging for a garand to send his way.

Speaking of that, I suppose the best way to get a garand is through the CMP? Gun broker prices on them are nuts.
 
Sold out as in the rifles he has on hand. He will still do any conversion as long as you send in your rifle
 
Yes, sold out on the Mini-Gs that Tim builds up from his barreled receivers; however, he still takes "conversion" work on a customer-supplied M1, and from there you just work out the specs with him.
 
Since we've touched on the subject of 'smiths who build M1 "Tankers," it's worth noting that some years back Roland Beavers of Old Corp Weaponry built a number of theses shortys, although he specialized in building Nat'l Match M1s for service rifle competitions. Maybe he or his shop still offer them?
 
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