Springfield M-1A1 with GI fiberglass stock

[trackskippy]

Times and technology are the downfalls of everything. Time moves on, and things get better.

At the start of things, the M1 was an edge, towards the end, the Germans knew what was what with the STG/MP44 and things moved ahead.

I grew up learning to shoot from people who were issued the M1 and fought with it, as well as the M14, and M16, some of them fought with all three. All of them liked the M1, and M14, but to a one, all of them had an AR in the house up until they died, as the gun they would grab should it be needed. Theres a reason for that.

 

[AlexanderA]

The German squad was built around the MG34 or MG42, and most of the soldiers were ammo bearers for it. So it didn't matter if they were armed with bolt action rifles. The U.S. doctrine was more individual riflemen. The Garand fit well with this doctrine, but that doesn't mean it was superior to the German armament.

 

[22250Rem]

To address the O.P's question, I'm another one who's been using a fiberglass G.I. stock for years with no problems. Always thought about making my own plug, but never got around to it. It would just be an appearance thing with no real effect on the bedding, IMHO. Got so accustomed to seeing mine this way that I'm just gonna leave it as is. . Still have a spare G.I. fiberglass stock up in the rafters that I was planning on using but now that I've moved on from that idea, if anyone needs one let me know. I'm still downsizing everything in my retirement.

 

[Charlie98]

Those are fake selector kits. Those fill the hole in the stock, and although legal, they could draw unwanted attention from LE.

Yes and no. There was also someone over there selling selector lock (button) dummy kits... I have one, for my Fred's walnut stock I need to refinish. I do have the UberTacticool vented handguard to go on after it's done.

My Socom16 came in what I believe to be the last of the USGI fiberglass stocks... they soon changed to the lighter (and not as rigid) SAI stock. Mine had the selector notch filled, as it came out of the box.

As was mentioned, nothing to worry about leaving it open. Having the action locked back is another story...

I was shooting at an indoor range a few years ago... fired a string with the Socom, and then set it aside, action locked back, while I was shooting something else. Guy next lane over was shooting a 5.7mm of some sort. How do I know? Because one of his cases ejected and actually went down inside the gap between the barrel and forearm (created when the op rod is locked back...) I fired one more string with it and noted it didn't quite feel 'right.' Getting home, the rattle alerted me something wasn't right...