Thanksgiving Garand from the CMP

[Gendaito]

I finallly ordered a M1 Garand from the CMP earlier this month. Sent it in Nov 1, expecting to wait 90-120 days for a service grade rifle. Two weeks later, got an email confirming my order, and a big cardboard box arrived on Tuesday.

Serial no. 3221424 so the receiver is definitely WWII-vintage. Haven't been able to do a complete disassembly yet, but it looks pretty nice. The stock is in decent shape, but is probably not original as it has the DOD eagle cartouche. I suspect it will be pretty mismatched as far as the parts go, but that's fine with me. Also, the front handguard is a little loose but I've been told that it's normal, is that true?

Hopefully I'll be able to head out this weekend to try it out!

 

[30Cal]

Wow! That's nice!

 

[M110]

Very nice indeed.

 

[articdog]

Congratulations! The M1 Garand you have looks nice. Besides a generous amount of cosmoline, these rifles have seen history and practically speak to you about past travels. Its great you have a WWII vintage. Every veteran I've talked to still speaks affectionately of his rifle. Good luck at the range.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Gendaito, nice looking rifle. the front handguard on my CMP Garand is loose as well. I don't know if this is due to repeated re-arsenalings or if M1s are simply made that way. If anyone more knowlegable would chime in on the subject, it would be great.

-jagd

 

[alamo]

My handguard is loose as well and I've heard that is pretty typical.

 

[lionking]

awesome!You will enjoy it completely trust me.

 

[doughboy]

Adding my congratulations! I got one and its been great.

 

[Mr White]

Welcome to Club Garand. Enjoy your stay.

Looks like you got a nice gun. From what I 've been hearing, the furniture coming out of the CMP these days is a crapshoot. Looks like yours was pretty good.

 

[Swampy]

gendaito,

Nice one..... enjoy.

Gendaito, nice looking rifle. the front handguard on my CMP Garand is loose as well. I don't know if this is due to repeated re-arsenalings or if M1s are simply made that way. If anyone more knowlegable would chime in on the subject, it would be great.

The front HG is designed to be loose. Don't try to "fix" it or you will experience problems with stringing as the rifle heats up and, if the HG is tightened down, the wood may crack.

Best to all,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[El Tejon]

Take that, Nancy! Another firearm in the hands of us serfs!

 

[Mr White]

Take that, Nancy! Another firearm in the hands of us serfs!

Courtesy of the United States Government, to boot!

 

[Gendaito]

mix and match parts

After some disassembly, I had a chance to take a look at some of the parts on this Garand. Receiver is Springfield Armory from late 1944, the barrel is from 1946. The bolt seems to be from 1942 according to the drawing number, and the trigger housing is an International Harvester. Not a huge amount of collector value on this Service Grade rifle, so I guess this one will be a shooter after all. I guess I'd rather have that then a safe queen.

 

[BoySetsTheFire]

The front handguard is that way by specific design. Has to do with barrel heating and accuracy. See below:

Sir, you are correct about the slight looseness of the front hand guard being an intended condition, but you only need/want a little front to rear movement with minimal rotational movement. The best way (not JCG match legal) is to increase the inside chamfer on the back of the gas cyl lock, this will allow you to get another rotation on the lock and thus reduce the gap/slop.
THANKS!
John Mclean-Armorer
CMP South Armorers
Civilian Marksmanship Program

 

[yodar]

GRAND GARAND

Your wife let you lay the Garand on the Carpet! ???

(Does she have an older sister?)

Good job!

Yodar

 

[Dr. Dickie]

Outstanding job Gendaito! Fine looking rifle.
Every home in America should have at least one Garand.