Which one to shoot?

[Marty B]

O.K. I have two Garands and I need to pick one of them to shoot. One is a pretty much mint 1945 Springfield (RRAD) (Probably unfired since rearsenaled)but not all correct parts with a relieved op-rod. The other is an all correct 2-1944 Springfield (barell is 2-1944 also) with a non relieved op-rod but it is not in as good of shape as the first. So, if you had to pick one to shoot which one would you shoot?


One more quick qeustion-- I loaded 44 grains of AA2520 with a 175 grain FMJBT bullet at about 3.33" OAL. Does that sound like an acceptable load for the garand?
Thanks in advance,
Marty

 

[P5 Guy]

Non relieved op-rods are of some value to collecters that want to make a 'correct M1' and are not the best for shooting. The gas pressure curve is critical in the operation of the M1. I'm not familiar with that powder, but if the pressure curve is wrong it will stress the non-relief cut op-rod and possibly break it. You'll lose money and probable your boyish good looks too.
P5

 

[Marty B]

Thanks P5.
I got the load info from the ballistician(sp?) at accurate powder and their website said the 2520 was good for the garand, I was just checking to see if anyone had used it. Yea, I had heard the op-rod might be worth something and I checked all the numbers on that garand and they were all just what they were supposed to be. Don't know if that makes it worth much more but it should make a difference.
Thanks
Marty

 

[P5 Guy]

2-44 all correct?

Does the stock have an insecters mark on the left side high on the wrist? is there a proof 'P' on the underside of the pistolgrip? Does it have lockbar sites? And a milled trigger guard?
To a collecter condition and originalty count. Most M1s were rebuilt after
WW2 and the parts got mixed up pretty good.

 

[buttrap]

the main idea is what one shoots better? you can swap rods or get a spare for shooting too. Thats a bit like I have 2 1965 mustangs...one has the ford carb and the other has the ford holly carb....what one should I race...the one that goes faster.

 

[Marty B]

P5,
On the left side of the stock just under the rear of the action there is a square with SA on top and NFR under that. Beside that is a cartouche that looks like two rifles crossed. There is a P in a circle on the underside of the pistol grip. these markings are light but are definatly there. It does have lockbar sights. How do I tell if the trigger guard is milled? Are you talking about the milled hook in the front of the trigger guard? If so then yes. I compared all the parts to the information on battlerifles0.tripod.com and everything I could find matched. If you have any more info for me I would appreciate it.
Thank you,
Marty