Folding stock for M1 Garand?

[MatthewVanitas]

[from www.reesesurplus.com]

Is anyone familiar with the folding stocks for the M1 Garand?

Are these part of the whole experimental M1e5 project, or a development off the BM59? Have any other folding stocks for the Garand been used?

Anyone ever tried one? Comments on stability and quality?

It looks kind of odd, but a CMP Garand with a folding stock still costs a third of what a DSA Para FAL costs.

I assume the AWB doesn't apply, being that the M1 has a fixed magazine, but the whole AWB sunset has me thinking about folding stocks, and I was most surprised to find the above stock for the Garand.

Any info on the topic much appreciated. -MV

 

[natedog]

Those stocks are meant for the Alpine BM-59. I've been told that they fit M-14/M1-As with some fitting, but I'm not sure if they'll work with an M1, as it's meant for use with detachable magazines.

 

[Ian]

I bought one of their Mk IV (pistol-gripped, but not folding) stocks for my tanker M1. Aside from a gap in front of the floorplate (since it was made for a mag-fed rifle) it fits perfectly. I took the metal bits off my regular M1 stock, slapped them onto the BM-59 stock, and put it right in place.

Shipping took about a week, IIRC. The only surprise for me was that it came unfinished, so I had to get some finish oil before using it.

Like natedog said, the folding ones were intended for BM-59s. They should fit on M1s with no problems. Oh - do make sure your M1 has the later-model stamped trigger guard. The earlier milled one (distinguishable by a circular hole at the rear) is too big to fit in front of the pistol grip on these stocks.

The experimental M1 stocks were metal underfolders with no pistol grip (I have a picture on paper, but no scanner...). Unsurprisingly, they didn't survive past the experimental stage. The BM-59s, however, were successful issue rifles for the Italians (and a couple more minor nations that bought them).

Personally, I wouldn't get one of those folders for an M1. I've handled them on BMs at shows, and I think they make lousy cheek welds. If I want to make my M1 smaller for transport, I'll just take to stock off, which hardly takes longer than unfolding a folder anyway. Lastly, I can't see myself ever wanting to shoot it with the stock folded. So, (and considering the ~$180 cost difference) I just bought a pistol-gripped solid stock (it also has a storage compartment like the M1). FWIW, the one I got has the same LOP as a normal M1 stock, but the pistol grip puts makes the LOP seem shorter. Some people who've shot mine have mentioned that it feels too short. I like it, though.

 

[Atlas Shrug]

Ian makes some good points. I have both the BM-59 style folder and the MK IV fixed stocks, both for Garands.

I too was concerned very much about the cheek/stock contact with the folder. Upon shooting it, it was MUCH better than I expected. I even (for now) ditched my idea of putting some kind of tubular foam coating or the like on it to improve this aspect.

Others have noted that the clip release pin can move out (forward) on the BM-59 since the wood is angled here rather than vertical as in the Garand. I need to check into this, but have not had this happen to me yet. I've not fired the guns extensively though, so it may still be an issue. It's not too hard to fix if it is an issue (just add more wood!).

I think that the BM-59 and Garand stocks start as the same. The M14 needs a different one due to:
1. shorter action
2. longer forearm

The photo that MV posts seems to be the M14 variant.

Also see some comments from me and others here:

http://p067.ezboard.com/fmilitaryfirearmrestorationcornerfrm30.showMessage?topicID=225.topic

Since then, I have put a T26 length action in the folder and it does balance better than the full length Garand. True, the folder has some drawbacks and is not for everyone or every occaision, but it does have merit and I like it being one of my selections.

Enjoy and please report back if you try that route, or others.