M1 accuracy improvements?

[Z71]

I really can't say that my M1 shoots bad. Honestly seems to be decently accurate.

I do know that it has a few minor issues that could effect accuracy. Such as the fact that my frontsight/gas-chamber has a touch of wiggle to it, a bit loose in the splines. The barrel crown has a pretty good dink that, while it isn't involved with the end of the rifling, is a bad enough woo-woo the damaged ought to be fixed. Then too, my buttstock doesn't clamp up very tight. Does have some clamp pressure, but nothing like my M1A or my Polytech M14 rifles.

I think the barrel crown will clean up easily enough. Probably not too hard to peen the barrel splines just a touch to take the slack out of the front sight. A bit of online research leads me to believe a new trigger guard may snug up my stock fit.

Not that the rifle shoots bad or anything. I just see some room for improvement. Does anybody have any useful info or links that might help me in my modest accurizing endeavors?

Thanx, Stevie.

 

[30Cal]

http://web.archive.org/web/20030705071825/http://www.jouster.com/lanestips/

 

[GunDoctor]

The issue with the crown needs to be worked out. That is a big chunck of it. The front sight may be able to be fixed. You could even replace if it is too much of an issue.

 

[Vaarok]

Counterbore!

 

[Z71]

EEEK!!! No need for a counterbore!

Don't even use that language in front of my Garand!

 

[10X]

Peen the splines to stop the wiggle. That wiggle can throw you off inches at 100 yards.

By far, the best improvement for accuracy is to glass bed the action and trigger group. This can cut group size in half and keep the rifle consistent.
A new trigger guard is not likely to make any difference is the stock wood is compressed. Fiber glass will make a big difference.

Good handloads with match bullets such as Sierra and Hornaday backed by 4064 comes next.

Match sights help as well.

If the trigger pull is crisp you don't need to do anything. If there is creep or binding, then a little attention to the hammer hooks to even contact against the sear will really help the shooter.

I used to shoot service rifle with the M1. The above changes made significant differences for me.

 

[aka108]

The March 31 Shotgun News has a good article on changing the sights on a standard M1 to National Match or close to it standards.

 

[GunDoctor]

Don't bother with the Shot Gun News article. If you want the true authority on the subject get a copy of JERRY KUHNHAUSEN's book on the M1.

 

[MythBuster]

http://www.eotacforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=109&t=26735

 

[GarandOwner]

re-crown the barrel if i has a nick in it will greatly increase the accuracy. (that is if you do your part). I'd recommend getting a new stock for it and glass bedding it. Dont glass bed the original stock if you can help it. As for the "wiggle" you probably dont have the gas cylinder on tight as it is supose to be. DO NOT use a hammer, the gas cylinder lock needs to be tightened with a gas cylinder wrench to be tight enough for the gas cylinder and front handguard not to wiggle. While your at it you might want to tighten the front sight screw as well. That should take out all the wiggle, you may find that by doing that you dont even need a recrown or glass bedded stock.