M1 Garand Special Grade

[Blondie]

After placing an order back in November, I just received, today, my M1 Garand Special Grade. This is my first Garand, and I am very impressed. I think I might put in an order for a service grade next (they are half price anyhows).

My question relates to the included manual's directions regarding ammo. I have always heard to only use mil-surplus ammo for an old M1, however, the included manual says "If commerical .30-06 ammunition is used, select loadings with bullets no heavier than 180 grains. Firing heavier bullets . . . is not unsafe but may develop higher residual pressures at the gas port [which can damage the operating rod]."

So what gives? Do you think they send the operating rods on the Special Grades out with a beefed up version or something? Would you all stick to mil-surplus or take the chance with factory ammo (I'd only use 150 grain).

Thanks!

Blonde

 

[kb2zya]

mail the m1 to me and i will check it out.work out the bugs..

 

[Trebor]

There is nothing "beefed up" about the op-rods on the Special Grade guns.

There always has been *some* commercial ammo that is safe to shoot in a Garand. The problem is you have to pick the correct bullet weight *and* pick an ammo that duplicates the pressure curve of the old military load.

The bullet weight is easy enough to tell. Just look at the box. Finding a commercial ammo that duplicates the pressure curve is a bit trickier. The old "rule of thumb" is that any commercial ammo with a 150 gr bullet is probably loaded to safe specs for the Garand. The problem is it's just a rule of thumb, not a hard and fast rule.

Personally, I'd stick to mil-surp unless you know of a specific commercial load that the manufacturer says is safe for the Garand.

 

[pbratton]

The CMP does have surplus .30 cal.

You can also find an adjustable gas port that can help you handle commercial ammo.

Enjoy the Garand, it's my favorite rifle right now.

 

[longdayjake]

unless you are shooting hundreds upon hundreds of factory rounds through it there should be no problems in using bullets up to 180 grains. Its the powders used that determine the pressure curve in bullets under 180 grains. The only factory rounds that may use powders that will change that curve are probably really expensive and not worth shooting out of a garand anyway. Much less shooting them in the quantity it will take to mess up your op rod. But to be safe just buy and shoot the cmp stuff since its cheapest, safest, and worry free. Or reload your own using imr 4895 or similar.

 

[61chalk]

Modern 30/06 ammo has a slower burning powder which results in higher pressure, the Garand was designed for faster burning powder an lower pressure.....in using higher pressure ammo, you can purchase a different gas tube for your M1 that allows adjustment for different ammo. Also I was told that Hornady now makes special 30/06 ammo just for the Garand, but you will find that Greek surplus ammo much cheaper, although not as accurate. Congraduation on the M1, got a couple from CMP a few weeks ago, Field Grade. Today got a 3 shot group of 4" at 210yds. an shot a 3 shot group of 12" at 350 yds...then decided what the heck, raised it 3 more clicks and hit low at 540 yards, raised it 3 more clicks an next shot hit the 9" hanging steel triangle...shot 8 more times but didn't hit it again, but close....I love this 1942 M1 !!!!!

 

[transformerguru]

If I were you I would stick to surplus ammo. A friend on mine has a gun shop and he sold a M1 and the new owner brought it back because they bent the op rod in the third shot with commercial ammo. GI ammo had a powder similar to 4895 and a 146gr. bullet. that is what I would do, personally.

 

[jcwit]

Stay away from commercial ammo, I reload my own to mil. specs.

 

[Threeband]

Congratulations on your new rifle.

The CMP has some great surplus ammo that's pefect for your rifle, and still reasonably priced. It is going fast, so I suggest you get your 10 can annual limit (1920 rounds on clips) before it's all gone.

http://www.thecmp.org/ammosales.htm

If you plan to shoot commercial ammo, you should check out the Schuster adjustable gas plug:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=777146