Shooting my M1

[mindwip]

For the first time i will be shooting my M1 Garand (new from CMP field grade), along with some friends. I have never shot one and was wondering what the recoil is like. What is it compared to an Rem 870 12 ga 18-inch brrl shotgun?

Also is there anything i should know before hand?



Ps I have read the book The M1 Garand: Owner's guide, and am fairly familer with the operation and take down of the rifle, how to load and clear some jams. And took a course by CMP about the rifle. I also have a recoil pad, if i/friends need it.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Nothing like a twelve gauge, to me it's more like an SKS. You'll love it. Just make sure you use a quality grease for lube, not oil. I use full synthetic chassis grease, works great.

-jagd

 

[Slamfire]

A 12 GA shotgun with slugs or buck has much more recoil.

Your Garand was designed in 1936 and issued with ammunition that by today's standards was pretty mild. Pressures were in the 40,000 pound range, never to exceed 50,000 psi. The rifle runs well when are shooting 150 grain bullets around 2700 fps. The action is strong but gas port pressures limit both the bullet weight you can use and ammunition pressures. If you use bullet weights above 180 grain and modern "magnum" cartridges it is likely the action will open up too quickly, tear rims, eject cartridges a million miles, overide ammunition, and induce a permanent bend in the operating rod.

Do not drop rounds in the chamber and drop the bolt on them. This rifle has a free floating firing pin and modern commercial ammunition has very sensitive primers. A primer might go off. If it goes off with the lugs engaged you will get a divot in the ground. If it goes off with the lugs out of battery, you may blow the back of the receiver off.

If you do not purchase a SLED, single loading device, then feed from the clip or lower the bolt half way before dropping it on the round. Also, bump the op rod to ensure the lugs are engaged.

I recommend putting antiseize grease on the gas plug. The sucker will carbonize up and be difficult to remove.

Clean the gas system without taking the gas cylinder off the rifle, that front sight is attached to the gas cylinder, which is splined on the barrel. Knocking it off each time just creates wobble. Keep your chamber clean, use an artist brush to paint on grease on the locking lugs, operating rod bolt cam, the notch on the underside rear of the bolt, and just grease anything that shows rubbing.

Check out the CSP page for lots more Garand Information http://www.jouster.com/. Lots of people shoot these rifles and there is lots of information on them.

 

[jrfoxx]

mindwip-I to recently ordered and will be receiving next week I'm told, a CMP field grade M1 Garand. I you dont mind, when did you get yours, and how was the overall condition (ie:stock wear, barrell wear etc?)Just cuious what to expect roughly...Thanks.

 

[mindwip]

SlamFire1-Thanks for the cleaning tips. And i dont have to worry about wrong ammo becuase i have a case 780 rds preloaded of surplus that i bought from CMP. But good to know about modern ammo. Oh i dont load one like that, i load one or two in a clip then close the action thats how i was taught at the CMP class.Thanks


jagdpanzer347- I have a cleaning kit thats just like the old one. Also came with four things of grease and thats what i plan to use when i clean it. Thanks

jrfoxx- OMG the rifle came fast, After the mail order got there it took them over a week just to put it in there system. They will tell you they have your order, but its not in there system yet. After it gets in there system and they have the rifle in stock it ships that day. I believe once my order was in there system they shipped next day. All in all super fast.

Condition well, i dont believe the barrel is great becuase i can stick a dummy rd in its muzzel. But i have never done any "real" measurements so i cant tell you. The rifle over all was GREAT, the steel finish looks almost new, and the parts look as if theres little wear. The wood is a different story, its chipped and gouged and well nicly used. I dont care because it still works as a stock and i think of it as character. I dont plan on getting rid of the stock. I belive that this rifle is not a service grade becuase of its stock. Its a greek rifle too.

Now i also ordered 2 service grades at the same time and they have not gotten here yet. Arr. I have a feeling i will have to wait the full 120 days.


Another question, do i have to clean the rifle before i use it. I have taken it apart and inspected it. It looks well greased and i dont see any dirt or "things" on the inside?

Ps mine was made in july 1942

 

[Gendaito]

you might want to run a patch or two through the barrel, just to make sure it's clean. Also, definitely be careful to avoid slamfires, as slamfire1 mentioned. You also may want to consider buying some LC or Greek surplus ammo, it's perfect for that weapon.

have fun!

 

[Steve in PA]

If you shoot a shotgun you can shoot the Garand.

 

[mindwip]

I am not fond of the 12ga if i have no padding, it just plain sucks. But with a pad its ok. I am 6ft and 140 pounds tall and bony

Gendaito- will do with the patches. This is the ammo i have "NLU 407-CASE - Greek .30-06 ammunition HXP (Pyrkal) manufacture, Boxer primed. Non-corrosive. Headstamp varies HXP62-HXP80"


Another question
Do i have to take apart each clip to check to see if the ammo is good, or do i just look at the bullets/casing with it already inside the clip?

Asking because

All ammunition is subject to deterioration over time. Customers should expect that 5% to 15% of the cartridges in any can may exhibit some stages of discoloration or corrosion or other abnormalities. As with any surplus ammunition, each and every round should be carefully checked before use. Deformed or otherwise suspect rounds should not be fired.

These cartridges are aged surplus military ammunition. This ammunition is NOT newly-manufactured, and is sold STRICTLY IN “AS IS” CONDITION, with no warranty expressed or implied.

 

[MechAg94]

On mine, the gas cylinder falls off if I take out the gas plug and that other end piece. I have never noticed an issue with movement of the front sight.

I have put in new stainless op rod springs in my M1's. It has really helped them get 100% reliability.

 

[longboard]

Clean the entire rifle. You will be happy. Your rifle will be happy.
I would look at all of the ammo but thats just me. I bought some Korean and maybe one of thirty just had to many, and to deep black spots on it. Ammo is cheap , M-1's are not.
You will enjoy that rifle more, and more every time you even hold it much less shoot it.
Longboard

 

[Exposure]

Originally Posted by mindwip-

Also is there anything i should know before hand?

There is one very important thing to know, BUY MORE AMMO!

You won't believe how addictive shooting a Garand can be.

Everyone and their brother is going to become your friend when you uncase that beauty at the range. Be prepared to be peppered with questions about that rifle! I can guarantee a trip to the range with your M1 will end up in a Q&A and lots of questions that go something like, "Ummmm, errrrr, is there any chance that I might shoot your M1?"

Enjoy! They sure are a lot of fun.

P.S.- Recoil is the last thing you will notice when shooting this rifle. My very petite, 5'4" wife shoots my Garands very well and never complains about recoil.

 

[ATAShooter]

Recoil is not bad, I'd say consistant with SKS or AK. I'm a 5'5" 137 lb circus freak, so being small I can say you will be fine.