Welcome, if you’re a newcomer to this enjoyable bi-weekly phase of AllOutdoor.com! The final time round I lined the historical past and variations of an American icon which is the M1 Garand. Today we’re closing out the lovable hunk of American wooden and metal. I apologize for the intention vagueness the bullet level yielded far more info than ever potential to place in a single article. I’ll most likely revisit this in a while in their very own separate articles. Let’s dive proper into the rabbit gap!
Welcome to our recurring collection of “Curious Relics.” Here, we need to share all of our experiences, data, misadventures, and fervour for older firearms that one would possibly categorize as a Curio & Relic – any firearm that’s at the least 50 years outdated in line with the ATF. Hopefully alongside the way in which you may garner a larger appreciation for older firearms like we do, and concurrently you may educate us issues as properly via sharing your personal experience and ideas within the Comments. Understanding the firearms of outdated, their significance, and their growth which result in most of the arms we now cherish at present is extremely fascinating and we hope you get pleasure from what we now have to share, too!
Dating: The M1 Garand
This is commonly probably the most traumatic bullet level for me to cowl as a result of both there isn’t a info on the market or there’s a lot that it will make a whole article by itself. The M1 Garand muddies the water much more so by being made extensively and by quite a few producers. Beyond simply these two factors of excuse for any vagueness, the M1 Garand rifle you personal is probably going a mish-mash of elements from a number of rifles(particularly whether it is from the CMP). This is why relationship is barely pertinent to the receivers. Some different elements will be dated (barrels may have a date sometimes underneath the handguard by the working rod) however the core piece that’s the firearm is the receiver and that’s what this can deal with.
There are just a few completely different sources on-line that may have giant tables that may yield a month and 12 months of manufacture. These are all approximate since they’re serial quantity ranges. Any respectable web site will do you the courtesy of splitting up issues by producer simply to slim it down additional. An easy-to-read one could be this one linked right here. With the knowledge given by a number of web sites, I’ve decided my receiver is between August and September of 1943 which may be very cool!
Specifications: The M1 Garand
The M1 Garand is a semiautomatic rifle chambered for the 30-06 Springfield cartridge. It holds eight rounds in an en bloc clip that’s inserted via the highest of the motion. After the final spherical is fired the empty en bloc clip will eject out of the highest and is sort of at all times accompanied by a really recognizable Ping! Its general size makes it maneuverable and its weight makes it really feel dense and durable.
- Years Produced: 1934 to 1957
- Number Manufactured: Sources fluctuate on actual numbers however a tough estimate is roughly 5.4 million
- Operating System: Long-stroke gasoline piston system
- Chambering: 30-06 Springfield (Some Navy rifles have been in .308 Winchester)
- Barrel Length: 24 Inches
- Overall Length: 43.6 Inches from butt to muzzle
- Weight: Roughly 9.5 Pounds
- Action: Gas operated, semi-automatic
- Safety: Manual Trigger Guard Style
- Capacity: 8rd En Bloc Clip
- Front Sight: Fixed Blade
- Rear Sight: Adjustable Peep
- Stock: Walnut
Aftermarket Parts & Accessories: The M1 Garand
Name an element and you bought it! Well, that is probably not totally true however as a result of overwhelming quantity of manufactured rifles, elements, and equipment, there’s nonetheless an ongoing surplus of kinds. Any mainstream elements firm may have the final elements for an M1 Garand. Places like Numrich, SARCO, and eBay are my frequent stops. They may have nearly every thing an individual would wish to restore, substitute, and keep their M1 rifles. There can also be a complete host of replica elements obtainable as a result of widespread love and possession of the M1 rifle. Things like spring kits all the way in which to bayonets!
Range Time: The M1 Garand
This has obtained to be one in every of my favourite weapons to take to the vary. At the identical time, it most likely is likely one of the ones that’s least more likely to find yourself there. It is a heavy gun and it takes up numerous area so toting it round is a little bit of a trouble after which there’s the entire ammunition difficulty. M1 Garand rifles have been designed to perform and safely function with ammunition equivalent to M2 Ball, a 150-grain FMJ army spherical. Since it was designed on this common parameter it makes the working mechanism prone to breakage and extreme put on when utilizing modern-day loadings of 30-06 (particularly searching ammunition). Both surplus and modern-day “M1 Safe” ammunition can be found in the marketplace however it usually feels in brief provide. I personally don’t have numerous time to reload for it though it’s on my checklist. For additional info on the M1 Garand and its ammunition try this text I wrote for TFB Armorer’s Bench.
Operating the M1 Garand takes a little bit of getting used to. It is a heavy compact gun however the mechanism is in contrast to numerous trendy ones because it makes use of that 8rd en bloc clip. The first time utilizing it may be daunting however I encourage you to observe and even try outdated army manuals to keep away from damage. This could also be laughable to some however to the uninitiated, the M1 could genuinely harm you. The operator could load the en block clip into the interior journal meeting and launch strain prematurely inflicting the bolt to slam into their thumb and inflicting what’s extensively recognized and dreaded as “Garand Thumb”. I’m far previous this prevalence and know what to take action I by no means have any points however only a phrase of warning.
Shooting the M1 Garand is exhilarating and any proprietor of 1 will let you know that. The recoil is comfy in an odd means. Sure, it kicks slightly however I describe it as type of bouncing. Aiming down your sights, firing, and re-settling on a goal are all in a type of bouncing movement. It simply comes proper again all the way down to the place you began and there’s a bizarre consolation in that. It is straightforward to shoot, I assume. the peep sights are self-explanatory and it’s apparent why the U.S. army has used them for the reason that M1903 rifles. They are simply simple.
As far as placing holes within the paper goes, this gun will do it. Hitting a man-sized goal at 100 yards is extraordinarily doable. I’ve learn that the “battle zero is supposed to be 300 yards so if a soldier fired center mass at anything from zero to 400 yards they will probably hit it. I did not play with my sights at all before shooting on this particular range day and the light was getting pretty low since this was my last gun of the day so please ignore my poor grouping. The main point is that I still hit the target and in terms of military application it would hit a man-sized target.
Conclusion: The M1 Garand
This American icon deserves all the love and recognition it receives. It is an absolute work of art and ingenuity. I like many M1 Garand owners will hold onto my rifle until the day I die. The U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 is such a blast to work with and one of the most satisfying guns that I have ever shot. I encourage you to save your pennies and add one to your collection. I think I said it best at the end of Part I. “The M1 Garand is as much a piece of pure Americana as drive-in movie theaters, milkshakes, burgers, muscle cars, and baseball. It is beloved by veterans of any branch and any tour of duty. It is nostalgia and remembrance to relatives of such veterans who may have handed down such a magnificent tool. Today, it is one of the most recognizable and sought-after pieces of history sitting on a gun rack.”
In closing, I hope our Curious Relics phase knowledgeable in addition to entertained. This all was written in hopes of continued firearm appreciation and preservation. We didn’t simply understand how weapons have been imagined to look and performance. It was an extended and tedious course of that has formed the world we reside in. So, I put it to you! Is there a firearm on the market that you simply really feel doesn’t get a lot notoriety? What ought to our subsequent Curious Relics subject cowl? As at all times, tell us your whole ideas within the Comments under! We at all times admire your suggestions.
