I recently purchased an an M1 through CMP. It seems to be in superb condition but I need guidance from experienced shooters before I start with it. What should I be aware of, dangers, cleaning gas ports, etc.
Development
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I recently purchased an an M1 through CMP. It seems to be in superb condition but I need guidance from experienced shooters before I start with it. What should I be aware of, dangers, cleaning gas ports, etc.
Development
I picked up my first M1 a few months ago. Try and go to the range with someone familiar with the rifle. Friend of mine has a few of them and he is very familiar with them. Loading is tricky at first but read the manual cover to cover. I didnt have to clean mine when I got it but I did add grease to the grease points before my range trip. Once you do shoot it buy more and more ammo! They are a great rifle and I cant get enough range time in with it. Also make sure you use the correct 30-06 ammo. Only commercial ammo that I use is Federal Garand ammo, other than that the Greek stuff from CMP is good to. Good luck
Like JEsp said, make sure you use ammo specified for the Garand unless you use and adjustable gas plug. The Garand is a little touchy about the powder burn rate it likes, and if it doesn't like it you may end up with a bent op rod. Just use the right ammo, keep it cleaned and greased and have a blast!
Break it down completly and make sure it is cleaned all the way then grease it. If nothing else it gets you familiar with it. Then stock up on lots of M2 ball and have a ball:thup:
Read the manual and familiarize yourself with the operation of the gun before you do anything else. I agree with Rob. Definitly tear it down and clean it and lubricate it if it is Service or Rack grade. Pay special attention to the bolt and the trigger assembly for cosmoline. If either are sticky or sluggish you could get failure to fires which are no fun. Make sure that when you chamber a round that you let it slam shut, don't baby it.
Enjoy!
If you haven't already done so, replace the op rod spring & clip latch spring with one from Orion 7 or Garand Gear. they both offer excellent replacement op rod springs. The one in you rifle is likely 50+ years old. Any shiney spots, kinks, curves or broken links = bad spring. The op rod spring is the only thing that prevents the bolt from hitting the receiver heel during recoil. A worn ou op rod spring can result in the bolt cracking the heel. The O7 & GG op rod springs are cheap & excellent.
Other than that, make sure your gas cylinder lock screw & front sight screw are tight.
Enjoy!
I just recieved my SA Svc Grade, last week. I reccommed reading the booklet inlcuded. And for further more in depth reading check out Scott Duff's M1 garand book. I field stripped my rifle and removed the gas plug as well. Do a visual inpsection of all components, barrel etc... Look for parts that have been replaced. Clean off any cosmoline you might find, clean and wipe down parts with rem-oil wipes. And follow directions in booklet for greasing. I also agree with with replacing recoil spring with one from Orion7. Tony is great to deal with. And also agree with posts about garand specific ammo. If you use commercial rounds they can damage the gas system and possibly bend the op-rod....oh i forgot....Lets see a pic!