Garand 308 conversion or M1A?

[John Kepler]

You guys are the best.

One other Garand service rifle question. If I decide to go the .308 route, but decide to get a Kreiger match grade barrel for it, are there any rules against using a laminate stock in High Power competition? Also, would you glass bed a laminate stock for the Garand? Thanks in advance.

Mike D

The laminated stock is perfectly legal for HP-Service Rifle, and if you're gonna go....go all the way! Half-measures are just that.

[Maury Krupp]

You guys are the best.
One other Garand service rifle question. If I decide to go the .308 route, but decide to get a Kreiger match grade barrel for it, are there any rules against using a laminate stock in High Power competition? Also, would you glass bed a laminate stock for the Garand?

For NRA and CMP Service Rifle a laminate is OK (even preferred) as is epoxy bedding and all the other bells and whistles. As John says, there's usually no point in half-stepping.

For CMP Games, any one of those (.308, barrel, laminate, epoxy) will be enough to take you out of the "As Issued" class and put you into the new "Unlimited" class.

Another thing to consider if you plan to shoot an M1 in competition on a regular basis is the upkeep.

You really need two (or three) equal shooting rifles: #1 shooting, #2 on standby and, if you can afford it, a #3 for when #1 goes in the shop for a new tube. This is especially true if you shoot year-round and don't have an off-season to spend rebarrel/rebuilding.

Maury

[AKA Hugh Uno]

including several M1A's and Garands (of course), frankly, while I like the M1A's/Arsmcorps I had, I ended up not shooting them all that much. In fact, my Armscorps all USGI rifle was VERY accurate and reliable piece.

On the other hand, I have a Carl Leisinger match-prepped .308 WRA Garand which shoots about MOA (with a standard contour Wilson barrel no less) and decided I only need one semi-auto .308. I am happy with the one Garand..

BUT... I almost bought a DPPMS AR10-type heavy barrel rifle the other day (LOL!).

[mark1]

Just to stir the pot, you can find M1A's for $950.00 as I did. Now I added teh scope and cheek rest.

[mdoerner]

Is that a Springfield Armory M1A or another brand?

Mike D

[DJG]

Cheaper by far, I think, to re-barrel a tired Garand; Wilson makes a very good barrel which I buy when on sale at Midway. I have done several and they are great shooters, but with a bit sharper kick. Will also kick the brass out a ways, but this can be corrected.

[mark1]

The M1A is from Springfield Armory. Dates to 1993 or 1994 if I rember.

[davpet]

My first rifle was a Garand w/ a VAR barrel. I shot it and loved it...I bought a Norinco M14S and sent it to Fulton Armory for the USGI Upgrade...all parts USGI except the receiver..........well that rifle shot a 50 yd 3 shot group on a 1inch square target using iron sights that is covered by a dime. I then bought another Norinco M14S and did no mods to it other than a Freds Birch Stock....put over 1000k rounds of the green/blue box Sellier&Belloit Corrosive ammo through it (cleaned w/ Windex etc.) Shoots every bit as well as the Fulton rifle w/ crappier ammo. I bought the HXP ammo and started shooting the Garands again (now I have 7 of em) but I shot like cr*p must be me maybe I've developed a flinch or something but I don't think I get as good a sight picture w/ the Garands as I do w/ the M14's...Maybe has something to do w/ the Garand front handguard but I am able to hunker down and look down that skinny barrel and the pic of the front sight is just right. I know it aint scientific but I just think I can aim better w/ the setup on the M14. If I could only have one rifle it would be the Fulton M14S I had them make me in 1999/2000. Borrow someone's M14 and see which of the 2 rifles you shoot best.


Dave

[cmichini]

FWIW - Rebarreling the M1 should be cheaper (just a few $100) . That is assuming it doesn't need a lot of other worn parts to be replaced.

As for repark, that is purely cosmetic, and for me only adds to cost. I think about how much barrel shows on an M1, and how far it is from other metal parts (lots of walnut shows on the M1) .So if the rifle looks pretty good right now, it probably wouldn't make much difference. If it goes boom and puts 'em where you want 'em, I think that's more impressive than a matching color, but that's me.

I don't have the correct tools, so I sent a receiver and bolt to DGR and about a week later I had my new, headspaced barreled receiver ready to accept the remaining parts. That was about 5 years ago and she still gets pulled from the safe for nearly every outing to the range.

I also have an M1A, and love it. But that's the cost of a new rifle (used up safe space, too) to consider. Around here (Peoples Repulik of Kalif), you then have get compliant parts of be a felon in possession of an AW.

Good luck and I'm have fun.

[goo]

well, you might consider one of these,

all 308
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/...75afa2d2c1.jpg
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th m48 schmouser is also 308.
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/...8a4708cfcd.jpg
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/...24d5272a8c.jpg
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