Go, & no go 3006 gauges help & barrels

[gunsdora]

I'm new to the Garand & could use some info. I have a M1 Garand Springfield dated around mid 54 . The bolt is a new Springfield heat # A 14 I think it is correct for the receiver. I also need a barrel. I can get 2 barrels a Springfield short chambered 1955 barrel and
I can also get a new Springfield 1954 barrel that has all ready been reamed but not on my receiver Would the head space be ok on that barrel ??? I was told that the head space should be ok ?? . I don't know witch barrel would be the best to take. And is the Pacific Tools GO & NOGO good to use. I guess there is 2 questions there. Thanks for any help. Thanks for any help.

Information

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[purple]

I've installed quite a few new and used Garand barrels. I've always been able to get the used ones to headspace correctly by selective fitting of bolts. The rear lug faces of used bolts are subject to wear and this will affect headspace. The post-war bolts, which you have, tend to be on the longer side which is a good thing. If headspace proved to be too tight with your A14 bolt the chamber could be finish reamed to get the proper headspace.

Correct barrel indexing is important. Chances are that a used barrel will time up OK when hand tight before being turned into vertical index. The NOS military barrel would be a sure bet for headspace as you can cut the chamber with a pull thru finishing reamer to get the right headspace with your bolt.

I've used all of Clymer, GI and Forster headspace gauges and they are all OK. I've not used the Pacific gauges, but as long as they are certified to conform to SAAMI specs they will be OK. Pacific has a good reputation for precision.

[gunsdora]

Thanks Purple for the info it made me do some thinking . As it won't be a collector gun I'm going to go with the 55 dated barrel . The guy I'm getting the barrel from Will put it on my receiver & ream for head space no charge to install I just pay the shipping. To & from around $25.00.

The other barrel if it does need reaming well the cost is $100.00 to install & ream plus the shipping. This is from a gunsmith in my province . Cheaper to send my bolt & receiver to the guy I bought the barrel from in another province.

[browningautorifle]

Strange, I know you've done your share with carbines...why can't you do rifles too? Not much different. Purple's bang on with his info, but I think you have the skill to do your own. Once you've done one, you'll see it's not hard.

[gunsdora]

I think I could do the Garand & want too but would have to buy a barrel vice, receiver wrench pull trou reamer, GO & NOGO gauges. not much sence to spend that much $$$ that I don't have for on gun. Don't give me any Ideas

[browningautorifle]

I know I'll get the phone book on this but I made my own barrel wrenches out of solid aluminum bar stock and bolts. One goes in the vise and the other I use a pipe wrench on. Nothing touches the rifle but aluminum so no damage and I use an angle meter to determine barrel index. I do carbines the same way. Headspacing was achieved and there are no problems whatsoever...I can Email you pics of the rig if you DO have ideas...gauges are available through Brownell's... I can PM you with the details...

[purple]

I think I could do the Garand & want too but would have to buy a barrel vice, receiver wrench pull trou reamer, GO & NOGO gauges. not much sence to spend that much $$$ that I don't have for on gun. Don't give me any Ideas

You are right on that Neil. You will only get your payback on the Garand tooling and gauges if you do a number of barrel installs. I've done a number of used Carbine barrel installs as well as new barrel installs on Model 1903 and 03-A3 Springfields. The .30-06 pull thru finisher and headspace gauges are good for both the Garand and M1903. I've never been able to locate a pull-thru finishing reamer for the Carbine, but have a rear driven finisher to ream the chamber off the receiver should the need ever arise. I know that you are a fiend on the Carbines, but those Garands and Springfields can be every bit as addictive, kind of like a box of chocolates.

[gunsdora]

Purple I got my pull throu reamer for the M1 carbine at Pacific Tools. Works great.

I think I'm going to change my mind again & go for the 54 date barrel it will make it more correct for the receiver then the 55 dated barrel . I'm going to try & make the receiver wrench & do it my self . I'm going to order the GO NOGO gauges from Pacific Tools today. Will give me something to do for the winter. When I start will post pics. This is browningautorifle's fault

[browningautorifle]

Well...

[gunsdora]

Up date with pics. Decided to do it my self with some help from browningautorifle. Got a 12/54 dated SA barrel NOS same with the bolt heat # A 14 I hope they are correct for the ser.#. got Clymer GO & NOGO gauges. Made the barrel vise & receiver wrench. & got another receiver wrench made. Got the barrel on the receiver & index ???. Head space clean the inside of the barrel stripe the bolt & closes good with no gauges. Then put a GO gauge Purple your right looks like it will need reaming with a NOS barrel & bolt.