The M1 Garand Barrel - For Better or Worse

I have been looking at M1 Garand Auctions for a 1943 SA Garand. (Yes I know I just bought one, its an addiction I think... I'm also looking at Chinese and Yugo SKS's .. like I need another one)

BUT... what I have noticed is that a lot of emphases on matching parts, in particular receiver and barrel. This makes me wonder, why do people change the barrels rather then sleave their barrel if it is worn out?

Would a sleeved barrel be preferable over a "new" barrel when it comes to a person who is a shooter/collector?

Sleeving isn’t really a procedure I’d advise on a full power rifle round.
22 long rifle, sure, but not 30-06.

I’d think there’d be some safety concerns there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rcathey

Sleeving isn’t really a procedure I’d advise on a full power rifle round. 22 long rifle, sure, but not 30-06. I’d think there’d be some safety concerns there.

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That's probably why I have never seen or heard of it, I imagine the pressure would be an issue.

Giving it a little more thought, I’d also add that the majority of barrel changes on Garands were performed at military armories decades ago.

They didn’t have any desire to keep original markings...as collectors well know!

I know that some Italian rifles had sleeves in 6,5mm Carcano and the Finnish P-14 marked barrels for the Mosin Nagant also had sleeves. but it would not hold up to the
pressure of the 30M2 cartridge in an M1 rifle.

Nowdays they sleeve alot of the old Winchesters in 44-40, 32-40 etc all low pressure rounds

Also I know that a quality sleeve in 22 rim fire can be very accurate

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RCS

the Finnish P-14 marked barrels for the Mosin Nagant also had sleeves.

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I read about this someplace, these rifles are supposed to be rare from what I remember.

Also Finland ordered special barrels from the Swiss and Germany for there Model 1924 Mosin Nagant rifles tooAttachment 110774Attachment 110775Attachment 110776

Interesting but I got off the main subject

The Finish barrels were sleeved in an attempt to salvage worn out barrels. The rifles were marked on the receiver with P-25, P-26 or P-27.

One thing skipped here is that shooters can't really be so choosy with barrel markings and real hardcore collectors will accept a well worn or ugly inside barrel if it's correct and perhaps original. They would rather have original than pretty. So you'll see a 1940 issue rifle that bore condition is moot in discussion and price...when most parts are original.

There are around half a dozen M1 barrels dated S-A 6-40 which is the first month of the gas port barrel production. These will sell
for quite alot of money and like Jim stated above, the bore condition is not really that important. The Advanced collector wants that
barrel date