M1 Breda in 7.62x51

This is my Breda project rifle in 7.62x51. The rifle is 1/2" shorter than a standard M1 Garand. This started out as a stripped receiver and parts were acquired over about a year. The barrel and op rod came from Sarcos. Luck of the draw for the 1/2" short BMB op rod (the lettering is hard to read since the repark.) The barrel appeared new with the cardboard insert inside the barrel. The stock and many other parts came from Andy in Italy (thanks a whole bunch.) Every part on the rifle is of Breda manufacture less the barrel, stock, and elvation knob (sub contractor for Breda).
Trigger group is all BMB
Bolt, extractor, firing pin BMB
All receiver parts BMB
7.62x51 spacer is marked BR

Nice, and well documented with your photos.

Bob

That is a great looking rifle. Love the pics. Great stock. Did you have to do anything to the stock or did it come that nice?

The stock was brand new and sealed in the wrapper from Italy (MT is the manufacturer), I think it was made around 1972 or 1973.

The handguards were new in the wrap and had some red cosmoline or grease all over them. About 10 minutes in the toaster oven @ 200 degrees F, it all seeped out and a few paper towels later they were clean. Both the stock and handguads were from Andy in Italy.
The stock and handguards had a few coats of tung oil applied and thats it.

I would wait for the wife to be out when you use her toaster over to heat up and clean parts.

I put 200 rounds of the German 7.62x51 thru the rifle and it grouped better than I can. IIRC initially the brass did not go to one oclock, somewere around 4 or 5 oclock. Towards the end of the 200 round break in the brass was going about 2 to 3 oclock.

Sprinfield Armory did the repark (who can beat $75 for a repark), and they installed and headspaced the barrel. Initially they did not realize the barrel was chambered for 7.62x51 and were trying to head space it with .308 guages. A few phone calls back and forth and we were able to get it right.

My next Breda project is in 30-06. I've got everything for the rifle, but a set of beech handguards and the metal to go with the handguards. I even got a "S" marked BMR windage knob for this build.

FYI & FWIW /

the 'MT' means Meccanica Trentina / an Italian military contract firm sited in Riva del Garda, Trento, that made replacement wood for the Italian Army's M1 rifle.

also of interest ......

FAT = FABBRICA ARMI TERNI
BMB = Breda Meccanica Bersa

If I put cosmo covered HG's in Mom's toaster oven I would be buying her a new one.

Very nice Garand there.

Beautiful wood !

I have been thinking about doing one of these too ( on a USGI receiver). You just pushed me over the edge.

I do have a new PB gas cyl. Sometimes thats all it takes to get started.

JR

I'm slowly building a 7.62 rifle on a new Beretta rec (Danish contrakt) that I brought home from Germany many years ago. Using only new Beretta PB marked parts.
I got my bbl, a new cut down SA, and new Italian contrakt stock from Sarco, they were out of the op rods when I ordered.

You want to sell your gas cyl? It is one of about 6 or 7 parts that I'm still looking for.
Sarge

Sarge, I have plans for it so I will have to decline for now.

JR