M1 Garand in 7.62X51

I recently acquired a M1 in .308 I was very impressed in both its accuracy and performance. The rifle was refitted with a .308 (I know .308 and 7.62X51 are different) barrel in 1995. The receiver was built in 1945. I put several (11) clips of CAVIM (7.62X51) surplus ammunition through the rifle with very satisfactory results. I read in various forums that there may or may not be a plug in the clip well to preclude loading the wrong ammunition. Mine has a finely machined steel block (plug) installed. On a different but related note, I noticed that the bayonet on my Swiss K31 rifle closely resembled that of the 1903, and the Garand.
Upon removing a portion of the tab that extends toward the muzzle of the Garand cylinder lock (shortened to about one sixteenth of an inch) the Swiss bayonet fits as good as if not better than the original equipment. It looks spectacular too! I wouldn't normally recommend modifying a rifle, but the removal of material from the front of the cylinder lock imposes no structural hazards to the rifle operation . Furthermore, that piece is easily replacable to return the rifle to almost original. This forum has great resources and many thoughtful and inciteful members plugging in their experiences. I'm glad to be a new member.:bow:

They used the Swiss bayonet with the saw-teeth blade, bayonet was modified to fit the M1 during the riots back in the 60's. I have a friend/collector in FLA who still has two of these Swiss bayonets used by the National Guard - not an authorized item but neither were all the handguns.

Would that EVER have been a crowd pleaser! Nothing like a prominent blade to get peoples attention.

I've had a 7.62 Garand for about 5 years and finally got it out and shot it a month or so ago. When it was built it was pretty heavily parked and enblocs go in stiffly. As it warms up the rounds start to string up, probably due to a tight front handguard. There is no play in it and it is tight even when cold. I just have to find some time to play with it. Other than that it functions fine and also has a solid metal spacer installed. Nice wood and a very even finish. Enjoy yours!

The 7.62mm barrels used by the US military for this conversion were made by Springfield Armory, & will be so stamped on the right side of the barrel. Dates will be in the 1960's. The US Navy contracted with AMF & with Harrington & Richardson to convert a large number of rifles; most of these will be marked on the barrel as well. Of course, there many commercial conversions done.

Mine has an alphanumeric string that starts out FA. Fulton Armory?

Have any of you fired blanks through your 7.62 Garand?
I purchased mine with the dual intent of using it for range shooting and in WWII reenactments.
I plan on retiring my 1945 Springfield to nothing but public displays and non-firing events. Both my USGI M1's work very well with the 'Pops' brand BFA's and USGI M1909 blanks, but I haven't had a chance to try the new 7.62 rifle with the same BFA yet. I was curious if the .173 opening would be the correct one for NATO blanks.

I have a "Navy Conversion" Garand. It has a Springfield barrel (mfr 10/43), so it was originally chambered for 30-06, and it has an insert to chamber the 7.62x51 cartridge.

But I'm very curious about the Mod or Version. According to Wikipedia, this gun could be an M1E14 (Army designation) equivalent to a Mk2 Mod 0 (Navy designation). According to Scott A. Duff Historic Martial Arms, a "Mk 2 Mod 0 in 7.62 MM using a .30-06 barrel with insert to convert to 7.62. This is also a very scarce variation and highly sought after by collectors. I have only seen a handful of real ones in over 15 years."

How does one tell the variation? Mine has "7.62 NATO M 1 1" stamped on the side of the barrel (see photo).

The mfr date stamp is 2-S-A-10-43. What does the intial "2" signify?

You have a parts gun that was sold by Dealer's Whse in the early 90's.

To Wardog61, I've never fired blanks in any personal weapon I possessed. However, I've fired worlds of them in various military training exercises. It is my understanding that lacking the resistance of a bullet to push down the bore that barrel erosion is caused by the rapidly jetting gases which act like an acetylene torch on the barrel throat and bore. I had no difficulty firing blanks in weapons that the Government bought barrels for by the truckload. However, my rather limited budget precludes me from from firing anything other than "business" rounds through my meager but high quality collection. :thup: