New M1 owner

I've got a set of headspace gauges on the way as I'd like to check things out before live fire. In the same package will be a NM front sight post - the standard sight that came with the gun is noticeably bent. Once I get things figured out I'll probably put in a NM rear aperture too.

What's the general consensus on 7.62/.308 ammo and the need or otherwise for an adjustable gas plug?

It's hard to say quite what the future holds; mostly I'm an informal recreational shooter as other commitments limit my weekend availability during the summer months. Accuracy is important, but I'm realistic and not expecting anywhere close to 1moa, even assuming I were able to deliver that kind of performance with open sights! I would be interested to learn more about bedding an M1, but I suspect if I spend some time with the Search tool I'll find the topic well covered.

I paid $950, which I think was fair considering the condition of the stock, the practically new barrel and the absolute lack of pitting anywhere on the receiver. There was only the slightest hint of rust on one of the smaller parts, and that wiped off with an oily rag.

I've used factory, Canadian IVI and LC Match both and no adjustable plug. No Problems. Matter of fact not with the Winchester civvie ammo either. Nothing cracked bent or otherwise out of whack. Accuracy? Don't sell these guns short. They'll shoot just fine.

Here is my .02 and for what its worth, your about 85% of the way to a finnished NM M1 in 7.62/.308 its a shame too NOT finnish it off, for what you have your well ahead of the curve time and money wise a lot of other people wish they were in your shoes, now If you deside too keep it as is(fix the bent sight) too enjoy, just don't beat the tar out of it doing stupid stuff and upgrade later is a option as well, but be for warned its never cheaper down the road.

Just a note on the Schuster gas plug, I feel that its a fix looking for a problem. If you shoot bullets in the weight range of 125grs too 180grs with medium burn rate powders your M1 with a std gas cylinder and plug will live a happy prolonged life. U.S. military rifles use a peep sight, Grand Dads old 30.30 lever action uses open sights. I will hazzard a guess right now your rifle will turn in groups at or under a inch with good ammo.

Here is a break down of my M1 build, rifle cost $795.+tx, I found a gent selling a new USGI 7.62 tube on another forum $225., another forum pick up was a USGI burch replacement stock $125. barrel install and headspace I worked swap/deal with a friend for the old barrel cost me zero, I'm at $1155. and I still haven't done the sites, bedding, or refinnishing yet, my stock fits well so I might hold off on the bedding.

My rifle shoot lights out. I've run a few rounds of L.C. ball mixed years and it shot well I swapped too some Canadian 1968 IVI 7.62 ammo they have very spikish point profile for there 147grs much smaller than any L.C. ammo my group(IVI 68 of 5) was about the size of a nickle at 100(freakish), handloaded 168 Nosler CC 168 HPBT were almost as tight but started too open up about the size of a quarter, handloaded 125 Speer TnT almost as close as the Canadian IVI ammo. My accuracy test was fired on 100yds, prone with sling/mat/glove.

I would farm out the bedding out too a pro, I can do a bedding job but it would look like a 2nd grader did it in a art class, I like my bedding done right the first time and looking pretty so its worth it too me, I think putting sights on a rifle anyone can handle.

P.M. me and I will send you some load data that won't beat you or the rifle.

[QUOTE=Phil McGrath;196725]Fed-Ord is not known for there quality rifles most are reguarded as a hairs breath away from scrap lots of rust and pitting on the reciever and the barrels were toasted, worn out smooth bores , back in the day the only way to get a Garand was thru the DCM(later CMP) and that could take as long as a year, my once in a lifetime M1 took 11mos too get it was luck of the draw for condition. [QUOTE]

In defense of Fed. Ord. I must say that they did import some decent IHC rifles back in the late 70's. There is a good article in the Winter 2007 edition of the GCA Journal on a few of the "gap Logo" IHC's imported by Federal Ord. and sold in 1979 to Police Officers only. I can't comment on later Fed. Ord. rifles as I know basicly nothing about them.

Made a curious discovery today:- the bolt won't close on a Go gauge by some considerable margin. As best I can tell by eyeballing the chamber, it looks like it was never finish reamed to set the headspace after the .308 barrel was installed. .

Frustrating as this is, at least I didn't try to fire it with the bolt not fully locked. Oh well, off we go to find a pull through reamer.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!
/boatbod