Newby Garand Owner

I had this rifle on layaway for a couple weeks and recently picked it up. I snapped a couple photos real quick, sorry for the picture quality. I had planned to take a family trip to CMP South (22 hours each way) but found this one locally and decided to get it instead for now. I am currently looking for a new stock set am interested either in the Dupage or the James River ones. I would be interested in hearing other's opinions on each if you got 'em. The rifle is all SA parts but of course not to the receiver period. Its got a SA '53 barrel which is decent. If anyone knows- who do you take your Garand to in the Denver area to have work done? Thanks for any input.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

I would wait for more opinions before changing things on it, is it a four digit serial number?

I guess I should have said a little more- the stock is unmarked, unmatched and seems to be a dry mystery wood. It also has a medium size chip just behind the back of the receiver. All in all, not a very good stock. My plans were just to get a new production stock and call it good. And the new stock will probably have to wait a while.

And yes, its a four digit receiver. :wave:

Dean's Guitar Restorations offers some really nice stocks and excellent service.

Bob

Any chance of getting a closer pic of the stock? Are the internal parts, like the op-rod SA marked? I'm personally happy with CMP stock sets. However, with a serial number under 5K, if it were my rifle, I would be looking for a nice USGI stock set! According to google, your receiver was made Aug-Sept., 1938.

Charlie

Nice score! I'd definitely keep it in a USGI stock.

Charlie59- I am unable to locate the bits to transfer photos of the stock at moment.

To the comments about getting a USGI stock, I would be interested in what version people thought I should try for. I am guessing most would suggest a Post War stock to better be in tune with the rebuild? I looked a little and an authentic SA SPG stock is not an option for me.

But all the parts I have seen so far are SA. I am slowly trying to figure out what date range all the parts are. Here's what I have seen so far:

Front Right Leg of Receiver: D26291 (with a 7 above)
Op Rod: 7790722 SA
Bolt: D28287-12SA
Trigger Group: 6528290-SA
Safety: SA-11
Hammer: G46008-8 SA
Barrel: SA D6535448 7 53 198C (followed by orndinance cannon stamp and an upside down P)

Thanks

...for what its worth,I had a CMP ggarand with a VAR barrel that came with a Dane stock that was (as they say) barely good enough for a tomato stake..:lol:..back in 2005 I purchased a Dupage stock(well before CMP started sellin theirs"....everyting 'dropped in' very nicely...the only thing that bothered me was that it was 'thicker' in profile and would require sanding to get it closer to an original profile unless you didnt mind it a bit on the "thick" side...;):wave:

Attachment 15718Attachment 15719Attachment 15720Attachment 15721The SA SPG stocks that went through rebuild had the buttplate area modified to use the trapdoor buttplate. Sometimes the two holes were also modified to the same diameter.

Du Page might still have some old SPG modified stocks, you would have to ask ?

I think your on the right track as far as just putting a serviceable stock on it. Restoring it is not an option unless you have real deep pockets. Other than the stock, I would leave the rest of the parts on it and enjoy it for what it is. Also, you can also look at that receiver and think about what it was and where it may have been it it's early life.

Nice score. I agree, a nice USGI stock is what you need. Think that falls into the Gas-Trap range and a restoration would be a serious challenge and cost some $$$. For the aftermarket stuff, I like the Dupage Slim stocks. Ive used several of them and they have a tight fit with minimum tweek's. Enjoy!

That was the lowest number I've every seen on a Garand.
My vote is to spend only the $$$ you are confortable with investing.
To make it period perfect will be a major investment.

I was thinking of a reproduction SA SPG stock. I have one lined up to look at this weekend- basically a finished Boyd's stock with the stamp. I have seen the ones this guy did for other cartouche'd stocks and they look super nice. He leaves the Boyd stamp on the butt stock under the butt plate so nobody thinks these stocks are attempting to be passed as the real deal. I am leaning towards that for now. Thoughts?

Wouldn't it have originally been a gas trap rifle? This is what you need for it!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=191980666

No gas trap action for me- I'm too poor! Oh and if anyone is curious about the rebuilt SA SPG stocks from Dupage- I contacted them and was told those stocks are "long gone".

I got a reproduction stock today at the local gun show, its a Boyd's stock. Happy on how it turned out- its way better than the stock my rifle came with. (I learned my original stock was Korean beech wood) The new one is silky smooth, locks up real tight and has a much slimmer "feel" to it. Also ran into chuckindenver who looked it over and said it was safe to fire. All in all, a good day. Sorry for the pictures, I have trouble taking decent ones.

[IMG]http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...Picture019.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...Picture014.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...Picture015.jpg[/IMG]

Welcome aboard Chuckchili. Nice four digit you have there. Have fun with her.

Check with Sarco and Numrich Gun Parts as well