7.62MM Garand, Italian Style

[Brett]

Does anyone have a short Italian style 7.62 Garand? You see the parts to convert/build one (stock/barrel/oprod) for sale, but I was wondering how well they work. Any problems/pitfalls/gotchas?

Thanks,

Brett

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Calif-Steve]

I have heard you will have headspace issues. They have sold piles of kits, but I honestly do not know anyone who has one. At onetime SCRAPCO and Northridge has tons of parts, but no longer true. It is rather late in the game to play this hand.

[medic2264]

I built up a Italian (1/2" short) on a BMR reciever with all BMR / BMB parts except the barrel, which is a SA barrel cut down by the Italians and rechambered to 7.62. I was lucky when I ordered the barrel and op rod from Sarcos they sent me a BMR op rod that was shortened and marked on the side 7.62 mm 2. Sent the whole project to SA INC. to be reparked. I put 200 rounds of the German 7.62 that was on the market last year and not a single problem. My Italian Garand has since become a safe queen. I am now on the hunt for a "PB" reciever to finish my other Italian off.

[JohnF]

Does anyone have a short Italian style 7.62 Garand? You see the parts to convert/build one (stock/barrel/oprod) for sale, but I was wondering how well they work. Any problems/pitfalls/gotchas?

Thanks,

Brett

Here is one I put together last year. No malfunctions or problems to date, and no headspace problems. Shoots great, take a look at the target in the photo album. This is the first time at the range for proof firing after assembly. Bullet strikes in the 9 & 10 ring were sight adjustments and the last five rounds fired after adjustments are in the X ring.

Barrel came from Sarco the only thing I did was to roll the shoulder for it to index properly. Headspaced great with NATO gauges, GO=1.6355" and NO-GO=1.6405". In fact, headspace was good enough to measure with a .308 Win field gauge (1.638") as a NO-GO check and was within limits.

All part used were new from the wrapper except the barrel and receiver. The stock was the best fit I have ever seen on a M1 rifle, very tight and great lockup. I did not buy a used parts kit. I bought all the parts separate and new over a period of time from a guy in Italy and the results show in performance and looks.


Photo Album: http://www.fototime.com/inv/228F225317A32E3

[Dan Shapiro]

Nice work John!

[CapnJohn]

Try www.reesesurplus.com for parts

[roland beaver]

I've put some of these together with no problems and was impressed with the quality of the parts. There is one issue that may be a problem long term, and that is that the op rod is not supported by the bottom of the barrel at the time of firing. In moderate use it can be seen that there is a ding/strike when the op rod drives back and encounters the shortened barrel shoulder. This will probably cause the op rod to become sprung out of proper configuration sooner than it would if it was supported as it is on a non shortened barrel.

[JimL]

I built two of these on USGI SA receivers.

I got my stocks, handguards and op rods from Andy in Italy.

I purchased barrels from Sarco for $125.00 each. These barrels were brand new USGI SA barrels altered by the Italians to work with the 7.62- never put on a rifle.

I special ordered a headspace guage from Forster the 1.6455 NATO 7.62. This gauge is not in stock, only special order. It was $50.00 shipped. Keep in mind the .308 and 762 x 51 are NOT the same cartridge.

Both my rifles worked perfectly and are/were tack drivers with Santa Barbara 7.62 ammo, as they should be with brand new barrels. I did not install a spacer block, and have had no jams so far.

One rifle was sold due to a shortage of income- the bottom rifle in the image.




JimL

[Sarge]

I'm in the process of building a NATO cal Garand on a PB receiver that I got in Germany many years ago. I using ony EXC/New PB parts. Got the bbl installed and head spaced a long time ago.
I got my stock & bbl from Sarco. The stock was new in the wrap, but unfortunately an Italian contractor stock.
I am still looking for an op rod (Sarco was out), gas tube, butt plate and a couple of other parts.
Some day I'll get it finished, in the meantime I've got a couple of 30/06s to shoot.
Sarge

[JimL]

I am very pleased with the Sile "MT" marked stocks.
Look for "ANDY" in Italy on Ebay for your 7.62 op rod. He is very fair and super on customer service.
JimL