M!-Garand/ New Barrel & Can't Hit Anything!

[garyc]

Some of the previous posts correctly mentioned that a replacment barrel needs to be indexed properly. Special tools are required to do it on Garands.

Springfield Garands did not have journaling marks on the barrels and the receiver like the 03A3's did, which is why you need a special set of gauges to align the barrel's foreward splines and aft sight base. I think the CMP used to sell them but I am not sure if they still do.

The installer has to torque down the barrel in increments each time checking the indexing and if you go past then you have to un-torque the barrel back until the gauges line up. If your gunsmith did not use the proper gauges when he installed the barrel, it would be very difficult if not nigh impossible to have the barrel indexed properly by eye.

As mentioned, if you take it to someone that knows Garands the first thing they can do is set up the gauges to see if the barrel was indexed correctly.

Also, the standard Garand cleaning kit consisted of a steel cleaning rod. They were also issued with a plastic barrel guide that most most troops didn't bother with and so after hundereds of cleanings from the muzzle end of the rifle and hundreds of rounds fired, the muzzle wears and the rifling is not as tight. Unless the crown is really beaten up, the muzzle wear usually would have more effect on accuracy, this might be why the guy told you to replace the barrel. It sounds like the barrel indexing is certainly suspect. Sucks that you have to spend more $ to get it corrected.

[Devil Dog]

I just re-read your post....
"The windage was the big problem. I had the rear adjustment all the way to the left and I was still hitting about the same on the far left border of the target – at 50 yards. At 100 yards there were no hits on the target"

If your rear sight is all the way to the LEFT, your point of impact WILL be on the LEFT. As stated above, move the rear sight the same direction you want the bullet to move.
I suggest you try again. This time center the Windage adjustment and come UP 12 clicks on Elevation. Start at 50 yds. (or 25, if you can) Each click on an M1's sight will move the bullet 1 M.O.A. Which means 1/2" at 50 yards.
You will be amased how much you learn about an M1 each time you fix or solve a problem. If you realy want to learn something, take the rifle COMPLETELY apart (leave the barrel attached) and study the parts while you clean and lube them.
Good luck.

[browningautorifle]

To go with what Devil Dog says, don't start so far away. Start at 25 yards on a large target to get centered. Saves ammo.

[Ben Hartley]

... You've no doubt checked this already, but is the front sight 'way off to one side or the other? If so, use an allen wrench (3/16" IIRC) to loosen the sight, center the sight itself on its base, and cinch to screw down tight.

How do I know about this? Simple: had an M1 with the same problem.

BTW: rear sight moves in the direction you want the impact to move; front sight is opposite. thus:

Rear. Impact
Moves Moves
Left. Left

Front Impact
Moves Moves
Left. Right

HTH -- without confusing the issue.

Ben Hartley

[Bill Hollinger]

Here are a few photos of how and what to use for indexing a Garand barrel:

Front tool and straight edge attached to the front sight dovetail.
[imgw]http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww241/BillHollinger/Misc%20M1%20Garand/P1030007.jpg[/imgw]

Rear tool and straight edge attached to the rear sight ears and notch.
[imgw]http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww241/BillHollinger/Misc%20M1%20Garand/P1030011.jpg[/imgw]

Alligning the two together using a white sheet of paper stabbed on the muzzle and fore lighting.
[imgw]http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww241/BillHollinger/Misc%20M1%20Garand/P1030008.jpg[/imgw]

[Charlie59]

Is a level used at all? Thank you.

[Devil Dog]

Charlie,
When you use the tool shown in Bill's pics, you do NOT use a level. Indexing is checked "by eye". If you don't have Bill's tool, you can use a Machinist's Level, which is adjustable. Either way is acceptable. The advantage of using the level if you are just checking indexing.... you dont have remove the rifle from the stock or remove the rear sight.`

[jmoore]

Careful use of precision levels will, usually, result in well centered front and rear sights. If the windage is well off on the first test firing, we've generally encountered other dramas that need sorting more than the indexing.

[Charlie59]

Do any of you guys know what the plus/minus tolerances were, or did the barrel have to be dead nuts on the money? BTW, I'm anxious to see if this lets us know if his rifle shoots alright.

Charlie

[jmoore]

If the front sight had to overhang the base on one side or the other to zero, then it was out of specifications.