Help! I've got an original WW2 Garand!

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Your group with 150gr ammunition doesn't sound unreasonable. There are variations between manufacturers and models. If you can get it, Serbian Igman or Privi Partisan commercial FMJ ammo would be my next choice. There are some simple nonpermanent accurizing tricks for Garands.

(I had to admit to giggling when you described a match winning M1 Carbine. If the match was just accuracy, I can understand. But only if the targets aren't rifle distances away.)

[Patrick Chadwick]

I had to admit to giggling when you described a match winning M1 Carbine.

You may giggle - but mine beat all the other carbines. Of course it was accuracy, at no more than 50 meters. I shall, of course, look for a chance to try it out at longer distances. I have shot my French trainer in .22 short at 200 meters, and I reckon the .30M1 carbine should still hit the target out to 300.

Getting back to the Garand - the first trial was with the standard issue backsight. The NM backsight needs some attention - it arrived in dismantled condition, and had lost a click spring and ball. When I have repaired that, I will make another test with the same ammo, and then start searching for the minimum powder charge that provides reliable recycling.

[mike radford]

Patrick, Is there no USGI specification ammo available in Europe? Using the correct load for an M1 rifle is pretty critical for life of the entire rifle's componets. Most folks in the US use only M2 ammo or some commercial loads which replicate the M2 load. Reloading for the M1 is widely discouraged and powder burn rate is critical. Seems like Greek M2 ammo should be available there as well. I would not use anything but M2 or M72 match in my Garands.

On Carbine accuracy, I have used sporting clays for targets out to 200 yds with a Carbine and hit close to 50%. They will definitey reach out to 300 yds plus and energy at 300 yds is near to muzzle energy for a 357 magnum pistol. Audie Murphy counter snipered 7 German snipers using a Winchester M1 carbine with a flip/L sight. He took home a High Turret sniper rifle and gave it to his sister. The HT, Audie and his sister were on the cover of LIFE magazine. His Winchester carbine is in a Georgia Military Base museum, Ft Gordon IIRC.

[Joe W]

I tried it out yesterday. It's a keeper!

If I could buy one, I would. But Garand spares have just about disappeared over here, so it may require an active weekend on the lathe.

Patrick, I have no knowledge of export laws as they relate to "gun Parts". I would have thought that something like a adjustable gas plug would pose no problem to ship from the U.S. I have a daughter that lives in Italy and I send her stuff frequently, well not that frequently, as the costs can get up there. I have never ran into any problems but I have never sent a gun part. I think if she was into Garands I would have shipped her something like a lock screw without even giving it a second thought. Guess that's how you get in trouble, not thinking. Are the export laws that restrictive regarding something like a lock screw ??

[AZPhil]

So do we get to see pic's???????

[.45s r best]

Patrick, I don't know if I am sending you any useful information or not, but it is best if you use ammo that is suitable for a Garand. I do not know if American made ammo is available in Germany or not, but American Eagle makes ammo specifically for M1's. In addition, if American made ammo is available in Germany and you are not able to get ammo manufactured specifically for M1 rifles, Winchester, Remington and American Eagle both make ammo for 30.06's in 150 grain that have muzzle velocities around 2,800fpm. If you shoot this ammo and use an adjustable gas plug such as made by Shuster Manufacturing Inc. you will have no problems. The main problem with shooting ammo not made for Garands is the high pressures that are generated causing battering of the rifles components. Another hazard of shooting ammo not made for Garands is the chance of a slam fire, but from what I understand this is not that big an issue if the rifle is properly maintained and if the ammo is appropriate for semi-autos. I wish you the best of luck with your Garand. They are great rifles and a lot of fun to shoot!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Are the export laws that restrictive regarding something like a lock screw ??

Well it's your country, not mine, where the difficulties arise, so perhaps you can explain it. Numrich, for example state clearly on their website that they will not take orders from outside the USA. Likewise Hornady. I can't even access gun-related items on Fleabay, let alone guns themselves! I just get a pathetic message referring to possible infringements of some unspecified restrictions that certainly do not exist over here. Please get this right, I don't mean that I can't bid, I mean that Fleabay won't even let me LOOK. If that is not censorship, then what is it?

It seems to me that they are all s**t-scared of the bureaucrats. What in German is termed "vorauseilender Gehorsam" or a cringing self-restriction that goes beyond the actual requirements out of a pathetic fear that one might, just might, infringe some regulation of which one has not heard, but you never know, play safe, keep your head down, don't stand out in the crowd... must I go on? Now take the phrase "land of the free" and chew on it. And I apologize to all and especially moderators for almost sliding into politics, but the head in the sand attitude will not solve anything. Neither will a rant, of course, so it's back to the lathe...

[Patrick Chadwick]

So do we get to see pic's?????

Yes, but I have a pistol competition next weekend. Where I shall come last with an "Artillery" Luger (actually the LP08, before the purists write in!) and a Webley MKVI in their respective classes. The German saying for this situation is (translated) "If you have no reputation to lose, you can simply enjoy yourself". I provide a kind of zero reference for people who can actually shoot handguns.

After that, I shall return to my rifles. And the Garand has first priority for load development. So expect pics in about 10 days time, maybe a range report in 2 weeks.

[Bob Seijas]

Artillery Luger? Use a Trommelmagazin and really blow their minds!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Cause

Attachment 42221

Effect
Attachment 42224
If you look at the previous postings, you will see that this is an original WW2 barrelled system, although sights, gas cylinder and stock are probably replacements. The trigger also appears to be a bit later. Attachment 42225

But the core mechanism of barrel / op-rod / receiver /
Attachment 42223
and bolt
Attachment 42220
performs superbly.

The various components are all well parkerized in varying shades of anthracite grey. Overall, the rifle seems to show honest wear, with no sign of reparkerization.

Jim Thompson's book had worried me, with the warnings against the straight-cut operating rod and the admonition to keep WW2 originals for the display cabinet (which I do not have) and shoot later 308s for accuracy. But I am not running an amateur museum, just trying to shoot well.

Fortunately, this veteran has not read any books, and just slots the bullets into a 1-1/4 MOA group at 100 meters.

The numbers 8, 16 etc. indicate the clicks from the end of the adjustment range for the sighting shots. The last sighter was the 10 at 12 o'clock, 11 clicks up, then I shot another 5 to verify the POI. Note how the variation with the clicks is non-linear - I kept on forgetting to tighten the lock bar after adjustment! Since I can hardly aim any better anyway with iron sights, I am not going to know if the rifle itself can do better until it is tested with a scope. I suspect it can.