Help! I've got an original WW2 Garand!

[Patrick Chadwick]

No, not a joke. I found a Garand for a price that I will not reveal for fear of endangering my credibility. Let's just say I bought it for the "immediate sale" price about 3 minutes after it appeared on an auction site on a Monday morning. So, dear colleagues, you don't even need to dig around to see which one it was. It was described as having a loading defect, but works fine with original SA clips.

Not all original - NM sights fitted (which I wanted, for a shooter). Barrel looks A1 (not yet gauged).
So what did I do as my first action? - Get info off this site as to how to disassemble, clean and grease it.

Whereupon I discovered the following:

Springfield Arsenal s/n 2024xxx. Receiver also marked D28291-30
This dates to October 1943, according to the available info.

Barrel marking 2 S-A 10-43
OMG, the original barrel!

Bolt D28287 12-SA plus S 0-6 with diamond mark
Looks like the original bolt.

Operating rod D35382 9 SA - no extra letter, such as C or F
Yes, it looks like the original op-rod as well!

And that's the problem. I want a Garand for competitive shooting. I bought it because it was cheap, had a defect that I reckoned I could fix, and had the NM sights. I have also learnt that square-corner op-rods could be dangerous, but are sought after by collectors. I wanted a shooter and appear to have acquired a collector's piece.

So what I need is a later, rounded-corner op-rod - and here in Mauserland such things fall into in the hen's teeth category. And it seems that the "usual suspects" of US parts suppliers all refuse to export gun parts.

Can anyone help me find a parts supplier that is in or will deliver to Germany without making a fuss about it?

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.

[jmoore]

If you aren't launching grenades, then the op rod you have will likely give you no fits, providing you use "Garand approved" powders. Basically, it's about gas port pressure. I have several that get shot, and have managed to survive so far: I'm assuming you aren't going to get so all-fired serious that you will burn out barrels every 2-3 years...

ETA: Whilst it's no rush, you might see if some of our Italian members can help you out, there seems to be a fair amount of Garand gear over thar'.

[Patrick Chadwick]

ETA: Whilst it's no rush, you might see if some of our Italian members can help you out, there seems to be a fair amount of Garand gear over thar'

That sounds like a very good idea. Perhaps I'll be able to find some Beretta parts?

If you aren't launching grenades, then the op rod you have will likely give you no fits, providing you use "Garand approved" powders. Basically, it's about gas port pressure. I have several that get shot, and have managed to survive so far: I'm assuming you aren't going to get so all-fired serious that you will burn out barrels every 2-3 years...

No sir! At maybe 200 rounds/year, the service life of 5000-10000 rounds will certainly see me out! As to loads, my shoulder won't take much these days and I will be using the minimum that assures reliable cycling. Encouraged by your comments, I shall just go very carefully.

[jmoore]

Beretta parts or equivalent (Breda) are very good! Just watch out for the 1/2" shortened op rods that are for their 7,62x51 conversions.

[AZPhil]

Congrat's on your Garand!!!!! Does the stock have any cartouche marks? So do we get to see pic's when it come's in?

[Brian Dick]

Patrick,
I have some spare op rods here although I'd be hesitant to change it if I were you. Chances of it failing are very slim. They would be over the $100 limit and would require export licensing. My favorite rifle is an original Springfield built in January 1945 with an uncut op rod and I've been shooting it for 30 years! Email me direct to bdlltd@bellsouth.net with your needs. I have some Beretta M1 Rifle parts here too.
Brian

[Patrick Chadwick]

Does the stock have any cartouche marks?

None that I can find. But it does not appear to have been obviously sanded. Maybe there never were any marks (replacement stock?)

So do we get to see pic's when it come's in?

Yes, when I have tried it out and decided that I want to keep it. That means it must be an acceptable shooter - German firearms law only allows me a total of 3 self-loading rifles, and I already have a match-winning .30M1 carbine, so I can't afford to keep a wallhanger, regardless of how "collectable" it may be!

---------- Post added at 07:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:07 PM ----------

Email me direct to bdlltd@bellsouth.net with your needs. I have some Beretta M1 Rifle parts here too.

Thank you for that very generous offer! I shall try in Europe first, as the export problem may be easier.

[GUTS]

Congratulations Patrick, Garand shooting is something all it's own and you will love it!

[Neal Myers]

Most folks in the US will not attempt to export anything related to guns, as the regulations are complex & vary depending upon the country. Serious European collectors retain a "US agent", a US dealer who also has an exporter license. Check out this company: ETSS - Home .

You will never have a problem with your uncut op rod, as long as you never fire rifle grenades. (That is what caused the cracking.)

I don't what ammunition you plan to fire, but anything hotter than USGI M2 ball CAN damage your op rod. It may be wise to buy an adjustable gas cylinder plug to prevent damage.

[Patrick Chadwick]

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

Op-rod and shoulder are both still intact. Grouping at 100 meters was 2 MOA wide, 4 MOA tall. This with off-the shelf 150 gn hunting ammo, which is probably a bit too strong for regular use.

Since my PWF is about 1 MOA, this was very good for a first trial. Experience has shown that ammo adapted to an old service rifle usually produces a noticeable improvement. No time for pics at the moment, but I will make some soon.

It may be wise to buy an adjustable gas cylinder plug to prevent damage.

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.