I bought a Garand from a guy on Friday, it is a H&R receiver, he got it from CMP and told me it was a "Service Grade" A few of the parts are marked SA(Springfield Armory), and some of the finish is down to the steel near the muzzle. According to the SN, it was made around '54, and the barrel has 3-55 stamped on it. A very faint cartouche is on the pistol grip, it is a Circle with a "P".
He gave all the goodies the CMP ships with these guns, gun case, one en bloc clip, certificate, and a target.

I used my biggest pot, and boiled the field stripped parts and steamed the stock a little. Got the biggest part of the Cosmoline off, and reassembled. I have never had a Garand apart, and I got a couple things backwards, but eventually I got it back right.

I looked on the CMP website, and they do not have any service grade rifles available right now.

From my research on the net, these are generally thought to be the least collectable, and best made of the M1's.

I shot 8 rounds thru it a few hours ago, not shooting for accuracy, just getting comfortable. After properly reassembling the rifle at the range, a loaded some el cheapo 150 grainers from Wal Mart, the rifle functioned perfectly. I know you are not supposed to use commercial ammo, but I went with the lightest bullets I could find, I figured a few rounds would not hurt anything.

I plan on buying some surplus mil spec ammo this week from a place I found on line. Looks like the cheapest I have seen for reloadable brass is around 73 cents a round. Anyone have a better deal they know about?

Anyone else have a Garand?

Glad to see you have a "piece of history" with your Garand. Your concern regarding commercial ammo is not necessarily the problem, but rather the weight of the bullet in your ammo. There is some extra strength commerical ammo in '06 and would avoid those. Garands have a long, "live" op.rod and heavy loads/bullets can spring or bend the rod. H&R's and IH Garands were all made during the Korean War era because Springfield Armory could not supply rifles as needed on a timely basis. Don't know that one is any better than the other for all are excellent battle rifles. Don't know where you are in WV, but at Elanore, WV, few miles west of Charleston, we hold High Power Matches from March through October and also hold Garand Matches as well on those dates(3rd Sunday of each month.) You would be more than welcome and would find several there very knowledgeable on Garands. If you should have any questions regarding the Garand, drop me a line and sure some of us in this area could be of assitance.

MFD

I am up around Wheeling. So that is a little far for an evening of what, I am sure would be a entertaining time.

If I am down in that area, I will try and come have a look around.

LT

GO TO THIS WEB SITE
http://www.odcmp.com/
FIND "SALES" THEN FIND THE "ESTORE" THEN THE "AMMO" HEADING AND BUY YOUR AMMO IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OTHE CMP WHICH IS NOT REALLY THAT HARD TO BECOME. ALSO IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE "GARAND COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION" THAT COUNTS AS A REQUIREMNT OF BEING A MEMBER OF A AFFLIATED CLUP FOR THE CMP AND IT PROVIDES GREAT INFO ABOUT YOUR GARAND THEIR PHONE IS 816-471-2005 OR www.thegca.org
prices at CMP
SURPLUS 200 ROUNDS LOOSE IS $98.00
OTHERS SELL FOR LESS THAN $0.73 ON THE SAME PAGE

who ever told you not to use commercial ammo

common thought is to use loads that approximate the M2 ball or other such fodder (M72 match etc).

That equation results in a load of somewhere around 45-47 grns of 4895 or 4064 and 150, 168 and 175 bullets.

The concept is to not over work the op rod by inducing higher than design pressures at the gas port. However, I have used 190 grn bullets and reasonable charges of the above powder (range) with good success in HP competition.

Problem is that recoil tends to break down your position, and as most are aware, position uniformity and build is one of the keys to repeatable performances either day to day or shot to shot.

Be safe, love on your Garand with 150-175 bullets an velocities of around 2800-2550 with the above mentioned powder range (medium-fast speed) and she will likely last another 50 years or more!

commercial loads are loaded with powder that burns too slowly. occasional use has not damamged my friend's garand, but I would not make a habit of it. excessive use may bend the op rod (easily repaired) or crack the receiver.

the HRA garands are not the least collectible. the WWII gaqrands are, something like 3,000,000 were made.

I have a couple. they are great.

I shoot the CMP greek ammo, it was made for garands. reload with 4895 and 150 gr bullets for blasting. I have shot some very satisfying groups (~2 moa) using SMK 175s and IMR4895 from a VAR-barreled CMP garand. 175s are pushing it though, 168s would be better.

bullets need to be 180gr or less, and powder needs to be 4320 or faster.

of all my guns my friends shoot, the garand is probably the most popular.

Since WWII 30/06 hunting ammo has been loaded with powders too slow for the Garand. Bullet weight does not matter, it is the burning rate of the powder. I had problems with Winchester 150gr 30/06 ammo in my Garand.

Federal and Hornady now load proper Garand 30/06 loads. For reloaders IMR 4895 is the best choice. I use IMR 3031 because I have a lot of it on hand.

The Garand is one of the best rifles on the Planet, IMHO of course.

PS I have some in 308WCF. They work with any 308 ammo...

quote:

Since WWII 30/06 hunting ammo has been loaded with powders too slow for the Garand. Bullet weight does not matter, it is the burning rate of the powder.

This.

I have used Federal 150grn on a couple Whitetails, doe and 8 pt, w/ no issues. But now mostly use the Greek fmj's in it.