Picked out 3 M1's at Camp Perry

Just got back from Camp Perry. The CMP Store had Rack and Field grade M1's. I managed to find 3 rifles with #2 on the muzzle wear gauge and 4 on the Throat gauge. All the rifles checked OK for head space. The problem on the muzzle wear is obviously cleaning rod damage as most of the barrels measured 5 and under in throat wear. Some of the rifles ate the muzzle guage and had side to side slop in the bore.

The rifle I picked was a 1954 Springfield with original barrel and properly marked stock. The bolt is an HRA as well as the trigger group. The sights work perfectly. I am satisfied with the purchase of a Field grade M1 for $495.00.

I will have to repair the lower handguard and refinish the upper handguard. The parkerizing is VG+ except for the gas cylinder and it is white. The trigger is about 4-5 pounds and crisp.

Can't wait to test it for accuracy and function.

Doug Bowser

Wish we could have taught those G.I's to clean from the chamber forward....guess that was not possible with the M1 unless you stripped it...kind of a shame...

before and after pics Doug...you know the drill

Go show Doug, Congratulations - See, what do I keep telling you guys - you just can't have 1 Garand!!

A new crowning job will do wonders!!

BTW: Did you shoot in the matches?

Doug, you are the resident firearm expert. What all do you look at in picking out an M1? I going to get out to Gadison when ever we can get up a road trip. Captain's going with us to advise, even if he don't know it yet.

a little reading for you Sid


http://www.fulton-armory.com/TEGauge.htm

BTW: Did you shoot in the matches?[/quote]

I was there as a coach for our Junior Air Pistol Team.

Doug

sidroski wrote:Doug, you are the resident firearm expert. What all do you look at in picking out an M1? I going to get out to Gadison when ever we can get up a road trip. Captain's going with us to advise, even if he don't know it yet.

raise the rear sight and press down on the aperture. It should not go down. Squeeze the forearm and handguard together and see if there is any spring to it. If there is spring to it, the rifle is usually more accurate than a rifle that is what they call FLAT. Borrow the muzzle and throat gauges from the gunsmith at the CMP store and reject any rifle that is more than a 2 at the muzzle and a 6 in the throat.

Grab the upper forearm with one hand and the pistol grip of the buttstock with the other, pull the stock and forearm apart from each other, there should be no forward or backward slop in the stock.

Do you have the credentials to go to Anniston to the CMP store. If not email me at douglasmbowser@yahoo.com

Doug

msredneck wrote:Wish we could have taught those G.I's to clean from the chamber forward....guess that was not possible with the M1 unless you stripped it...kind of a shame...

before and after pics Doug...you know the drill

It's not possible to clean it from the chamber forward with it stripped either. Three things killed these barrels: corrosive ammo that had to be cleaned out after every shooting session, drill instructors that made soldiers incessantly scrub the bores, and the issued four section cleaning rod banging its way down the bore. I saw a postage stamp IHC with an LMR barrel at the gunshow last weekend. The muzzle had been counterbored and sleeved! The owner said that was to improve accuracy and in an ironic way it was. He was of the mind it was to improve accuracy over a good barrel, when it was to improve accuracy of a bad barrel.

Another tip about the trip to Anniston's CMP Store. Have them ship the rifle. Shipping is 1/2 the cost of State Tax.

Doug

Everytime im out that way I say im going to go the CMP but I always have something that tells me just wait till next time and then when the next time comes it says it again so definately next time I head that way I am stopping by and making a few purchases.
Oh and Doug I want to see those Garands because I bought three from SOG and I just would like to see what yours looked like we got ours for 495 also.

Gotta through my 2cents in about cleaning the barrel: Phillip M is right, gotta clean from the muzzle. ALWAYS USE A BRASS ROD GUIDE/MUZZLE PROTECTOR when you do this, and start it patiently, don't get in a hurry & scratch the bore. Of course I learned this from the best, Papa Doug Bowser:

good advice

For my M1 and M1A's I use the Otis cleaning system. Clean from the breech, never possible to damage the muzzle. Just be sure the rifle is upside down so cleaner can't get in the gas system. Check out their website www.otisgun.com. Works like a charm!! 'Mo