Looking to buy a Garand, what do I need to know?

[2531usmc]

I’m looking to buy a Garand. What do I need to know?

I’ve been a history buff all my life and I’ve always wanted one. Now that I’m retired I have time to go the range more often. Not really serious shooting,

Do I just buy one from the CMP?

 

[TSnave]

CMP is probably the best option. You just need to be a member of an affiliated club or organization. Garand Collectors Association is probably easiest if your local range isn't. CMP has a database. Then just decide what you want, fill out the paperwork and send it in.

 

[Pharmseller]

Don’t shoot standard -06 in them.




P

 

[2531usmc]

I always heard that WW II 30-06 ammo was loaded to lower pressures than todays ammo and you could not shoot modern ammo.

But the CMP web page basically says not to shoot heavy bullets greater than 150 gr.

Can you buy 30-06 ammo loaded to the old specs?

 

[Choupique]

Can you buy 30-06 ammo loaded to the old specs?

Yes, several different kinds. The CMP will occasionally get mil surp as well.

Just buy one from CMP. Great organization and you know what you're getting. I did the one with the new barrel and new stock. No collector value, but great utility barrel. Mine was in vastly better condition than then description led me to believe it would be.

I shoot factory 150gr stuff in mine all the time, not garand specific. As long as the rifle is properly lubricated it's fine.

 

[Rotnguns]

I always heard that WW II 30-06 ammo was loaded to lower pressures than todays ammo and you could not shoot modern ammo.

But the CMP web page basically says not to shoot heavy bullets greater than 150 gr.

Can you buy 30-06 ammo loaded to the old specs?

Consider a Schuster plug that you can tune for any ammo you want:

M1 GARAND - SCHUSTER MFG INC

www.schustermfg.com

 

[2531usmc]

The Field Grade is $800 and the Expert Grade is $1150. Kinda thinking the field grade is all I need, but just might want to consider the expert grade in case the field grade is beat up

 

[Milestone522]

Just buy the field grade if you want a shooter. I always wrote "prefer Springfield " on the order form, and then received rifles with early to mid ww2 production receivers. Barrels will be from Korea or Vietnam era probably. Kind of a coin toss on the wood condition.

Order a couple if you can afford it, that way you can get the pick of the litter and you can resell the others to friends or family, etc.

You can shoot old USGI ammo, Greek or Korean surplus ammo, or any 150gr stuff without worry. Just be aware the real old stuff might be corrosive.

If you like history it will become one of your favorite shooters...

 

[RockAndSage]

The issue about shooting ammo designed for the Garand is a real one. It's not so much about high pressure vs low pressure, but where the pressure spikes inside the bore. If it peaks too close to the gas port, you can end up with a bent operating rod from that. There's plenty of data out there on handloading with the right powders and bullet weights to safely shoot handloads in Garands, and just in the last few years there have been more factory options for Garand ammo. Just know that it's a thing, and that it matters.

 

[def90]

The ammo thing has been debunked over and over. Bent op rods are the result of people that don't know how to properly lube a garand.

Buy from the CMP, I would get a service grade but they are out of them currently. The grade descriptions are accurate, if you don't want to wait for service grade rifles to come back in stock then read the descriptions and get what makes most sense for you.

 

[RockAndSage]

The ammo thing has been debunked over and over. Bent op rods are the result of people that don't know how to properly lube a garand.

Buy from the CMP, I would get a service grade but they are out of them currently. The grade descriptions are accurate, if you don't want to wait for service grade rifles to come back in stock then read the descriptions and get what makes most sense for you.

FFS, no, it hasn't been "debunked over and over". Yes, there's nuance to the issue, but it's a real thing - there's "Garand Safe" ammo, and everything else. Some types of ammo are fine, some types are very much not fine. Add in binding or poor lubrication and the situation gets worse. One clip of ammo may or may not be a problem, but a case of heavy bullet stuff with a slower burn peaking at the gas port is probably going to cause increasing amounts of damage.

It's like saying "Driving twice the speed limit is fine, it's been debunked over and over again that you can't do it".

OP, if you want to read a good article on the issue, this will help. The plug they sell is a good option.

The M1 Garand and Commercial Ammunition - GarandGear

GarandGearThe M1 Garand and Commercial Ammunition-

www.garandgear.com

 

[TheGrayRider]

I love deer hunting with my Korean War era M1 Garand. Great guns. Happy hunting, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[def90]

FFS, no, it hasn't been "debunked over and over". Yes, there's nuance to the issue, but it's a real thing - there's "Garand Safe" ammo, and everything else. Some types of ammo are fine, some types are very much not fine. Add in binding or poor lubrication and the situation gets worse. One clip of ammo may or may not be a problem, but a case of heavy bullet stuff with a slower burn peaking at the gas port is probably going to cause increasing amounts of damage.

It's like saying "Driving twice the speed limit is fine, it's been debunked over and over again that you can't do it".

OP, if you want to read a good article on the issue, this will help. The plug they sell is a good option.

The M1 Garand and Commercial Ammunition - GarandGear

GarandGearThe M1 Garand and Commercial Ammunition-

www.garandgear.com

The Garand Collectors Association themselves published an article about this in one of their quarterly issues. The Garand was developed around the M1 ball cartridge which is the same as any current commercial load under 180 grains. Yet this whole M2 Ball special ammo thing still keeps going on today. When I’m back at my computer a little later I’ll post pics of some excerpts from this article.

 

[def90]

GCA article exerpts on Garands and ammo.

 

[jayhawk]

I’d get one from the CMP. Everything else is
woefully overpriced for no good reason.

You can hand load or buy 30-06 specifically made for the garand action (S&B and Prvi makes some). If you want to shoot regular 30-06 rounds, there are a few gas plug options out there that help reduce the pressures in the system.

Tens of thousands of garands have shot regular hunting ammo without blowing up or being damaged, but a $40 adjustment plug is a cheap insurance policy imo.

You’ll love owning one. Soon you’ll want a bayonet, then an ammo belt, and pretty soon you’ll be watching Band of Brothers or Saving Private Ryan on repeat

 

[KenLee]

Most are pieced together. Don't pay original price for a blended Garand.

 

[KenLee]

Don’t shoot standard -06 in them.




P

20 yrs ago, my son was spitting 150 gr Core-lokts through a 1942 Springfield like sunflower husks. I didn't really care because I paid $100 for the Garand. 100 rounds through it without damage (cause I only had 5 boxes of the Core-lokts). He killed 5 or 6 deer with it, then it went back into hiding.

 

[Pharmseller]

WARNING!​

Dear CMP Family,

The CMP advises to not use .30/06 ammunition in M1 Garands, 1903s, and 1903A3s that is loaded beyond 50,000 CUP and has a bullet weight more than 172-174gr. These rifles are at least 70 years old and were not designed for max loads and super heavy bullets. Always wear hearing and eye protection when firing an M1 Garand, 1903 and/or 1903A3 rifle.

This warning is an update/addition to the Ammunition section in the Read This First manual enclosed with each rifle shipment (M1 Garand manual-page 6 and M1903 manual-page 10).

Civilian Marksmanship Program

 

[Pharmseller]

Heck, shoot whatever you want. I was just trying to help a brother out.




P

 

[def90]

WARNING!​

Dear CMP Family,

The CMP advises to not use .30/06 ammunition in M1 Garands, 1903s, and 1903A3s that is loaded beyond 50,000 CUP and has a bullet weight more than 172-174gr. These rifles are at least 70 years old and were not designed for max loads and super heavy bullets. Always wear hearing and eye protection when firing an M1 Garand, 1903 and/or 1903A3 rifle.

This warning is an update/addition to the Ammunition section in the Read This First manual enclosed with each rifle shipment (M1 Garand manual-page 6 and M1903 manual-page 10).

Civilian Marksmanship Program

And this is directly from the manual that they put in ever garand case they ship out..