Springfield Armory M1 Garand

Drake · Post by **Drake** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:02 pm

Here's a few pictures of my 1943 Springfield Armory M1 Garand.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/220308/4038307.jpeg[/pic]

Lock bar sights:

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/220308/4772740.jpeg[/pic]

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/220308/4809335.jpeg[/pic]

I picked up this UFH bayonet on eBay.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/220308/4145604.jpeg[/pic]

I picked up this grenade launcher and sight kit at a gun show last year. I can't bring myself to drill holes in the stock to mount it, so it'll just stay in the wrap.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/220308/4452968.jpeg[/pic]

Here's the grenade launcher spigot mounted on the rifle:

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/220308/4593545.jpeg[/pic]

A M1A2 Grenade Projector fixed on the spigot:

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/220308/4714612.jpeg[/pic]

The slings on my Garand and Springfield are from Turner Saddlery, I couldn't be more pleased with them. My first sling was delivered within three weeks but the second had a two month delay since they ran out of keepers and had to fill quite a few backorders.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/220308/4829997.jpeg[/pic]

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:58 am

I enjoyed that

Post by **Niner** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:20 am

I have a Springfield Garand too...but no bayonet, or leather sling to go with it. Just have a cloth web gear sling. That's the first granade launcher for a Garand that I've seen or even thought about existing. Thanks for posting them. Again, really good, clear, well composed photos too.

45nut · Post by **45nut** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:29 pm

Sweet accoutrement's there. Very cool.

Drake · Post by **Drake** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:01 pm

There are a few cartouches on the stock-

The circle-P proof stamp:

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/230308/8560027.jpeg[/pic]

A very faint Springfield Armory stamp on the left side. You can barely make out the SA, GAW and the crossed cannons in the circle. Someone tried very hard to make this disappear.

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/230308/8598379.jpeg[/pic]

I suspect this is why:

http://hooverae.com/upload/files/230308/8673627.jpeg[/pic]

So this rifle was restocked. It's made with Springfield parts, and the stock was originally Springfield and restamped as Rock Island. Odd mix there. The GAW inspector stamp puts the stock around the same timeframe as the rifle's manufacture- August 1943 - March 1945. The rifle was built in October 1943 according to the serial number.

Post by **Niner** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:56 pm

From what I read the P in a circle proof firing mark on the pistol grip is as it should be on an original Springfield stock. The SA/GAW would be right too. Supposed to be that the SA/GAW is right for Springfields in the 1,800,000 to 3,200,000 range. Maybe it's not a rifle that's been restocked actually but only rebuilt with some new parts added.

Mine was built by Springfield in October of 1943 also. Its one of those Danish returns and has been restocked with no such marks as yours.

Drake · Post by **Drake** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:00 pm

I've got no misconceptions about this rifle being all-original parts, but they all seem to be correct Springfield parts.

In any case it makes a fine shooter. I picked up a Schuster adjustable gas plug so I can save some wear and tear on the piston while shooting more commonly-available ammunition.

M2 Ball is still available but I have a hard time finding ranges that will let me use FMJ rifle ammunition or any ammunition that attracts a magnet.

Post by **Niner** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:09 pm

I didn't mean to suggest that you think it was all original. My thought is that it may be more original than most. Closer than mine in any case.

Drake · Post by **Drake** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:39 pm

Just a misunderstanding, then. I originally intended to buy a CMP gun, I even joined the VFW since it was a qualified organization. By the time I had the money set aside for a CMP rifle they had very short supply and this rifle presented itself at a local gun show - for a few hundred more than a CMP, of course.

It did have a few issues when I got it, however.

The timing was off so the bolt catch wouldn't release as the clip was fully inserted. I dealt with this for a few months before I bothered to get a new bolt release, recoil spring and bullet guide to fix it. Now that it's working properly I'm back in the line of fire to get Garand Thumb with my fellow M1 shooters.

The gas cylinder had a bit of play on the barrel which let the front sight move between shots. It wasn't enough to ruin the accuracy at 50 and 100 yards, but I peened over the ridges on the barrel a bit and it has a snug fit now.

Even with those few snags it's been great fun to shoot, I certainly don't regret the investment.

Brass Rat · Post by **Brass Rat** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:31 pm

Nice looking rifle!

The only time that most M1's release the bolt by themselves is when your not paying attention and have something in front of the bolt that shouldn't be there.

I have owned 3 of them and on all of them I usually had to give the op rod a bump.

There is a video of John C. Garand himself doing the bump.

I prefer to put a strip of aluminum can in the 2 bottom slots then drive the gas cylinder on with a piece of wood. Tightens it right up.

Both my M1's, my 03A3, #5, and AR all wear Turner slings.

Springfield Armory M1 Garand

Springfield Armory M1 Garand

GREAT STUFF DRAKE

That is a good post

Hmmm