Shot my M1 Garand for the first time

[GARD72977]

Went to the range Friday. I took along my M1. It had made it to the range 3 times and not fired yet.

We have steel set up @100 and 200yds. I have been shooting my 223 a lot and a 300/221 Encore rifle. Hitting the steel with an '06 is almost shocking after shooting the mouse guns for a while. I love the heavy smack on the steel.

I have shot larger calibers before but never at steel. Have to say it's fun. No point to my story just sharing.

[rl69]

I know what your saying....nothing the garand has a personality all of its own. I think it's that long op rod that gives it that warm fuzzy filing against your shoulder:)

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Congratulations on owning one and shooting it. They're addicting, kind of like jellybeans. Hard to hold it down to just one, and so much knowledge and history to be learned. It just might become your favorite rifle.

[gbrown]

To me, there is nothing comparable to shooting a Garand-- 8 whoomps and a ping. Mine is a '54 IHC, fantastic shooter. One of these days I'm gonna try 800 yd at our gun range. Glad you finally got it shooting. Enjoy it.

[GARD72977]

Mine is also a 54 IHC. It is a CMP model with original receiver and all new parts including a Criterion match barrel. It was unfired (Since CMP) before Friday

[GOPHER SLAYER]

When I enlisted in the Navy in 1952 I weighed 117 pounds. We had week of rifle training starting with 22 target rifles. I had fired lots of 22s but never a center fire before. I was looking forward to shooting my first. We formed a line to get the ammo. We turned our white hat inside out to hold the ammo. We got five clips. I asked, is this all we get and of course the guy said, "move on". We fired the first round and I thought, OMG, 39 more to go. Talk about pain. I don't see how I fired the other rounds but I qualified and did not have to go back for more punishment. I don't think I have fired another Garand since. When the DCM began selling Garands, I qualified for one and had all the paper work ready but never mailed it. At the time they were $125.

[Walks]

I got my M1 Garand from the DCM in 1988. It was a Walnut Stocked Winchester made in June 1944. All Winchester Parts. It was in 95%+ Condition.

It also had It's rear sight moved half way to the left. I didn't touch the sight first time I fired it. It hit dead center at 100yrds. I don't know if the barrel is bent or the sights are screwed up. Probably why it was never issued. Just put aside and never bothered with.

I don't care, it shoots great with the sights screwed halfway to the left.
Still using my DAD'S load; 150gr FMJ over 46.0grs of H4895. 5 rds into 2inches or less.

I know the U.S. Gov't paid $88 for it in WW2. I had to pay $166. For Storage, handling, packaging, shipping and who knows what else.

Great Rifle.

[gbrown]

The one thing I always liked about the Garand, as a citizen, was the weight of it, to counter the recoil. As an Infantryman, I wouldn't like to lug that thing around all day. It has recoil, but to me, doesn't seem like much. I got mine in the early '80s--I saw an ad in the American Rifleman and responded to it. The company was selling surplus Garands to law enforcement only for $125. Got my Sheriff to sign off on my application(was a deputy at the time) and received mine in a few months. Seemed like it must have come from an Asian country, as the stock had been shortened. Apparently, the country had received M16's as military aid and were selling/returning previously supplied U.S. surplus. Got a replacement stock and there you are.

[rking22]

Mine is a CMP IH as well, love the things! They are an accurate service rifle and I never thought the recoil was a concern. I shot high power with one and enjoyed it, they were just starting the Garand match when I shifted to coaching SCTP. Really need to work up a cast load for it, rountuit issues, one day.

[drizler]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GBertolet]

Mine is also a 1954, made by H&R. Stenciled rebuilt 1966. Assembled with Springfield parts for all but receiver. 1954 must have been a good year for M1's.

[Hick]

If your shoulder is a little tender (like mine-- from an old surgery with a pin and a couple of screws) you can just download a little. That's what I do for my CMP Service Grade Special (1954 H&R). I slow it down to about 2600 fps and the recoil is no issue at all. Wonderful rifles!

[samari46]

Probably the most iconic rifle that lasted for 3 wars. WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Mine is a Blue Sky from South Korea. Came with a Remington national match op rod. Bore on this one is really nice. Stock was really beat up so when midway had the Boyd's stock set on sale for $120 or so bought one. Mine is a Springfield Armory one dated to 1943. Loves LC 67 M2 ball. Even old eyes like mine find the iron sights easy to use. Frank

[Crash_Corrigan]

I have a Springfield made in '53 that I have shot probably 1,000 rounds through and the major groups are lurking in the parts bin in a dark corner of the garage. I paid $750 to a shooting club member and it is a very decent example of a normal Garand. Last year I stumbled across a Winchester made in April '43 when I just just 3 months old. I has a large crack on the wooden top piece closest to the receiver that was repaired with glue and brass nails. Also somebody hacked the butt off and put on a decent foam recoil pad. I bought a new stock unfinished and sanded and refinished it with Linseed Oil over a 6 month period. Now I hafta remove that old battered stock and replace it with mine and add the few metal pieces (ie; Buttplate, spring door in plate etc) necessary for a complete job. I have not taken it out to the range yet in it's present condition but I will do it soon.

[lead-1]

I have a '41 Winchester and it has to be one of my favorite rifles in my humble collection for two reasons.
One, I love me a Garand and two, my wife bought it for me, a lot of fun in a Garand package.

[labradigger1]

I have a 54 hra, Springfield op rod and rifle from cmp. Loved it so much o loaded 2 full ammo cans of ammo for it. Wifey loves it too.

[David2011]

Mine is also a 54 IHC. It is a CMP model with original receiver and all new parts including a Criterion match barrel. It was unfired (Since CMP) before Friday

That’s what mine is as well, but with a 1942 Springfield receiver. I love taking it to the range. It’s like taking your classic car out on a nice day and it usually attracts a lot of interest and questions. It also makes you realize how important it was in the battle against evil in World War II.

[Rich/WIS]

Mine was a 53 HRA service grade with a CMP birch stock. All HRA except the SA oprod. Traded with another CMP forum member for and HRA oprod and replaced the stock with the appropriate GI walnut stock. Fun shooter but my arthritis made it unpleasant after a 3 or 4 clips. Gave it to my son and he really enjoys it, and yes you definitely know when you hit the steel plates.

[starnbar]

Springfield born in march 43 it was rearsenaled in 50 with a new barrel h&r i think cant remember offhand shoots good real good likes the cast in 170-180 weight.

[d4xycrq]

Waiting for good weather!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4885/46631593491_da7130e5c1_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2e3F78e)

[Rick B]

Springfield made 10/41 British Proofed. Owned it since 1975. Shot a Caribou with it on the Alaska Peninsula that same year.
Rick

[Got-R-Did]

Collector/Shooter/Armorer for Garands since ‘99. Shot my first one at an M1 Clinic at Scott Mountain KD Range on Ft. Knox with my Father. Dad trained with one early in his Army Career and his Father carried one in WWII.
I suffer from Garanditis in the worst way and 45 rifles have come into my possession over the years with many either replaced with better examples in a particular niche or given to Veterans as gifts. Still have a “few” left.
My suggestion to those who have an issue with recoil is to use 110-125 gr bullets such as the Speer 125 gr TNT. Greatly improved accuracy over any Ball bullet and mitigates recoil impulse a fair amount.
Got-R-Did.

[Beeks]

I have '56 HRA, select grade from the CMP.

I love that rifle.

[Multigunner]

First few times I fired a Garand I didn't even notice the recoil till later that evening.
The weight plus the flat buttplate distributes the kick better than the older musket butt of the Enfields.

[Jack Stanley]

You will realize real joy when you practice enough to beat the guys trying to buy their way to master class . The black rifles are accurate but one must still practice . While the rifle fought against evil it also helped the Brits lose a good part of their empire .

Jack

[goryshaw]

They breed like rabbits. I started in 2013 with a SG from the CMP, a '54 HR. Beautiful rifle, the timeframe when the CMP seems to have had too many collector's grade, so were intentionally swapping parts to create mixmasters to sell as SG rather than CG. Mine is perfect except for an IHC oprod and a later Springfield trigger group, everything else is correct HR. Still my match rifle and general shooter.

Was joined by a Service Grade Special in 2014, again a perfect '55 HR. Too pretty to shoot, collectors grade except for the CMP stock. Got a Service Grade Special in .308 at the same time, this one is a May '44 Springfield. Not eligible to shoot in JCG matches, so it doesn't see much use.

Picked up a SG '55 tractor rifle, when they had a limited release in '15. And a SG Winchester '43 in '16 when they again had a limited release. Last one was a FG '44 Springfield in '17. Took a chance when they were starting to put Hackwood stocks on them, and lucked out with a USGI walnut stock, dirty and ugly at first, but after cleaning and oiling looks very nice.

[Texas by God]

I just want one. When I throw one to my shoulder and look thru those sights, I just KNOW I can hit with it. Maybe this year. I had a Century actioned parts gun that shot great but had function problems- lesson learned.

[3006guns]

I've only fired a Garand once........and loved it. Unfortunately, so does everyone else so the prices have skyrocketed over the years.

There is a psychological term for the satisfaction of hitting a hard target. You get instant feedback and satisfaction that your aim was good. The last time it happened to me was with a type 38 Japanese 6.5mm. I was surprised and pleased when that gun consistently smacked the 200 yard gong with my cast loads and NO preparation or experimentation at all! Took a while for the boolit to get there, but I was all smiles.......

[Beeks]

There's a definite correlation of the time difference of the initial bang and the time it takes to ring the gong to smile factor...

S=IBxT or something...

[mikwat]

Mine is a 1955 HRA that I got from CMP for my 21st birthday. First gun I ever bought, and still a joy to shoot.

[Baltimoreed]

My only Garand is a heinz with a 1970’s SA recvr, a postwar bbl and assorted parts picked up at shows over years. I was gifted a bbl and a bag o’ parts from a hunting bud and from there I bought what wasn’t in the bag. After my retirement I restocked it with a Boyds winter laminate stock. Killed a few deer with it. I shot it in a 100 yd reduced target NRA highpower match last year [that’s as much range as they have available]. Other than all the walking I had fun and didn’t do too bad. I was in the 90’s for the prone slow and rapid strings but blew it on the standing throwing my group left a couple of inches.
237581

[rmcc]

SA 55, SA 45, SA44...still looking for more

[WinchesterM1]

I have a 100% matching Winchester made in 1943 and it shoots amazing!!!237609

[BigAlofPa.]

My 1sy milsurp rifle and still only one is my mosin nagant 91/30. It's a lot of fun to shoot. I still remember that 1st shot and hitting the bullseye. I was like wow this old timer rules lol. It was a lot of work before i could shoot it though. It was packed full of cosmoline. Some elbow grease paid off well though. I refinished the wood too while working on the bore.
237610

[WinchesterM1]

That is a nice 91/30 BigAlofPa!! I’m a bit of a millsurp collector myself

237617

Uhh you know before the fire...

[lefty o]

That is a nice 91/30 BigAlofPa!! I’m a bit of a millsurp collector myself

237617

Uhh you know before the fire...

nice kindling!

[BigAlofPa.]

Wow nice collection.

[Baltimoreed]

Wow again, which ones your favorite there WinchesterM1?

[Wag]

The first Garand I shot was my grandfather's rifle which he brought home from the Pacific theater. It was his go to deer rifle and the man could shoot the smallest groups I've ever seen. At the time, I was only 17-ish and I don't remember the ranges or the group sizes but I remember being duly impressed. When he passed away, someone stole it from my grandmother. Very unfortunate.

But it made me fall in love with the Garand and I spent the next 40 or so years, drooling every time I saw one in a gun store that I couldn't afford to buy. I just kept dying a little more every time the prices went up a little bit.

Finally, a couple of years ago, I finally said ***** it and bought two within a month of each other. The first is an IH with some rework done on it. Great shooting rifle.

The second is a Springfield and appears to be in all original condition. So far as I can tell, all the numbers match and the S/N is a six-digit number that decodes to something like 1942. I have almost no doubt that it has seen some action somewhere out there in the history of WWII. Also a great shooting rifle.

Somehow, I keep having to reload ammo for it to restock......... :)

--Wag--