M1 Garand first time

[Crow Hunter]

Even though I have been into guns for decades and handled dozens of them, I had never, up until yesterday, actually fired an M1 Garand.

A buddy of mine brought over his 1944 Springfield Armory shooter (not collectors grade). He really sucks at sighting things in so he wanted me to sight it in for him. It was a very nice shooting rifle, but geeze it was heavy. And it kind of hurt to shoot from the bench too. After sighting it in, I shot the remaining rounds on my hind legs which made it quite a bit more comfortable. I do have a nice M1 bruise.

Which brings up a question. Where is a good place to get M1 Garand spec rounds? He said he is having trouble finding rounds. Any leads?

Also, I have even more respect now for those guys that hauled around that M1 in combat. I know why they had such confidence in the "stopping power" of the M1. It definitely fires with authority. It feels like you are firing the thunderbolts of Zeus or something. I used to own a 30-06 Abolt for years that never felt quite like that. I also owned a M1A for many years but I didn't really enjoy shooting it as much as I did that Garand (and I don't remember it kicking quite as hard :o. It just didn't have that aura I guess.

[Redhat]

Even though I have been into guns for decades and handled dozens of them, I had never, up until yesterday, actually fired an M1 Garand.

A buddy of mine brought over his 1944 Springfield Armory shooter (not collectors grade). He really sucks at sighting things in so he wanted me to sight it in for him. It was a very nice shooting rifle, but geeze it was heavy. And it kind of hurt to shoot from the bench too. After sighting it in, I shot the remaining rounds on my hind legs which made it quite a bit more comfortable. I do have a nice M1 bruise.

Which brings up a question. Where is a good place to get M1 Garand spec rounds? He said he is having trouble finding rounds. Any leads?

Also, I have even more respect now for those guys that hauled around that M1 in combat. I know why they had such confidence in the "stopping power" of the M1. It definitely fires with authority. It feels like you are firing the thunderbolts of Zeus or something. I used to own a 30-06 Abolt for years that never felt quite like that. I also owned a M1A for many years but I didn't really enjoy shooting it as much as I did that Garand (and I don't remember it kicking quite as hard :o. It just didn't have that aura I guess.


I've always thought the M1 was a soft shooter...for perspective, try a 1903 Springfield if you get the chance.

For ammo, first place to look is the CMP

Also, here is some made by Federal:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/953112253/federal-american-eagle-ammunition-30-06-springfield-m1-garand-150-grain-full-metal-jacket

[Crow Hunter]

I've always thought the M1 was a soft shooter...for perspective, try a 1903 Springfield if you get the chance.

For ammo, first place to look is the CMP

Also, here is some made by Federal:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/953112253/federal-american-eagle-ammunition-30-06-springfield-m1-garand-150-grain-full-metal-jacket

I had a Browning Abolt II in .30-06 that I used as a deer rifle for years. I think it weighed right at 7.5 lbs with the lightweight scope and rings that I had on it. It wasn't what I would consider pleasant to shoot from the bench. I would guess the 1903 would probably be at least as bad, probably worse since it didn't have a nice recoil pad on it like my Abolt.

It doesn't help that I am 5'11" and only weigh 137 lbs. I don't have the inertia I used to have. :D

[MEH]

If he wants to shoot modern ammo I would suggest an adjustable gas plug. Schuster makes one.

[Peally]

The Federal ammo works fine. I have one of the adjustable gas blocks and it works...OK I guess but the Federal is a buy-it-and-shoot-it easy solution.

[JRB]

I never understood the benefit of the M1 Carbine until I shot it side by side with a Garand. The first time I fired an M1 Garand I was around 10 or 11 and I got through 5 clips before it finally bit my thumb. After I got it to stop bleeding I went right back to shooting, with a big stupid grin on my face. Made very short and easy work of a 10" square gong at ~200M from a standing position, and rang that gong with authority.

It's easy to fall in love with a Garand, that's for sure. which is why it's on my short list of 'I need one just because 'Merica' second only to a 1911 at this point. Sadly my 'adult responsibilities' and 'existing guns that need ammo' plus the 'this is a sensible/useful gun to own' priorities keep beating that 'merica' list to my available funding.


Edit - the Greek Surplus ammo runs beautifully in M1's, if you can find any more of it.

[Nod]

When I went through basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood in 1960 (with the M1) our drill sergeant would ask if anyone had never fired a rifle before. For those that said yes he told them to hold the butt about a half inch from their shoulder so the recoil wouldn't be so hard. Got a few laughs out of that one.

[Bigghoss]

I need to stop messing around and find me a decent Garand. I would just get an adjustable gas plug and run modern ammo. I have an M1 carbine that was a lend/lease to Israel, cool piece of history.

[Jay585]

Garand food: https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi-partizan-30-06-m1-garand-ammo-150-grain-fmj-500-rds-ammocan-p-3573.aspx

[olstyn]

I've always thought the M1 was a soft shooter.

I've only shot one once, and only 2 or 3 rounds, but that was my impression. I remember thinking that I'd happily shoot it all day long.

[TiroFijo]

The Garand is a softie...

People normally complain about the weigth, not the recoil.

[Malamute]

The Garand is noticeably softer shooting then the 1903s, neither are bad in field positions. 1903 sporters with recoil pads and well designed stocks are very nice shooters.

Shooting off a bench, most people hunch over into the gun with the gun way lower than their shoulder when sitting straight up. Its much nicer shooting from a bench of you get the gun on level with your shoulder so you arent leaning into it.

The Garand has very good sights, and adjust to fairly long range. The 1903s have long range sights but arent as nice as the Garand sights. 03-A3s have better sights than the older 1903s, but still behind the Garand and only go to 800 yards. :( All are fun to shoot at longer ranges where you can see your hits.

Used to be tons of the Korean ammo coming in, I think it dried up. The Greek was pretty good also.

[Crow Hunter]

The Garand is a softie...

People normally complain about the weigth, not the recoil.

It was definitely heavy.;)

That is why I found new respect for the guys that hauled it around.

My buddy that brought it was trying to set it up like the one his Grandfather carried in Europe.

He also said that his Grandfather told him that he had "hauled one all around Europe and never wanted to hold that heavy bitch again" when given the opportunity to get one years ago.

[Crow Hunter]

The Garand is noticeably softer shooting then the 1903s, neither are bad in field positions. 1903 sporters with recoil pads and well designed stocks are very nice shooters.

Shooting off a bench, most people hunch over into the gun with the gun way lower than their shoulder when sitting straight up. Its much nicer shooting from a bench of you get the gun on level with your shoulder so you arent leaning into it.

The Garand has very good sights, and adjust to fairly long range. The 1903s have long range sights but arent as nice as the Garand sights. 03-A3s have better sights than the older 1903s, but still behind the Garand and only go to 800 yards. :( All are fun to shoot at longer ranges where you can see your hits.

Used to be tons of the Korean ammo coming in, I think it dried up. The Greek was pretty good also.


I was shooting off an improvised "bench" which was a front bag sitting on top of a rolling garbage can and I am nearly 5'11'' so it was kind of uncomfortable to start with.

I was definitely leaning over it. That garbage can and front bag isn't tall enough for that but we were just in the field below my brothers house and it was too wet/muddy to go prone.

When I shot it free hand it wasn't painful, it was just noticeable. The blast more so than the recoil. Of course, as I get older I don't like to get kicked like I used to. ;)

[Peally]

I'm a fan of mine, I'm a twig and the weight never bothered me, but the soft recoil is greatly appreciated.

[Joe in PNG]

Dad was an USAF Chaplain's assistant in Libya during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and everybody got issued M-1's at that time, including the Chaplain himself.
Somehow, a bet developed regarding the Chaplain could still strip a Garand blindfolded. He actually could, but nobody could remember how to put the thing back together again.

[Trooper224]

Whether or not one considers the Garand a soft shooter depends upon one's context. If you come from the AR15/Mini14 world then I can understand the feeling that it's a bruiser.

http://a4.pbase.com/o9/64/521964/1/157377683.Lq1fbg03.wood001.JPG


I used to shoot the M1 in competition and while it certainly has more recoil than a .223/5.56, it's noticeably softer than a bolt action like the 1903 on the left. The M1 could be fatiguing over a days shooting due to it's weight, but the recoil isn't much of a factor. A 1903 in original configuration can be a thumper over the course of an afternoon. The original "S" stock, like the one pictured here, is a bit shorter than most would consider optimal and the butt has more drop than a modern rifle. What this really amounts to is a 20th century bolt action mounted to a 19th century stock better suited to blackpowder rounds. This results in more felt recoil than a more ergonomic design, like the later "C" stock used on the '03, which featured a pistol grip incorporated into a longer stock, essentially the design used on the M1. For me, an afternoon at the range with the '03 usually consists of 25-30 rounds, before the fun factor starts to go. Due to arthritis in my right shoulder this one has become an occasional to rare shooter.

Shoot the 1903 and the M1 side by side and it becomes obvious what a quantum leap forward the latter was.

[VT1032]

http://a4.pbase.com/o9/64/521964/1/157377683.Lq1fbg03.wood001.JPG

Forget the garand, that FAL is the sex...

On topic, I also found the garand to be a soft shooter. More of a push vs a thump, kind of like a .45 vs a .40... I actually really liked it the one time I shot one.

Off topic again, one rifle I was suprised to find was not at all fun to shoot was the G3. I used to jones for one of those bad, and then I actually shot one and any jonesing was nipped in the ass right quick... each shot feels like you're getting punched in the cheekbone and ergonomically, I think it's somehow worse then then AK. It's an accurate, reliable rifle, but definitely not for me.

[03RN]

Deer hunting in VT, 5 days sleeping in the mud and snow
30939
15 rounds, 100 yards, unsupporte
30940
30941
30942

[03RN]

Unfortunately the receiver cracked and broke my heart. I just don't have the money to replace it.
30943

M1s really are a special rifle. I would be perfectly happy if it was my only center-fire rifle.

[TiroFijo]

Off topic again, one rifle I was suprised to find was not at all fun to shoot was the G3. I used to jones for one of those bad, and then I actually shot one and any jonesing was nipped in the ass right quick... each shot feels like you're getting punched in the cheekbone and ergonomically, I think it's somehow worse then then AK. It's an accurate, reliable rifle, but definitely not for me.

The only G3s I've fired are real HK .mil ones. While a bit harder kicking than a M1/M14/FAL, for me they are not uncomfortable at all. Maybe I was used to steel butt mausers and anything else is just tame :D

[VT1032]

The only G3s I've fired are real HK .mil ones. While a bit harder kicking than a M1/M14/FAL, for me they are not uncomfortable at all. Maybe I was used to steel butt mausers and anything else is just tame :D

It wasn't so much the straight back recoil, it was more the way your cheek weld interacted with the stock. Teeth rattling is the the adjective I would use to describe it. The actual recoil wasn't horrible.

[Trooper224]

It wasn't so much the straight back recoil, it was more the way your cheek weld interacted with the stock. Teeth rattling is the the adjective I would use to describe it. The actual recoil wasn't horrible.

My experience was the same, with a pre-ban HK91. The ergos seemed completely wrong for me and the experience was unpleasant.

[Drang]

My first gun. Neuman's Gun Shop on Grand River. Paid $20.00 a week and picked it up on my 18th birthday.

[Drang]

My first gun. Neuman's Gun Shop on Grand River. Paid $20.00 a week and picked it up on my 18th birthday.

Oh, yeah: $200.00.

[fastreb]

The M1 Garand is one of my loves. I grew up watching all types of movies and TV shows where it was routinely seen. The first time I got to hold one was in 1984 when a friend got one from the CMP. After that, I was seriously hooked. Over the years, I've acquired two at gun shows and one from the CMP, all in .30-06.

When shooting from a bench, it's all about the pressure curve of the ammo. I found this out the hard way....the very hard way. One afternoon, after I had acquired that first example, I went to the range to sight it in. Not really knowing anything other than it was .30-06, I took both 150gr. and 180gr. SP ammo from Remington with me. I loaded up the first clip with the 150gr., inserted it and chambered a round, then touched it off. It was a really good thump but nothing I couldn't handle. However, the group really sucked. So, I loaded up the 180gr. rounds. When I touched it off, I thought a huge knife had popped out of the cleaning rod compartment and stabbed me in the shoulder. It didn't take but a couple more rounds and I was through for the day.

Since then, I've learned a lot more about that beautiful sweetie. First, the ammo must be loaded with a medium burning powder. IMR-4895 and IMR-4064 are two of the standards, if you reload. I found out I could have seriously damaged my rifle or even badly injured myself by using the ammo I did in that first one. The reason being that the op rod can be bent, or even broken, by the use of the wrong powder.

Second, to help tame what recoil there is, an adjustable or ported gas valve/screw are great investments. I've settled on the ported version from Garand Gear. The web site shows pressure testing done with various brands and weights of factory ammo. You can find the information on the left side of the home page. I'm including the link below. Believe me when I say the difference is amazing in dropping the felt recoil.

http://www.garandgear.com/m1-garand-ammunition

[Xrslug]

Garand food: https://www.targetsportsusa.com/prvi-partizan-30-06-m1-garand-ammo-150-grain-fmj-500-rds-ammocan-p-3573.aspx

This is what I use in my Garand. Happy with it so far — shot a few CMP competitions (200 yards) at our local club and even an NRA midrange prone match (600 yards) and no complaints.

[Soxfan9]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181011/5a056996f18e4442c299ae23e98b94f9.jpg

As soft as the recoil is from an M1, the M1D feels noticeably softer due to the fact that it weighs a ton.

I have collected and used a lot of milsurps over the years. The M1 has always been my favorite.

[MistWolf]

The Garand is the rifle heroes carried to war to fight for Truth, Justice and the American Way. The enemies of our Great Nation trembled at the mere mention of the M1 Garand. It was so powerful that John Wayne carried one. It was so mighty, my father carried one during his stint in the Marine Corps.

Dad was in his den cleaning his DCM Garand when he opened up the butt plate and pointed to the two holes where the cleaning gear was stored. HE said "son, do you know what these are called?" I shook my head.

Dad settled back in his chair and said "Let me tell you a little story.

One day, long ago in a distant land known as Perris Island, our DI grabbed up one of our Garands, opened the buttplate and pointed to the holes in the stock.

"Do any of you ladies know what these holes are called?" No one knew. We racked our memory. We dug out the manual and pored over every page. No one could find the answer.

"That's alright, girls," the DI purred softly. "I'll tell you. But first, a little exercise. Grab your helmet liners and your rifles and- FALL OUT!!"

We grabbed our gear and scrambled out of the barracks and formed up outside. The DI had us hold our rifles with the buttplate resting on our helmets and ordered us to run in place. He got us to run faster and get our knees higher and higher as that damned Garand with its steel buttplate pounded our heads. As we being beat to death by our own rifles, the DI grinned and once again pointed to the two holes in the buttstock and in great detail, told us what they were called. I'll never forget it.

Dad stopped, lost in memory and I waited for him to go on.

"So, what are they called?" I asked impatiently. "You do remember, don't you?"

Dad turned to me. "Of course. They're butt wells, son. After having it pounded into my head, I'll never forget they're called butt wells."