M-1 garand possibly best rifle ever???

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - M-1 garand possibly best rifle ever??? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 4/25/2002 9:19:11 PM EDT

I know,

--It's old
--It's heavy
--It's got limited capacity
--It can't do a tactical reload

But nothing blows out the ten ring at 100yds like a Garand.

By the way--I shot mine today and it was tons-o-fun.

Posted: 4/25/2002 9:22:23 PM EDT

[#1]

They are a lot of fun, but that is a lofty title.

Posted: 4/25/2002 10:15:17 PM EDT

[#2]

I sure like mine! If anything really bad were to happen I would have a hard time not grabbing it before anything else. I like the AR, but lets face it the Garand represents a time when the US was serious about putting the enemy down, not just wounding him. Same with the 1911. I read an article awile back that said the Germans were quick to discard their Lugers and P-38s when they could grab a GI's .45, same article says they were scared shitless when one was pointing at them. You don't just get up when you're hit with ol' .45, ditto the 30-06!

Posted: 4/26/2002 9:38:01 AM EDT

[#3]

heck, the M1 is the greatest battle implement ever devised

and it's one hell of a rifle! If the SHTF, it would be a toss up if I'd grab my M1 (after I actually GET one) or my AR.

The AR will be known as 'My AR', but my M1 will be known as 'My Rifle'

m@

Posted: 4/26/2002 9:48:51 AM EDT

[#4]

I don't know, but DAMN do I want one!

Posted: 4/26/2002 10:09:01 AM EDT

[#5]

yeah back then we weren't f*cking around but now its all "no don't hurt the enemy give them hugs not bullets!"

Posted: 4/26/2002 10:19:53 AM EDT

[#6]

Mines a M1 Tanker in 30-06, and it'll get my vote.

Mike

Posted: 4/26/2002 10:46:19 AM EDT

[#7]

Even if it is not the best rifle ever, it does have class.

No other rifle comes to having the panache of the M1 Garand.

Posted: 4/26/2002 10:53:04 AM EDT

[#8]

panache

You been hitting the dictionary, or something?

Posted: 4/26/2002 11:09:27 AM EDT

[#9]

If we are talking about real combat:
The big-bore "He-Man" rifle is an archaic and irrelevant dead-end. Hey, do you think some guy is going to just stand there while you are taking pot shots at him from 600 yards? Unless they are insane, you aren't going to see anyone on the battlefield more than 300 meters away. Ammo too heavy, weapon too heavy, recoil too heavy.

If we are talking about sport shooting:
Knock yourself out! I am thinking about getting a Kel-Tech carbine, though it would have virtually no utility off the range. This is why they make both chocolate and vanilla...

Posted: 4/26/2002 11:16:45 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
panache

You been hitting the dictionary, or something?

Thank goodness we're not back in the Bush Gore election fiasco, then he might have said the M1 has "gravitas".

I found it quite amuzing how the press picked this up as a buzzword and EVERYONE in the press started using it. Like children who learn a new word for the first time.

I think it's too hard to define the "best" battle rifle because it's more than tangible criteria, there is also all of our personal opinion in the matter as well, which of course makes it hard to crown a rifle king. However I do love the garand, can't wait to get mine.

Mike

Posted: 4/26/2002 11:31:17 AM EDT

[#11]

the garand is a superb rifle. but i wonder if it could not have been improved in 2 ways:

john garand originally designed it to shoot a smaller caliber, .270 i think. on the schv/lcmv question, maybe the best of both worlds?

it would have been nice with a box magazine, and the smaller cartridge would have helped.

Posted: 4/26/2002 11:40:26 AM EDT

[#12]

They did Lurker: M1A1

Posted: 4/26/2002 11:42:51 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
panache

You been hitting the dictionary, or something?

Hey! I happen to be quite the scholar.

it would have been nice with a box magazine, and the smaller cartridge would have helped.

Wouldn't that make it an M1A??

Posted: 4/26/2002 12:20:54 PM EDT

[#14]

anyone know anything about those beretta produced Garands with the folding stocks?

Posted: 4/26/2002 12:41:56 PM EDT

[#15]

If we are talking about real combat:
The big-bore "He-Man" rifle is an archaic and irrelevant dead-end. Hey, do you think some guy is going to just stand there while you are taking pot shots at him from 600 yards? Unless they are insane, you aren't going to see anyone on the battlefield more than 300 meters away. Ammo too heavy, weapon too heavy, recoil too heavy.

What do you suppose they would say about that "HE MAN" rifle?

Posted: 4/26/2002 1:20:58 PM EDT

[#16]

What he said.

Posted: 4/26/2002 1:25:08 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
They did Lurker: M1A1

close, but the m14/1a is still .30 cal.

Posted: 4/26/2002 1:25:18 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
If we are talking about real combat:
The big-bore "He-Man" rifle is an archaic and irrelevant dead-end. Hey, do you think some guy is going to just stand there while you are taking pot shots at him from 600 yards? Ammo too heavy, weapon too heavy, recoil too heavy.

Too heavy? Not unless one is humping a 20 mile hike with full gear. Recoil too heavy? Kinda contradictory statements on your part there, hoss.
Given that should we civvy's participate in an urban disturbance, it will be indeed "urban", i.e. house-to-house. IOW fix a bayonet on that puppy & get up close & personal. As good a rifle as the ARs, H&Ks, FNs, etc. are, they're not made for hand-to-hand. A Garand will hold up under that as well as deliver very accurate sniper capability should one need it.
Not all fights are going to be in a jungle environment. Sometimes one can see their target out to 1000 yards & the Garand can reach out & touch someone.
My .o2

Posted: 4/26/2002 1:27:42 PM EDT

[#19]

it's even better in .308

Posted: 4/26/2002 1:57:22 PM EDT

[#20]

In absence of the AR-15 that I haven't bought/built yet, my M1 Garand is my current go to rifle.

Why?

Because it's comfortable for me to handle and shoot. It weighs a heck of a lot less than my M1A match rifle. And it's got class.

I'm gonna re-barrel it in .308 and try to match the chamber headspacing to my M1A for commonality of ammunition. That'll be about perfect.

Best combat rifle ever? Nope.

That hasn't been built yet.

Posted: 4/26/2002 2:11:12 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Quoted:
They did Lurker: M1A1

close, but the m14/1a is still .30 cal.

Ruger did what you're talking about. It's called the Mini 14

Posted: 4/26/2002 2:22:59 PM EDT

[#22]

Ruger did what you're talking about. It's called the Mini 14

C'mon man, don't ruin my "all hail the Garand" thread.

Posted: 4/26/2002 2:33:31 PM EDT

[#23]

I love my ar1[05]s, but my M1 is is definately the favorite. Only trouble is, my wife won't let hang it over the mantle in the living room.

Posted: 4/26/2002 2:38:45 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
Ruger did what you're talking about. It's called the Mini 14

C'mon man, don't ruin my "all hail the Garand" thread.

Begging forgivness!! HONESTLY!!

I think the Mini 14 is the bastard stepchild of the great M1

I agree with Patton... the M1 is the greatest battle implement ever devised.
IMHO, the best RIFLE ever designed. Hands down. No contest. End of discussion.

;)

Posted: 4/26/2002 2:42:50 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
I know,

--It's old
--It's heavy
--It's got limited capacity
--It can't do a tactical reload

But nothing blows out the ten ring at 100yds like a Garand.

By the way--I shot mine today and it was tons-o-fun.

Of course, thats why its still issued today, 65 years later.

Posted: 4/26/2002 3:40:50 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
I know,

--It's old

No prob. One of my M1s is younger than I am.

--It's heavy

Helps with the recoil. Along with weight comes strength. Try butt-stroking with the AR or even the FAL.

--It's got limited capacity

True, but a well-practiced rifleman can re-load an M1 faster than you would believe. Also consider this: The tactical load for an M1A/FAL is usually 5 mags and 2-3 bandoliers. After you've shot your mags, now you have to re-load them, 5 rds at a time from stripper clips. Tedious. The M1 is re-loaded 8 rds at a time, every time. The M1 guy is still shooting while the M1A/FAL guy is loading mags.

--It can't do a tactical reload

Sure you can; that's what the clip release latch is for. Practice, and you'll be quicker at it than you thought possible.

But nothing blows out the ten ring at 100yds like a Garand.

By the way--I shot mine today and it was tons-o-fun.

Get a match barreled M1 in .308, put it in a bedded, synthetic stock, attach a Vortex flash-suppressor, and practice!

Posted: 4/26/2002 4:22:28 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
If we are talking about real combat:
The big-bore "He-Man" rifle is an archaic and irrelevant dead-end. Hey, do you think some guy is going to just stand there while you are taking pot shots at him from 600 yards? Unless they are insane, you aren't going to see anyone on the battlefield more than 300 meters away.

Actually, the smart ones won't be seen within 300 meters.

It is quite possible that the only "clean" shots you will get will be at 600 yards.

Posted: 4/26/2002 4:32:46 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
I don't know, but DAMN do I want one!

For $400 you can get a one that went to Denmark after the war from the CMP, or shell out $500 for one that just came home after the war. Better than $1000 from the local gun shop!

Posted: 4/26/2002 5:38:49 PM EDT

[#29]

Ammo too heavy, weapon too heavy, recoil too heavy

The Garand doesn't have heavy recoil.

Posted: 4/26/2002 5:42:29 PM EDT

[#30]

Ok, I realize I'm no expert marksman but I was pretty please with this group.

M1 Garand, 100 yds, issue sights. The two flyers were my sight adjustment shots.

Posted: 4/26/2002 6:53:16 PM EDT

[#31]

Nice, not too bad for no optics.
Garand is nice, but it would be nice to have a sort of hybrid between an AR and a Garand.
No, that is not an AR10.

Posted: 4/26/2002 7:23:00 PM EDT

[#32]

Rack Grade M1 Springfield 1944 with TW '53 M2 Ball. 58 year old rifle with 49 year old ammo

Posted: 4/26/2002 7:36:49 PM EDT

[#33]

No flame 455sd, but that one dead center looks like a .30 caliber pencil.

Posted: 4/26/2002 7:37:27 PM EDT

[#34]

I own both a DCM Garand and Armilite AR-15A2. Have shot both in CMP -200yd open sight comp..The Garand is accurate,easy to reload with a little practice,and easy on the shoulder.I bought the AR15 mainly because others were shooting them and not because of dislike of Garand. Recommend everyone contact CMP to get one as best buy on used gun market! Also,for what its worth, a PC rifle with 8 shot clip-but reload is almost instant with practice. Push in clip with thumb until release lets go and then hit op rod with palm to insure bolt closure. I would defend my home with it!!!!!

Posted: 4/26/2002 7:41:48 PM EDT

[#35]

I love my Garand. I've got a Springfield Armory that was made in April of 1944. Easy to break-down & clean. Accurate. Powerful. Who cares if you don't have a 30-round mag to lay down a bunch of "suppressive fire"? With an M1 Garand you can hit what you're aiming at and the .30-06 round will stop the Enemy, DEAD in his tracks.

I recently took my M1 Garand & M1A out to participate in a little test a friend of mine had set up. He had an AR to contribute to our "research".

We set-up a 8"x8" piece(a different piece for each rifle) of 1/2" steel plate at 100 yards. As you probably already guessed, we were testing the penetration capability of different rifles.

1st- M1A rifle with Hirtenberger FMJ Ball ammo(loaded to NATO spec, but not NATO-headstamped). The bullets left dents about .60"-.75" in diameter and about halfway through the plate.

2nd- AR-15 rifle with LC M855 Ball ammo. The bullets left little "nicks" about .25" in diameter and about .10" deep. The "penetrator" tip did not remain in the plate.

3rd- M1 Garand rifle with M2 Armor Piercing Ball ammo(standard issue ammo for most of WWII). Game, Set, and Match to John C. Garand's Masterpiece!!! A nice, neat .30 caliber hole straight through the steel plate. I honestly don't think that I could have drilled a neater hole through the plate if I had tried.

Newer does not always equal Better...

I'm not saying the M1 Garand is the Best, but I will say that it's damn good!!!

BTW- For extra "style points", get an original issue 10" bayonet and put it on your Garand when you're shooting at the range sometime. The look on the faces of some people will be simply priceless...;^p

Posted: 4/26/2002 7:42:20 PM EDT

[#36]

I have a '84 Springfield, it doesn't have the History of others nor the mileage, but it's mine. Called a cast clone by some and a fake Garand by others...oh well.

GIB

Posted: 4/26/2002 7:57:49 PM EDT

[#37]

Nice rifle GI-Brat

Posted: 4/26/2002 8:01:22 PM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:
Nice rifle GI-Brat

Thanks, It called my name the moment I walked through the door of my FFL.

GIB

Posted: 4/26/2002 8:09:15 PM EDT

[#39]

Thought I'd add some more pics to make decisions easier on those not familiar with the Garand.

This is a January 1942 Winchester M1 Garand. It has been rechambered in .308 and I've done some work on the stock. The last time I took it out, one of my AR's was carelessly thown (not by me) on top of the "old rifle" and the result are the few dings in the side of the stock. I've only had the stock redone for a while, so it kind of pissed me off.

Excellent shooter, accurate, fun to shoot, I love it.

Posted: 4/26/2002 8:33:29 PM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
No flame 455sd, but that one dead center looks like a .30 caliber pencil.

No.

For the record, every one of those shots came out of my rifle.

Next time I'd use a smiley after a post like that.

Posted: 4/26/2002 8:51:13 PM EDT

[#41]

Damn hoosier, you and GI-Brat gonna make me feel bad. My poor Ol Girl looks like she just left South Korea. Clean, but hard used

Posted: 4/26/2002 9:11:32 PM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
Damn hoosier, you and GI-Brat gonna make me feel bad. My poor Ol Girl looks like she just left South Korea. Clean, but hard used

If she is truly that bad, let's see the old battle axe. I bet she is better than some.

GIB

Posted: 4/26/2002 9:40:06 PM EDT

[#43]

I'm joining the Garand Collectors Association so I can buy one of those CMP rifles. I rate the 30/06 right up there with the 7.92x57 as a not to be improved upon round.

I like my hakim with a 25 rnd mag for getting the job done right first time. But want a M1 as it will also get the job done,with the advent of better gunpowder the .308 will give you the same ballistics of surplus 30/06. Both are a hoot to shoot and real stoppers.

bob

Posted: 4/26/2002 10:59:00 PM EDT

[#44]

I love my M1A,but i will say i think the Garand has a sweeter stroke than an M1A.
My uncle has my Granpap's and its just sweet.Dont ask where my Granpap got it,i know it wasnt the one issued to him he said the one issued to him is in the Ocean somewhere in the pacific.
But when my Granpap died the M1 Garand and a M1 carbine was given to my uncle my dad got all of his shotguns.
But ive shot a couple hundred rounds through the Garand and its nice.I plan in getting one asap.

Posted: 4/27/2002 3:04:53 AM EDT

[#45]

I have maybe 1000 rounds total through the Garand in my shooting career. About 20 years ago I broke an extractor in one rifle. Not impressed, but stuff happens.

Then it happened again about two months ago in my CMP rifle. Two breaks of the same thing in different rifles in 1,000 rounds is definitel unsat.

These rifles may be stone reliable for some people, that isn't the history I have had.

Posted: 4/27/2002 3:49:04 AM EDT

[#46]

455....Correct me if I'm wrong...But I think I count 17 Holes in that target...8 round en bloc clip times 2 = 16...hmmm

Posted: 4/27/2002 4:51:44 AM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
anyone know anything about those beretta produced Garands with the folding stocks?

I seem to remember it was called a BM 59, but I've never seen one.

Posted: 4/27/2002 5:48:26 AM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:
455....Correct me if I'm wrong...But I think I count 17 Holes in that target...8 round en bloc clip times 2 = 16...hmmm

Actually there are 18 holes. The first ten were shot out of 5 rd. clips.

Geez, I never thought I'd have to defend my honor over a stupid friggin' target.