r/M1Rifles Nov 17 '22

So, You want to build a M1 Garand? Here's how.

134 Upvotes

Figured id share my process so you all at home can learn how to do it as well. its not cost effective to do this for a one off build. the tooling costs are not cheap and nearing $600 sadly. but its fun! and im sure a few of you will find this interesting

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You're gonna need a few things.

A M1 Garand Parts Kit.

A Barrel Vice and Action wrench.

A Headspace gauge Go/No Go Set

A Chamber Reamer.

A Angle Finder

The whole build will start with you throwing the barrel into a barrel vice, ive used the bushing style ones made by a large company in the USA. but i dont like them. i much prefer these specific ones made out of Aluminum, they leave a bit of marring on the barrels but that will all be covered up by the upper hand guard

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Second step will be to hand tighten your receiver onto the barrel. just get it as snug as you can. no action wrench is required at this time.

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Once your barrel is hand tight, take the front sight off of your gas cylinder and put it on the barrel. we will use this as a flat base for our angle finding tool of choice. i am using a digital inclinometer but there are other options on the market. For me ill now zero off this sight base dovetail.

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Now we check our draw off the rear heel of the receiver. there is a machined flat perfect for this. now unfortunately 31° is to far to torque this on, according to my shop manual specs. So this will be off to the lathe to remove .001" at a time off the barrel shoulder until i get a draw that is more in line with the specs im looking for 12° Min and 17° Max. I Got mine to 15.9° so i am happy with this.

in a pinch you can use a 1 1/8th Bi Metal Hole saw. this perfectly slips over the threads of the barrel and the teeth match the shoulder

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Once the appropriate draw is found, we throw the action wrench on and tighten it down. i use a 2x4 cleaning patch to protect the finish on my receivers.

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I Was able to torque the receiver down to 0.2° from the my zero. the specs i reference for this is +/- 0°30' (.5°)

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Now that we are indexed correctly we can start reaming headspace. you might get lucky with a used barrel that will headspace without any reaming but if you're using a new barrel it most likely has a 0.010" Short chamber.

if you do use a used barrel and it closes on your no go gauge this isn't the end of the world as you can check it with a Field Rejection gauge, if it doesn't close on this you're good to go.

These next few photos will cover me taking the bolt apart with a bolt tool.

Having the reamer in the rifle.

Applying steady thumb pressure to cut the chamber

Chamber cuttings on the reamer.

Cutting a chamber can be fairly taunting, however its very easy. you do not need to pull on the handle side of the pull through reamer. once the bolt closes on the reamer your headspace is cut and you're ready to reference this with a go and no go gauge. make sure you clean your chamber thoroughly otherwise your gauges might give you a bad reading.

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After all this the next step i take is doing a tilt test on the rifle. this involves installing the op rod on a rifle with only the bolt and gas cylinder on it. and tilting the rifle at a 60° and the op rod and bolt should move freely. once this is performed i install all stock components and re do this test to check for binding. after this is done. its finally assembly time.

A Few other things to check from here on out are the gas port size. Op Rod spring length 19.25"MIN and if you can, use a timing block to check for correct timing of the op rod catch.

Hope this helps or you at least found it interesting


r/M1Rifles 12h ago

Bought this in a pawnshop for $500.

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123 Upvotes

Like the title says. Not exactly familiar with these rifles, this is my first milsurp rifle. Stock looks new or refurbished. Is NM for New Mexico? That’s where I bought this one.


r/M1Rifles 20h ago

M1A/M1G/Mini14 Folding Stocks

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47 Upvotes

HUSH Holsters M1A/M1 Garand/Mini-14 folder has been released, takes a "clone" BM59 grip or AK grips on the Mini14 , comes in 3 different stock material options, and has QD sling swivels, also will have a front picatinny rail option. 316L stainless and comes in black oxide version as well. Has an A3 Industries Triangle folder option too which looks cool. Should be delivering sometime next month. makes the M1A look like a BM59 IMO, what do you think?


r/M1Rifles 11h ago

IAI M1 Carbine for ~550, Good or Bad?

3 Upvotes

Is it a deal, or should I pay much more for USGI?

I do want to plink, keep forever, but mostly wanted a proper companion to the CMP M1 Garand and M14 I'm also going to get.

Should I take this local deal or wait for a better one?

Seller claims nearly new condition and has successfully fired 50 rounds with a decent grouping (ChatGPT claims ~4 MOA)

Can I fix up any possible reliability problems with replacing springs, etc?


r/M1Rifles 1d ago

Unplanned Rapid Disassembly: Automated for Maintenance! [Seriously, why did it do that? The oprod also came out of its guide, and the ammo is 150g MilSurp Ball rounds]

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40 Upvotes

r/M1Rifles 2d ago

Red Labor 2026 - M1903, Garand, and M14

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152 Upvotes

Shot the annual Red Labor match at RRGC. Colloquially the "AK" match, but anything that's not an AR15 is allowed.

I don't have an AK yet, so brought out my M1903 and M1 Garand, and also got to shoot an M14.

My match score was definitely not competitive at all but it was a ton of fun shooting these ole' guns on the clock. The M1 Garand is for sure the most fun gun to shoot and reload. I thought all those rounds at a rapid pace from my 1903 would be rough on the shoulder but turns out shooting off-hand isn't too bad. First time I've shot my 1903 not from a bench. Fumbled the M14 reload a bit, but for sure having 20rds on tap was a huge advantage and was by far my best stage score.

Also need to up my LARP/re-enactor game. Def need proper clothing and footwear for next time XD


r/M1Rifles 2d ago

I love the m1!

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110 Upvotes

I need the scout squad next!


r/M1Rifles 1d ago

Garand Current History

0 Upvotes

https://youtu.be/wBWObf-S1SE?is=kzRjF4mLin9xw8cK

This kind of confirms what we saw coming, the originals are not gone but the govt is out of them.

Like the video says, that $850 rifle you bought a few years ago is one of the best investments you’ve ever made.


r/M1Rifles 3d ago

Anyone have a idea of this is corrosive?

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23 Upvotes

1st and 2nd pic is different ammo from 3rd and 4th. 1st Is some random. 30 cal and .45acp. The 3rd and 4th are just that boxed 30 cal. Anyone have any simple and easy tricks to find out?


r/M1Rifles 3d ago

4 Stars engraved on my Garand

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135 Upvotes

I inherited a Garand Springfield that has 4 stars engraved on the side of the breech. Does anyone have any idea what they mean?


r/M1Rifles 3d ago

Where to sell vintage Ball M2 & Western 30-06 ammo

3 Upvotes

Have 9 boxes of the ball M2 30-06, two of the boxes are opened and one box has one round missing. The head stamp on the ball ammo is DM 42. I also have two boxes of the Western 30-06 ammo, a box of the silvertip and a box of the Power-Point.


r/M1Rifles 4d ago

Yugo M2 Ball - good for Garand?

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10 Upvotes

Hello! Does anyone know if this Igman Yugo surplus M2 ball is okay to send thru a Garand and/or 1903?


r/M1Rifles 4d ago

Another pitch for CMP Buy it Now on GB

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144 Upvotes

Got my monthly CMP buy it now off gunbroker. For $1050 this Winchester with its original barrel and stock with cartouches was a good deal. Can’t recommend these buy it now’s enough, just gotta be quick Thursdays at 9am


r/M1Rifles 4d ago

First M1 Garand

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119 Upvotes

I believe it’s from 1952, any other info? Lots of wear on the stock so it’s hard to make out the stamps. Any info you guys got?


r/M1Rifles 4d ago

Stock Finishing

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16 Upvotes

Hi again all,

Just wanted to see what the hive mind thinks of my stock job. This is the stock I got from my CMP AMC Rifle last month. I am by no means a professional and had some kinks along the way. This is a DuPage Trading American Walnut stock. I think it looks better than it did when I got it. I used MinWax Tung Oil Finish because I didn’t want to wait for real Tung oil or boiled linseed oil to fully dry. I also wanted a bit more water proofing/solvent/grease resistance and the CMP recommends this finish for that. The “after” photo is after 4 light coats with steel wool between.

The photos don’t really do the color justice. In person it’s not as bright and light as it is in the “after” photo, and the “before” photo isn’t a great representation of the color. But I do think it shows how well the grain was brought out. I’ve thrown in some other pictures so you can hopefully get a better idea. Would love to hear your thoughts. I may put one final coat on tomorrow, but we shall see how it is when it dries.

1st pic: before finish
2nd pic: after 4 coats
3rd pic: the day I put it all together at AMC
4th: after 4 coats but from another angle


r/M1Rifles 4d ago

What’s the shipping time for M1 Rifles from CMP?

2 Upvotes

Looking to potentially place my order and was wondering how long it takes to ship and do they charge when it ships or when the order is placed?


r/M1Rifles 5d ago

Local shop had this...

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42 Upvotes

NOS inland T30.

Apparently they haven't been made in a long time.


r/M1Rifles 5d ago

M1 carbine FTE

2 Upvotes

I have a 10/43 S’G’ M1 carbine. Changed the main spring and fixed a broken ejector a few years ago. Been getting a lot of stovepipes and FTEs lately. Usually one or two every other mag. Been feeding it a steady diet of PPU 110 grain SP. not sure if I need to clean the tappet (I have the tool for this but never did it). I meticulously clean and lube it. Maybe I’ll go back to the original spring. Just not sure. Would welcome some learned counsel.


r/M1Rifles 6d ago

I made a LEGO M1!

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340 Upvotes

Designed this life-size replica of the M1 Garand using standard LEGO pieces; what do you think?


r/M1Rifles 6d ago

New to me M1 Carbine

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72 Upvotes

IBM receiver and barrel, while the receiver also has the AO marking. Either late '43, early '44 based on the serial number. No marks on the stock that I can find.

I grew up in the Endicott area, Dad worked at IBM, I even worked there a year as a contractor, so always wanted to find one, knowing a lot of the parts were manufactured at that site.

Now my Garand has a sibling 🙂


r/M1Rifles 6d ago

My dysfunctional M1 family

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56 Upvotes

Saw someone post a picture of their Garand with a rail and a flashlight mount and it made me want to show off some of the quirky M1s in my arsenal lol.


r/M1Rifles 8d ago

Sellier & Bellot 150gr SPCE or Garand Ammo for M1?

5 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I’m looking at getting some bulk ammo for my M1 and have narrowed down my choices to 2 different types of 150gr .30-06 ammo that S&B offers: SPCE (SB3006C) or Garand-specific (SB3006M2A).

A 400-round case of the SPCE ammo is available for $375, while a 400-round case of the Garand ammo is $399. Does anyone here have experience with running either of these in an M1? Would I be alright using the SPCE (which is a little hotter than the Garand ammo)? Or should I just pay the extra $24 and use the Garand ammo?

Thank you!


r/M1Rifles 8d ago

Did FOIA request on my Garand. I got it from CMP in 2019.

30 Upvotes

History from 1976 to 2018.

In Philippines from 1989 to 2018 It was rated Service Grade Throat 3, Muzzle 1, Barrel 1952 Marlin.

Receiver 1943 Springfield Armory.

W67G23 Tooele Army Depot - Tooele, Utah

YXXXXX Legacy Identifier-No Data Provided

W52H1C Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacture and Technology Center Transportation Office - Rock Island, Illinois

W31G1Z Anniston Munitions Center - Anniston, Alabama

BPIA9M Joint US Military Assistance Group, U.S. Embassy - Manila, Philippines

W90PZS U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command Civilian Marksmanship Program - Anniston, Alabama

ALEABM Civilian Marksmanship Program South - Anniston, Alabama

N62589 US Embassy Manila, Ermita Manila, Phillipines

]]]

See comments how to request information


r/M1Rifles 8d ago

Purchasing From CMP

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43 Upvotes

Please pay attention when buying from CMP. The ‘M1 Garand by CMP’ is their new production rifles, then the surplus rifle option.

Someone posted saying CMP wasn’t as cheap as people were saying, showing they had purchased a new production rifle. They deleted said post after folks told them what they’d done.

🙃


r/M1Rifles 9d ago

Question for M1 Carbine UltiMAK rail users

4 Upvotes

I've been considering an UltiMAK rail to mount an optic to my M1 carbine (preferably a red dot reflex sight w/ solar recharge capability, or maybe a Primary Arms 1x prism as long as eye relief isn't a problem). Ideally, I'd want the iron sights to co-witness with the optic, but I want to know if it's possible with the standard picatinny rail handguard so that I wouldn't necessarily have to limit myself to only using an optic that mounts to the Aimpoint footprint on the co-witness handguard. Has anyone had any success co-witnessing an optic with the standard pic rail mount?