The Garand of Last Resort

[Mebsuta]

This is the first Garand and centerfire repeater I ever owned. Pretty sure I got it on VJ Day in 1995. I rebuilt it for the 2nd time not long ago. It's an SA 44 receiver, but I didn't try to make it period correct. I just need it to be reliable, hit hard and shoot straight, so I used what I could get in the best condition. It has a new Satern 4150 -06 barrel and a Dupage laminated stock. The bolt is H&R, and the rest is SA. Some of the stock metal is Taiwan.

Took it out the other day and it ran perfectly with my garbage reloads (46 gr H4895, 150 gr SP). Banged this clip off a sandbag at 50 yards as fast the public range would let me. That would be better if I could see anything, and knew or cared what I was doing. It's still a rush firing the M1 Garand. ping!

 

[Impala_Guy]

Nice. I'd Zip Strip that stock and stain it reddish brown with Chestnut Ridge or Fiebings , then oil and buff.

 

[Story]

Nice. I'd Zip Strip that stock and stain it reddish brown with Chestnut Ridge or Fiebings , then oil and buff.

Meb's choice is fine.

This is the Way.​

 

[meltblown]

Nice. Next time don't shoot he ruler

 

[Mbell]

Really nice brother it’s beautiful. I love my garands nothing like it

 

[Hebrew Battle Rifle]

That is a fine looking rifle. I have owned mine since the spring of 1992 and I still get a kick out of that ping.

 

[hagar]

Hell no, leave the stock alone! I have one just like that with a VAR barrel. Shot just fine at 1000 yards with the 175 Sierras. These days I probably won't even see the target at that range

 

[Southern 7.62]

Very nice!

 

[Mebsuta]

Hell no, leave the stock alone! I have one just like that with a VAR barrel. Shot just fine at 1000 yards with the 175 Sierras. These days I probably won't even see the target at that range

Yah, I'm the caretaker of some traditional M1s that I'm not going to mess with, but I feel like this one is mine. I didn't want to apply or maintain an oil finish, and I didn't want compressed wood, cracked handguards, weeping when hot, etc. If I ever get to a point where there ain't no tomorrow, this thing needs to blaze. ping!

 

[hkshooter]

This is the first Garand and centerfire repeater I ever owned. Pretty sure I got it on VJ Day in 1995. I rebuilt it for the 2nd time not long ago. It's an SA 44 receiver, but I didn't try to make it period correct. I just need it to be reliable, hit hard and shoot straight, so I used what I could get in the best condition. It has a new Satern 4150 -06 barrel and a Dupage laminated stock. The bolt is H&R, and the rest is SA. Some of the stock metal is Taiwan.

Took it out the other day and it ran perfectly with my garbage reloads (46 gr H4895, 150 gr SP). Banged this clip off a sandbag at 50 yards as fast the public range would let me. That would be better if I could see anything, and knew or cared what I was doing. It's still a rush firing the M1 Garand. ping!

Love it, I wouldn't change a thing. In fact, I'd like one just like it.

 

[L Haney]

Mebs, this is a lovely thing you have.

When you have it on the bench, squeeze off that last ounce on the trigger, feel it set back against your shoulder, ain't that grand?

You and that rifel had a conversation and the holes in the paper tells me it was productive.

Don't change nothin'.

But I would like a picture of it with some bent wood Blair Witch stuff next to it on your deck. Sorry, but I'm funny that way. That probably doesn't surprise you.

 

[Mebsuta]

Mr. Haney I will work on the picture.

 

[badzero]

And don’t forget and leave it overnight on your deck

 

[Pluribus]

Don’t forget Mr. lizard.

 

[gunshack]

Nice shooter, Mebs. Why is it that laminated stocks always look great on other people's rifles?

 

[Mebsuta]

But I would like a picture of it with some bent wood Blair Witch stuff next to it on your deck. Sorry, but I'm funny that way. That probably doesn't surprise you.

Shazam!

 

[Story]

Shazam!

That'd make a nice horizontally oriented Halloween greeting card.

 

[357ross]

Wow mebs, that is a beautiful m1. As mentioned above, don't know why plywood always looks good on other people's guns. Had on of those very kind of stocks from boyds back when they made them, but it never really looked good to me and it was quite heavy for what it was. Ended up selling it.

 

[ismith]

Your op-rod is bent.

 

[Mebsuta]

I think I'm going to do the same thing for a .308 Garand, then I'm out of Garands to tinker with unless I find one in the desert.

 

[gates]

Rack grade CMP guns are close to $2000 a copy at my LGS, hadnt priced one in a few years and about crapped myself but... inflation eh?

 

[Southern 7.62]

With 30-06 running $2 plus per round, it’s tough to justify. $16 for the ping is starting to hurt.

 

[Mebsuta]

I'm lucky where I don't have to approach it that way right now. If I did, I would be working on other things.

 

[ByronF]

Sold mine off for preps and rifels that were more practical for a purpose. I miss them, but don't regret making the correct choice. I did give dear old Dad a pile of Greek spam cans for his Garand, and the one we built together. When I visit I sometimes call for an inspection. He presents arms, I verify he's been a good steward of history, and we put them away. Glad he kept his and ours, though I sold mine.

I did keep a Ted Brown built M14 clone to almost sate my Garand lust. Different, but good. That M14 clone is my only remaining 7.62 MBR and God help me I do love it so.

 

[hkshooter]

I keep an M1 because it lives off the radar of the politicians.
It's powerful, accurate, semi auto, quick to reload and doesn't scare gun grabbers. Never have I ever seen an M1 listed on an AWB. If things go off the chart ugly I'll still have it.