help needed to buy a 30-06 garand

[bullshitwalks]

i am planning to buy a 30-06 m1 garand and came across a winchester 30-06 m1 garand .
the gun looks good externally.
how to decide the condition of the barrel and other parts?
i surfed the net , but cudnt find anything conclusive.
howmuch shud i pay?

[cottage cheese]

Is it still Semi-Auto or has it been converted to manual?

Semi-auto would require a PB license.

Anyway, assuming you do have a PB endorsement, you'll need to check it through like any other firearm.

Obviously the first thing you should check is the bore.

Get the firearm disassembled - ask the present owner or the dealer- you could try it too since such instructions are readily available on the net.

Though in the Indian scenario absolute authenticity of the rifle and its parts is less important than safe and reliable functioning, it would be useful to know what an unaltered Garand would represent....just so you are not conned into paying big bucks for a "top condition like brand new" original Garand!

A Garand would be normally parkerized. If its blued, you'll know it's most likely received attention from a local armourer or gunsmith.
Do familiarize yourself with the outlines of a standard Mil-spec Garand- particularly the stock. More often than not, I've seen Garands with locally made stocks with profiles that ranged from decent to horrid. Not that the stock would be too telling on the functioning of the firearm but, it would tell you if it's passed through the hands of a Gunsmith/butcher. Also the stock finish should normally be a muted oil finish- not a gaudy mirror polish.

If you are able to get it disassembled, check the individual sections like bolt, bolt carrier, trigger group, magazine follower...etc. In an original mil-spec Garand it would be standard to have all the internal parts parkerized as well. If not, take a closer look to see if the trigger assembly has any components that look fabricated.... or perhaps even filed down brazed or weld spots. Take a look at the extractor, firing pin, ejector spring tension...and also the major springs. Inspect the locking lugs in the bolt- hopefully they won't be burred or worn...or perhaps even fractured.

Also the Garand has an unusual feed system- the main recoil spring also doubles as the magazine feed spring by way of leverage and a pivoted follower. Make sure the related parts are not worn and are swinging properly on their respective axes. The garand is clip fed - the 8 shot staggered clip is inserted whole. Make sure the loaded clip is retained when you insert it. If not the clip latch needs a look. Do not close the bolt on a loaded clip unless you are shooting- Basic safety. You can eject the loaded clip by depressing the latch on the left face of the receiver. It should spring out. If not, the clip ejector is to be checked for tension...or perhaps even presence!

Note that on firing the full 8 shots, the clip will automatically eject and the bolt will remain open to accept a fresh clip. This is difficult to check unless you have dummy rounds or are firing a full clip. You could very carefully cycle live rounds - in the range only- but be very very careful and observe all the rules of firearm safety when doing so. Another problem would be the fact that the garand will accept a full 8 round clip only. You cannot partially load a clip with fewer rounds.

Hope this helps.

regards,
cc

[cherian.k.k]

Hello
My friend has one made by springfield semi-auto sniper model . He paid 30k

[bullshitwalks]

thanx a tonne cc.
the stock is altered and coverted into a stupid grip with no butt.
overall exteriors look good , will check the interiors and let u know.
this is for the first time i am looking at m1 garand made by winchester , whereas all others i came across were springfield armoury. hope this has nothing to do with the quality.
the price quoted is 170k.
more advise plz

[The Doc]

the stock is altered and coverted into a stupid grip with no butt.

There indeed was a "paratrooper" version with a folding stock . I doubt if the one you are looking at is one .

A link to M1 Garand http://www.northcapepubs.com/m1gar.htm

Serial numbers http://www.jouster.com/serial/winchester.html



hope it helps,

RP.

[marksman]

I must warn you of one thing as it's something very important. Garands are designed to feed exclusively on ammo with bullet weight of 150-168 gns only. Normal 180 gn or excess of that bullet weight would cause damage to charging rod unless you have improvised a way to bleed off the gas in a way that does not enter the action to cycle it. One way is to drill out the valve in the cylinder nut or else get an adjustable valve from Brownells that regulates the flow of gases into the action. This Garand happens to be one of my favorites. Another thing, you may get a garand with mismatched parts but, as long as they are meant for M1 Garand only and not tinkered with, you need not worry.
Best of luck.
Marksman

[TwoRivers]

That is good advise, but not quite correct, as it only applies to the semi-automatic version. It's the port pressure that matters, and is critical for functioning, not bullet weight as such. It's usually higher with commercially loaded cartridges with heavier bullets, and loaded with slower-burning powders . However, if the rifle is converted to manual repeater, port pressure is no longer a player, and there is no need to restrict yourself to the military 150 and 173 grain loads, or the 168 grain armor piercing. Any bullet weight you can get your hands on will be fine. Cheers.

[marksman]

Well, Thanks Tworivers,
As you rightly said, the Garand IF converted PERMANENTLY to cycle manually has no problem what so ever with any kind of bullet weight. Apparently this is the only way one can possess this beautiful rifle in Indian Union. But I still have a question. Would this rifle shoot well with the 180 gns (commercial) loads? What I mean is would it shoot accurately enough to find a respectable place for the shooter in a full bore 300 meters shooting event. I have been made to understand that the rifling pitch in a Garand barrel is better suited for lighter bullets. Generally these rifles are bought in India by an individual for the shooting competitions only. I myself intend using it for the Nationals this year and hence the question.
Marksman

[bullshitwalks]

thanx a tonne guys , i never knew so much abt mi garand as i do now. i am not into .22 rifles but came across a beauty a winchester .22 lr model 270 pump action in immaculate condition. and a bsa .22 lr it had a copper plate on the grip which read" base for b.s.a. no. 8 peer sight", single shot. if i planned to buy the winchester how much shud i pay?
cheers

[bullshitwalks]

guys i know this is really very stupid , but still, i was into buying a 30.06 m1 garand then i my eyes feasted upon the model 270 winchester pump action. i am not much of shooter and dont usually fire much but now i am totally confused between the garand and winchester . plz help me choose.

[cottage cheese]

guys i know this is really very stupid , but still, i was into buying a 30.06 m1 garand then i my eyes feasted upon the model 270 winchester pump action. i am not much of shooter and dont usually fire much but now i am totally confused between the garand and winchester . plz help me choose.

I vote for the Winchester 270.

Lesser jhamela than a garand in the Indian scenario. Other than the presumably steep asking price, 'running' cost will not burn a whole in your pocket. You cant to that with 30-06 ammo and a possibly crippled garand.

Since you don't fire so much as you say, plinking with a .22 would be nothing short of ideal.

The Winchester 270 belongs to the 200 series. Model numbers start from 250 through 290. Several variants built on the same base. There is even a lever action variant. Generally decent piece.

That's not to say the Garand is not good. Its just two very different tangents.

regards,
cc

[mundaire]

thanx a tonne cc.
the stock is altered and coverted into a stupid grip with no butt.
overall exteriors look good , will check the interiors and let u know.
this is for the first time i am looking at m1 garand made by winchester , whereas all others i came across were springfield armoury. hope this has nothing to do with the quality.
the price quoted is 170k.
more advise plz

170K is wayyyy too much for a semi-auto M1 Garand - after all this is a PB rifle and irrespective of what type of license it has been entered on the pricing should reflect this fact. I'd not even consider paying more than 50-55K for something like this with a licensing "grey" area involved... if you know what I mean. Most dealers know this and will adjust the price accordingly... Keep in mind the fact that you will get jack s*** when you try and sell it to a dealer...

You'd be much better off picking up a regular bolt/ lever action repeater in any centrefire calibre for which ammo is available.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[TwoRivers]

Marksman, the rifling pitch for the M1 Garand is the standard one turn in ten inches. It will handle any bullet weight a bolt action .30-06 would. Cheers.

[penpusher]

170K is wayyyy too much for a semi-auto M1 Garand - after all this is a PB rifle and irrespective of what type of license it has been entered on the pricing should reflect this fact. I'd not even consider paying more than 50-55K for something like this with a licensing "grey" area involved... if you know what I mean. Most dealers know this and will adjust the price accordingly... Keep in mind the fact that you will get jack s*** when you try and sell it to a dealer...

You'd be much better off picking up a regular bolt/ lever action repeater in any centrefire calibre for which ammo is available.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

Also keep in mind that if some time in the future,you encounter a licensing officer who knows his guns,you might have to sell the firearm(as a PB rifle) as your license would not entitle you to own it.Or it may even be confiscated.I know of a couple of such cases.

I would do what Abhijeet suggests.In fact the IOF 30-06 would be a better buy.

[eternalme]

If you can restore it like above , it will rock