YAGT: M1 Carbine versus M1 Garand

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Depends, they have had them for sale on the racks at CMP North and South before. It's the same pulls as they have for anyone else, so it's not any better pick, just cuts down on the wait. IHC and Winchester waits are over 2 years right now.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: Mookow

Maybe this summer I'll make an order. Does it speed it up any if you go to Camp Perry to pick one up? If I showed up with all the documentation required, could I walk out the same day with a rifle? Shipping a rifle 45-90 "work days" after recieving the order form is quite a while to wait.

It seems like my Dad was going every other month back when they were selling the 'O3 Springfields. He said they'd stop and pick up donuts to give the guys working there, then they'd let them have their pick of the stuff (rather then paying for a rifle and just getting the first one off the shelf).

I don't know how common that is though, or if it'll even work for you. Generally the stuff is pretty good, although Garands are getting kind of scarce.

 

[Analog]

I got my CMP garand back when they had Select Grade. I was on the waiting list for over 2 years. The select grade rifles have been serviced, but are in as-new condition. Mine has a new barrel and new stock. Funny thing is, it was re-arsenaled in 1965. Refurbished and sitting in a box all those years.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero
I got my CMP garand back when they had Select Grade. I was on the waiting list for over 2 years. The select grade rifles have been serviced, but are in as-new condition. Mine has a new barrel and new stock. Funny thing is, it was re-arsenaled in 1965. Refurbished and sitting in a box all those years.

Yup, neither the CMP nor the Army have any clue as to what's in inventory. The CMP is sent particular rifles when they are discovered in Army Depots. That's how the M1917 sale came about, and the .22 trainers. Somewhere along the line some crates were found and that's what was in them.

It's entirely possible that those on the waiting list may never get their rifle. They project the dates out as they find them, it's just rare to find IHC Garands. They may never open another box with one, but at the same time they could open 20 crates in a row with nothing but IHC. Just a gamble.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: MrBond

Originally posted by: Mookow

Maybe this summer I'll make an order. Does it speed it up any if you go to Camp Perry to pick one up? If I showed up with all the documentation required, could I walk out the same day with a rifle? Shipping a rifle 45-90 "work days" after recieving the order form is quite a while to wait.

It seems like my Dad was going every other month back when they were selling the 'O3 Springfields. He said they'd stop and pick up donuts to give the guys working there, then they'd let them have their pick of the stuff (rather then paying for a rifle and just getting the first one off the shelf).

I don't know how common that is though, or if it'll even work for you. Generally the stuff is pretty good, although Garands are getting kind of scarce.

Well now, I'm really going to have to look into this.

PS, in case I have a lot of cash floating around come summertime, of the 1903's, is there a best? Are any of the manufacturers usually more accurate than the others?

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: Mookow
PS, in case I have a lot of cash floating around come summertime, of the 1903's, is there a best? Are any of the manufacturers usually more accurate than the others?

bump for the answer.

 

[TallBill]

Wow, I really would love to drop some dough to pick up a M1 and an AK or SKS, and probably a pistol, but theres not to many places to shoot in Northern Illinois. Sucks!

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: TallBill
Wow, I really would love to drop some dough to pick up a M1 and an AK or SKS, and probably a pistol, but theres not to many places to shoot in Northern Illinois. Sucks!

Try to get to know some farmers.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: Mookow

Originally posted by: Mookow
PS, in case I have a lot of cash floating around come summertime, of the 1903's, is there a best? Are any of the manufacturers usually more accurate than the others?

bump for the answer.

They are all made from the same prints and machines usually. Just variances in rarity, and sometimes quality, but not usually the latter. I'd go with which one floats your boat. I'd personally recommend the M1903A3, which is the one you are probably most familiar with. Has the scant stock, which I like, and the rear adjustable sight. They only have a Remmington. I have the same type, and it took me a few weeks to clean it because it had so much cosmoline. Was well worth it though.

If you get a regular, don't get a MK 1, it has a hole in the receiver where a Perdesen device went, which converted it to semi automatic. The device itself is worth 20x what the rifle would be if you could find one. Not many out there.

If I were getting a M1903, I'd get a Rock Island. Reason? Just think the name is cooler.

My Rem 1903A3 out of the box

After being cleaned up

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones

Originally posted by: Mookow

Originally posted by: Mookow
PS, in case I have a lot of cash floating around come summertime, of the 1903's, is there a best? Are any of the manufacturers usually more accurate than the others?

bump for the answer.

They are all made from the same prints and machines usually. Just variances in rarity, and sometimes quality, but not usually the latter. I'd go with which one floats your boat. I'd personally recommend the M1903A3, which is the one you are probably most familiar with. Has the scant stock, which I like, and the rear adjustable sight. They only have a Remmington. I have the same type, and it took me a few weeks to clean it because it had so much cosmoline. Was well worth it though.

If you get a regular, don't get a MK 1, it has a hole in the receiver where a Perdesen device went, which converted it to semi automatic. The device itself is worth 20x what the rifle would be if you could find one. Not many out there.

If I were getting a M1903, I'd get a Rock Island. Reason? Just think the name is cooler.

My Rem 1903A3 out of the box

After being cleaned up

Which method did you use to remove the Cosmoline?

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Ug, that'd take a long time to explain...here's a quick rundown (made it up myself)

Completely disassemble

1. Mineral spirits all parts (lightly on wood)

2. Purple Power wood

3. Bake wood at a low temp, wipe as cosmoline seeps out

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the wood is cosmo free and has no stain

5. Stain the wood with an alcohol based stain (I used Chestnut's stain)

6. Wiped down with denatured alcohol to remove the stain, so that just a hint remains

7. Wet sand the stock (super, super, super fine sandpaper, mixed with denatured alcohol, several thousand grain sandpaper, can't remember exactly which

8. Spray shellac the stock (locks in any cosmo that may try to seep out later)

9. Tung oil (I used Gilipse or something like that) the stock with super fine wet sandpaper (super careful as even the smallest "grind" can obliterate makers marks and faint cartouches on the stock)

10. Apply as many coats of tung oil as desired. I used 2 and that was plenty for me, could have done 1 and a half. Just to how you like the feel of it. Buff it with an old T-shirt after each application. The more you add, the "stickier" it will feel. The buffing fixes this. Few coats leaves it not-shiney, lots of coats gives it a sheen.

11. Oil/CLP/etc. metal parts and reassemble

12. Apply some sort of wax (carnuba, kiwi, whatever) if you want. Gives it a shine or smoothness it may not have, depending on how some steps went

I prefer to keep them as in military like condition as possible, to preserve them. A lot of people use unique stains, fancy patterns, etc. I just try to keep it as true to the original as possible.

 

[K1052]

Personally, I like to retain as much of the used look as possible.

I disassemble and clean the metal parts with mineral spirits. I they are really bad I just get a shallow pan and throw the small parts in a pool of it. I then go over the stock once with the mineral spirits.

If the rifle is really nasty then:
I throw the stock in a garbage bag and put it in the trunk of a car. Durning the winter using an oven at low temp, as BrunoPuntzJones said also works. Return a couple hours later and the majority of the cosmo has weeped out, after that I go over it once more with mineral spirits and call it a day.

Sometimes they are so caked it feels like you are getting a free rifle with your cosmoline purchase.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
Ug, that'd take a long time to explain...here's a quick rundown (made it up myself)

Completely disassemble

1. Mineral spirits all parts (lightly on wood)

2. Purple Power wood

3. Bake wood at a low temp, wipe as cosmoline seeps out

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the wood is cosmo free and has no stain

...

12. Apply some sort of wax (carnuba, kiwi, whatever) if you want. Gives it a shine or smoothness it may not have, depending on how some steps went

I prefer to keep them as in military like condition as possible, to preserve them. A lot of people use unique stains, fancy patterns, etc. I just try to keep it as true to the original as possible.

I'll have to talk to my uncle about the gasoline method. Supposed to be a lot faster and easier, as long as you dont spark anything :evil:. Only problem is disposal, unless I stick it into the gas tank of a car belonging to someone I dont like, since I dont think cosmoline + ICE is a good mix. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut... there is only one way to find out :evil:

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Mookow

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones

Originally posted by: Mookow

Originally posted by: Mookow
PS, in case I have a lot of cash floating around come summertime, of the 1903's, is there a best? Are any of the manufacturers usually more accurate than the others?

bump for the answer.

They are all made from the same prints and machines usually. Just variances in rarity, and sometimes quality, but not usually the latter. I'd go with which one floats your boat. I'd personally recommend the M1903A3, which is the one you are probably most familiar with. Has the scant stock, which I like, and the rear adjustable sight. They only have a Remmington. I have the same type, and it took me a few weeks to clean it because it had so much cosmoline. Was well worth it though.

If you get a regular, don't get a MK 1, it has a hole in the receiver where a Perdesen device went, which converted it to semi automatic. The device itself is worth 20x what the rifle would be if you could find one. Not many out there.

If I were getting a M1903, I'd get a Rock Island. Reason? Just think the name is cooler.

My Rem 1903A3 out of the box

After being cleaned up

Which method did you use to remove the Cosmoline?

I've got 1 SA 1903, two Remington 03A3s, and a Smith Corona 03A3. I've also got a .22 trainer that is a M1903 clone (SA). I would recommend an 03A3 from the CMP. The 03s are usually beat up, and the chances of getting a nice 03A3 are much better.

As far as the cosmo goes, be careful on how you remove it, you don't want to damage the cartouches on the stock, as they make the rifle much more valuable. NEVER use a water based product, and DON'T even think about sanding that stock. HTH.

 

[edro]

I don't see the big deal about the "kick" of the Garand. I have an H&R Garand, and I personally think it is a very smooth feeling rifle; a lot smoother than an AK.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: edro13
I don't see the big deal about the "kick" of the Garand. I have an H&R Garand, and I personally think it is a very smooth feeling rifle; a lot smoother than an AK.

Recoil on a Garand really isn't that bad given the weight and operating system of the rifle. I have a No5 Enfield Jungle carbine and that has serious recoil.

 

[bbrontosaurus]

The only experience I have with a Garand is in Call Of Duty....they've even replicated that "ping" sound when you empty your clip

 

[0roo0roo]

An old WWII vet told me an interesting story about Garands in battle in the pacific. The Garand uses an 8 round spring steel clip. The ammo came in boxes that were already in the clips, ready to go. You just shove in a clip and let the bolt go and its ready to fire. When the last round is fired, the spring steel clip flies out the top of the rifle and hits the ground with a distintive 'shing' sound. A sound very different than the spent shells hitting the ground (the clips were normally not retrieved).

ah the distinctive sound heard during saving private ryan, and if u've played medal of honor allied assault/ call of duty... heard it a thousand times

 

[Kenazo]

I never realized that IHC made guns too. Cool! I'm going home and ride around in the tractor, shoot a rabbit and remain brand loyal the whole time.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
I never realized that IHC made guns too. Cool! I'm going home and ride around in the tractor, shoot a rabbit and remain brand loyal the whole time.

During WWII if your company could machine or stamp large amounts of steel you made guns, bombs, shells, or anything else that was needed.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
I never realized that IHC made guns too. Cool! I'm going home and ride around in the tractor, shoot a rabbit and remain brand loyal the whole time.

You shoot a rabbit with a 30-06 and there isnt going to be much left of that rabbit.

 

[K1052]

<-----Patiently awaits FAL in .223.

 

[edro]

The International Harvester Garands are really rare (supposedly). Most places have a waiting list in case they get one in. I live near Springfield Ohio, where one of the main IH plants is and the IH Garands are next to impossible to find because so many people work there or have worked there and want one.

 

[K1052]

Crap, I now recall that the IHC Garands were all Korean war production. I think they only made about 500,000 or so out of aprox 6 million Garands total.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: K1052
<-----Patiently awaits FAL in .223.

<--- Impatiently awaits CCW permit. Darn 90 day waiting period after the passage of the law.