M1 Garand

M1 Garand Capacity

Loaded with an en-bloc clip, the M1 Garand is limited to 8 rounds of .30-06 (or 8 rounds of .308 for the “tanker” models). Inserted from the top of the rifle through the breech, the user pushes the 8 round clip into the magazine.  After firing 8 shots, the rifle will automatically eject the empty clip with a beautiful Ping sound.  5 round clips can pretty easily be found that make the M1 a rifle you can take hunting without breaking capacity laws.  Take note: The M1 will easily end up with a bent Op Rod if you use modern commercial ammo.  If you can’t find M2 Ball ammo or rounds specifically designed for use in the M1, you can either make sure that the muzzle velocity is under 2500 feet per second and the rounds are no heavier than 150 grains, or you can use an adjustable gas plug to vent out some of the excess gas pressure.

M1 Garand Mobility

Weighing in at over 9 pounds, the M1 Garand is on the upper edge of what can be called an “acceptable weight” to carry.  While walking or running with the M1 is easy in open terrain, the length of the rifle makes close-quarter maneuvering a challenge.  With the traditional profile of the rifle and its balanced weight, shouldering the M1 from any position is an easy task.  One interesting fact about this rifle regarding mobility is its safety; while today we’re all taught to keep our fingers outside of the trigger guard unless we’re firing, troops who carried an M1 were taught to carry it with the safety on and their finger on the trigger.  This allowed them to raise the rifle up, push the safety forward with their trigger finger, and start engaging targets.

M1 Garand Fit-N-Finish

The M1 Garand uses a stock made of black walnut protected by an application of boiled linseed oil.  This is the combination that gives the rifle its antique look, and it also keeps the stock fully protected even if it gets bashed around and marked up.  Metal components sport a parkerized finish to deter rust and retain oil on the parts’ surfaces, and many M1’s have been re-parkerized at government arsenals.  Be sure to use white lithium grease inside the cam groove of the charging handle and along the bolt lug raceway and charging handle groove in the receiver to avoid wear and tear on the bolt and receiver.