My First M1 any help would be great.

[Doco Overboard]

Well the muzzle erosion looks pretty bad by eye, I'll more then likely replace the barrel. I considering doing the work myself, I'm handy enough to make my own barrel vice and action wrench.

Some people have successfully removed them with large wrench’s and shim stock to prevent marring the finish.
Holding the barrel is the tough part more often than not.
Sometimes they’ll turn right off.
CBI barrels were hard to find a few weeks ago.
A pull through reamer is a slam dunk/ The critter barrels are short chambered.

 

[blazzent45]

Yeah I'd go Criterion but I believe they are on backorder.

 

[bigmancrisler]

Some people have successfully removed them with large wrench’s and shim stock to prevent marring the finish.
Holding the barrel is the tough part more often than not.
Sometimes they’ll turn right off.
CBI barrels were hard to find a few weeks ago.
A pull through reamer is a slam dunk/ The critter barrels are short chambered.

Short chambered?


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[ken792]

Short chambered?


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Chambers are deliberately cut 0.01” or something short of headspacing so they can be reamed to minimum headspace when installed. GI barrels were done that way too.

That’s opposed to the M14 and BM59 barrels, which were chrome lined and were not supposed to be reamed after being installed.

 

[blazzent45]

Short chambered?


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Yes criterion barrels are chamber reamed .010 short so you can headspace your bolt to the Go gauge.

 

[Trepang]

FWIW, If you want to see Charlie, do it soon.

 

[Sundazes]

FWIW, If you want to see Charlie, do it soon.

This

 

[bigmancrisler]

FWIW, If you want to see Charlie, do it soon.

Why?


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[Ponder_MD]

Because he's elderly and not in the best of health.

 

[Sundazes]

Because he's elderly and not in the best of health.

But still sharp as a tac and has forgotten more than most will ever know about M1s.

 

[Doco Overboard]

At the least call him up and see if he has any barrels.
Maybe he wants to sell some off help him out maybe.
Every once in a while some god ones show up on the cmp forum.
The swaps not hard with some decent kit.

 

[blazzent45]

At the least call him up and see if he has any barrels.
Maybe he wants to sell some off help him out maybe.
Every once in a while some god ones show up on the cmp forum.
The swaps not hard with some decent kit.

I'll have to email him and see if he would look at my rifle.

 

[ironcity]

I purchased one from CMP and took it to Charlie to inspect. Charlie explained everything to me while he was going thru the inspection. The barrel was all shot out so i purchased a barrel from Charlie to install. He also recommended to me to get the book: The Book of the Garand by Julian S Hatcher. Best money i spent.

 

[Doco Overboard]

I'll have to email him and see if he would look at my rifle.

I dont know the guy but sometimes a master, doesn't just want to teach a craft or give a lesson for work, but pass on a collaborative measure or gain of understanding to help someone out.
You should try.

 

[Trepang]

I took my CMP service grade to him for a once over - he didn't like the headspace so he changed out the bolt. Take advantage of Charlie's expertise while he is still able.

 

[blazzent45]

All very good points.... Thanks gentleman

 

[Doco Overboard]

All very good points.... Thanks gentleman

Heres your barrel.

http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=294633

 

[rbird7282]

Sadly I don't, always heard that Marriottsville is quite busy....

I’ve been a member there for almost ten years and I’ve never had to wait for a lane on either the 50 yard pistol range or the 100 multi-purpose range.


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[mac1_131]

I'd like to provide a counter argument here.



Take it out and shoot some M2 ball through it. Sometimes we shooters get so obsessed with muzzle erosion numbers on milsurp rifles that you do things to your rifle that aren't needed. If you're making a 2-4 inch group at 100 yards well then that's pretty darn good. Of course these rifles are capable of much more (1 inch/MOA isn't unheard of), but do what works.



You can also counterbore the barrel. This would help if someone with a cleaning rod was a little too careless and removed some material. See this a lot on Mosins.



If you do decide to get a new barrel, can't go wrong with Criterion. I have one on one of my M1s and it's lights out shooting. Kreiger is better, but more expensive.



And finally, you may want to upgrade the springs in the rifle. Check this guide on doing a once-over for your rifle, including looking at springs and the like. https://www.garandgear.com/m1-garand-inspection/

^^^^
This

I had one once that would swallow a bullet but still spot shot pretty darned good.

But if you want to shoot a match replacing it is a good idea. It's not hard to do.

Couple other easy tweaks including peaning the gas cylinder and they shoot just dandy.

 

[j8064]

blazzent45,

Welcome to the MDS forum. There are many very knowledgeable folks who regularly contribute here. And welcome to the world of M1 Garands. They are in a class of their own.

You will get varied advice here. I’ve never dealt with Mr. Maloney but I’ve always heard he’s among the best locally on Garands. I’d also highly recommend you read and learn as much as you can about the rifle. Understanding their history and how the M1 is built and operates will be of major value to your enjoying your rifle.

The CMP is among the best places to start. In addition to their website and forum they offer classes on M1’s. 4570inMD and I attended an advanced armorer class together in 2018. It was well worth the cost and an experience we’ll always remember.

Regarding your rifle, I would strip and clean the action and validate function and safety BEFORE ever firing it. AND, has been said, shoot ONLY M2 Ball rated ammo.

Below are links to the 2022 CMP class sign ups and a thread about our trip. Please update us on your M1 progress!



https://thecmp.org/training-tech/advanced-maintenance-class/

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=217956