M1 Garand Restoration

Aventus · Jul 11, 2018

Ive been looking for an M1 Garand to restore for some time now. I know, I know, why restore and erase history but I don't want a wall hanger. I want to be able to shoot it and have it in the same condition as when it was originally issued. Last night, I came across this video of restoring the rifle from top to bottom. I could watch this over and over again.

Just when I thought I consolidated the different calibers I was reloading and shooting, I'm going right back to adding another. Figures

Clifjr · Jul 11, 2018

Awesome video! I feel lucky to have three M1’s from the CMP and they are so interesting to try and restore or “correct” to original condition. Good luck with your search but why not just get one from the CMP? I don’t think you’ll find one any cheaper! It looks like you could get a Field Grade for $650 and it would be a great start! https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/m1-garand/

Combloc · Jul 11, 2018

I agree. Just buy a CMP rifle. I don't understand the need to own a 70+ year old artifact that was screwed with to make it look new just to use it and put wear back on it. Plus, I would almost guarantee you that nobody today is going to rebuild it as well as a military armory did so a CMP rifle is most likely going to be better built anyway even if it does have a few dings.

iH8DemLibz · Jul 11, 2018

Three time's the charm.

Unless you're a Garand gunsmith, and know how to finesse their guts, buy one from CMP and be done with it.

Unless restore means refinishing the stock at home and sending the bits out to be Parkerized.

Orlando · Jul 11, 2018

I would not call that a restoration but a refinish

lazarus · Jul 11, 2018

Combloc said:
I agree. Just buy a CMP rifle. I don't understand the need to own a 70+ year old artifact that was screwed with to make it look new just to use it and put wear back on it. Plus, I would almost guarantee you that nobody today is going to rebuild it as well as a military armory did so a CMP rifle is most likely going to be better built anyway even if it does have a few dings.

Hell my service grade came with a new walnut stock and very little visible wear (1955 HRA). If it wasn’t for modest barrel wear I’d say she is as good as a complete armory rebuild.

Digby · Jul 17, 2018

If you aren't a member of the CMP, then go to the next Dulles Gun Show and peruse the M1s for sale. There are usually at least a dozen or so for sale, in varying conditions, but most in nice shape - certainly CMP rack grade, but most better. Buy one of those and don't "restore" it like the rifle in the video. That rifle looked to be in very nice original condition. If you find one like that, grab it. Why the gentlemen in the video felt it necessary to strip and sand the stock, and sandblast parts and reparkerize them, is unclear. Looks to me like he was trying to make it appear new again, which is a fool's errand, since a rifle can only be new once. What he managed to accomplish was reduce the population of original, collectible M1s by one, and also reduce the value of the rifle significantly. In my book, that makes him a "Bubba."

Combloc · Jul 17, 2018

Nice post!

Doco Overboard · Jul 17, 2018

Digby said:
If you aren't a member of the CMP, then go to the next Dulles Gun Show and peruse the M1s for sale. There are usually at least a dozen or so for sale, in varying conditions, but most in nice shape - certainly CMP rack grade, but most better. Buy one of those and don't "restore" it like the rifle in the video. That rifle looked to be in very nice original condition. If you find one like that, grab it. Why the gentlemen in the video felt it necessary to strip and sand the stock, and sandblast parts and reparkerize them, is unclear. Looks to me like he was trying to make it appear new again, which is a fool's errand, since a rifle can only be new once. What he managed to accomplish was reduce the population of original, collectible M1s by one, and also reduce the value of the rifle significantly. In my book, that makes him a "Bubba."

He wasn't working in no Bubba shop though.
CMP did the same thing except they added CBI barrels.
Even with that, some things are just as well left alone. Kind of like guys correcting rifles and adding stamps or even out of spec parts just to make a rifle correct.
I did get a kick out of watching him shoot the rifle though.

Blacksmith101 · Jul 19, 2018

Aventus
You might be interested in the CMP Advanced Maintenance Class where you get to build your own CMP Special M1
http://thecmp.org/training-tech/advanced-maintenance-class/

M1 Garand Restoration

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Aventus

Banned

Clifjr

Active Member

Combloc

Stop Negassing me!!!!!

iH8DemLibz

When All Else Fails.

Orlando

Active Member

lazarus

Ultimate Member

Digby

Member

Combloc

Stop Negassing me!!!!!

Doco Overboard

Ultimate Member

Blacksmith101

Grumpy Old Man

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Latest threads

Forum statistics

Share this page