airbornetrooper
Active Member
I used to own a number of Garands...including a 3-digit serial number. I'm down to two now. They are incredible rifles...design-, performance- and history-wise.
Very cool. I always wanted an early production rifle.
Beautiful rifle! I have a WRA M1, serial number makes it an early 1943 production. I specifically wanted a Winchester, because I wanted one that was made for WW2. These serial number range means that this rifle, or one made at the same time, was carried at the same time my uncle carried a Garand in the Italian Campaign where he lost his leg. I can't imagine lugging this thing across Europe though... Its heavy and tires me out carrying it up the hill from Hap Baker!!!
Its a Frankenstein though, has a 1943-1944 era SA stock, a SA trigger, HRA bolt and a replacement barrel. Very fun rifle to shoot. It always attracts attention at the range when I take it out... because they are gorgeous weapons and because the 30-06 round is quite a bit louder than most other rifles at the range!
My WRA M1 Garand is very similar. I think the only WRA part on it besides the receiver is the trigger housing assembly, and none of the internals are Winchester. It fills a whole in the collection for now, and shoots surprisingly well for a rifle that gauges 3/3.