So my father-in-law gave me an M1 Garand, which made me extremely happy. Until he said it was chambered in .308. This made me sad, because that means it is a new production Springfield and not USGI surplus. Still, it's a free Garand. Please make me feel better about this...

If you don't like it that much, you can give it to me. I would gladly take it, and thank your Father in-law graciously for it.

I guess that sounded quite shitty on my part. Believe me, i am extremely grateful. I just don't understand why this even exists when there are so many USGI surplus rifles out there. I'm fairly sure he paid close to $1K for this and at that pricepoint, you're looking at some high-quality USGI Springfields or Winchesters. Why bother buying a "copy" in the wrong chambering when you can get an original?

 

EDIT: WOOHOO 100 posts.

Edited April 16, 201115 yr by papercutninja

check the markings - navy converted many garands to 7.62 in the 1960's - might be an original GI -

I guess that sounded quite shitty on my part. Believe me, i am extremely grateful. I just don't understand why this even exists when there are so many USGI surplus rifles out there. I'm fairly sure he paid close to $1K for this and at that pricepoint, you're looking at some high-quality USGI Springfields or Winchesters. Why bother buying a "copy" in the wrong chambering when you can get an original?

 

EDIT: WOOHOO 100 posts.

Don't worry about it, I was just busting your chops. Congrats on a great rifle!! Part of it was because I'm green with envy Wish I could AFFORD an M1, let alone get one as a gift!! In for the range report.

308 would be a nice caliber in the garand, shoot it all day and save on about 10 gr powder per bullet..

its ok because you can only shoot that old 30/06 surplus ammo if it was chambered for that. you cant shoot new 30/06 with out redesigning the whole gas system

Or get an adjustable gas plug for $30 and shoot commercial ammo all day.

Sell it and buy a milsurp one?

I don't want to sell it, it was a gift. I'm going to buy a milsurp one at some point though...

It could be a modified original milsurp. I know the Garand guy makes them into .308. Tiny at Shore Shot has one.

I think your father-in-law should slap you in the dome and give the rifle to me.

It says:

US Rifle

Cal .30 M1

Springfield

Armory

1677XXX

 

I'm gonna do some research and see what the deal is with it.

So, it turns out that this is a milsurp receiver converted to 7.62 at some later date. Checking the serial number, it looks like it was originally manufactured in May of 1943. The charging handle is stamped "7.62mm", which is the only clue it isn't a standard .30-06 chambering. The stock is new, with no markings.

 

I actually feel about a million times better now, because it's not a foolish copy like the 2005 Springfield release.

Check the barrel under the charging handle. If it's marked 7.62 NATO Mod 2 it's one of the Garands the Navy converted to 7.62 NATO. A much rarer bird than your run of the mill M1. The Navy first tried putting a chamber insert in the original M1 barrel and it didn't work so well. Then they rebarreled them ( Mod 2!). When I moved by LST in Vietnam the sailors on deck watch carried these. I think some Garands were made up in 7.62 NATO by the military for competition. If you go to the CMP forum and list all the markings there are people there that can give you more specifics.

 

Note that whatever the case you should only shoot NATO spec ammo in it unless you install an adjustable gas plug. The gun is set up for that pressure curve as a standard Garand is set up for M2 ball.

 

I have 7.62 NATO "Tanker". It was made up with an Arlington Ordnance barrel and shoots well. The 18" barrel does throw out a huge fireball though.

I hope your FIL reads the forum and kicks you in your ass, you deserve it. Complaining about a free gun before you even knew what it was.

I hope your FIL reads the forum and kicks you in your a**, you deserve it. Complaining about a free gun before you even knew what it was.

+1000

FWIW if it is a genuine Navy rebarrel I've seen them go for about $2000 in very good condition.

So, it turns out that this is a milsurp receiver converted to 7.62 at some later date. Checking the serial number, it looks like it was originally manufactured in May of 1943. The charging handle is stamped "7.62mm", which is the only clue it isn't a standard .30-06 chambering. The stock is new, with no markings.

 

I actually feel about a million times better now, because it's not a foolish copy like the 2005 Springfield release.

 

Your FIL seems to like you quite a bit to give you a piece like that, one that is a rechambered GI receiver. You should of course give him something he would appreciate in return, like maybe grandchildren, or more of them, if you already have kids. And take him to teh range, pay for the ammo, let him shoot your toys, if you don't already.

Perhaps go to a CMP match?

Your FIL seems to like you quite a bit to give you a piece like that, one that is a rechambered GI receiver. You should of course give him something he would appreciate in return, like maybe grandchildren, or more of them, if you already have kids. And take him to teh range, pay for the ammo, let him shoot your toys, if you don't already.

Perhaps go to a CMP match?

 

All M1s rebarreled to 7.62 NATO aren't rare but you should do something nice for him. If it's a Navy rebarrel or Match Grade Garand made up by the military you really owe him more.

I'm betting it was an import... Saw one today. SA52 I think? Garands exported to allies, then re-imported into the USA and re-barreled for .308...

What markings on the barrell with the bolt in open position? Post some pics!!

Believe me, when he did give it to me i was/am very grateful. That's the reason selling it was never an option as it has more sentimental value than anything else. When i thought it was the re-issue, i felt more like he was ripped off than anything else, considering the reviews on that version. But i'm extremely happy that it's a USGI, AND that he didn't get ripped off.

 

these are the markings UNDER the charging handle. The numbers start with SA (Springfield Armory?) and all the way on the right side looks like the a 3 stars/Eagle Dept of Defense stamp, with a sans-serif P proof mark. I don't know what the M or the other numbers mean. It does NOT look like the USN conversions that i've seen, but it does lead to the conclusion that this is based on USGI parts?

 

Charging handle markings

 

Like i mentioned before, the stock is a new one so there are no armory or other markings on it.

8-63 or 8-68 hard for me to tell but its a Springfield Armory august 63 or august 68 barrell manufacture. Not an after market. I cant quite make out the D number can u post it. Also, pull the trigger group and pop the stock off and post a pic of numbers on D number and revision on front leg. Barrell seems to have some funky coating on it, may be paint or it may be the pic. Barrell should be marked 7.62 nato, if not you may have a 7.62 op rod and 30.06 barrell, not likely but I would headspace before i used it. better yet, take it to a qualified smith who works on these rifles. Can you give us a pic of the chamber?

It might still be a Navy conversion. Check your markings against the ones on Scott Duff's or Bill Ricca's website.

The number under the op rod has:

SA 6535446 3 63 Y16 P M (DoD mark)

 

Field stripped

 

Trigger has D28290-12-SA

 

Right side of the receiver has:

0 3 8 B (Diamond mark)

D 28291 27

 

Op Rod has:

6535362 HRA

 

Chamber pic

The number under the op rod has:

SA 6535446 3 63 Y16 P M (DoD mark)

 

Field stripped

 

Trigger has D28290-12-SA

 

Right side of the receiver has:

0 3 8 B (Diamond mark)

D 28291 27

 

Op Rod has:

6535362 HRA

 

Chamber pic

Springfield Barrell March 1963

WWII Trigger housing

Heat lot and D# seem correct to receiver, IMO not a reweld.

Post WWII HRA op rod

 

Try a spent 30.06 casing and see if it will chamber, if so its not 7.62x51. If it chambers I think you have a 30.06 with a HRA 7.62 op rod. Rifle is a mixmaster, I have a few mixmasters and they're my best shooters. Yours is probably a 1963 arsenal rebuild with the parts on the rifle.

Is there an import stamp on it?

AWESOME!! I'll get it checked out (i know for a fact that .308/7.62 cycles through it because i had some dummy rounds). Thanks for all the info.

 

It does not have import marks on it.

AWESOME!! I'll get it checked out (i know for a fact that .308/7.62 cycles through it because i had some dummy rounds). Thanks for all the info.

 

It does not have import marks on it.

308 will chamber and cycle with dummys. Get some dummy 30.06 or 06 snap caps and see if they chamber and cycle......