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Posted: 12/25/2004 5:14:10 PM EDT
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Not a Project for the Meek of Wallet About a year and a half ago, I decided to start on my dream project, to build an M1 from the ground up without dipping in to the household budget. I took inventory of what rifles ammo, parts etc.. I had to sell. I began selling these items and putting the funds into a special account at my bank. While I was selling these items, I began surfing EBAY, GB, AA and others to get a good “Feel” for the parts market. After selling all I was willing to part with, I had around $900.00 in the bank. The next step was to locate a receiver- critical because I intended to build up a rifle out of NOS or like mint rifle parts, to be as correct for the serial number as possible. I also needed to find a receiver that had not been rebuilt, and had like new original finish. I finally located a stripped 5.93 million serial number that fit the bill. I won it for the measly sum of $350, shipped (plus $20 for FFL fee). I dove into the books and began a list of what series parts I would need. I enjoyed doing the research end of it. I began looking actively for parts. I bought first from the various vendors that have online storefronts. I managed to accumulate about half of the parts I would need. I admit there is just something about opening up a package sealed in the 50’s and pulling out that sparkly dark part that is exciting for me. After I tallied up the parts I had, I began putting WTB ads out on the various forums that Garand collectors haunt. I found that Garand owners mostly are a helpful bunch. I had several people tell me they would send me a part for the cost of postage. I also met the other end of the spectrum, i.e. “Yep I got a NOS trigger assembly housing, but I’ll only sell it if you buy all five that came in this here box, it’s a rare collectors item and I ain’t gonna break them up.” Also guys who would say they had a new part, but send a well worn reparkerized junk. I realize some of them didn’t know the difference, however one guy was in particular very deceitful. I bought several items from him, and when they arrived they were worn and all had been recently parkerized ala stovetop. He refused to honor his 3 day inspection, even after admitting he had “touched them up”, so I ended up keeping them. Finally I had a set of new parts, plus the receiver. I located a military stock from the ‘60s, FSN on the bag. Don’t know who the original manufacturer was, however the stock and handguards matched for grain. When I opened the bag and unwrapped the stock, I got a queasy sensation in my stomach. What I had gotten basically looked like a 4X6 beam with inletting, complete with hideous yellow grease pencil markings on all three parts. There was no metal included at all. A fellow collector told me it was likely intended to be fitted for match purposes. The contours were really HUGE. I had a really hard time finding a new barrel, correct for the serial number so ended up buying a new, VCI tube in the SA 7.62MM barrel (no, not sleeved)dated March of 66. That was the most expensive part, at $425.00. I had one of the bigger name shops install the barrel, lap and headspace the bolt. I had originally intended to do this myself, however I just couldn’t afford to buy the tools necessary for a one time job. Plus I didn’t want to practice rebarreling with a $425 barrel. I had been working on the stock, slowly shaping it first with fine sanpaper, but 90% was done with steel wool. A very very slow process. I did not want the stock to be “piano finished” nor did I want it to be crappy and loose. I wanted GI fit and appearance. I stained the stock several times to get the right color. I used the various different methods I found on the internet, all guaranteed to produce original milspec finish. Most didn’t. The second finish looked great, however upon exposure to light it began to darken to a deep purple. Finally I got it the way I wanted it. After allowing the stock to “cure”, I began assembly of the small parts. In most things, I had ended up purchasing several of each part, due to having to buy entire packages of the parts. I slowly and carefully fitted parts until each mechanism functioned smoothly, and tightly. I also tried to match the color of Parkerizing as much as possible. The only major exception being the safety, I bought 9 of them and they were all a light gray. I assembled, disassembled and reassembled for almost an entire weekend until I was satisfied. The only operation that really made me nervous was installing the liner in the upper handguard. I was afraid I would end up cracking or dinging the wood and having to locate and color/grain match another one. I followed the instructions I found on the internet and all went well. About the only flaw in the rifle is a little bit of sapwood on the right side that refused to take stain. It shows up in the picture I have attached, and still bugs me to look at. I may eventually replace the stock/ hand guards with a Wenig’s custom set. I am happy with this rifle, and take real pride in having built it. It is tight, not a rattle anywhere. After I built it, I decided to change the front sight for a .062 NM, and also installed a NM oprod. I have an NM rear sight set but have not gotten around to fitting it. I will probably end up leaving the current sight on. I have also installed an adjustable gas lock screw, so I can tune the rifle for each type of ammo I use. I can’t really say how much this ended up costing me, but I figure around $1400, with another $200-300 in left over parts. I finished it about several months ago. Since then, I have decided not build any more Garands like this. Of course, I am currently saving $$ to build up an LRB M14 receiver…. I have attached some photos of this rifle taken this afternoon. There wasn’t much natural light so I was forced to take them inside. As a result the color is a little off/dark in some of them.         -Bryan |
Very nice.
She will hold 6 inches at three hundred with standard lake city 147 gr ball ammo. I haven't tried M118LR yet, but I expect that will improve things a bit  just got some in from the CMP, can't wait to get back out and try it!! She's a hammer!!! |
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