M1 Garand!

[WheelsUpHeelsUp]

I FINIALLY got one today pretty cheap. A 1943 vintage Springfield, action is very nice, slicker than snot, parkerized metal is very good, stock has been varnished and the barrel is pretty much shot out. Ex Korean rifle that was imported back from Blue Sky. Time to find a decent issue barrel on Ebay, I have a gunsmith friend who can do the swap.
It would be interesting to know where all this peice has been and the damage it caused.

 

[CaptainRon]

Excellent. Post a picture of it if you can. I'd love to see this thing.

 

[insanebikerboy]

For the stock, you can use Easy Off oven cleaner (make sure it's the non-scented type). Rub it all over the stock and let it sit for about a half an hour. Wipe if off with a few rags and wash it with some clean water. Use a fine grade steel wool to buff out any rough spots and smooth it out. Repeat as needed to get the rest of the old varnish out. Get some stock oil, whatever brand/color you want, but realize that if it's the original stock it'll more than likely turn out dark regardless. Rub it in, let it sit, and *lightly* buff it out. Put several coats on it, the more coats you put on there the darker it'll get.

Enjoy the rifle, they are so much fun to shoot!

 

[scoober78]

If the stock is actually varnished you may have trouble using the Easy-Off method. That method is great when you are cleaning off an old, dirty oil finished stock, but the Easy Off likely won't penetrate the varnish.

Give it a try and hope...but you may be in new stock territory. Not to big a deal, I'd go for a CMP stock. Great piece of walnut, all ready to be oiled...

 

[insanebikerboy]

Good point about the varnish. If it is too thick or too far gone, I'd also recommend a nice walnut stock. With a light oil, you can get some gorgeous looking stocks for an M1.

I'm not for sure if this is a walnut stock or not, but I think it's a pretty sweet looking gun.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/CompGrade-640_50.jpg

 

[scoober78]

http://www.odcmp.com/Rifles/CMP_stocks.htm
Here is a link for the CMP Garand stocks...got one myself and they are a steal at the price they ask for. They fit very well, are high grade walnut and take the oil finish beautifully. (Just like the originally issued ones)

BTW....that stock above looks like a laminate to me....

 

[WheelsUpHeelsUp]

 

[A4sForever]

As has been said before ... ALWAYS go with the CMP if you have the "need" and they have the "product" ... it's one way to preserve and defend our 2nd Amendment RIGHTs ... and another way to tap into our USGI military heritage (an endangered species) ... believe it.

 

[MasterBates]

A4s is wise, even beyond his advanced years...

Proud owner of a July '43 Springfield Armory M1. I got it last year for $400 from the CMP.

 

[invertedflyer]

I definitely want to get a CMP rifle, I always have trouble finding a CMP shoot to attend though, I know they require one to purchase an M1.

 

[scoober78]

Not if you have a military ID... The miltary counts as an "afilliated organization"...like a club. All you need is a copy of your mil. ID and the appropriate, completed paperwork as it counts for your firearms training as well. Oh...proof of birth (passport, birth certificate...) and the cash help too.

 

[invertedflyer]

Excellent, didn't know that. Thank you my friend.

 

[WheelsUpHeelsUp]

Anybody know anything about these from CMP, New Criterion M1 Barrel 4140 Chrome Moly Steel? I still want a GI issue in good condition first but $165.00 for new is pretty strong I think.

 

[nittany03]

WRT stripping varnish, I refinished 20-odd rifles in college for my ROTC drill team because they had been more or less botched the first time. Normal paint stripper did just fine for taking the varnish off. Just brush it on, let it soak, and then use steel wool to get off the gunk that used to be the varnish. You may need to repeat that step to kill all the varnish.

Once it is off, I would sand the stock down to bare wood and then refinish as you desire. One note: be careful of the rear handguard. The metal strap which holds it on is hard to remove and there is a danger of cracking the handguard if you do so. I just masked it and left it on. Screw with it at your own peril.

 

[scoober78]

Believe it or not...but there is a tool to remove that very piece. Ask around on the CMP webforums...great source or Garand info BTW.