My mistress, Lady Garand

[PhilA]

I'm in love. Stopped by the Valley Forge Gun Show last night and brought home a 1954-born Garand in very nice condition. Good wood--some lovely character dings, but nicely conditioned. Barrel grades a 2/2, so I'll get some mileage out of her. 5.4million S/N, so she never saw war service unless some grunt brought her to 'Nam for me. But she's beautiful. And, to quote Ringo, she's mine.

I cleaned the grease out last night and re-lubed with Weapon Shield (thanks again, George!). Bought a bandoleer of ammo at the show to tide me over until my CMP spam cans get here. Ordered the field manual from Midway, a soft U.S. fleece case from Cheaper than Dirt, and a repro leather sling from Sportsman's Guide.

Any other thoughts from the Garand experts around here? Anything I should know, read or otherwise absorb?

First range trip will likely be tomorrow. Until then, I'm enjoying the lingering scent of her cosmoline and oiled-steel perfume on my hands.

[schr8er2000]

How about some pics ????? and whatcha pay for her...???

[vic2367]

yes pics , pics

[Pector55]

That is awesome! I am in the process of getting things together to order a Service Grade M1 from CMP. Which is better, Springfield or H&R?

[PhilA]

I'll definitely post some pics when I get a chance.

Hit the range today to sight her in. Man oh man. What a beautiful rifle she is to shoot.

I like the Springfields better than H&R, but that's just because I'm a traditionalist at heart. I've heard good things about each.

Paid $845 out the door--about $200 more than I would have paid for a Service Grade from CMP. I'd say she's a bit nicer than the pictures of SG rifles I've seen coming out of the CMP lately. And since I didn't have to TOTALLY degunk gobs of cosmoline out of the wood and metal like folks do from the CMP, I'd say the time savings was worth the extra couple hundred to me.

[nfafan]

Thanks for the insight on the Garand you purchased!

[mikepro8]

While I am not familiar with Weapon Shield, you may want consider putting the grease back ON.

I know they can be finikcy... and I know they were designed to run with grease. I grease mine. Look around on the net... there are a few select grease spots, and a few oil spots as well.

Good luck and have fun with her!

[PhilA]

OK. Spent a little time in the studio this morning. Try not to drool.

[lexington86]

Wow... do want.

[brian]

the m1907 sling isn't really 'correct' for that vintage of m1.
what would be more in line would be the m1(not named for, or after the m1 rifle, just the first web sling) web sling.
it's easier to adjust to use it for off hand work.
it's also fairly easy to find originals in decent shape, which would far more suiting for such a weapon.

just a thought.