I found this great product on the market I would like to share with all of you. It's called the M1 Buddy. It inserts into the receiver of an M1 Garand or M1A for cleaning purposes. It blocks the receiver completely so all of the spray from your brushes that would normally go into the receiver/action area, is caught right there. The cooooool, thing is, I can still use my chamber brush with the thing in place. It holds the bolt back (very important for you new Garand owners) so you don't have to worry about M1 thumb while ramming tha brush into the chamber. It works with the GI combo tool brush, or the ratcheting chamber brush. It's made of some sort of plastic that is nice and solid and rigid. The manufacturer offer a lifetime gaurantee which is pretty cool. They also ship all orders for $2.89(maybe $2.79 I don' have my invoice handy). The M1 Buddy costs $14.95, so I was able to get the thing to my door for less than a $20.00 bill. I think I can say that every friend I have who has seen it has ordered one. You see a lot of worthless crap out there that's designed to do nothing but lighten you wallet, but this item is pretty cool. Wish I had found this years ago (or at least before I caught my first case of M1 Thumb!)
The manufacturer also donates a part of the profits to the M1's for Vet's program. They are a great organization. I think it's pretty neat that these people do that. I wsih more business people would be that way.
I can't say enough about how cool this thing is. Whoever designed this was pretty smart.
The site is: www.m1buddy.com
I e-mailed them and they said the would also be bringing out a couple of other items soon. The "Training Buddy" (not sure what that is), and the "Poor Mans ChamberBrush". Seems like some down to earth folks looking for neat little ideas. The owner is a pretty serious highpower shooter, so he's been around the range a while.
The REALLY COOL THING IS.... it works for the M1 Garand and the M1A!
I realize now I should have order two (as they state), one for my range box and one for the basement.
You will not be sorry iof you order this product. I really feel it was money well spent. It looks like apart I wil have forever 9and that's a long time! I don't usually promote things like this, but this thing is great!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Cleaning the Garands bore.
As the owner of many military surplus rifles, both foreign and domestic, I have learned one thing over the years. Do not clean the bore to "get it clean", clean the bore to "make it shoot". Many, and I mean many rifles will shoot dirty, and many prefer dirty. Over the years I have developed a process for cleaning my Garands and M1A's, both match grade and rack grade. I stick to the "process" and do not deviate.
First, do not worry about how the patches "look" when the exit the barrel.
My process does not involve worrying about how the patches work. I stick with my process and do not deviate.
First, empty the chamber of your Garand or M1A, and lock the bolt back.
Wet a patch with solvent (I use good old Hoppes #9) and run through the barrel.
Repeat.
Repeat and let soak for 5 minutes.
Run a dry patch through.
Repeat.
Run a dry patch with JB bore paste into the barrel, working it in short strokes in fron t of the chamber.
Run a dry patch through.
Run a wet patch through.
Run two dry patches through.
Relax, your done. Do not think about what the patches look like. Just shoot the rifle.
Your rifle may like more or less cleaning, but I have yet to see a Garand or M1A that liked to be cleaned to death.
First, do not worry about how the patches "look" when the exit the barrel.
My process does not involve worrying about how the patches work. I stick with my process and do not deviate.
First, empty the chamber of your Garand or M1A, and lock the bolt back.
Wet a patch with solvent (I use good old Hoppes #9) and run through the barrel.
Repeat.
Repeat and let soak for 5 minutes.
Run a dry patch through.
Repeat.
Run a dry patch with JB bore paste into the barrel, working it in short strokes in fron t of the chamber.
Run a dry patch through.
Run a wet patch through.
Run two dry patches through.
Relax, your done. Do not think about what the patches look like. Just shoot the rifle.
Your rifle may like more or less cleaning, but I have yet to see a Garand or M1A that liked to be cleaned to death.
Match Grade M1A
Although I loved the Garand, the M1A seemed to be the rifle of choice for the best shooters in the business (back when I was getting started), and I wanted to be one of those! My armorer buddy had built a rifle for an FBI agent at Quantico, but he was unable to take delivery of the rifle. Well, it became mine. There was a whole new learning curve with the M1A. Less recoil, different to maintain, and a 20 round detachable mag. Needless to say, although it was a more accuarte rifle than my Garand, this Springfiled M1A would take some getting used to.
The shorter sight radius was the first thing that I noticed, although nothing like the trransition from the M1A to the AR! Now that's something to contemplate.
The reduced recoil was great. The rapid scores improved right away, but on the long line I really had to get my head into it.
Loading was nicer, at least a little less expensive. The savings on powder wasn't great, but it added up.
The short oprod of the M1A made quite a differenc also. No long oprod like the Garand, just a short, stout, stiff rod with very little flex.
As long as I could keep the cleaning solvent out of the bedding, this double lugged M1A would shoot like a champ. It's still ued by a freind of mine for NRA long range(800, 900 & 1,000 yds) competition.
The shorter sight radius was the first thing that I noticed, although nothing like the trransition from the M1A to the AR! Now that's something to contemplate.
The reduced recoil was great. The rapid scores improved right away, but on the long line I really had to get my head into it.
Loading was nicer, at least a little less expensive. The savings on powder wasn't great, but it added up.
The short oprod of the M1A made quite a differenc also. No long oprod like the Garand, just a short, stout, stiff rod with very little flex.
As long as I could keep the cleaning solvent out of the bedding, this double lugged M1A would shoot like a champ. It's still ued by a freind of mine for NRA long range(800, 900 & 1,000 yds) competition.
Cleaning my Garnd
Many new Garand owners are clueless as to the proper care of their Garands. I see it so many times. Garands that fail to function for the simplest of reasons. I have always tried to help new shooters and Garand owners by psasing along the knowledge I have attained.
First, oil where it rotates (very few places) and grease where it rubs. Lubriplate is great, but I still favor the old USGI rifle grease for the old garand.
Most shooters can figure out a few of the proper lube points, but some are missed. Some of the places to look at are:
Bolt lug where it interfaces with the oprod.
Receiver where the oprod rides (the groove on the right side).
Barrel, lower right side where the oprod MAY touch the barrel.
Locking lug recesses in the reciever.
Underside of the receiver where the bolt rides as it moves to the rear.
Locking "lugs" on th trigger where it locks into the receiver.
Stock ferral where it rides in the lower band (very important area. The lube will allow the action to return to the same position after every shot).
Oprod spring. Pull the spring out and lube it a LITTLE.
Other places where parts rub.
Renmeber, a little grease can go a long way. No need to over do it.
First, oil where it rotates (very few places) and grease where it rubs. Lubriplate is great, but I still favor the old USGI rifle grease for the old garand.
Most shooters can figure out a few of the proper lube points, but some are missed. Some of the places to look at are:
Bolt lug where it interfaces with the oprod.
Receiver where the oprod rides (the groove on the right side).
Barrel, lower right side where the oprod MAY touch the barrel.
Locking lug recesses in the reciever.
Underside of the receiver where the bolt rides as it moves to the rear.
Locking "lugs" on th trigger where it locks into the receiver.
Stock ferral where it rides in the lower band (very important area. The lube will allow the action to return to the same position after every shot).
Oprod spring. Pull the spring out and lube it a LITTLE.
Other places where parts rub.
Renmeber, a little grease can go a long way. No need to over do it.
First trip to Camp Perry with my Garand
One week after I shot my first highpower match(shot a 325, can't remember the "x" count) I was "told" I would be going to Camp Perry to shoot an ORPA (Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association) highpower match. I thought they were crazy. Little did I know at the time, it would be the best "baptism by fire" I ever had. It's a3 hr trip to Perry from my house, so the ride was short and sweet. We arrived in the early evening, Friday to be exact, and quickly got signed up. The next part of the evening I remember well. It was our trip to the "hutments", or "hooches" as they are called. The 14' x 14' former WW2 prisoner of war barracks would be our home for the weekend. One light buld and a few outlets. That's it.
After a rough night in the sack, I was awakened to the sound of OHNG troops performing their early morning drills. I guess it was time to go.
We made it to the range, and all was well (not the scores) with me until I got to the 200yd sitting rapid string. On my 3 rd or 4th shot, the old Garand ($450.00 for a match grade garand in 1985) failed to fire. I raised my hand as instructed, and was told I would shoot on the "alibi" string. As wonderfull as the Garands are, they tended to produce more alibis than the AR's of this era. I was positioned on the alibi relay, the command went firth to fire, and my rifle went "click". It was over on the 200 yd line for me, so I retreated to the 300 yd line for the prone rapid fire. As I marched back to my firing point, one of the nearby shooters asked what had happened. I explained the situation and he quickly said it sounded like a broken firing pin, and would I let him repair it! What the #$&&* I thought. Fix it right here! Heck yes I said. within 60 seconds the bolt had been stripped and my Garand was sporting a new firing pin. I mentioned to the gentleman that I had no money with me on the range so I coud not pay him until later. He said "no problem". He provided me with his mailing address and said I could send him $5.00 when it was convenient. What a guy. What a sport!
After a rough night in the sack, I was awakened to the sound of OHNG troops performing their early morning drills. I guess it was time to go.
We made it to the range, and all was well (not the scores) with me until I got to the 200yd sitting rapid string. On my 3 rd or 4th shot, the old Garand ($450.00 for a match grade garand in 1985) failed to fire. I raised my hand as instructed, and was told I would shoot on the "alibi" string. As wonderfull as the Garands are, they tended to produce more alibis than the AR's of this era. I was positioned on the alibi relay, the command went firth to fire, and my rifle went "click". It was over on the 200 yd line for me, so I retreated to the 300 yd line for the prone rapid fire. As I marched back to my firing point, one of the nearby shooters asked what had happened. I explained the situation and he quickly said it sounded like a broken firing pin, and would I let him repair it! What the #$&&* I thought. Fix it right here! Heck yes I said. within 60 seconds the bolt had been stripped and my Garand was sporting a new firing pin. I mentioned to the gentleman that I had no money with me on the range so I coud not pay him until later. He said "no problem". He provided me with his mailing address and said I could send him $5.00 when it was convenient. What a guy. What a sport!
My first match shooting an M1 Garand
Exactly 6 days after shooting a highpower rifle (a match grade M1 Garand), I was shooting in my first NRA sanctioned highpower match. It was a "National Match Course", consisting of 10 shots standing slow fire, 10 shots sitting rapid fire, 10 shots prone rapid fire and 20 shots prone slow fire (shot from 200yds, 200yds, 300yds and 300 yds(reduced target to simulate 600 yd fire)). All went well, although the jitters were with me all day. You would think that a guy who played college hoops wouldn't be so nervous! Well I was.
We got back to prone slow fire, and while loading a round I had a "slam fire". The round fired as I released the bolt ( something Garand owners need to practice). Thank god the bolt was partially into battery postiion, or I may have eaten the bolt of that Garand. I was un-nerved to say the least. I did finish the match, but was really shaken up. Some of the more experienced shooters looked at my ammo, and found some problems. My mentor stopped my my house later that week, took a look at the hodge podge of dies, bullets, shell holders, etc., that had been loaned to me by one of the shooters, and said thsi crap has to go! Got some new gear, and all hes been well since. Don't cut corners on your shooting equipment, especially loading gear for your Garand.
We got back to prone slow fire, and while loading a round I had a "slam fire". The round fired as I released the bolt ( something Garand owners need to practice). Thank god the bolt was partially into battery postiion, or I may have eaten the bolt of that Garand. I was un-nerved to say the least. I did finish the match, but was really shaken up. Some of the more experienced shooters looked at my ammo, and found some problems. My mentor stopped my my house later that week, took a look at the hodge podge of dies, bullets, shell holders, etc., that had been loaned to me by one of the shooters, and said thsi crap has to go! Got some new gear, and all hes been well since. Don't cut corners on your shooting equipment, especially loading gear for your Garand.
My first M1 Garand experience.
A lifelong friend s calls me one day and says, hey, my older brother has been doing this thing called "highpower rifle" and would like to know if we might be interested in ch3ecking it out. Seemed like a good way to kill a summer afternoon, so I made plans to meet them at a local private range. Mind you, I had never, and I mean NEVER, handle or fired a highpower rifle.
I arrive at the range and quickly find us setting up an 18" round bullseye target at 300 yds. 300yds I thought? There is certainly no way we will be shooting at that little target from this distance, let alone with an old WW2 rifle that has only iron sights! This would be rather foolish, and a severe waste of ammunition.
As it turns out, we were indeed planning on perforating that peice of paper from 300yds away. I took up my prone position, the rifle was loaded, I aligned the sights as told and squezed th trigger. After afew rounds we ventured downrange, and to my surprise, the black portion of the paper had holes in it. 30 caliber holes. 30 caliber holes that were not there 15 minutes before. Well, needless to say I was amazed. My first thought was that I had not noticed them when we were there earlier, but I began to realize what I had done. That was the first day of th rest of my shooting carreer. From that day on I never needed to worry about what I would do with all of my spare money. It had been determined on this day that all fo my money would be donated to competition shooting equipment supplier and gun dealers. What a day!
I arrive at the range and quickly find us setting up an 18" round bullseye target at 300 yds. 300yds I thought? There is certainly no way we will be shooting at that little target from this distance, let alone with an old WW2 rifle that has only iron sights! This would be rather foolish, and a severe waste of ammunition.
As it turns out, we were indeed planning on perforating that peice of paper from 300yds away. I took up my prone position, the rifle was loaded, I aligned the sights as told and squezed th trigger. After afew rounds we ventured downrange, and to my surprise, the black portion of the paper had holes in it. 30 caliber holes. 30 caliber holes that were not there 15 minutes before. Well, needless to say I was amazed. My first thought was that I had not noticed them when we were there earlier, but I began to realize what I had done. That was the first day of th rest of my shooting carreer. From that day on I never needed to worry about what I would do with all of my spare money. It had been determined on this day that all fo my money would be donated to competition shooting equipment supplier and gun dealers. What a day!
Maintaing the M1 Garand
Shooting the Garand was fun, but little did I know how much effort would be required to keep this match grade Garand running smoothly. With the match grade Garands having bedded actions, care was essential. You didn't want to let any solvent creep into the bedding/receiver interface, so much care was need to keep your cleaning brush spray out of the action. My armorer buddy was able to keep the bedding tight and well maintained, which was a bessing. For most Garand shooters, knowing someone who could perform these tasks was not an option. Sending the rifle away for god knows how long was a must. I had the equipment thing figured out. I was on my way. Little did I now where all this would lead me. The path to shooting enlightenment was just over the horizon, and was geting nearer with every shot.
Shooting the M1 garand
I guess I have been pretty lucky. I've met a lot of very well connected people who have helped me through the years with my highpower shooting. My early years were spent with the M1 Garand. A true warhorse. I had admired the Garand from afar as a child, but never even held one until the age of 30. So many lost years and lost joy! I decided to make up for those lost times, and jumped into the shooting game with both feet forward. Much training and a lot of dissapointment would be found over the first few years. The Garand requires a lot of effort and a lot of patience. A good teacher is most valuable. I was lucky enough to befriend a former United sStatess Marine Corp. armorer and coach, and the next thing I knew, my shooting career was on it's way. Many hours of drills, and many hours of live fire were required, but slowly I started to come around. From a fellow who had never even HELD a highpower rifle, to an NRA expert class shooter in 364 days. I was rather excited. Little did know how much effort would be required to advance beyond this point. In my upcoming posts I will detail the trials and tribulations of an M1 garand and M1A shooter.
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