M1 ammo

[CZenner]

I bought my Dad a 1954 IH Garand for Christmas. He trained soldiers in the 50's on the rifle. The question that I have is on ammo. I've read that commercial ammo is not good for the rifle but I found a box of Hornady custom low recoil ammo at the store. Will this work?

[BubbaDX]

Privi makes a commercial ammo for the Garand. You can also purchase surplus ammo for the Garand. Here is a link, but they show out of stock. AIM is also showing out of stock.

http://www.sgammo.com/product/30-06-amm ... ifle-pp3488

EDIT: I did find some in stock, but I have never purchased from this place. But this is what you need, M2 ball ammo: http://shop.militaryshooters.com/catalo ... _id=140211

2nd EDIT: Joe has some for sale here on the forum. Joe is a great guy to deal with. He has the Greek HXP M2 ball ammo, good stuff: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=20615

[Junk Yard Dog]

The M1 was designed to shoot US M2 ball ammunition with 147 brain bullet, the problem when you deviate from this ammunition is the higher pressures can cause the Garand to start battering itself to death. Easy fix, you replace the gas cylinder screw with one that allows for gas adjustment, and you adjust the system for the ammo you are using. I forget who has them but a google search should turn one up.

[WeldonHunter]

The M1 was designed to shoot US M2 ball ammunition with 147 brain bullet, the problem when you deviate from this ammunition is the higher pressures can cause the Garand to start battering itself to death. Easy fix, you replace the gas cylinder screw with one that allows for gas adjustment, and you adjust the system for the ammo you are using. I forget who has them but a google search should turn one up.

Garand Gear Jim It's a replacement non adjustable gas plug that you can shoot surplus or commercial ammo with. http://www.garandgear.com/ported-gas-plug.html

[Junk Yard Dog]

That's it, I never used one, I always had a lot of M2 on hand.

[steelbuttplate]

Anybody got the specs on M2? Wolf military classic is 145 gr., Muzzle vel. 2781, Muzzle energy 2490.......

[tjtM38]

If it was my rifle, I would avoid the Hornady Custom Low Recoil as well as the Wolf steel case. I would find some M2 Ball like the Greek HXP or Lake City military surplus. When I reload for the Garand, I use Hornady's M1 Garand loads which mirror the M2 Ball spec. The commercial stuff, unless it specifies for the M1 Garand is probably too high pressure. Repeated use of such loads will damage the operating rod.

[target]

Unless the ammunition is specifically made for the M1 or you have an adjustable gas plug stay away from it. I would steer clear of wolf altogether in an M1 because I've seen a few kabooms caused by it.

Easiest thing to do is either buy the PPU that is specifically made for the M1 or start reloading. A modest reloading setup can be hand for less than the cost of a new M1 op-rod and you know exactly what went into the making.

I used the Garand Gear plug and it works great. They say 180Grn are not a problem with it in but I still wouldn't go over 168Grn as 180 out of a semi auto is pounding the action regardless of what you do.

[TheMaineEvent]

CMP sells Greek surplus 30-06 for a reasonable price. Become a member and stock up while you can.

[steelbuttplate]

Southern Ohio gun has 240 rnd. of South Korean M2 loose in a ammo can for $159.00

[Jbob]

If I had a nice correct IH Garand I'd install the adjustable gas plug anyway no matter what I shot through the rifle. I'm thinking they were priced around $30+ dollars the last time I looked. Look on utube and you'll see what we're talking about. One guy on there was shooting his and adjusting it to where it would just work the action enough the re-chamber the next round. No slamming and bending things inside.
I shoot all my surplus through my bolt action rifles and then reload for the M1... I know it's a tough ole bird and can take it but I want mine to remain correct and clean inside.

[awalker1829]

Just received my new gas plug from Garand Gear. I also ordered the gas cylinder test pins to check the gas cylinder. Turns out that the gas cylinder is still tight-minimum dimension pin barely fit.

[Junk Yard Dog]

IH is the most difficult of all the Garands to find, production startup problems kept the numbers lower than H&R. H&R as well as Line Materials company had to step it to provide such parts as bolt bodys and barrels. I stumbled across my IHC Garand in a friends gunshop, no import marks, likely DCM rifle, somebodys dad passed and they beat a quick path to the gunshop with all his gear. That rifle was on the shelf 12 minutes before I got there and bought it on the spot.

[tomaustin]

I also just ordered the gas port plug, the wrench, and a pack of new clips...headed to Arizona in a couple of weeks for the Big Sandy Shoot in the high desert.....machine guns galore !!!

[WeldonHunter]

I also just ordered the gas port plug, the wrench, and a pack of new clips...headed to Arizona in a couple of weeks for the Big Sandy Shoot in the high desert.....machine guns galore !!!

The Big Sandy Shoot is one of the most bad ass shoots there is. Machine guns, yeah they have a bunch but they also have mortars and cannons and other heavy ordnace too. If you've never been you're in for a real treat. [bbvideo=560,315]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCppmoZiXUY[/bbvideo]