Arik 565 Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Besides the mag fed part and caliber is there any real difference between the 2? Im just curious cause I saw a website of a gunsmith who will take your Garand and make it mag fed. He installs a 308 barrel, makes the receiver able to accept mags and something with the gas chamber. Don't get me wrong I have no problems with that and from what I've read he's a very good smith but seems to me you can just buy a M1 and have the same thing since its no longer even a 30/06. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blkgunlvr 31 Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 The M-14 was an evolution of the Garand and they are nearly identical in gas systems as a result. The M-14 was a change to magazine fed and caliber as you say. There are several versions of Garand .308 conversions out there, but are mostly rebarrels and sill use the top loaded enbloc clips. I've never heard of a Garand modified for mag feed AND .308. Sounds interesting, but be aware you may get hate mail from Garand "purists." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kodaline 178 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 The M1 Garand was 30-06 (original powder load), 8 round enbloc, and the gas system was near the end of the barrel. Wooden handguards all around. The M14 was from the new .308 cartridge, designed to be same power as the original 30-06, box mag fed, gas system about 2/3 of the way down the barrel, plastic upper hand guard, and select fire full auto capability. The M1A is a civilian version of the M14, and does all it does, except the full auto. However, most current M14s in the military, as a designated marksman role, only shoot semi auto, from what I hear. The Garand cannot shoot modern 30-06 safely (for it) without a gas plug replacement to let some of the extra pressure from the modern, higher loadings out of it. The Garand has a longer op rod than the M14, and is heavier. The enbloc clips are historically neat, and the Garand is a great rifle to have, shoot, and admire. The M1A from Springfield, and others from Fulton Armory, are awesome weapons, and look like a semi auto hunting rifle (not really like a black rifle) until you lock in the 20 round mag, then you get the All American Badass Look. In this man's opinion, everyone should have a CMP Garand, and a Springfield Armory M1A. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Heath_h49008 442 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 There is also a company selling kits that allow AIC mags to be used. Mag fed, with 30-06 full size options intact. From what I read they are nail drivers. I seem to remember $700 for the kit... +the base Garand. Heck, at that point you could buy a M1A. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fromxtor 20 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 (edited) I have no input on the difference of the two weapon systems, BUT my friend has a mini 14 and the iron sights in are dead on at 100+ meters. I love shooting it, the owner gets mad because I hit the steel gong with it every time I fire it. Edited August 14, 2011 by fromxtor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 honestly, if i wanted a 308 garand, id buy an m1a. to me, its not a garand if its converted to an m14. i think the stripper clips and 30-06 are part of what make the garand unique. id rather have the m1a. but thats just me. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mayor Al 41 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I seem to recall a shortened version of the M1 Garand, called the Tanker's M1. It had a shortened barrel and gas-fixture, was chambered for .308, but used the 8 shot clip feed--not a box Mag. A bunch of these appeared on the surplus market about the time the M-14 was in it's early "issue to the troops" period (early 1960's). One of you gunner's who don't suffer from C R S syndrome step in here please and either correct my mistaken identity or tell me I did actually see those guns in my distant past. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ThirtyAughtSix 101 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 M1E5 - M1 Garand variant; 18-inch barrel and folding stock, for Airborne and Tank crewman use. Not in .308 though, can't find anything about a .308 being issued. I sure would have been pissed though if I was in the Airborne and was issued an M1 Carbine instead of a Garand in WWII Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blkgunlvr 31 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 (edited) I've seen "tanker" Garands in .308. I've also seen full sized .308 conversions, but all of them still were top-stuffed with the enblocs. I also recall seeing ads decades ago for a chamber insert that converted a Garand to .308 but I doubt that worked out so well and I have never seen one since. I have a National Match Garand and three M1As. I wouldn't ever "butcher" a Garand into an M1A clone, because there are M1As readily available and the Garands are getting getting harder to find and need to be preserved. Edited August 14, 2011 by blkgunlvr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted August 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Im not planning on buying either (maybe m1 later) was just curious since I just assumed someone would buy a m1 if they wanted a mag fed rifle. However the price for conversion is cheaper then buying one so if I had a garand but wanted a mag but didn't want to pay over a G id do the conversion in a heart beat. Garands don't have that much significance to me Im not planning on buying either (maybe m1 later) was just curious since I just assumed someone would buy a m1 if they wanted a mag fed rifle. However the price for conversion is cheaper then buying one so if I had a garand but wanted a mag but didn't want to pay over a G id do the conversion in a heart beat. Garands don't have that much significance to me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ktcm7271 999 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 My uncle's Garande lobs modern 30.06 rounds with ease. For my money, I would take 8 rounds of 7.62 x 63 over 20 rounds of 7.62 x 51 any day. Now if a gun smith could mod a Garande to take 300 mag=7.62 x 71 I would be all in! Great topic, Arik. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 . I sure would have been pissed though if I was in the Airborne and was issued an M1 Carbine instead of a Garand in WWII id rather have a thompson. anyone come across the sniper models of the garands for sale? if originals, id say they bring a hefty price. specially since there was very few made. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted August 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 300 win mag? In that case I'd go with the 375h&h....in semi auto! !!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DANGERRUSS 0 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 Dont forget the BM59. I think it was an Itailan Garand coversion that used Mags and 7.62. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mitragliatrice_fucile_FAL_BM_59.jpg Thanks Russ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zaxon_182 44 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 McCann Industries used to make .338WM and .458WM Garands. It looks like they don't anymore. I guess that makes it another collectors item I'll have to track down one day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uzitiger 193 Posted August 20, 2011 Report Share Posted August 20, 2011 (edited) Don't forget the BM59. I think it was an Italian Garand conversion that used Mags and 7.62. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mitragliatrice_fucile_FAL_BM_59.jpg Thanks Russ The BM59 was a Garand in 7.62x51 which used 20 round magazines. I don't know if the magazine was compatible with the M-14 magazine. It was a good rifle based on a reliable design made by Beretta who is a top notch gun maker. Imagine if the Garand would have used a magazine like the SKS which was top fed instead of the in bloc clip or if the rifle would have been converted to use the BAR magazine during the war for a new version. Edited August 20, 2011 by uzitiger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CJS3 3 Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 (edited) Don't forget the BM59. I think it was an Italian Garand conversion that used Mags and 7.62. http://en.wikipedia....e_FAL_BM_59.jpg Thanks Russ The BM59 was a Garand in 7.62x51 which used 20 round magazines. I don't know if the magazine was compatible with the M-14 magazine. It was a good rifle based on a reliable design made by Beretta who is a top notch gun maker. Imagine if the Garand would have used a magazine like the SKS which was top fed instead of the in bloc clip or if the rifle would have been converted to use the BAR magazine during the war for a new version. Believe it or not, towards the end of WWII, the Japanese actually made a copy of the Garand that used a fixed box magazine and fired the 7.7jap top fed with stripper clips. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_5_Rifle Edited August 21, 2011 by CJS3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JaredC 23 Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 . I sure would have been pissed though if I was in the Airborne and was issued an M1 Carbine instead of a Garand in WWII id rather have a thompson. anyone come across the sniper models of the garands for sale? if originals, id say they bring a hefty price. specially since there was very few made. CMP has them for sale last I looked a couple weeks ago. Price was about $1500 or so if I remember right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
going12220 125 Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Shooting a M1 for the 1st time when the stripper clip ejects will wake you up (damn did the gun blow up), that’s after being very mindful when putting it in (I started with 2 thumbs and I want to end with 2). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fallschirmjager667 729 Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Don't forget the BM59. I think it was an Italian Garand conversion that used Mags and 7.62. http://en.wikipedia....e_FAL_BM_59.jpg Thanks Russ The BM59 was a Garand in 7.62x51 which used 20 round magazines. I don't know if the magazine was compatible with the M-14 magazine. It was a good rifle based on a reliable design made by Beretta who is a top notch gun maker. Imagine if the Garand would have used a magazine like the SKS which was top fed instead of the in bloc clip or if the rifle would have been converted to use the BAR magazine during the war for a new version. Believe it or not, towards the end of WWII, the Japanese actually made a copy of the Garand that used a fixed box magazine and fired the 7.7jap top fed with stripper clips. http://en.wikipedia....ki/Type_5_Rifle you wouldnt happen to have a pic of one? i have been looking forever for a type 4/5 pic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matchgrade 27 Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 My thumb keeps telling me to buy a M1A, but I just will not listen and keep shooting my Garand. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ironhead7544 35 Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 The gas systems of the two rifles are different. The M1 uses a long type gas system while the M14 has a short stroke separate piston and op rod. Not much difference in operation but the M14 is more like an M1 Carbine. One thing about the M1 is that as long as you have ammo in clips you can keep firing. With detachable mags you have to stop and reload them at some point. The M14 can be loaded with strippers from the top but its a slow process. I read somewhere that Garand wanted to make the rifle with a 20 round mag but the Army rejected the idea because the rifle would be hard to drill with. Sounds like the same guys who thought muzzle loaders were better than cartridge guns because the men would waste ammo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.