As I mentioned in my last post I had a chance to pick out a Field Grade Winchester at the CMP North Store. For now just some pictures full report later. It has a nice LMR barrel with ME<1 and Springfield Armory rebuild markings from the 60s. Other "features" include a "glass bedded" stock, NM op rod and a Lead pot annealed receiver.
I found myself in the Sandusky area for work so i braved the bad weather and swung by the CMP north store today. It was nice and dry inside with plenty of coffee and a surprisingly nice selection of rifles.
First and most importantly the 1917 “twins” are still there.
There was a nice selection of barreled receivers, M44s, chromed 1917s, Garands, and “bad” krags. Except for one of them the Krags were in pretty bad shape one was rusted shut. They were only $50 I seriously considered taking the nicest one home but searching for all the parts would probably be annoying.
HRA service grades, service grade specials, and field grades were plentiful. There were no service grade Springfields but there was a nice selection of field grades all had ME>2.
There was a full rack of “rusty” Kimbers I don’t know much about these rifles but they all appeared nice I didn’t see a spot of rust on the couple I handled.
What drew my attention was a rack of about 30 Service and Field Grade Winchesters. The service grades were in great shape, one had a matching WRA barrel.
I left with a beautiful field grade Winchester with an LMR barrel ME<1 TE=2 and an NM marked op rod. I realize it post war maybe even 60's rebuild but I couldn't put it down. Full report later in the week when it shows up. In the meantime here are some slightly blurry pictures.
I have been using the “SLED” for a almost two years now, it’s a very handy device.
It is a simple modified clip that allows the a shooter to single load by inserting the round into the Garand’s internal magazine instead of inserting the round into the chamber.
There are two major benefits of using this contraption. First, feeding from the magazine reduces the risk of slam fire. Frankly I’ve never seen or heard of is happening to anyone at a match but it is a valid concern. Why I use a SLED is because it makes loading, especially one handed while in the prone position, much easier. Using the SLED can also allow the shooter to keep the rifle shouldered while reloading which can help keep a consistent position.
Once installed it is easy to use just push the round down into the magazine, then pull back on the charging handle. It’s important not to put pressure in the charging handle while inserting the round, else you give yourself a case of Garand Thumb.
I painted my SLED orange to help me notice when it is still in the chamber.
It’s important to remember to remove the SLED before the rapid prone stage. I keep a flat head screw driver in the front pocket of my shooting stool so when I forget, it’s not so hard to pop out.
Here is a quick video of how to insert and load the SLED.
And how to remove it.
If you are handy you can build your own see ray-vin for instructions. http://www.foundry.ray-vin.com/m1sled/m1sled.htm
Back in February I ordered (ie panic bought) a HRA service grade from CMP. About 90 days later it showed up at my door.
I asked for a “good shooter regardless of wood or appearance” they must not have read it because not only did it have great numbers, ME=1 TE=2, it also was sporting a very nice USGI stock!
It was very greasy so I took it apart and cleaned it up. I stripped the stock down, steamed out the dents, gave it 2 coats of raw linseed, and 2 coats of toms one third.
After stripping and steaming.
After two coats of raw linseed oil and two coats of Tom’s One third.
I re-crowned the barrel as it was nicked a bit. See how here: http://garandthumb.com/re-crowning-an-m1-garand/
And peened the trigger guard. http://garandthumb.com/repairing-a-garand-trigger-guard-for-stock-fit/
After all of that I took it to the range. It performed well however, it required 19 clicks for a 100 yard 0 with a 6:00 hold. I took it out again with the lead sled just to make sure it wasn’t my goofy trigger jerking.
If only I could shoot this well during the match.
The Sunday after my first High Power match I took my 1917 to a vintage rifle match. I was having some trouble with it last season that I had rectified with a Flex Hone but I hadn’t taken it to a match yet to give it a full work out.
I was worried about rapid fire but it turned out the time I had spent practicing paid off. I finished in plenty of time even before some of the Garands. I’ve gotten the hang of keeping the rifle on my shoulder as I work the bolt which makes rapid a lot more consistent. Next time I’ll take a bit more time on each shot.
I struggled a bit in off hand per normal but all and all it was a good match. I beat my personal best for this rifle which is great, with a little luck and practice I should be in better shape by Camp Perry.
