M1 Garand Rebuild & Restoration

gunpaq

January 21, 2013 16:43

I want to have my Blue SKies Springfield M1 Garand restored and brought up to a respectable shooter. She works OK now, metal all very good, bore fair, and wood battle worn.

So experts, where is the best place to send her for quality of work at the best price thank?

Appreciate some suggestions as there are too many places advertising the same "we are the best".

Thanks.

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  nmyers

  January 21, 2013 17:04

  Well, first, you really can't have an M1 rifle "restored"; that implies making it like new, which can't be done, no matter how much work or money you put into it. The best you can do is have it "rebuilt".
  
  New USGI barrels are now difficult to find; even used ones in good shape are scarce. You will certainly put $1,000 into a rebuild, & the best you will have is something close to a CMP "service grade" rifle.
  
  OTOH, you can get an expertly rebuilt CMP service grade rifle for $650 ( www.odcmp.com ); that might be a better option. Or, check the GB auctions for a service grade rifle (with paperwork), & that may be even better.
  
  But, if you are determined to rebuild your rifle......consider:
  ---Dean's Gun Restoration
  ---www.m1garand.com
  ---www.fulton-armory.com
  
  Neal

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  rsnyder55

  January 22, 2013 07:47

  There is or was a company called mil tech spec or mil tech arms that sold, or could retore an M1 Garand.

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  codenamepaul

  January 22, 2013 08:00

  http://www.nationalmatcharmory.com/
  
  http://www.miltecharms.com/

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  jonk

  January 22, 2013 11:26

  There are lots of companies and good gunsmiths that can rebuilt an M1. The question is, how much work does it need, and is it worth it? What's your end goal, a milspec M1, or one configured for national match accuracy? If the latter is your goal, you're going to have to shell out the money, and your existing M1 is going to be as fine a base as any. If the former is your goal, it may or may not be worth it depending on what you need to get done.
  
  For instance, a new USGI contour barrel made new by Criterion (a subsidy of Wilson) runs about $200 delivered. A smith knowledgeable in M1s can install it and reparkerize the gun for about $100-$200, depending on the smith. So in that case, assuming your stocks and other parts are good to go, your total bill would be less than the cost of a CMP gun, and so would be well worth it. If however, you're also talking new stocks and/or other parts, it might not be worth it.
  
  To toss my opinion in, give Mid County Firearms a call at (419) 898-7879. He's located just down the street from Camp Perry, and has done work on more US military guns than I can count. Chat with him about what you need, and if you decide to have the work done, he's both a top notch smith and very fair on prices. One caveat- he is great for US guns, but that's his specialty, and he'll tell you right off that there's some other guns he won't touch. OTOH, you might also try Van Schneider at the Gunworks in Sandusky- (419) 626-3034. He's top notch for ANY work you might need.

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  jimthompson502002

  January 22, 2013 16:24

  Tim Shufflin can do it. My 'smith can do it. I can do everything but the phosphate myself, but it wouldn't be done probably until 2014 (busy schedule). Tony Giacobbe can do it. so can dozens of others.
  
  Main thing is the barrel. I'd go .308, which is vastly more accurate, will long term be easier to purchase, is always easier to load, and imposes vastly less fatigue on the rifle. Wilson is excellent, Citadel is better than average, the heavies from Douglas and Krieger are superb but murder to fit. Criterion is o.k., but overpriced for what they are.
  
  Wood? You don't say what you want. I am partial to the ones from DuPage, although an upper grade Wenig can be drop-dead gorgeous.
  
  Original phosphate ("Parkerizing") was charcoal colored, not that weak medium gray the recent refinishes most often sport. Most of the good refinish guys can do that neatly.
  
  It's also a good time to go for glass bedding or a trigger job.
  
  You shouldn't have to spend more than about $400-500 for an "as new" restoration/rebuilding, albeit for a tad more than than that, you can have a competition grade rifle.
  
  Rebuilding an M1 in .30/06 in the 21st Century is like reconfiguring a Maserati to resemble a '47 Chevy and re-engining it with a flathead six. It's just plain counterproductive!

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  jimthompson502002

  January 22, 2013 16:24

  By the way, Criterion is absolutely nothing to do with Wilson. They're here in Wisconsin, a partner with Krieger. Wilson is in New England.

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