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Garand & M1A Help

HCSO249
I have a common issue with both my Garand & M1A. Both are consistently low about 8 to 10 inches at 50 yards with a point of aim - point of impact hold. Groups aren't that great but I haven't shot any premium loads in either, just surplus stuff. Everything is centered - just drastically low. My 1917 Enfield popped all in the black with same hold, same position, same ammo.
Crowns look good to me but what do I know at this point.

Any words of advice welcome....

Thanks much
NKS
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Ned Fall
    Get some decent ammunition, test fire and if still low, lower the front sight slowly and slightly until on target.
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  • jonk
    Ah, maybe I'm missing something here, but if you are 8" low at 50 yards,... raise the rear sights a few clicks.

    I rarely shoot my M1 at 50 but at 100 I have to raise the sights about 10 clicks off the bottom to hit center of black with a 6 o clock hold. I've had 3 M1s and none of them shot POA with the sights all the way down.

    I'd not file the front sight down as it would interfere with sight picture and how the front sight post and ears sort of self center when you look down the sights.

    Edit to reflect what Riley says below: if you plan on using the same load over and over, and find that the 1MOA sights are too coarse, and don't want to buy a NM rear sight, then yes, filing a LITTLE off the front sight makes sense. In practice I've never been able to shoot an M1 with that degree of repeatability to the exact same point of aim every time so I've not bothered. Regarding the windage, if you want to mess around with an allen wrench and the front sight, feel free; it may be satisfying to start out with the gun truly centered for windage, both front and rear, so you know that the rear sight being right in the center is dead on. In practice again though, I've not bothered. The rear sight has plenty of windage adjustment so I've just used that.
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  • Laredo Lefty
    quote:Originally posted by Ned Fall
    Get some decent ammunition, test fire and if still low, lower the front sight slowly and slightly until on target.


    The "front" sights on these guns are not adjustable.
    ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
    Neil..... Decide what range you want the guns to be right on, I prefer 100yds with my Garands & M1A's. Raise the rear sight until it shoots where you want it. The rear sight should be moved the same way you want the bullets to move.
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  • ikeda
    The Government spent a lot of money putting a rear sight on these guns that is adjustable.... raise it until the POI is where you want it!
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  • riley p
    When starting with a "new gun" I have centered the rear sight for windage and brought the rear sight up 8 clicks. Then using ball ammo, shot a group and moved the FRONT Sight until the group was centered. All done at 200 yards. Each click on an issue sight moves the group roughly 1 minute of angle (1 inch at 100 yards; 2 inches at 200 yards) and in both cases that is roughly 0.008" (eight thousands) For a Garand the front sight takes a 3/16" Allen wrench and elevation is done with a small file. In 8 out of 10 guns I've "fine tuned" taking about 0.040" off the front sight is about right. From what you write this sounds not too far off in your case also, assuming your rear sight is set at the bottom. When zeroed, lower your rear sight, loosen the screw on the ELEVATION knob and rotate the knob CCW until the 200 is eight clicks past zero. Tighten the screw (holding the knob so it doesn't rotate) and when you elevate up eight clicks the "200" will show next to the elevation witness mark on the receiver. TA-DA your sighted for 200 yards. Go up two more clicks and your sighted for 300. Up eleven more and your pretty close for 600. Now you can go out and shoot a Hi-power course of fire. So find out when and where the next match is in your area and get out there. The guys on the line will be more than willing to help further.
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  • HCSO249
    I play at the 50 yard and get serious at the 100yd. Unfortunately I don't have access to anything over 100. Since its about deer firearm season I had to use what was available. I haven't raised the rear up but considered it once I got done shooting the first group. However, being a person playing around and getting the Vets out of the house on Veterans day I figured I'd let the "i got to check my scope zero" people shoot. Someday after season I'll go out and do 50 & 100 and see how things go.

    Thanks guys!
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