I have been wanting to get one since I was 19, and I'll be 31 in a few weeks, so that's a long time. I recently picked up what may, to some people be a steal deal. It's a WW II era Springfield that I picked up for $200. However, it is covered in rust (though miraculously, none of the mechanics are compromised) and came without any furniture. The recoil spring is also warped.

Like everyone, I am struggling financially and put out every spare penny I could to get it, so I couldn't afford to buy any furniture. Luckily, I DO have a bunch of old surplus M-14 stocks that I happen to be planning to make some fancy stocks out of, so I grabbed one to start adapting to fit the M-1. I'll eventually be using synthetics and the like to make it in to a showpiece stock along with the M-14 stocks, so no worries about getting it to fit.

ANYWAY, I have one thing I could use a little help with. I want to cut the weight of this gun down as much as possible by carving fullers throughout the gun. The question is, where are the safe places to be carving fullers without compromising the strength, accuracy or reliability of the gun?

Wish I could help, I am a newbie myself with M1s. All I can do is wish you the best of luck.

1) For $200, you suck. Even if it is rusty and naked, that's a deal.

2) I don't think I'd even mess with modifying an M14 stock. The M1 is so picky about stock fit and lockup, if the wood doesn't fit perfect it'll be hard to get any acceptable accuracy out of it.

The market for USGI M14 parts is crazy, sell one or a couple stocks and make enough money to get a used GI Garand stock or a properly fitting CMP or Wenig unit. Just my two Rubles...

Also, regarding weight, it's a Garand and it's going to be "heavy" no matter what you do so get thyself to the gym and then a beefier rifle won't be a problem.

Probably only as a gunsmith special. If I were to buy the furniture and hire someone to clean it up, I'd probably come up only a little shallow of the CMP rifles. As a build-up rifle, yes, it's definitely a good deal.
The seller initially wanted more for it but no one would buy it and $200 is all I had. I said: "I'd buy it myself, but I can't afford it, I only have around $200 to my name right now." The seller immediately said they'd give it to me for $200 and 2 weeks later, here we are.



Well, I've already adapted an M-14 stock beyond the point of no return, so far it fits perfectly solid, I have scratch built perfectly solid fit stocks for other guns in the past and I am fully equipped for glass bedding. Might as well finish what's already been started.



Since I don't own an M-14 as of yet, that's probably what I'm going to do. That or do some trading. I have had better luck bartering then selling in recent history.



Well, overall, it's not too bad to begin with. I myself don't find it to be nearly as bad in the weight department as it's reputation indicates. Same with recoil. However, it's still a little on the heavy side and if boot camp and basic training didn't keep WW II troops from complaining, I doubt a gym membership will. If I can cut 3/4lb of weight away, that'll be great. We can start with a synthetic butt. I don't know where to get them but I know how and have all the tools to make one. I figure a few small fullers throughout the gun and some smoothing of edges might bring the weight down to what I have in mind. I just want to make sure I am not weakening anything or hurting accuracy by doing it.

You can still dress up the M1 on the cheap. Boyds has some pretty good stocks for around $100 and hand guards for around $20. You can also check with Sarco and Dupage for furniture. Or have someone with a CMP connection slide you some CMP wood.

As far as finish, Tim Shufflin is highly regarded on the CMP board for his park finish work. www.shuffsparkerizing.com

If the riflel is in good mechanical shape, eat some mac and cheese for a while and get it done up right.

You can get Ram Line synthetic stocks for around $60. I'd probably go that rout if I were to buy a stock, and I might actually do just that at some point.

I never thought I'd say this but this gun has really installed a nostalgia in me that I never had before despite being a WW II enthusiast.

Congrats on the new piece Let us know how the "project" goes.

I terminated the stock making project. Why?

Well, My birthday is coming up and my friend ordered me a Ram Line stock for it! The stock change and stripper clip are all it needs in order to work. I am going to see if a local gun store has any stripper clips tomorrow. That's $200 for a WORKING M-1 Garand. For all my bad luck, finally something good. WOOHOO!!

This post has been edited by brigadier: March 24th 2009 2:26 AM

I got the stock in and installed it. Took allot of fitting but it's done and done to very tight specs.

Unfortunately, the hammer pivot pin is missing so I need to make another one. Hopefully I will have it done tonight. That's all there is left to go to have this gun fully operational and ready for the range!

I also refinished the gun in black, OD green and gray and now it looks very pretty. Pictures coming soon!

That was nice of him to do that.

Hello guys. I took some pictures of it on my way out the door to see a relative and she let me download and upload the pics on her PC. Unfortunately, that means I can't use some of my own PC luxuries like resizing, but I don't think you'll mind. The gun is also fully operational now. Not bad for only $200 and a favor from a friend. Anyway, here they are:









This post has been edited by brigadier: March 31st 2009 11:18 PM

Looks good. What's the white on the sight cover spring for???

Looks.