One of my M1 Garands arrived! A 1955 HRA Service Grade Special (see RM1HRASSP at Rifle Sales - M1 Garand). S/N 565XXX places it in production for 1955 from what I can tell.
The Muzzle Reading is 1+ and the Throat Erosion is a 2. Not bad...
I may have gotten lucky because aside from the new Black Walnut CMP Stock (and associated hardware) this may be a correct HRA rifle.
Maybe some of you guys with books can help me out. Looking for help in the following areas:
1. Dating the rifles parts/correctness
2. References on how to clean and maintain the rifle. Its obvious this thing needs greese, and everyone has an opinion as to which kind. I would plan on using my 30 clibar nylon cleaning rod/brush/patch pusher/boresrush most likely with Ballistol and M4 Clearner. Anyone see any issues there?
3. References on how to maintain the new CMP wood, or possibly even strip the finish and re do it. What do you guys think of the finish? I wouldn’t mind it a bit darker and warmer. I’ve heard that the coat of linseed oil CMP puts on there does allow other oils to really set in, read a lot of people refinishing the new wood.
4. What do you guys think. Being a newbie I am curious as to your thoughts on the quality/condition of this rifle. In particular there are a few scratches on the metal but I suppose that to be expected even at ‘collector grade metal’ as CMP claims. Also noticed a little nick on the crown of the barrel but it is on the outer radius, so nothing I should be concerned with right?
Here are the S/N that I could find, which ones am I missing? What else would I need to verify? What books should I buy to help date these garands, in particular the more difficult post war production rifles?
Receiver S/N: 556XXXX
Barrel: HRA 6535443 5-55 RS52
Bolt: HRA 6528287 U
Trigger Group: HRA 6528290 HRA-N
Receiver Side: 6528291 X
Op Rod: HRA 6535382 ᐧ
Gas Port Plug: HRA O
Hammer: HRA 5546008
Safety: HRA
Rear Windage Sight: HRA-W
Rear Elevation Sight: HRA
Here are some additional pictures.
The Muzzle Reading is 1+ and the Throat Erosion is a 2. Not bad...
I may have gotten lucky because aside from the new Black Walnut CMP Stock (and associated hardware) this may be a correct HRA rifle.
Maybe some of you guys with books can help me out. Looking for help in the following areas:
1. Dating the rifles parts/correctness
2. References on how to clean and maintain the rifle. Its obvious this thing needs greese, and everyone has an opinion as to which kind. I would plan on using my 30 clibar nylon cleaning rod/brush/patch pusher/boresrush most likely with Ballistol and M4 Clearner. Anyone see any issues there?
3. References on how to maintain the new CMP wood, or possibly even strip the finish and re do it. What do you guys think of the finish? I wouldn’t mind it a bit darker and warmer. I’ve heard that the coat of linseed oil CMP puts on there does allow other oils to really set in, read a lot of people refinishing the new wood.
4. What do you guys think. Being a newbie I am curious as to your thoughts on the quality/condition of this rifle. In particular there are a few scratches on the metal but I suppose that to be expected even at ‘collector grade metal’ as CMP claims. Also noticed a little nick on the crown of the barrel but it is on the outer radius, so nothing I should be concerned with right?
Here are the S/N that I could find, which ones am I missing? What else would I need to verify? What books should I buy to help date these garands, in particular the more difficult post war production rifles?
Receiver S/N: 556XXXX
Barrel: HRA 6535443 5-55 RS52
Bolt: HRA 6528287 U
Trigger Group: HRA 6528290 HRA-N
Receiver Side: 6528291 X
Op Rod: HRA 6535382 ᐧ
Gas Port Plug: HRA O
Hammer: HRA 5546008
Safety: HRA
Rear Windage Sight: HRA-W
Rear Elevation Sight: HRA
Here are some additional pictures.