OK my turn to show off the Garands and hopefully learn something along the way

[Nate]

Hey guys,
I just got my 2 beautiful packages from the CMP. It was like Christmas. I had to go home at lunch just to fondle them.

Let me begin by saying that I mainly only know 4 things about Garands.
1) They are a blast to shoot
2) I can strip and clean them
3) Springers with less than 3,5xx,xxx serial number are WWII production.
4) I love them!!!!


For some reason I am just drawn to them. Love the history, love some 30-06, love the feel.

I am a rare bird in that I am a gun guy and an engineer yet somehow I realize I don't know everything. Must be because I didn't go to GT

One day I will study them in detail but for now any information yall can provide is great.

So here is my collection of Garands.

From top to bottom
1) 7,xxx,xxx serial # Springfield with a crappy looking scope mount that is tapped into the top of the receiver.
Scope mount looks like crap. What do yall think?

2) 6 digit serial # Springfield. Some honest wear and a stock with character and the following markings

3) 5,xxx,xxx serail # Springfield. My favorite of the group. Stock has so much character

4 and 5) these are my two new CMP purchases. both are 2,xxx,xxx serial number guns. one with new wood
ME =1
TE = 2 and 2+

#5 has the new wood. How should I finish it to give it an authentic look?

 

[10thmountain]

They are all amazing. Six digit Garands are extra special.

 

[jeep78]

The proper finish is tung oil. The real stuff, not the fast dry stuff sold in local stores. Realmilkpaint.com sells real tung oil.

 

[lmitch]

Some good info on CMP & USGI stocks here.

http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=138135

 

[Nate]

They are all amazing. Six digit Garands are extra special.

Aint that the truth

 

[Nate]

The proper finish is tung oil. The real stuff, not the fast dry stuff sold in local stores. Realmilkpaint.com sells real tung oil.

Thanks, i may have to give it some bumps and bruises first. It is way too clean now, just seems wrong. Should i give it some character before or after i stain it?

 

[alleycat]

Thats a nice family you have there Nate, I like the 6-digit SA models myself. There's something about shooting a Garand that's like no other...not sure i can describe it with words but it's true. Its fun to break 'em down and clean too...grease in some spots and oil in others.

Edit: i also prefer the more used, "been there done that" examples over the special grades where everything looks so pristine and new.

 

[10thmountain]

I am with alleycat on the stock. I like the USGI stocks. I handled the new stocks and I was afraid to mess it up...know what I mean...?

 

[Hayata]

Nice collection!

 

[Nate]

Anyone know what the markings are in the pics?