I have hunted with my M1 Garand since I was fifteen years old. My dad, a WW2 Marine gave it to me on my birthday. have hunted deer, bear, elk, hogs and moose and it has never let me down. I am now 69 years old and still prefer hunting with it, have a number of modern rifles but the old Garand is my favorite, open sights and all.
Fully agree, I as well have shot most of my Moose (3) 2 cows/1 bull. Countless Elk (mostly cows) and many deer. I have hunted almost exclusively with my M1 30-06 since 1987 (35 years) and prefer it to my Leupold scoped (3 - 9 power) bolt action 30-06. My Garand has never let me down, even at 300 yds. "Only" 35 years compared to your 55 years. The issues claimed in this video I have found to be absolutely non issues. I get 1 MOA with hand loaded ammo. Mine is H&R built.
@@Huntinggearguy i know this is very late, but my 1 advantage for prefering wood is I like how the grains will absorb your sweat and you can hang unto the rifle. That's why I don't like modern treated/laquered woods either, because that gloss prevents me from feeling the wood and it slides up and down. Is there a synthetic material that still has the grainy absorbative nature of wood?
The Hunting Gear Guy I was looking at these stocks they are made by boyds and come with some of the hardware as I recall. www.dupagetrading.com/stock-sets/m1-garand.html
Late comment, but you can reliably use modern ammo not marked for M1's. They have to be below, or at 180 grain, and you have to make sure they aren't slow burning.
Not completely true. More like "not all" commercial ammo can be used with the M1. Hornady, Federal and other manufacturers are currently producing a variety of ammo made specifically for the Garand!
There is a rail mount that replaces the rear hand guard. You can use a pistol scope or other optics mounted just forward of the chamber sodoes not inhibit loading. The mount uses a bracket that wraps aound the barrel, so no permenant modification needed.
Schuster plugs for the gas system allow you to adjust how much gas interacts with the op-rod, its not a quick-and-easy on the fly sort of adjustment, more of a “I’ve decided on this specific cartridge for the purpose im using the gun for” deal, it’s something yo’d do along with sighting in for different loads
Garand Gear made a open gas plug that can be used as well. I would not use it on higher the 3000fps over 180 grain. We got plenty of 150 grain cartrages to use with GG plugs. I would suggest Schuster if you want to use higher power cartrage though. It will eject the extra gas.
Actually the M1 Garand is a very good hunting rifle. But if you don't like it for hunting then why ruin a piece of history? Just use your bolt action for hunting. By the way your knowledge concerning the M1 is very terrible. Just a little advice for the future, if you're going to make video about a particular rifle educate yourself about the rifle first. You put some bad information in this video. Again I'm not bashing you just a little friendly advice.
With a Stainless GI barrel and Salt bath nitride or coated receiver and the Utimak Scout mount that looks like a decent hunting rifle. The top being open to the elements is an issue. The old BAR or new FN FNAR is more sealed to the weather but they are a pain to break down and clean compared to the Garand.
Honestly the reports from WWII and Korea prove well enough that a well built M1 doesn't give two fucks about the elements. the only open topped rifle I worry about is the VZ.58.
I'm glad you mentioned old eyes. In fact most guys are looking through bifocals by the time they are 45 and cannot use iron sights, if you wear bifocals you can't focus on three objects rear, front and target. Simple as that. A peep gives you a little more room but most will need to go to scopes. Good review.
You can shoot commercial ammo in an M1. Just buy ammo made for it. For anything above 180 grain you need to install a Schuster adjustable gas plug to bleed off some of the pressure so you won't bend yer op rod. A clip is faster to load than a magazine.
Though i agree with your video and that the garand is a sub par hunting rifle i don't agree with all the points. The garand is sub par for most one shot one kill hunting though ive used my grandfather's to great success terminating groups of feral hogs. Ive also shot whitetail and coyotes with it. If you do your part as the shooter most of these guns will preform The scope mount issue has been solved by ultimak with a forward mount for scout scope or red dot options. I personally think its ugly as sin but it is effective and allows ease of reloading without sacrificing an in line scope. I personally will not use one though as im confident with my abilities with iron sights to 250-300y. Secondly the garand can use commercial ammunition if you replace the gas plug by the muzzle. They have pre set and adjustable versions and i highly recommend them even if you do plan to shoot surp. You can fine tune your rifle to not run more harshly than it needs to therefore prolonging the life of your rifle along with proper maintenance. The en block clips really are its shortcoming making loading and unloading without practice more time consuming. The 5 round hunting rule makes setting up your rifle mildly more time consuming but not much more expensive if you look around for 5 rd enblock clips. Also if the garands bolt is locked to the rear, normally they wont slam shut on your thumb without some push forward on the charging handle. But some specfic guns will. Just know your rifle. It can be made more efficient for hunting with time and money. But itll cost far more than just buying a good 3006 bolt action and the garand will likely be out preformed
+Tommy Sands Maybe in the future. I got my hands on a bunch of 30-06 brass, so I just reloaded a pile to Garand specs for hunting. They've proven to be very accurate, so I don't want to mess with a good thing. I'll be using my Garand for trips where I'll mostly have short range shots and Savage 10TR for the area where long range shots are the norm.
There's a SHIT TON of BAD INFORMATION in the comment section pertaining to modern ammo. Modern Ammo has a certain burn rate compared to the power formulation back in the 40's and 50's. If you use modern ammo without taking the gas plug out, or not using an adjustable gas plug or using modern ammo that says "made for garand" on it, then you can do more than "bend the op-rod", you can blow up the entire rifle. If you don't believe me, look up Garand Blew Up It Was The Ammo video
the video your talking about was a .308 garand and it was bad ammo not normal modern ammo , it was over pressure , the only modern ammo that will do really bad things to the rifle is a heavier bullet or really fast , what you say about peak pressure and time is true
I wish that more guns would come equipped with the safety of the M1. I am a left handed shooter and have an M1, M1A, Mini 14, and I really like the ambidextrous characteristics of the safety. So I'm going to highly disagree with your opinion on the safety.
What people don't understand is you don't HAVE to load your en blocs with all 8 rounds. Put an empty clip in, then start loading, from the top, 5 rounds. OR just eject 3 rounds. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's the way I load mine when I go hunting. Saves from buying a 5-round en bloc clip.
That works fine too, but it's handy having the 5 rounders in your pocket when hunting, especially when Brownells has them for $5 or you can just make one yourself: www.huntinggearguy.com/equipment-reviews/how-to-make-your-own-5-round-garand-clips/
I love my semi-autos....but prefer to hunt with bolt actions. My eye sight isnt the greatest now that im in late 40's...but with glasses its fine. I take a modern bolt with scope most days , especially when overcast or snowy...and on good weather days a K98 or 91/30 with iron sights...just to see If i can still bring it.
Your thumb doesn't always get mashed when you load a m1 garand you're supposed to hold the charging handle back when you do it so that it doesn't close on your thumb
You also don't have to stick that little plastic block in the clip to make it hold five just stick the empty clip in the gun and then push it in like you would be loading a mauser
You referred to Garand thumb as a risk while loading. The only way you can acquire Garand thumb is by failing to fully retract the op rod and bolt such that it rests on the follower AND you stick your thumb into the magazine well and depress the follower. You can not load the rifle when the bolt is positioned in the manner you demonstrated. The bolt is in the way. Try it. Nor is it likely you can get thumb mash when loading the clip with the bolt fully retracted as the bolt will not release until you release pressure on the clip. Even then,,most Garands require a top on the op rod handle to close the action.
it is nearly impossible to catch your finger in the bolt of an m1 while reloading , I know this from shooting my m1 left handed , the first round pushes your finger out of the way
Also, you state that hunting rounds, (hotter than the 147 gr FMJ mil-spec) can not be used in the Garand. The answer to that issue is an adjustable gas valve. Shuster makes a fully adjustable valve for about $50. Have not found any 30-06 round the Garand can not safely handle with the adjustable valve.
If you load it correctly.. you do not need your hand on the follower you apply pressure the top round and it keeps the bolt from push pushing forward once you're ready to release get your hand out of Dodge and slap that bolt. Go watch the infantry train from the 1940s videos they use the thumb and hand in a backward position and just jolt it in
Yeah, B-Square sells a scope mount for the Garand that keeps clear of the loading port but it's so offset to the left that you could probably use your left eye if you wanted. There are also mounts that go over the loading port and then you use a cutoff device that disables the en-bloc clip discharging and load rounds in one at a time. I'd rather just use the clips + irons and once my eyes go bad I'll go to a different hunting rifle.
My M1 has a Fulton rail and a scout scope 3X9 and I honeslty can hit accurately to 500 yards on steel plates using Greek surplus. I have shot Hornady match to 700 hiting SCBA tanks. I would not hesitate to take the rifle hunting, and I will not shoot over 150 yards for ethical reasons. The rifle is more capable than I am.
In my opinion your issues with using the M1 for hunting are small issues that are not issues for me. One thing you said that is not accurate is you can't shoot factory hunting ammo there are several videos and articles that dispell this myth. But if you were worried about this there is a adjustable gas plug that allows for tuning your M1 safely to any ammo with in safe 30-06 pressure. As for accuracy you can get sub moa but requires bedding and match grade barrel. Bedding is the most important thing on the M1. Thanks for sharing
you can also buy 5 round clips. you cam make them from 8rd clips too. www.brownells.com/magazines/rifle-magazines/magazines/m1-garand-clip-5-rd-sku901000004-42370-62783.aspx You should get 1moa with this rifle. its most likely your stock. put it in a fitted walnut stock and it will shoot.
***** It is a B-Square scope mount. thecmp.org/training-tech/armorers-corner/b-square-m1-scope-mount/ It came with the rifle, let me know if you want to buy it. www.huntinggearguy.com/contact-us/
yes canada has a five round law for semi auto long guns with center fire... but hunting its a three round law, for all game. but pest control, no round limit but the regional or national/international laws...
The Hunting Gear Guy if you took your core license you would know this ;) ... www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/index.html Regulations, Acts and Orders ... Hunting Prohibited Except in Open Seasons ... to exceed the daily and/or seasonal bag limit as stated in the Annual Hunting Orders. ... carry any more than a total of three shells in the magazine and chamber combined. ... Federal Department of Agriculture and Agrifoods Canada regulations ..
sgt. Nickel Is that a Newfoundland specific regulation? It's 5 rounds in semi automatics in Alberta. www.albertaregulations.ca/huntingregs/genregs.html
If you have so many negative comments about the M1 garand and hunting with it, then why use it and why make a video on it?? And I have news for you, if you buy the CORRECT ammo off the shelf you can use it safely. Correct weight of bullet and powder charge.
I could never put a plastic stock on a nice International Harvester rifle like that even if I kept the original around. Feels wrong. None of my business if you do just complaining
Talking from experence never carried '' the m1 '' in battle'' but own two of them,, it is the proven weapon of Valor strong and reliable,, I carried the m60 machine gun in nam ,the m14 an m 16 ,,in battle '' of all the grande an m14 is far most the winner in reliability and fail safe
Bull. Fucking. Shit. It's the grains but more importantly, the peak of pressure from the powder burn coupled with the time of peaking. You can blow up the rifle from using ANY modern ammo without the adjustable gas plug or from not using ammo MADE FOR GARAND.
Just look up the pressure curve. A whole bunch of commercial ammo falls within the upper limits of M2 ball. The 30-06 AP ammo was a bit hotter too. Mainly stay away from 220 gainers and The Super performance type hunting loads in the other bullet weights. Also make sure its greased. That is probably the most important thing you can do in order to keep the op rod from bending.
So basically this guy hates the M1 but seemed to think hey lemme make a vid and not tell you any pros I’m kinda depressed now.. I was gonna comment on the plastic stock but your Canadian…. Maybe I’ll go neuter an enfield and feel better !
I degrease guns before shooting video/photos so that I don't get grease/oil all over backdrops or my hands. Sometimes I also disassemble and greasy parts are harder to photograph.
