(Part 2) Top products from r/M1Rifles

>I just got a Garand from the CMP. I know how to look up the serial number, but is there any way for me to look up the numbers on other parts like the bolt?

You can try to match them with the reference parts over at AmmoGarand, but I think the best thing to do would be to get a copy of Bruce Canfield's book.

>Also, how do I know if my stock is original USGI? It has the “P” stamp (with no circle around it) and a “25” under the grip.

Post lots of pictures on this subreddit and folks can help you identify.

I'm in the same boat - mine arrives today from CMP - so I've been doing the same as you.

I got this book from Amazon, and it's proven to be a good resource for me while I've been waiting for my rifle.

One thing you'll need for sure is grease to lubricate all the rotating parts. After doing a bit of research, I arrived at this grease off Amazon.

You'll of course need ammo and enbloc clips. CMP is also the best/cheapest source of both of those, so add that to your order for the bayonet.

Finally this website is another good resource.

Enjoy your rifle!!

Regular bits are angled. Gunsmithing bits are square. If you use regular bits your screw heads will certainly show damage. You most certainly need proper fitting hollow ground bits to do the job right.

Field stripping an M1 Garand does not require any tools. But what you're attempting to do does.

My buddy asked me for my recommendation last year and I told him this: it's more important you have the correct sized bits vs high quality bits. If you can afford both, great! But most of us have a budget so go with a set with a large variety of sizes. Remember, both the width and depth are equally important. A bit that is too wide will open the ends of a head like an opposing set of parentheses. A bit that is too narrow round out the top like opposing lower-case r's.

He ended up buying:
Wheeler 89-Piece Deluxe Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set, Black/Yellow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C63M7O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uwzdBbY5REFM0

And of course, you need to steady the rifle so be sure to have a cleaning rest. Mine is cheap but it works great:
Tipton Gun Butler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036FFQAU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NyzdBbR86YV6Z

if you feel like spending money on books I'd recommend this book by Joe Poyer. For it's $22 price and size it actually covers a good amount of detail about the Garand, especially if you are into collecting them and identifying parts.

Theres also Bruce Canefield's 1000+ page book. It goes into great detail about the development and service history of the garand but its $95.

I also heard good things about Scott Duff's three garand books, but I have yet to buy and read them:

M1 Garand WWII Development and Production

M1 Garand Post WWII

M1 Garand Owner's Guide

If you want to get that reddish hue on the stock, use Raw linseed oil. Tung oil will not get you that USGI red look, but it will give you a more durable finish and as stated above, as it builds up like a finish.

Here is what I use on my Garand, has a lot of the omega fatty acids responsible for the red oxidization that occurs.

https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Flax-Seed-Ounces/dp/B0013OUOQW

KaBar Big Brother

Ontario Marine Raider

Ontario Freedom Fighter

https://www.amazon.com/Minwax-47500000-Tung-Finish-pint/dp/B002KHRNLU/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=tung+oil&qid=1564354078&s=hi&sr=1-6

Would this be any good?

This book is good for getting all the info you'll need on how to not kill yourself and figure out what you'll need. No loading data really, get a lyman's manual for that. This is more of a beginner's guide. http://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading-Definitive-Novice-Expert/dp/1440213968/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418410032&sr=8-1&keywords=the+abc%27s+of+reloading&pebp=1418410025785

This stuff?
Huberd's Shoe Grease https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MLBCWM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KPz4Cb8MWN262

If you don't want to run a plug in dehumidifier, try a renewable style like these from Eva Air. Just keep an eye on the beads and when they change color, plug in the dehumidifier and it'll dry the beads out.

I use this kit from Otis for cleaning the bore: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000C52A5/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It uses a flexible cable that you can use to pull brushes and patches through the bore, only from chamber to crown. The cable is plastic coated and should do no damage.

It takes me a lot of work to get clean patches unless I first use a larger brush to clean the chamber before cleaning the bore. To clean the chamber, I use the .38 brush from the Otis kit attached to the Pro-Shot Flexible Chamber Cleaning Tool, https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008P8F13U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With this tool, you can work the cleaner-soaked brush into the chamber while rotating a few turns. This really speeds things up, and I do not need to worry about stuck cases from a dirty chamber.

Here is a video from Ruger on cleaning the Mini 14, so you can see the technique they recommend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ_XSF47s9s

(They make no mention of using a chamber brush.)

That would probably work, but I use this stuff. It's kind of a hard wax, you rub your fingers around a bit and it melts, then you rub it into your leather.

I can't remember if this is per the directions, but I go back the next day and wipe it down with a cotton rag to remove any excess.

Scott Duff has an excellent series of books on the M1 Garand. For the M1 carbine I recommend War Baby by Larry Ruth.


The M1 Garand, World War II: History of development and production, 1900 through 2 September 1945 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1888722010/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OdcrDbNVAZ87Z

The M1 Garand: Post World War II https://www.amazon.com/dp/1888722002/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aecrDbEA59JSA

The M1 Garand: Serial numbers & data sheets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006F5XFG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_recrDbDN3REQ4

The M1 Garand Owner's Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/1888722037/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5ecrDbXABQP1B

The M1 Garand of World War II: A guide for the collector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006EQKE0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RfcrDb027R9N6

War Baby! The U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine, Vol. 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0889351171/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ddcrDbWHCNXAB