1942 Long Branch Mod 4 Mk I*

[NODEraser]

Picked this up at the local shop about a month ago... The wood seems awfully light and clean, was this refinished or just kept locked away for many years? Bore looks pretty good, though the bolt doesn't match, and the leaf catch is missing off the sight. I see plenty of parts around on the Internet, so the sight wasn't a huge deal for me. Shoots just fine, though a little high--once I get the new sight parts, I'll have to take it out and zero. I bought one of the POF surplus cans of .303 from MidwayUSA, so that won't be too expensive of a task.

I've also got a 1920 Springfield M1903 in my collection of "old stuff"... What should I add next? I was thinking Nagant M91/30, though a Garand would be nice--wish I'd picked one up from the CMP before they ran out.

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[wolfcreed]

Get a Garand

You can share the ammo with your M1903. Just shoot M1 surplus ammo or commercial ammo made for the Garand.

 

[F2CMaDMaXX]

You can also get a bored out gas plug for the Garand that allows you to shoot pretty much any commercial 30.06 without worry of over pressure. Garandgear.com - not the adjustable one.

 

[orygun]

Because of the "splotchiness" of the finish, I'd guess it's been sanded and refinished at some point, but I am far from an expert. Also, if you want to shoot groups on center at 100 yards you'll need to look online and get some different front sights. I bought some off of ebay or gunbroker for the No4 MkI I had. The original front sight is a bit short to hit point of aim at 100. Remember, it was meant to shoot at people which are tall and narrow, and usually they were farther than 100 yards away.

 

[NODEraser]

I'll keep an eye out, although my purchases aren't always planned. Last time I saw a Garand for sale in person was at the gun show over a year ago, and they were asking like $1800 for it then, yikes! I've seen an Arisaka Type 38 at another local store, that's been there for at least a few months... I wondered why, then I looked up the going price of 6.5mm Jap...

Definitely more of a collector's piece, than a shoooter.

Seems like Cabela's has a fair number of Enfields and Mosins on trade-in, though their condition is usually pretty rough. I always make a point to peruse the "gun library" and check the trade-in racks when I go through the area, I'll have to find some of the Beaverton/Hillsboro shops on my next trip in to Portland.

Regarding the aim point, I guess you were supposed to aim at the "belt buckle", like an AK?

 

[wolfcreed]

'll keep an eye out, although my purchases aren't always planned. Last time I saw a Garand for sale in person was at the gun show over a year ago, and they were asking like $1800 for it then, yikes! I've seen an Arisaka Type 38 at another local store, that's been there for at least a few months... I wondered why, then I looked up the going price of 6.5mm Jap...

M1 Garands come up for sale on this site once every other month or so. You'll get a better deal here than most any gun show or from a gun store. They show up here from $900 - $1,200 when I've seen them for sale.

 

[Ketoujin]

Hello There,

I would think you should get whatever "floats your boat" in the military small-arms universe. Just for the record I personally am wont to think that Austria-Hungarian Mannlicher straight-pulls and Romanian, Portuguese, and Dutch Mannlicher turn-bolts don't get enough love......although if you aren't into them then "more for me" as the saying goes.

Russian/Soviet and Finnish M91 Mosin-Nagants are endlessly varied and quite fascinating. Just about every military turn or straight-pull bolt-action rifle from 1869-1954 are fascinating as are many of the early semi-autos - MAS 44 and on, SAFN-49, SKS, AVS, SVT's, Garands, CETME's, FAL's.

Nice Lee-Enfield. Personally I prefer the beautifully-made No. 4 Mk. 2' s and FTR'd Mk 1/2 and 1/3's - especially the former from Fazakerley done in the 1950-55 period but they are all nice to have.

Best,

Gunnar

 

[Medic!]

M1 Garands come up for sale on this site once every other month or so. You'll get a better deal here than most any gun show or from a gun store. They show up here from $900 - $1,200 when I've seen them for sale.

It's true.
The name is the price.

Who would have thought that one day a decent Garand would cost a Grand?

 

[coop44]

Bought an unissued #4 back in the 90's still in the mummy wrap, gorgeous blonde wood. 200 bucks so sad I ever sold it.

 

[ron]

I shoot a lot of matches with my Garands. I have a gas plug in one of my "match"
Garands. I still use ammo that is Garand safe. Some matches are "as issued" which
prevents using a modified gas plug. The trouble with the Garand is
exceeding the gas port pressure designed for the rifle. I reload with IMR 4064 and
IMR 4895 powders that is safe for the rifle. I have sold some M1s and gave one
to my son. But this all I have left.

 

[orygun]

I shoot a lot of matches with my Garands. I have a gas plug in one of my "match"
Garands. I still use ammo that is Garand safe. Some matches are "as issued" which
prevents using a modified gas plug. The trouble with the Garand is
exceeding the gas port pressure designed for the rifle. I reload with IMR 4064 and
IMR 4895 powders that is safe for the rifle. I have sold some M1s and gave one
to my son. But this all I have left.
View attachment 365402

Which one's your favorite?

 

[wolfcreed]

But this all I have left.

All you have left? Good Grief!

Those are some nice looking Garands you have there.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

That seems a nice old Enfield, congratulations! Swiss military rifles are a way to go! Their manufacturing quality is just beautiful! They tend to have been well cared for too! Not cheap anymore either!
Late last year I bought a Steyr-Mannlicher M-95 carbine, from a member here! They are a cool little straight pull bolt rifle. Mine was made in Budapest, I believe, in 1940. Got the bayonet, enbloc magazines and Nazi head stamped ammo in Nazi printed boxes!
Haven't had a chance to fire it yet.

 

[orygun]

I'm thinkin we should have a thread on WWI and WWII rifles.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

I'd be good with that! I'm not really an old military weapons collector, but I like to have a couple around for cheap shooting! That's what the Mosin-Nagant does! I bought a lot of ammo for it so I'll be shooting it for a long time! I enjoy seeing and reading about the old military rifles!

 

[SparksFly]

I'm thinkin we should have a thread on WWI and WWII rifles.

That sounds awesome! I think one about all kinds of weapons from WWI and WWII would be a good read.

 

[orygun]

That sounds awesome! I think one about all kinds of weapons from WWI and WWII would be a good read.

Well, I started one. My initial post is pretty lame, but I promise to do better when I have a chance to get the ol battle axes out and snap some decent pics.

 

[HuckleberryFun]

I shoot a lot of matches with my Garands. I have a gas plug in one of my "match"
Garands. I still use ammo that is Garand safe. Some matches are "as issued" which
prevents using a modified gas plug. The trouble with the Garand is
exceeding the gas port pressure designed for the rifle. I reload with IMR 4064 and
IMR 4895 powders that is safe for the rifle. I have sold some M1s and gave one
to my son. But this all I have left.
View attachment 365402

Only 6 Garands? I wish I was Garand poor like you!

 

[ron]

Favorite Garand? Best shooter is a NM rifle that I built with help from a friend
who is a Garand specialist. Heavy Douglas barrel, NM sights, Devcon bedded,
plus gas system mods. 2nd from bottom. Shot the NM one last weekend at the DRRC match.
My favorite is a really nice Winchester. 3rd from bottom. My first Garand was
$165 (shipping included) from the DCM. Back then you had to shoot 3 matches
it took 1.5 years to receive. And it came to my front door via US mail!
It is an all original 1943 SA. Rare uncut op rod, locking bar
early sights and gas plug. Not shown this is the one I gave to my son.
Years ago a fellow Club member won the CMP lottery and purchased a Win. Sniper
Garand. It was brand new! Scope, sling, cheek pad, flash hider, ect. all new
and in original GI rappers! He brought it out to a match so we could all drewel
on it. I don't think he ever assembled it and shot it.
Top to bottom. SA--Win.---SA 'Special'--Win.---SA(NM)--H&R

 

[NODEraser]

I am very interested in the service rifles of the 20th century, especially WWII and beyond... It's just too bad that I'm getting such a late start on curating my collection. I doubt the WWII rifles will be getting any cheaper.