M-1 Garand Gunsmith?

Browncoat · Oct 14, 2009

Anyone know of a good M-1 Garand gunsmith in the Portland area? I'm having problems with my rear sight staying where I set it and the gun is also shooting very high. I'm tired of messing with it and need an experts help.
Thanks, Jim

huntpotter · Oct 14, 2009

I've had quite a few Garands, and M1As. I'm not sure a smith really needs to fix anything. Might just be a sighting in issue. You might go to the Portland gunshow this weekend, look for a collector who has a few Garands, and ask them for advice. Might get some free advice, before you pay a smith. Maybe...???

coloneltim · Oct 14, 2009

I had to put locktite on my rear sight to keep the screw from backing out.

Tim

Jamie6.5 · Oct 21, 2009

Most people think the post should bisect the target vertically. Not so with mine and a couple others I have shot. My NM Garand liked to have the bull sitting on top of the post when sighted correctly. I had an '03 that was that way too.
The target on the post (bullseye) should look like a golfball on a tee with the ball centered in the peep.

IF you haven't tried it this way, give it a go. That should bring the POI down where it should be.

usrifle · Oct 21, 2009

Jamie6.5 said:
Most people think the post should bisect the target vertically. Not so with mine and a couple others I have shot. My NM Garand liked to have the bull sitting on top of the post when sighted correctly. I had an '03 that was that way too.
The target on the post (bullseye) should look like a golfball on a tee with the ball centered in the peep.

IF you haven't tried it this way, give it a go. That should bring the POI down where it should be.

It's called a 6 o'clock hold, and that's the correct way to "Hold" when shooting an M1A or Garand.
If the rear sight won't hold "Tension", it's the "spring/cover" for the rear sight.
Easily changed out and cheap. It's a specific process to set the rear sight screws for windeage and elevation for the proper tension....
Search online for "M1 Garand rear sight disassembly"....Check the CMP website too.
usrifle

Browncoat · Oct 22, 2009

Thanks for the responses guys, here's where I'm at. I'm familiar with a 6 o'clock hold (called "pumpkin on a post" by an old veteran I know) and the problem is worse than that. The gun has a new barrel and a new stock, but the problem existed with the old barrel. The gun shoots 8" above point of aim at 100 yards with the sight bottomed out (excellent groupings though). I checked to see if the stock was pressing up on the barrel and did a little sanding where it was touching, I also ground a little material off the bottom of the rear sight ramp (good for a couple of more clicks down) and that helped a little but not enough. I checked the height of the front sight to make sure it hasn't been filed down and it's the proper height. I don't have another stock to try (wish I did). The only idea I have left is to increase the height of the front sight. Others with my problem have put a blob of J-B weld or solder on the front sight and filed to the desired height and shape. I thought that maybe a good gunsmith could could add to my front sight height in a higher quality way than I could do. As to the sight not staying set I figured out how to tighten it properly so all is good there.

usrifle · Oct 22, 2009

I had a Garand from the CMP with the same problem. Bottomed out on the rear sight,
10"s high. I did a stock swap with a Boyd's stock and it helped a couple inches but still was 8"s high.
I ended up sending it back...Never did know why it was like that, they sent me another one.
usrifle