US
M1 Garand Type 2 National Match
I
won't even begin to pretend I know about Garands. Instead, start here.
This particular rifle is either a very carefully assembled replica,
or an original DCM gun which has lost its papers. Its serial number,
as best I understand, is in the correct range. The lack of paperwork
represented a big savings, so no complaints. I bought it while looking
for a replacement for my shooter Garand. However, it turns out to
be in such nice shape, on the off chance its legitimate, I haven't
shot it. Rats! |
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US
M1 Garand (H&R)
They say a Marine never forgets his rifle. In my father's case, apparently, that rule didn't apply. Some years ago he offered to finance the purchase of an M1. Upon showing him the purchased rifle, he professed zero recollection of the Garand. Ouch. He did, however, give me his Garand tool which he had kept through all the years. Fast forward a couple decades and it was time to upgrade the ole shooter. This H&R built gun is perhaps a little nice to be considered a shooter, but it doesn't get that many rounds through it. As mentioned above, I'm not expert enough to confidently state which parts are likely original, and which were added to make the gun "correct." Of the few H&R recievers I have encountered, they have always looked well made. |
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The
"Russian Garand" proved too fragile in combat to live up
to its American counterpart. No further developments were fielded
as events overtook the design. The Simonov, and more importantly,
the Kalashnikov represented the future of Russian combat rifles. For
a brief time, arsenal refinished Tokarevs such as this were available
to US collectors. Although prices have risen, the SVT is an enjoyable
rifle. The only problem I have experienced is my choice of 150 gr.
IMI FMJBT bullets tend to catch the edge of the barrel and jam. On
second thought, I'd rather carry an M1 into combat. Notice how much
longer the Tokarev's action is compared to the M1. This in spite of
the fact the two cartridges are of similar power. |
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Smith
& Wesson Light Rifle Model 1940 MkI
In its rush to
acquire weapons for the coming conflict, the British government
contracted
Smith & Wesson to design a short barreled, semiautomatic, pistol
caliber carbine. Designed around a standard US 9mm Parabelum cartridge,
initial British trials proved the action unsuitable for a special
high pressure 9mm cartridge the British wanted to use. Although
a
strengthened MkII version was produced, the program was ultimately
canceled and the bulk of rifles produced were disposed of by the
British.
A small number of rifles remained in the US and sat languishing until
they finally received a C&R designation and were sold off through
a dealer in Atlanta.
In light of the
existence of the German MP38/40 series sub machine-guns, it is
unlikely
this ungainly, under powered and somewhat heavy rifle would have
been well suited to combat. Features of the gun include a fluted
9.75" barrel
and 20 round magazine. The magazine is housed in the combination
grip/extended
ejection port under the rifle. It fires from an open bolt. Finish
quality is that of a fine hunting rifle, and the stock is made
from
an interesting early plastic or composite material (tenonite). I
would love to fire this gun, but its condition is just a little
too pristine
and
replacement parts probably don't exist.
S&W
Authentication Letter pg 1 | pg 2 | pg
3 |
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M1
Carbine (Underwood)
Here we have an early production Underwood carbine. Although the age of mil surp ammo is long behind us, and values have started to rise, to my mind there is no better or more fiun semi auto plinker rifle. This rifle, as with many US wartime survivors, over the course of its life may have been improved with a few period correct parts. Reading Ruth's War Baby, I'm not completely clear if this rifle should have possesed an i-cut stock. Otherwise, it's all correct for its early 1943 vintage. The gun appears to have escaped service during the war, so it lives in the non shooting section of the gun safe. |
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M1
Carbine (Inland)
This
was the first gun I ever bought. It had been slightly sporterized.
The upper hand guard has been reprofiled, and the barrel was
somewhat crudely polished and reblued. The bore is shiny but
worn. It shoots straight and is probably
my favorite plinker. I have a new mil spec barrel sitting
on the shelf in case I ever get a bee in my bonnet about making
it look correct. With its almost non existent kick, the M1
is a good choice for teenagers or adults who want to shoot rifles
but are afraid of the recoil. |
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Johnson
Automatics Model of 1941
What
shall we say of a gun designed by a guy named Melvin? Although
little more than a military footnote, the Johnson is a highly desirable
military collectable. This example was sporterized after the war
by Winfield Arms Corp. In 1953-54 they were advertising sporterized
Johnsons for $88.50. There is an excellent Johnson
rifle site on the web. As a
military rifle, the Johnson was unusual in being recoil operated
and of a takedown design. While it saw limited
service with the Marines, the rifle itself was somewhat flawed.
It possessed too many small parts, and its zero wandered when equipped
with a bayonet. The sporter stock is diabolical, but I'm loathe
to put a military stock on a gun which has been rebarreled and
finished in a high polish blue. On the plus side, the modifications
rendered this example much less valuable than a correct military
pattern rifle. Its still a Johnson and it still shoots, so I'll take
the savings. |
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AG-42B
Ljungman
Sweden
is to be credited with having one of the earlier operational semi
auto rifles, but they were also very fortunate to have stayed
out of the war. An interesting gun to shoot, it fires the inherently
accurate 6.5 x 55 Mauser cartridge. The gas system operates directly
on the unusual looking bolt and spent shells are ejected forward
with considerable force. I used to worry about losing brass when
the
only source
was Norma. Now, cheap Winchester brand brass may be considered
a little more expendable.
Like
our own M-16, the downside of the gas system is it blows a lot
of powder fouling into the
action. With only the two small round protrusions to grasp, it
is very difficult to open
the breach on a jammed up rifle. And if you think the Garand
is good at munching thumbs, forget it, this here is the champ.
Bolt
operation is unique. Grip the two round bumps as best you can
and slide the cover forward until it clicks, then pull back until
clicks
again. Now the magazine can be charged. Be careful with the safety. If
not properly set, pulling the top cover back with a touch extra
effort releases the bolt, and It slams forward with considerable
force. All in all its an awkward and counter intuitive system. |
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FN49
When
the Nazi's occupied Belgium, one of FN's chief designers, Dieudonne
Saive, fled to England with a fledgling design for a semi auto
battle rifle. The British government were uninterested, so the
design languished until Saive returned to Belgium after the war.
Although adopted by several countries in calibers ranging from
7mm Mauser to 30-06, the gun was expensive to manufacture and suffered
mechanical reliability problems with its trigger group. (Watch
out for a worn disconnecter allowing the gun to fire doubles, or
worse.) While not a huge commercial success in its own right. Further
evolution of the design led to the immensely popular FAL. |
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MAS
49/56
There
is nothing particularly special about the 49/56, but I have a photo,
so in it goes. This one is in the original 7.5 French caliber.
I used to make brass by taking 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser shells and
sizing them up to 7.62. Fortunately, several vendors now list proper
7.5 brass. The gun is rugged, reliable and fun to shoot. What more
can one ask? |
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