M1 Garand "Tanker"

[baer19d]

What would the value be on an M1 "Tanker" in 7.62 NATO be. I've seen on y=the gun auction sites where they're asking about the same or moe than a standard M1 Garand but thats what their asking, not what their geting.

[Victor3]

 Can't help you with what they're going for, but I had one made by "Blue Sky." The conversion was very poorly done.

[Mikey]

Now I should really kick myself for this but I'm not so sure the M1 Garand was ever issued with a shorter barrel or in a 'Tanker' format.  I think the M1 Carbine served as the issue shoulder weapon for tank crews.  I think the 'tanker' is a aftermarket design that follows the Beretta conversions of the M1 in 30-06 to the 308. 
So I think you might have one of two possibilities:  either a Beretta conversion of a M1 that is now chambered in 308 or a M1A with a shorter barrel that has a Garand gas system and is stocked like a Garand.  Probably a early 'socom' concept.....
The value of that would be somewhere in the $6-700 range, maybe more. 

[Victor3]

Yes, the tanker Garand was a commercial thing. IIRC, a few experimental guns were produced by some US military armory but the project was dropped pretty quick.

[beerbelly]

When I was In the Marines back in the dark ages, the tankers were armed with .45 cal. grease guns.

[Larry L]

Never was a Tankers model ever issued. You'll find that most of the early "tankers" were scrapped actions that were cut in half. The guys were welding back together and making them into the "tankers" model. I've never heard of anybody making a new Garand action but I'm sure it's possible but the probabilities are high it's a rewelded action. Some look pretty good but most I've seen are quite obvious it's a reweld.

[baer19d]

I didn't know to look for a rewelded receiver bit it certainly want obvious. this one has the correct Springfield markings on the back of it. The guy is only asking $400 for it so it's probably worth buying it just for the fun factor. Its in very good condition.

[mauserand9mm]

I had a friend who had some barrel damage on his Garand, so he made a pseudo-tanker out of it. This was done a long time ago before collecting the unmodified originals was realised ie he wouldn't do this now even if the barrel was bad. C&R collectors may want to look away now...

[finisher]

Your timing was great. I've come to the sad reality that it will be a LONG time before I can scrape up the $1600,$1700 for a SOCOM and I've been trying to find a more economical option.


The thing that appeals most to me is the top loading capability and not (necessarilly) needing magazines should they become lost, damaged or worn over hard times. I looked into having a Ruger Mini 30 modified with a  foward mount sysytem, and stripper clip guide as a "scout" option to the SKS. But I really want the punch of that 308.


I'm also looking into one of the French MAS rifles in 308. Seems like just the ticket. They are relatively cheap  (far cheaper than an M1A or Garand) but I've heard mixed things about them.


For my purpose, it comes down to the MAS or the Tanker.


I remember seeing in a Springfield catalog (what ever year it was that they introduced the SOCOM II) that you could order from their custom shop any configuration of Garand that you wanted, either "Tanker" or standard length and in 30-06 OR 308.


It also looked to me from the picture I saw that they had two different action/bolt lengths for the two calibers, but I could be wrong about that. CAN ANYONE CONFIRM THIS?


I would love a production 308 shorty but I can only imagine what the Springfield custom shop would charge (might as well get a SOCOM).


my buddy has a 30-06 shorty that his G-pa gave to him and it's an awsome chunk of rifle, but I have no idea what it's origins are. All markings are pretty much factory Springfield.


Personally, I would prefer a round that is still current military issue. But I would like to be able to know exactly what I'm buying.

[S.B.]

I've never heard of or seen one that's reliable or accurate, even  modern Springfield Armorys. A friend once sent a M1 to SA for this conversion and was very unhappy with it upon return. I've not seen one in .308?
Steve

[SHOOTALL]

The Bretta was a BM 59 and manf. by them. As for the short 308. I have shot the socom, first it is handy with a 16 inch bbl. one thing to remember is power is reduced maybe to 300 Savage level. Second the forward rail comes at a cost the ones I have shot shot much better(read accurate) when the rail was removed and a standard heat shield/handguard was installed. And loud dosen't come close to decribing the blast . But it is still a good carbine IMHO.

[Larry L]

I considered a 308 Garand made by Beretta years back. As I remember it was the BM59 model. I was given the opportunity to shoot it before buying. Good thing as the best group came from hard to find M118 ammo which is the long range sniper round sporting a 175gr HPBT. And that group was about 4" at 100yds. I passed on the deal but as prices have jumped up considerable since then I kinda wish I had bought it. Still wouldn't be a shooter or hunter but an odd weapon anyway.

[finisher]

The Bretta was a BM 59 and manf. by them. As for the short 308. I have shot the socom, first it is handy with a 16 inch bbl. one thing to remember is power is reduced maybe to 300 Savage level. Second the forward rail comes at a cost the ones I have shot shot much better(read accurate) when the rail was removed and a standard heat shield/handguard was installed. And loud dosen't come close to decribing the blast . But it is still a good carbine IMHO.

*****************
Not familiar with the 300 savage but looked at some ballistic tables and from what I saw, it's not too much better than a 30-30 Win.(if I'm seeing it correctly).  Is this because of the brake? How much better would the M1A Squad Scout do? Maybe just better to stick to the 30-06. I've experienced excellent reliability with my buddies tanker.

[S.B.]

The Bretta was a BM 59 and manf. by them. As for the short 308. I have shot the socom, first it is handy with a 16 inch bbl. one thing to remember is power is reduced maybe to 300 Savage level. Second the forward rail comes at a cost the ones I have shot shot much better(read accurate) when the rail was removed and a standard heat shield/handguard was installed. And loud dosen't come close to decribing the blast . But it is still a good carbine IMHO.

*****************
Not familiar with the 300 savage but looked at some ballistic tables and from what I saw, it's not too much better than a 30-30 Win.(if I'm seeing it correctly).  Is this because of the brake? How much better would the M1A Squad Scout do? Maybe just better to stick to the 30-06. I've experienced excellent reliability with my buddies tanker.

Maybe off topic but, You souind like the 30/30 has no power but, in reality, it's accounted for more whitetail deer than most other calibers put together. Don't discount this caliber.
Steve

[SHOOTALL]

The Bretta was a BM 59 and manf. by them. As for the short 308. I have shot the socom, first it is handy with a 16 inch bbl. one thing to remember is power is reduced maybe to 300 Savage level. Second the forward rail comes at a cost the ones I have shot shot much better(read accurate) when the rail was removed and a standard heat shield/handguard was installed. And loud dosen't come close to decribing the blast . But it is still a good carbine IMHO.

*****************
Not familiar with the 300 savage but looked at some ballistic tables and from what I saw, it's not too much better than a 30-30 Win.(if I'm seeing it correctly).  Is this because of the brake? How much better would the M1A Squad Scout do? Maybe just better to stick to the 30-06. I've experienced excellent reliability with my buddies tanker.

I would rather have the squard scout myself . No the loss in power is bbl length . And as S.B. pointed out the 30-30 is a good round what it is not is a long range round . The 308 is considered a long range round at least to 500 yards + for hunting by some. The 300 might have the 30-30 by a bit and it to is a good round. Point is when you shorten the bbl of a 308 you also cut range and power But then in a carbine most likely you won't be taking 500 yard shots. The muzzle brake is very loud even with foam ear plugs in. I would consider putting a standard flash suppressor on a socom along with removing the front rail . As for reliable I have only seen one M1-A FTF it was a full size gun with all TRW parts and NM bbl. I was shooting it with a shall we say junk magazine. Loaded the mag chambered a round fired the first shot then a second and as the bolt came back 6-7 rounds ejected. The gun failed to feed a round into the chamber. Changed mags to a GI mag and never saw another problem.

[Bravo 51...Over]

     Here are some pics of my M-1 "Tanker" I bought in 1968 for $120. It has a reweld receiver but I have never experienced any of the horror stories attributed to rewelds.  My eyes aren't as young  as they were so I have to have a scope on everything.  I just did not like a side mount on the M-1 so I designed a "swing over" so it's over the center of the bore and I can load it normally.  The shot group is at a measured 100 yds.  With a little more work, I should be able to tighten it up some.
     For those who may be interested, check out shuffsparkerizing.com.  His Mini-G looks like it would fill a niche for some.  There are links on the site to videos of it in action.  Get ready for "sticker shock" though.

[Victor3]

   
     For those who may be interested, check out shuffsparkerizing.com.  His Mini-G looks like it would fill a niche for some.  There are links on the site to videos of it in action.  Get ready for "sticker shock" though.

 No kidding on the sticker shock. What I would want him to do to my M1 would cost ~$800.


 So lemme see here.... Send him my nice original $700 rifle and $800 cash, he does the work and sends me back a rifle that might fetch ~$1,000 on a good day? 


 I think I can live with my long one. 

[Bravo 51...Over]

Victor 3,
     You're right about that.  The folks that do quality custom work are worth what they charge.  Unfortunately, I don't have the disposable income to afford those toys.  Some do and that's ok.  I have to take what I can afford and adapt it to my needs.
 
Semper Fi...