If you could...M1

[Clancy]

Gentlemen
...change one thing on the M1 Garand Rifle working on it in the testing with Mr. Garand, what change would you make to this new weapon system. There are two (2) rules that you must go by. One NO DETACHABLE MAG. The second rule is it must remain as a SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE only. Follow those and see what you would come up with.

 

Thanks again
Clancy

NRA Life Endowment
NRA Training Counselor
NRA Instructor
FSS 90% / BW X Speed Div by 1000 = PF
Stone Soda Can Hammer
THA 63

[Castaway]

Clancy, since you outlawed the obvious two, I'd put a can opener on the cleaning rod handle and a corkscrew attachement in the cleaning kit

[S.S.]

I would.. Uh !... change it into an M-14 and have the best combat rifle ever devised by the mind of man !!! 

[Cheesehead]

I would shorten the barrel to 16 inches, all composite collapsible stock and  ulta light composite fore arm, rechamber to 308 and lighten the gun to 7 pounds by any means reasonable.

Cheese

[Clancy]

Gentlemen,
Some great comebacks. I said NO Detachable Mag. I would have setup a 20 round mag that was NOT Detachable but like the Garand's son the M14 loading from a stripper clip. For ready load and toping off you mag.
Thanks again guys some great input.
Clancy
ps losing ground support

[Blammer]

instead of the en block, I would have a blind magazine, no floor plate, that would hold 15 shots, or how ever many you could get in the belly probably 10 or so, and have it reloaded by stripper clips.

put something on the reciever to allow weaver style optics to be put on it, or maybe something for a scout style scope.

[WILDCATT]

thats a great idea BUT.1)the enblock makes for a fast reload. 2) the navy converted M1 to 308 yrs ago.3)the muzzle blast with 16" would be bad.i have spare barrel in 308 when my 06 wears out.4)longer barrel makes for better sight picture.think about it.i like the enblock clip,have them in carcano/bertier/mod 88 commision.   

[Aardvark]

 I would use a lighter stronger alloy steel or titanium something or another and a lighter, thinner wood or composite for the stock to get the weight down.
 I would have someone build one just for me in caliber 8x57 and send it tome just because I am a swell guy and I like dogs.
 

[Rogue Ram]

I agree with most of the above.  The gun didn't really have to be all that long, make it into a "tanker" size weapon which conceivably could have been done, change the caliber to a lighter one, maybe a synthetic stock, but what materials could they have made a stock out of back then?

For DARN sure, replace the sights with HK type rotating drum with bigger apertures on it........and find a way to put a scout mount type optic on it.......

I agree with S Sumner, the M14 to me, was and is the pinnacle....espeically the latest configuration with shorter barrel and special stock with rails on it.....the proof is in the government orders I have seen for those weapons to come out of storage to go to the sandbox, along with the orders for THOUSANDS of magazines.  No one should ever feel under gunned with a Garand.  I'd carry one in the trunk for official duty if they'd let me over an AR 15 any day.

RR

[totallycustom]

I agree tanker model with a hidden scout rail with really good sights, kind of a sleeper style custom scout garand. Lightening it up would be nice also but i would keep the wood, just hollow out the butt, thin things out a little.

-TC-

[Castaway]

Having thought about this one for a while, if the corkscrew and bottle opener wouldn't pass acceptance testing, I'd probably add a flash suppressor.

[Blammer]

If I was going to war in '42 I'd sure as shootin want a longer rifle. Ever tried to win a bayonette fight with a short rifle?

I also wanted to add porting on the barrel to control muzzle flip and a FUN switch, for that cover fire thing....

[Blammer]

oh yea, one more thing, give it the option to be belt fed or fed from the mag well.

OOhhhh YEA!

[Roudy]

Let's see....

1.  Move the gas port toward the reciever to shorten the operating rod (ala M14).  M1 operation rods sometimes "die", at least that's what the armorer told me, and accuracy drops off.

2.  Spec a 15" bayonet...that'll keep the Huns a little further away.

3.  Add a feature that would permit loading one round into the chamber while keeping the remainder of the clip still loaded in reserve.

4.  Add an ammo holder that would hold one clip in close proximity to the action for faster reloads.  Some people wedge a clip onto the rifle sling, but a holder designed for that purpose would be better.

5.  Add a gasport at the muzzle to reduce muzzle flip for faster followup shots.  Not a big deal for hunting, but in a firefight this could be helpful.

I was issued both the M1 and the M14 during my time in the service, they are both great rifles, but I prefer the M14.

Roudy

[S.B.]

I'll just keep mine, the way it is, thanks.

[WILDCATT]

I have the short M1.in 308 shoots excelent.you can load the M1 fast.you put the clips in your shirt or jacket slip the cart in between the joint of shirt.I was in navy never saw an M1.got  my full size M1 in /06 as parts.shoots good I load 170 gr lead.I think highly of the mannlicher stile clip.I would like a centered scope mount,that would tip off.