big question. I have an all correct m1D with shot out barrel

[razors edge]

I'm on the fence here. When I got my m1D from my pops back in '88 it came with an nos barrel in the wrapper- should I change out the original barrel and replace it with the nos barrel ? Or leave it B? I don't shoot it now due to barrel wear just over 7. I want to shoot for nostalgic reasons. My next question is-my barrel dates 2-52 with the numbers and partial cross cannon under top hand guard; should I eeven open the wrapped barrel to see the date ? What would be the cut off date for number's on top as opposed to on the side of the barrel? Serial # 3448XxxThanks

[P. Greaney]

I suggest that if the replacement barrel is an M1D barrel that you remove the old barrel and install the new barrel.
M1D rifles are not serial number specific for any reason what-so-ever.

[Maury Krupp]

Shoot it as is first then decide.

TE doesn't mean richard at short range. I've got an M1 with a TE of 10+ and a MW of 2; it still shoots as well as can be expected for a SG M1 out to 200yd.

M1Ds were never intended to be long-range souper-sekrit sniper rifles. They're just plain SGs with a marginal scope.

Maury

[amber]

Seems hard to imagine a M1D barrel being shot out. TE over 7? A sniper's rifle normaly wouldn't get that much use to cause that much wear. I would check the barrel with a different TE gauge to make certain that your gauge is good and not worn for some reason.

[cplnorton]

I've seen a lot of M1D's with TE over 7. I used to go to the cmp store a lot and they had a lot of rack grade D's with shot out barrels. We didn't shoot them out stateside most likely but some of the greek returns are completely shot out.

Also as other people have said, the numbers on a barrel are just numbers. We as collector's have made them more important then they usually are. Many more things effect accuracy than just barrel numbers, and I've shot barrels that were a 4ME and 8TE that shot better than one that was a .5ME and 1TE.

Shoot it first and see how it shoots. Check the head space just to make sure, but shoot it. You might be surprised.

[razors edge]

The reason it is so bad is that pops like to use his drill with cleaning rod on it. so most of it is damage as a result. He said thats how they did it when they had 1000 rifles to clean.

Should I open the nos barrel or leave it alone. ..?

[da gimp]

I'd have a daam good M1 Garand smith remove & replace the barrel on it.......I'd bet the accuracy improves a bunch........... if the rebuild was done by a person who knows how to tweak a Garand............

[Maury Krupp]

Have you shot it yet?

If it doesn't shoot as well as you'd like screw the new barrel on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Just remember, even new M1Ds, like all SG M1s, weren't expected to be more than 2-3MOA rifles at best. Don't expect that "new" GI barrel to work miracles.

I don't know what collector value an "all correct M1D" might have if the barrel really is trashed. I'd think any re-barreling would destroy most of whatever that value might be. But I'm not a collector so I could be wrong.

If you want a shooter, shoot it then decide.

If you want a collector, don't f*ck with it.

If you want an investment, buy gold.

Maury

[rickgman]

I'm with P. Greaney, all M1D barrels were replacement barrels so it won't make any difference in collector value. I do not care for rifles that can't shoot accurately so I'd definitely opt for the new barrel. New M1D's (new barrel and a tight fit stock) can shoot exptremely well contrary to what some might say. The limitation is the crummy optics, in my opinion.

[Marcus]

What is the history on this rifle? Is this a real M1D or one of the ones put together, either with a real M1D barrel or a modified standard M1 barrel?....do you have any documentation with it?
From what I recall, most of the real M1D rifles that were available back in the 1980's were those ones that came back from Israel and were sold by Sherwood (now Northridge International) in California, and a couple other sellers. Numrich, and I think Sarco and a few other places, offered aftermarket parts kits to convert standard Garands into M1D snipers

IIRC, these cost about $600 back then. Somewhere I still have the fliers with ads listing them....I remember seeing a bunch of them in the racks at Sherwood, kind of wish I had bought a few of them and put them away.

[Col. Colt]

You used the word "nostalgia" in your reasons for shooting this rifle. If this is because of your Dad, I would consider what he would say about upgrading "his" rifle. And I am pretty sure, if he could, he would tell you it's yours now, do what you think is best! My father passed on unexpectedly, leaving me an old Blue Sky M1 I bought him many years ago, just so he could have a "shooter" M1 on his farmstead - he was an old WWII Paratrooper Sgt. It had a pitted barrel and an UGLY birch stock - and was a 5 Million 1950's production gun - but he loved to shoot it, and it was reasonably accurate out to the 1-200 yards he shot it. We talked about how Some Day I would get it rebarreled for him, and get it in a nice walnut stock - but he passed before that happened.

So, once I brought it home, I decided to make it something Dad would really be proud to show anyone. It got a near new condition Danish VAR barrel (shines like a mirror inside) to replace the blue sky 1965 SA sewer pipe and a beautiful WWII profiled walnut stock to replace the beat up birch. It's a beauty, now. And I think, if he were here, Dad would be thrilled at how "his rifle" turned out.

If the spare barrel was handed down with the rifle from your Dad - I would think he would EXPECT you to use it, when it was needed to keep you happy with the rifle! This assumes the "family heirloom" aspect is the most important thing.

If, instead of nostalgia, you are worried abouit Collector value and care about originality - then I would pull the barrel that is on it currently and attempt to find an excellent condition original barrel WITH THE SAME DATE and MARKINGS - or at least very close, that had very good muzzle and throat readings. 1952 barrels are still pretty available, I think. Then the M1 is properly "restored" to "indistinguishable from original". The same as if a US Armory Depot Level Shop did it. Just make sure whoever does it can do that without damaging or marring it. CC

PS - If it really is about this gun being from your Dad, and if you are a little spiritual/metaphysical, go somewhere quiet where you can be alone and think about your Dad - and ask him, in your mind. Then go with the feeling you get. I know my Dad would have been whole hog for me making it better - and prettier! CC

[razors edge]

Shot it...and it still holds good at 100yrds. I used a 150 grain box of bullets. ...scope was darn near on. Thanks for the push guy's! I also unwrapped the extra barrel. ..i
It's a 6-51 barrel with partial cross canon and numbers at the top if the barrel.

[Col. Colt]

Brand New, NOS 3/52 M1 Barrel on Ebay right now! $229.95, Buy It Now at $299.95! Just for referance. CC

[rickgman]

Gentlemen, All genuine M1D barrels were from the same timeframe - from later 1951 to 1952 if my memory serves me correctly.

[Art]

Have you shot it yet?

If you want a shooter, shoot it then decide.

If you want a collector, don't f*ck with it.

If you want an investment, buy gold.

Maury

Boy Maury have you got that right!! To me the two most overrated investments are guns and houses.

[rickgman]

Art, I've always said that anyone who proclaims that house, guns, classic cars, Rolex watches and a bunch of other things are "investments" is just trying to justify spending too much money on them. If one likes them it's OK to spend money on them - just be honest about why.