Books to help Garand newbie

[genehopkins]

I am one of those old fashioned types who just happens to love books - real books, not Internet facsimiles. Does anyone know of good books to help me learn more about Garands?

I want to learn about them, how to shoot them, how to care for them, what to look for when purchasing them, etc.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[sloughfoot]

Hatcher's Book of the Garand

The M1 Garand:Owners Guide by Scott Duff

Also you need to visit http://www.thecmp.org/Sales/relatedlinks.htm

The Garand is one of the most written about rifles in history. It shouldn't be hard to find a lot of it.

 

[red_zr24x4]

^^
What sloughfoot said.
Scott Duff I think is probably one of the most knowledgeable on the M1

 

[dnurk]

Scott A. Duff Publications and Historic Martial Arms: Scott Duff Publications Books

Duff is the definitive source. Not sure where you're located but I'd be happy to loan you my copy of his WW2 volume one book. Very informative and helpful if you're evaluating guns to purchase.

 

[genehopkins]

Thanks all.

DNurk- I live in Columbus, where would you be located? I wouldn't mind buying you lunch or a cold drink in exchange for picking your brain...

I just bought a 1954 H&R, looks nice but I know nothing...

 

[Barry in IN]

My favorite is Hatchers Book of the Garand. He was there when the rifle was developed, and the book was written right after WWII so the info was all fresh. If nothing else, it will teach you the proper way to pronounce "Garand".
However, don't use the match prep info if you have any such plans. Those procedures have pretty much all changed.

Duff and McKee's Owner's Guide has the best complete teardown instructions.

Duff's other books have the best historical info for matching up parts. They do need an updating, though. Not because the info is bad, but because there is more data out there now.

Jim Thompson did a couple of Garand books. They are a little different from the usual Garand books because they are oriented more toward the shooter than the collector, with tuning tips, handload data, etc. I like them, but some purists don't.

The Canfield book on the Garand and Carbine is OK.

The Poyer (For Collector's Only) book is alright. The only real advantage over the Duff books is that it is more compact if you are going to carry it to gun shows.

If they still sell it, the NRA had a thin book that was a compilation of Garand articles. I think it has the article by John R. Clarke from 1986 on reloading for the Garand, which is pretty much the standard reference there. If it's in there, it's worth buying just for that. T
Actually, that article can be found here too:
Reloading for the M1 Rifle -J. Clarke

 

[Winamac]

I used to collect Garands and in my opinion. Next to John Garand himself. Scott Duff is the Garand master.For what it is worth, He is actually a personal friend of the John Garand family. I have talked to him on the phone multiple times and he is very personable as well for a person that is as well published as he. Anyway his books are like a bible to the Garand collector. I highly recommend them. Good Luck and enjoy as the Garand is a magnificent rifle.

 

[Bucko]

Thanks for the info. I'm learning about Garand's as well. Buying my first one soon.

 

[whitetailbowhunter]

I plan to purchase my first one soon as well. I'll be driving back home from Florida the first week of August and I plan on stopping by the South CMP store to pick out a Service grade M1. I'd love to hear about other sites/literature as well as i know very little about them.