Complete M1 Garand for donation.

[dpd3672]

Hooked you in with the title, didn't I?!?

I had an idea when this subforum started, and since it's gained a little momentum, I figured I'd put it out there for your consideration. I ran it by Good Guy 176, who does a lot of work with the M1 for Vets and Wounded Warrior Project, and with his blessing, I'm proposing it here.

Many of us are well into this hobby, and I'm willing to bet that most of us have a stash of spare parts lying around. My idea is this: We build a complete rifle and donate it to the M1 for Vets/Wounded Warrior program, as a way to honor and thank those who have sacrificed for us. If it's successful, maybe it's something we can do periodically...every year or so...but I don't want to get too far ahead of myself.

The links to the programs are here, and I believe the donations are tax deductible:
M1 for Vets
Wounded Warrior Project

I think it's possible to get everything we need for a complete rifle. Any donation would be appreciated, from parts, services (refinishing, barrel installation, FFL transfers, fine tuning, etc), ammo, accessories (cleaning supplies, combo tools?), or good old fashioned cash. Even something as simple as advice (for example, what should I use to keep track of this, etc) or ideas would help this along. A few ideas I had (maybe good, maybe bad...you tell me) are:

1. Maybe a certificate, signed by those who donated (unless they wished to donate anonymously) to be presented with the rifle.
2. Maybe all the donors could sign the gunstock
3. Maybe the gun will be "Auctioned off" in lieu of direct donation, with the proceeds donated to the charity. The auction is something we might be able to do in the buy/sell/trade section, provided the CMP and moderators approve. Some of the "high rollers" here might be willing to buy the completed project for more than the cost of a CMP FG or two...it depends on how well we do.

It doesn't need to be something rare or valuable...it might not even be pretty, but as long as it's functional, it's a start. Not everyone is rich, and the economy is terrible, but even something as small as a clip latch spring or trigger group pins is necessary and appreciated.

I'm donating parts to get the ball rolling...nothing to brag about, and if anyone is willing to donate something better I'll replace my parts on the list: a receiver (CAI commercial), barrel (decent rifling, bad ME...it should be fine with a counterbore, and I'd be willing to pick out a surplus barrel on my next trip to the NS that gauges well, but it's at least a bird in the hand), and stock set (Danish Beech, very nice condition, although it could use a refinish to match the stock and handguards) that I'm not using. I'd be willing to part with one of them for this project...maybe all three if it winds up holding the project up. I'm putting them down as donated, and will replace them if something better is offered. I have a C&R license; the tools to install a barrel, finish ream it, and check headspace; and I'm not bad at stock finishing, although I'd be more than willing to let someone else handle this if they're willing to volunteer for the job.

So here's what we need, directly from the CMP's site:



Feeding & Operation Assembly
1 Barrel - HRA barrel Donated by awzook(received 7/25)
2 Bolt - Also See 'Bolt Group' Below - Complete assembly donated by flatlander (received 7/23), firing pin donated by deputy85
3 Bullet Guide - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
4 Follower Arm - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
5 Follower Arm Pin - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
6 Follower & Follower Slide Assembly - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
7 Follower Rod - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
8 Operating Rod - Donated by awzook(received 7/25)
9 Operating Rod Catch & Accelerator - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
10 Operating Spring - Donated by awzook(received 7/25)
11 Receiver - HRA receiver #5618293 Donated by Moorem1s (received 8/2)
Clip Latch Assembly
12 Clip Latch - Donated by dpd3672 (received 7/23)
13 Clip Latch Pin - Donated by dpd3672 (received 7/23)
14 Clip Latch Spring - Donated by Thumper
Gas Cylinder Assembly
15 Gas Cylinder - Donated by awzook(received 7/25)
16 Gas Cylinder Lock - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
17 Gas Cylinder Lock Screw Valve - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
Stock Assembly
18 Front Handguard - Donated by Roadkingtrax (received 8/6)
19 Front Handguard Spacer (liner) - Donated by awzook(received 7/25)
20 Stacking Swivel - Donated by awzook(received 7/25)
21 Stacking Swivel Screw - Donated by awzook(received 7/25)
22 Rear Handguard - Donated by Roadkingtrax (received 8/6)
23 Rear Handguard Band/ClipDonated by Dstout (received 7/23)
24 Lower Band and pin - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
25 Buttplate - Donated by mattee88(received 7/26)
26 Buttplate Bolt - Donated by mattee88(received 7/26)
27 Buttplate Screw - Donated by mattee88(received 7/26)
28 Buttstock - Donated by Roadkingtrax (received 8/6)
29 Front Swivel (Stock Ferrule Swivel) - Donated by Twinson (received 8/3)
30 Stock Ferrule - Donated by Twinson (received 8/3)
31 Rear Swivel/Butt Swivel - Donated by Twinson(received 8/3)
Sight Assemblies
32 Aperture - Donated by awzook(received 7/25)
33 Cover - Donated by mattee88(received 7/26)
34 Rear Sight Base - Donated by mattee88(received 7/26)
35 Elevation Knob - Donated by Eagle Scout(received 7/25)
36 Windage Knob - Donated by Dstout (received 7/23)
37 Front Sight - Donated by wstanley(received 7/26)
38 Front Sight Screw - Donated by wstanley(received 7/26)
Trigger Assembly
39 Clip Ejector Spring - Donated by Dstout (received 7/23)
40 Hammer - Donated by kollector03(received 7/28)
41 Hammer Pin - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
42 Hammer Plunger - Donated by Sparx(received 7/29)
43 Hammer Spring - Donated by Dstout(received 7/23)
44 Hammer Spring Housing - Donated by gunny(received 7/23)
45 Safety - Donated by mattee88(received 7/26)
46 Sear - Donated by gunny (received 7/23)
47 Trigger - Donated by gunny(received 7/23)
48 Trigger Guard - Donated by Twinson(received 8/3)
49 Trigger Housing - Donated by Mac O tac(received 7/28)
50 Trigger Pin - Donated by Twinson(received 8/3)
Bolt Assembly
51 Bolt - Complete assembly donated by flatlander (received 7/23)
52 Ejector - Complete assembly donated by flatlander (received 7/23)
53 Ejector Spring - Complete assembly donated by flatlander (received 7/23)
54 Extractor - Complete assembly donated by flatlander (received 7/23)
55 Extractor Spring - Complete assembly donated by flatlander (received 7/23)
56 Extractor Plunger - Complete assembly donated by flatlander (received 7/23)
57 Firing Pin - Donated by deputy85 (received 8/22)

Extras
Empty Chamber Flag - Donated by Dstout (received 7/23)
CMP hard case - Donated by Moorem1s(received 8/2)
CMP M1 Garand Manual - Donated by flatlander (received 7/23)
Clips - Donated by flatlander (received 7/23)
Nickel Clips - Donated by kollector03(received 7/28)
Wood TLC (if needed) - Donated by Sparx (received 8/6)
Grease pots for the stock - Donated by awzook(received 7/25)
Combo tool, cleaning rod, and bore brush/patches - Donated by dpd3672 (received 7/23)
Sling - Donated by Kansas Poster (received 7/23)
Bayonet - Donated by Kansas Poster (received 7/23)
Keychain - Donated by kollector03 (received 7/28)
FFL transfer services - Donated by Don Garriott (received 8/2)
5 shot clip - Donated by Don Garriott (received 8/2)
Photos - dpd3672 of the build and completed rifle, need a volunteer to photograph the presentation

So let's see where this goes. I'm betting that we can pull this off, please prove me right!

Thanks in advance,
Dave Patterson

UPDATE 7/20/11 7:02PM

With 48 minutes to go until the 24 hour mark, we now have commitments for a complete rifle. Thanks to everyone for the generosity. If anyone wants to get involved and missed out this time, we'll do this again as soon as this gun's wrapped up and sent off.

Anyone who is donating parts, please shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'll get my shipping information to you.

I'll keep this post open and update it with photos as the build progresses. Once this one is all done, we'll most certainly try this again. Thanks again to all those to donated parts, suggestions, wisdom, and moral support!

[awzook]

I will put in a nearly new post war gas cylinder. Only issue is somebody used vise grips or something to take it off. Its only cosmetic and was on my HRA until yesterday. No sight or stacking swivel though. Also have several barrels from dupage that i would throw in.


Gas Cylinder (with out sight and swivel)
Barrel if needed (can check TE and ME will be 3+ Dupage barrels)
Looking through parts

[sparx]

Ok Dave
You are putting this together then?
I will provide:

Bullet guide
Follower assembly
Follower arm
That op rod spring rod
Pin
Op rod catch
Lower band
Lower band roll pin
Gas cylinder lock
Gas cylinder lock screw


sparx

I will see what I got for a walnut stock

[Roadkingtrax]

I have a complete Birch or Walnut Stock set that I can donate. Handguards TOO.

I think they are BOTH Dupage, I know the walnut is.

Does Jim Sparx have the time?

Tim

[dpd3672]

Wow, this is off to a good start!

I'll put down RKT for the stock set, since it sounds like it's better than mine. Awzook for the barrel, if you have one that doesn't swallow a bullet (since mine all do). I'll keep myself down for the receiver unless a USGI one comes along...I can probably find something else to donate if it does.

I'm willing to assemble everything, unless someone wants the job (believe me, I have NO problem passing the buck on the mechanical work, haha)...I've installed 3 barrels so far, so I'm no expert, but I managed to do it without messing anything up (knock on wood).

Lemme update what we've got so far. Please double check to make sure I have you down for the right parts (this is making my head spin already, haha).

[mattee88]

Hey Dave,

Great Idea!

Put me down for a rear sight base, sight base cover, buttplate, buttplate screws and SA-11 safety.

They are packaged up and ready to go.

Matt

[Dstout]

Thanks for doing this guys. I don't have a lot of extras since Leighton and I are building the receiver up that he picked out but I will contribute this:

1 long butt plate screw--Mattee88
1 shot butt plate screw--Mattee88
1 DRC windage knob (worn)
1 rear handguard clip
1 hammer spring
1 yellow empty chamber flag

If I can find anything else then I will let you know

EDIT: I guess me and Mattee both had the same idea at the same time. Mine aren't boxed up yet so I will let him send his if that's ok.

David

[wstanley]

Put me down for a front sight w/ screw!

[Good Guy 176]

Count me in for a monetary donation at this point and I'll "encourage" some of my friends, business associates and cohorts to contribute, too. A friend is buying some receivers at the North store this weekend and perhaps we can swing one your way to replace that commercial one.

My guess is that you'll be able to assemble a rifle in less than 60 days.

I have some great pics from our rifle presentation from last Saturday and I need to find out how I can get them posted for everyone to see. I was able to assemble a package worth $1250 for Michael R., our Wounded Warrior, and he now has a 1954 SA Garand, a Monumental R&P club membership, an AGC range badge, ammo, target frame, sling, carrying case, clip, CLP, cleaning rod, combination tool and SR1 targets. He's one happy camper!

Lew--Ranger63 & Good Guy 176
US Army (Ret-1984)
Laurel, MD 20707

[deputy85]

i'll cover 23 & 25///oops see they are already been offered >>>> ive got the firing pin if you need it still

[awzook]

My barrels are as:

SA 12-47 TE 4< ME will eat a M2 but is 1/4 from the cannelure on a pulled bullet. Good bore, last 1/4 frosty

or

SA 4-49 TE 4> ME will eat a M2 and right at the cannelure on a pulled bullet. Better of the 2 bore wise but like the other frosty last 1/4.

Both outer condition worn but no pitting. Both in the white.

[dpd3672]

Trying to keep this updated, and you guys are offering stuff faster than I can edit! Please double check the parts you offered with what I have you down for, so we don't wind up with 2 of one thing and zero of another!

Thanks all, it looks like this is gonna happen, and much more quickly than I thought!

Good Guy 176...if you can pull off the donation of a "real" receiver, I'll be out, so I'll commit to whatever the last few parts are instead. I figure the worst case scenario is I'll have to pick up an op rod and some small parts, which shouldn't break the bank.

Awzook...my barrels are in more or less the same condition; they swallow an M2 round, but look like they have strong rifling and should shoot well with some TLC. I don't have a gauge to check TE. I'll leave the barrel section as dpd3672/awzook for the moment, and see if something better comes along.

[Mac O tac]

Seeing how I will be 49 next week, I will provide number 49, trigger housing.

It is far from used up but finish could be better. I would also like recommend soliciting for a park job once everything is rounded up. SA Inc had a special on tech inspection and repark for only $75.00.

[Dstout]

I just found an extra clip ejector spring too.

David

[flatlander]

I'm in for a good bolt assembly.