Garands modified to take magazines

[nothing4u]

Are Garands that are modified to take detachable magazines not FFL03 eligible anymore?

[CSDGuy]

I don't know, but I know that a modified design of the Garand rifle is considered an AW. IIRC, it's the BM-59. Essentially, it's a Garand that has been modified to use detachable magazines. Those receivers will have been made from the get-go as a BM-59 and were not originally an M1 receiver.

Darned good question about an M1 that has been modified...

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

I'm just shooting the breeze here, but my guess would be that such a big change to the Garand in how it operates would null the C&R status.

CSDGuy, is the BM-59 specifically listed as an AW? IIRC with the absence of a pistol grip, it would be no problem, similar in setup to an SVT-40.

[nothing4u]

Dr. Peter Venkman, I was thinking that too.

[vf111]

The Beretta BM series rifles are modified Garands - some were actually modified from USGI receivers and some were newly made. Check out the following for info. on the BM series rifles:

http://www.reesesurplus.com/

The Springfield Armory BM-59 is on the R-R banned list by name. Therefore, if you can find a Beretta BM-62 or BM-69 (imported by Berben & Benet) and Springfield Armory BM-60, BM-62 or BM-69 and if they don't have any banned features, you are good to go. Magazines can be problematic as the Beretta 10-rounders are rarer than hen's teeth and the standard mags are all 20-rounders. Reese Surplus used to be a good source for the SA BM rifles but I believe they're pretty much out of everything.

[Quiet]

I'm not sure of what the status would be on a C&R firearm once you drastically modify it.

However...
The Springfield Armory (Beretta) BM59 was listed as an assault weapon on the Roberti-Roos AW ban of 1989.

As long as it does not meet the make & model designation, it would be considered an OLL so you would just have to make sure it does not fall under any features that would make it an assault weapon.

So, if you took a M1 Garand and converted it to magazine feed and it did not have any of the features listed in CA Penal Code 12276.1, it would not be considered an assault weapon and would be legal in CA.


CA Penal Code 12276
As used in this chapter, "assault weapon" shall mean the following designated semiautomatic firearms:
(a) All of the following specified rifles:
(13) Springfield Armory BM59 and SAR-48.

CA Penal Code 12276.1
(a) Notwithstanding Section 12276, "assault weapon" shall also mean any of the following:
(1) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:
(A) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
(B) A thumbhole stock.
(C) A folding or telescoping stock.
(D) A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
(E) A flash suppressor.
(F) A forward pistol grip.
(2) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
(3) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.

[Quiet]

About 10 years ago, there were several companies that advertised they would convert a M1 Garand to take either BAR magazines or M14 magazines.

It required doing lots of modifying to the reciever.

It would be easier and cheaper to just get a Springfield M-1A.

[GuyW]

About 10 years ago, there were several companies that advertised they would convert a M1 Garand to take either BAR magazines or M14 magazines.

It required doing lots of modifying to the reciever.

It would be easier and cheaper to just get a Springfield M-1A.

Except that an M-1A is not .30-06...

[Quiet]

M1 Garand modified for BAR magazines

[wilit]

Sarco sells the plans for $50 on how to convert to a detachable mag. They also have BM-59 parts kits.

[GuyW]

Wow. I asked around the 'net, and everyone unanimously spoke against this mod.

What changes are made to accomplish this?

[50 Freak]

Is that rifle in the pic taking a 308 mag or a 30.06 mag? If you want a garand to shoot 308 from a mag, get a M-14. I'm only interested if the garand is 30.06 and takes a mag.

[Alan Block]

The man said

it was a BAR magazine so that probably means 30-06.

[50 Freak]

Doesn't necessary mean it's a 30.06, have heard of using BAR mags with a spacer to shoot 308. But I hope you're right and it's a BAR mag, if so I need to find the shop that does this conversion.

[Quiet]

The pic is from Arizona Tactical Firearms (480-752-9200) in Tempe, AZ.
They have it listed as a .30-06.