M1 Garand shooting tips and advice

[Exodus343]

Can any experienced M1 Garand shooters give me some pointers and advice?
I know the basic of the Garand and handling but any special breathing techniques etc for bench and match shooting?

[The Soup Nazi]

Breathing is a universal marksmanship technique. It should be regular, and you should take the shot only at your natural respiratory pause. Looks something like this:

Inhale (Sight Picture Rises), Exhale (Sight Picture lowers and settles) - Shot (Depending on cardiovascular efficiency you have a multi-second window to smoothly pull the trigger) - Inhale, Exhale - Shot.

Get used to shooting off a bench and using your sling to maintain stability. Learn about natural point of aim. Your body and bone structure should cause your sight picture to naturally fall on center mass of your target. If you have to muscle your weapon with your arms or twist your back, you're doing it wrong and will fatigue very quickly. Move your hips/feet instead.

Learn how to quickly reload your M1. I am familiar with some rapid fire stages which mandate a 2 round - 8 round reload as a nod to the Garand's capacity.

[Garandimal]

My advice is:

1. Sight in your Garand from a bench.
2. Never shoot it from a bench again.

The U.S. RIFLE CAL. .30 M1 is an outstanding field rifle, so shoot it from field positions.

Get a good sling, either an 1907 or one of the web variety, which I prefer, and using it. It allows the rifle to become an integrated part of your body, so recoil is applied to your body weight, and not just the 9.5 lb. weight of the rifle.

Practice "snapping in" and dry-firing, lots.


These vids should help you with the basics.

Rifle Marksmanship With The M1 Rifle (1943) - Part 1

Rifle Marksmanship With The M1 Rifle (1943) - Part 2




GR

[Lone_Gunman]

If you don't have experience shooting from field positions go to an Appleseed event. It's the best $75 I've ever spent.

[Exodus343]

Is it ok to snap in without snap caps?
And I plan to attend an AS during the summer

[Garandimal]

Is it ok to snap in without snap caps?
And I plan to attend an AS during the summer

Snap Away.

("snapping in" is the Marine Corps' term for getting into a field shooting position.)


Dry-firing the M1 Garand is safe and highly recommended.




GR

[Exodus343]

Sweet
Time to snap away

[xrMike]

My advice is:

1. Sight in your Garand from a bench.
2. Never shoot it from a bench again.

I don't like shooting mine from the bench either. Too much recoil!

[Standard]

If you don't have experience shooting from field positions go to an Appleseed event. It's the best $75 I've ever spent.

Does appleseed really focus on using the sling? I want to go to one but I'm concerned about sighting my rifles in while slung up tight, and having massive POI shifts while not shooting with a tight sling. What are your thoughts on that?

[sofbak]

I don't like shooting mine from the bench either. Too much recoil!

Don't know if it is recoil or just the geometry of the stock, but bench rest shooting a Garand is not a productive experience for me either. If I was the op, I wouldn't waste any ammo on bench rest work. Pick your most comfortable field position, sling-up and start shooting to sight-in.

Most new Garand drivers find the prone position to be the most comfortable with the sling, but everyone's mileage varies with personal preference.

[not-fishing]

If you don't have experience shooting from field positions go to an Appleseed event. It's the best $75 I've ever spent.

And if you can bring your Garand for the second day shooting practice.

You'll be amazed at how big of a crowd will be waiting for the "ping"!

[Garandimal]

Don't know if it is recoil or just the geometry of the stock, but bench rest shooting a Garand is not a productive experience for me either. If I was the op, I wouldn't waste any ammo on bench rest work. Pick your most comfortable field position, sling-up and start shooting to sight-in.

Most new Garand drivers find the prone position to be the most comfortable with the sling, but everyone's mileage varies with personal preference.

Sight-in from the prone position over a sand bag. (rest your hand, and not the rifle)

I generally shoot mostly from the sitting position, then prone, then standing.


Shooting moving targets standing, like a motorcycle tire with a cardboard center rolling down a hill, is good practice for deer season.




GR

[mls343]

One more thing, don't get M1 thumb! Learn to load it the right way!

Have fun!

[Exodus343]

One more thing, don't get M1 thumb! Learn to load it the right way!

Have fun!

Already happened to me twice LOL
lesson learned

[Low Light]

Already happened to me twice LOL
lesson learned

Twice?!

First one must not have been that bad! I would swear that anyway who gets the full effect would only do that once - speaking from unfortuante, first-hand (literally), experience.

Have you seen this video, abut using the sling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEicLd9_kD4