New CMP Garand Just Arrived: What to do first? Inspection/Preservation

[TanHat]

My CMP Special grade just arrived today - it's just as great as I hoped it would be and it was a Springfield 1943 receiver to boot. It was in my hands exactly 14 days from when I mailed off the form - incredible. I'm filling out the BOF 961 now, but after that, I was wondering what kinds of things Garand owners might do before they start shooting.

Inspection: Is it necessary to tear down and lubricate the rifle before use? In all the reading I've been doing while waiting over the last couple of weeks, I came across some recommendations to strip the rifle when you get it. Is there anything in particular to look for? Being new to this rifle, I am not familiar with the common problems. I also know it is best not to strip it more often than necessary. Perhaps I should just trust in the CMP experts who put together the Special Grade rifle.

Gas Plug: The only change I'm thinking about making is installing the Garand Gear gas plug with a little copper anti-seize. Even though i have some milsurp ammo from CMP, I want this rifle to last for my kid and (someday) grandkids. It seems this plug may help soften the wear on the rifle. I like that this one doesn't need to be adjusted. Opinions?

http://www.garandgear.com/ported-gas-plug.html

Finish: The new stock on the Special Grade has a nice color and looks great, but for preservation and near-authenticity sake what is the best kind of protectant? Garand Gear carries Tung Oil, Linseed Oil, and "gunny paste". I've seen some people on the boards mention Formby's low gloss tung oil as well. Then there is Tom's 1/3 mix military gunstock wax.

http://www.garandgear.com/m1-garand-products/m1-garand-wood-products.html

https://www.formbys.com/

http://www.thegunstockdoctor.com/Products.html

Thanks all for your advice. I can't wait to start shooting, but I also want to be a good caretaker for future generations.

[M1NM]

It just came from expert armors at CMP - shoot it.
I'd go with the low gloss finish and - shoot it
The gas plug you have is fine for Mil Surp - shoot it
Buy or reload specific Garand food so you don't need a different gas plug to - shoot it

[peppermintman]

Watch "M1 Garand Firearm Maintenance: Part 1 Disassembly" on YouTube
M1 Garand Firearm Maintenance: Part 1 Disassembly: http://youtu.be/Eq4wpB9MZ-4

I would start here and save the link, very useful. Save yourself a lot of money. I would use the Milk brand tung oil. Just a little sheen but no shine. I like mine that way but theres others that like that very shiny look. If you order the Milk brand tung oil be sure to buy the 50/50 mix. You can reapply more coats frequently. You can take off the wood and do some wet sanding with the oil applied. Use very fine sand paper lots oil. The other stuff uses the word "finish." Milk tung oil is oil and has nothing else mixed in (except the thinner). The tung oil has a very nice look minus that shiny look. You keep rubbing the oil in the wood you'll get a very nice sheen not shine.

[JKB1957]

I agree. Take it out and shoot it. And then

[peppermintman]

Op rod replacement I wouldnt want do why ? I only shoot Garand ammo or reloads.
Keep it simple. Forget position of gas plug and there you are. Garand gear is not the only show in town. Clean it first and be sure follow instructions in the vids.
Its your Garand and dont be in a hurry to shoot it.
I forget........get yourself some GI clip pliers to take your hand guard off.
We'll be standing by for some pics. Before and after maybe

[Jarhead]

Strip it, clean it, oil it, shoot it

[Capybara]

My Garand loves Howard Feed N' Wax. Mine is a Special too so that is new, not vintage wood anyway. As far as everything else, take it to the range and put some rounds downrange, you'll fall in love like most of us have. I only shoot HXP or reloads I make for mine so I don't sweat all of the gas plug worries. Make sure it is reasonably clean, grease the grease points, then go shooting. Save all of the instructions, dis-assembly and assembly worries for later. I wouldn't worry too much about the stock, just put some Howards or Lemon Oil on it and you're good to go.

Remember, it's a gun, not Cameron's Dads vintage Ferrari. Made to be shot, longs and begs to be shot. So go fulfill it's destiny.

[rdfact]

I say go shoot it first. Then you can do a strip and clean after the range trip.

Gunny demands some pics.

[Enfield47]

You do need to disassemble it, clean it, lubricate it, then take it to the range. You might want to think about replacing the OP rod spring with a new one from Garand Gear or Orion 7 - both are excellent stainless steel springs. I got the ported gas plug for mine from Garand Gear and it has worked great with HXP ammo and my reloads and I am all set if I want to use a heavier bullet or a faster burning powder if I had to. For my new CMP stock I use Howard's Feed and Wax.

[SanPedroShooter]

I always say to my wife 'hey watch this' right before I look down the barrel.

[beerman]

Study the booklet on the lube areas on the M1. Then shoot away ,no mods are necessary on a CMP gun as long as your using Milsurp ammo. Whats the barrel date? Post up some pics if you can.

[eth727]

we need to see some pics of it!

[Pauliedad]

Tag for pics and that YouTube link early on

[Orlando]

All of the recomendations of "just go shoot it" are giving you bad advice.
Garands from CMP are test fired and inspected but are not properly greased .
No different than when buying a brand new firearm at a Gunstore you need to dissasemble the rifle and properly lube the Greasse points

[TanHat]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and advice. I was certainly remiss in not posting pictures to start. Unfortunately I only snapped a few to show to my friend, but here you go. She's a beaut, but then, they all are aren't they?

I appreciate all of the advice to 'just shoot it' - that's kinda what I was hoping to hear. At the same time, it occurred to me to just go ahead and ask CMP what they recommend (if anything) and if they do all the appropriate greasing. I have a hunch that - at least for the special grades - it's all taken care of, just as most of you were proposing. I'll post on here what CMP says.

beerman: Since I ordered the special grade, they give you a new barrel - I wasn't as interested in strict historical authenticity and originality as much as a refurbished unit that would last a few generations in the family. It was nice seeing a "0+" muzzle reading and "0" throat reading on the tag. I'm sure that CMP didn't tear down a perfectly good service grade to make my rifle, though. From several forums I was reading while considering the purchase, lots of people were reporting really nice service grades with low-erosion original barrels being shipped out recently. If I get the itch for another one next year, maybe I'll try my luck with a SG. (I can't have the kids fighting over one rifle when I'm gone, right?)

Unfortunately, it will probably be a couple of weeks before I can try it out. That selfsame friend I mentioned above has a 10" gong at 500-yards in his back forty that's looking to get rung. I'll see if I can touch it and post back here with results when I can.