M1 Garand recoil ?

[rebs]

What cal does the recoil from a M1 Garand compare to ?

 

[204 AR]

Well, it's a 30-06 so I guess it compares to that? Honestly, the rifle is fairly heavy and gas operated, and the ammo is usually loaded a little lighter and with a faster burning powder than full blown 30-06 bolt loads, so maybe more like a bolt 308.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Sure feels like a 30.06 to me. Some were made/converted to shoot .308 but not many.
Shooting buddy was a Match Shooter as well as being a NRA Judge.
He died and I took it upon myself to get rid of his guns and gear for his wife.
His "BABY" was a custom stocked and chrome plated M1 Garand that kicked like a *@&$^ Mule. ( I shoot a M1A and it's not too much to handle)
Fired it a few times but it being as much of lite weight as it was, being a custom build and all, I couldn't handle it. Nice to look at but someone needed to shoot it. Offed it for $1000.00.
Guy at the LGS said it was "priced too high" at $1000.00? Sold the next day for a grand. And more lookers in line.

 

[Twdmar]

The recoil is not bad, better than a lot of 30-06 hunting rifles. The worst thing is the short stock. Garand must have been a short guy, I'm 5'11" and the knuckle of my thumb always smacks me in the right canine tooth in prone.

 

[DGP4]

I shoot mine with modest loads at around 2400 fps for 150 gr. FMJ. At those levels the recoil is quite modest and easy to shoot with little felt recoil.

 

[wkdickinson]

Why would you ask?

 

[Ol Thumper]

I’d say it kicks about like a light weight 243 IMO, not bad at all.

 

[nicholst55]

I find the recoil of a Garand to be much more gentle than that of the M1A or M14. If I had to shoot 200 rounds through either rifle wearing just a T-shirt, it would be the Garand.

 

[Racebannon3855]

I always thought of it as a push or roll. Compared to an 03 with the same load it does not kick. My grandfather was not a gun guy, but he raved about switching from an 03 to a Garand in boot camp in '41. Offhand with a Garand is a very pleasant experience, the times I cleaned my prone target with a Garand was even better.

 

[old leghumper]

If you are worried about the recoil, put a Smith enterprise muzzle brake on. Have one on my tanker garand letting the recoil feel somewhere between a .223 and a .243

 

[hpshooter]

"I always thought of it as a push or roll. "

My experience also.

 

[mousegunner]

I've shot the 06 and .308 M1s in NRA matches with lead in the stock, heavy and helped to manage recoil but after 88 shots you still felt it even with a shooting jacket, not terrible but not easy either. My hats off to the 18-19 year olds running around Europe or the Pacific shooting that rifle.

 

[GotRDid]

I’m not positive what the average height of men in the United States was in the 30s-40s, but I can agree that the stock does not ideally fit my 6’5” frame. Likewise, I too found out that my thumb knuckle would bop me in the booger box if I wrapped my thumb around the grip when shooting any position.
I simply learned to place the tip of my thumb at the center of the receiver heel where it meets the stock.
The Garand is one of my favorite rifles, and I have one chambered in .308 Win, and the rest are .30-06. I can’t really discern much difference between the cartridges when shooting. A Former Partner now has an HRA that he loves to shoot (yes, I am an enabler) and he is a stout 5’7” tall.
Pics below, but I wish I could post videos. Can share clips with anyone that wishes to see Slo-Mo to get a better visualization.
Just PM your phone number.

Note thumb position for comfort.

 

[GotRDid]

Now a before and after image of the shot...




1969 Lake City M2 Ball at approx 2,650 FPS.

 

[GotRDid]

So, as for heavy, many of our mutual LEO buddies have “tactical” ARs that weigh more than our Garands. To me, at least, the recoil of a Garand is not an issue. I have competed with them extensively and marvel at the Greatest Generation (my Grandfather among them in campaigns across Germany) carrying/shooting these treasures.
Try one, you will like it!
GotRDid.

 

[Herzo]

I was issued the M-14 during my service time and found it to be uncomfortable to shoot, so it was with some trepidation that I approached the M1. The additional weight and the difference in the gas system made the Garand a pussycat in comparison.

 

[LaMan]

I find that my Garand has less felt recoil than my 742 Rem 30/06 and that's using reloads that are pretty stout. I can also imagine that when you are being shot at the weight and recoil of your rifle is the last thing on your mind.

I have a picture of my father sitting on a snow covered tree stump with his Garand. That picture was taken in France after the Battle of the Bulge, all he would talk about was that it was cold, very very cold.

 

[rebs]

Why would you ask?

our club has a match where you shoot the clubs rifles and they supply the ammo.
Ihave never shot one before and I have a non repairable torn rotor cuff. Not sure if my shoulder can handle the recoil.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I have shot the Garand and the M14. The Garand is no way as high recoiling as the M14. The Army also had an issue with the M14 and came out with Modifications, such as the M14 A1E2 and on and on. The modifications were in the stock, hinged butt plate, forward hand hold. As long as you didn’t have to carry it, the Garand was a better rifle for the shooter. The M14 was a replacement for the Browning Automatic Rifle as well as the M1. They tried to replace two rifles (Auto and semi-auto) with one rifle and for that they did somewhat well.

 

[PopCharlie]

I've owned a .308 bolt gun and I currently have a Garrand in .30-06. The recoil of the Garrand is less than a .30-06 bolt gun, but more than the .308 bolt gun. I hold the Garrand tight in my shoulder. I shoot free recoil with bolt guns I have now. (.223, 6.5x47L, and 6BR).
PopCharlie