Best? M1 Garand

[m14brian]

I was reading somewhere a while back, and I came across this topic and someone said the post war Springfield Armory rifles were the best ever made. Is this true or is there any merit to it, or it a subjective question. I guess by best, quality/fit/finish/parts strength/etc are the criteria.

Is there really even a best?

If this is true, I'd guess they were cranking them out during the war, and afterward they had better more time and attention to detail and were not rushed? Thoughts from the experts?
m14brian

[SFCDave]

Good question, Brian.

I'm far from an expert, but I would guess that after building almost 4 million of these rifles between 1937 - 1945, SA got good at making them. I used to have an SA 5.8 CG and that was the best shooting M1 Garand that I have ever had, bar none. Nothing else I have owned in the past or present can touch it. Maybe it was because it was darn near brand new is the reason it shot so well. Everything on it was crazy tight and solid. Regret selling it now.

I agree that the rush for quantity, as opposed to quality during the war, probably had a lot to do with it.

On the other hand, I own and have fired every manufacturer and I still giggle like a little school girl every time I go to the range...I just freakin' love these rifles, no matter how they shoot.

[Phil McGrath]

Nope its true, post war rifles are the better more accurate shooters. War time production was more flexible, after all there was a war too win.

[m14brian]

But do you guys think postwar SAs specifically are better than postwar Winnys or H & Rs, or is it 6 of one/half dozen of the other?
m14brian

[MTC29]

Since I collect Harrington and Richardson's I am obviously biased towards that maker, but post war Springfield's are of excellent quality and well ahead of anything made during WWII.

By the way; what are the differences between a Moderator and a Super Moderator?

[Orlando]

But do you guys think postwar SAs specifically are better than postwar Winnys or H & Rs, or is it 6 of one/half dozen of the other?
m14brian

Hum Post War Winny??? That would be a rare bird
IMO one is no better than another. I also dont think they are any better mechanically than WWII rifles. Coemetically yes, mechanically no. Just my opinion

[Jersey Devil]

By the way; what are the differences between a Moderator and a Super Moderator?

Super moderators wear a cape and have a symbol on their chest. cp1

[FlyJS41]

I'm definitely in the post-war SA camp. IMHO, they are well engineered and beautiful pieces. Aesthetically though, mid-WWII Springfields are hard to beat. There's just something about lock bar sights, forged trigger guards, and curved side op rods. Kind of an Art Deco appeal, if you will.
Funnily enough, I'm attempting a WRA restoration, but I think they're just garbage. They are the epitome of a minimal effort, government contractor. :>>

[m14brian]

Super moderators wear a cape and have a symbol on their chest. cp1

It's a big "M", in a diamond shaped border. No one has ever seen it because I'm usually on here late at night lol, and I'm too quick!
m14brian

[m14brian]

Hum Post War Winny??? That would be a rare bird

Lolol, sorry, I got my mfgrs mixed up indeed!
m14brian

[Phil McGrath]

By the way; what are the differences between a Moderator and a Super Moderator?

Me and Orlando clearly established a short time ago, it was the special and unique ability too pucker up........ Anything else is a fabrication and distortion of the truth.


hahahaa...................

[m14brian]

You guys got me hahaha!
m14brian

[quicksilvergoat]

Damn it! Now I need to buy a post war SA. Thought I was done.

[m14brian]

Damn it! Now I need to buy a post war SA. Thought I was done.

It's cool, I'm pre-shopping. Are we ever done? I thought I was done. I might get one eventually, the problem is with my OCD, the rest of the military rifles will have to follow and that's still sinking in lol. The underlying problem to that is, I want them all pristine, that's $$$$.
m14brian

[Orlando]

Me and Orlando clearly established a short time ago, it was the special and unique ability too pucker up........ Anything else is a fabrication and distortion of the truth.


hahahaa...................

Glad you brought that up. I was afraid to as it always backfires on me