Front sight help for a new guy

[NateRhoades]

Hi guys, I'm new to the Garand. Just purchased my first from a guy I knew who made me a pretty good deal. However, when I shot it, with the rear sight centered it was shooting to the right at lease 6" at 100 yards. I moved the front sight all the way to the right (even with the right edge of the base, centered my rear sight and now it shoot better, but still about 1.5" right. This gun had is not a national match gun, but had National Match Sights installed by a gunsmith when the previous owner started shooting in some service rifle matches. Question is, is it normal to have to move the front sight, or is there something that can be done to the rear sight without moving the indicator off center to compensate? This may be a silly question, but like I said, I'm new to the Garand and haven't dug into it much yet. Can someone point me to a thread discussing gas plugs? Do I need to get an adjustable plug before I shoot a bunch of American Eagle ammo to prevent damage?

Thanks,

Nate

[TJT]

That is exactly why they went to the wide front sight base. I have 4 M1 rifles. Only two are remotely centered. The other two are even with, or slightly overhang the edge of the sight base but they all shoot straight and true. If it were my rifle I'd center the rear sight and keep moving the front sight until it shoots straight and true with the rear sight on mechanical zero and call it good. There are those who will try to tell you that the barrel isn't timed properly, or it's bent, or some other excuse. Zero the rear sight, move the front sight until it shoots where it's pointed and call it a day.
Adjustable gas plugs are really over rated. Shoot M1 specific ammo and don't worry any. I've been shooting the M1 rifle for almost 40 years and have never needed one. Another thing that comes to mind because it will eventually come up, the venerable "M1 Thumb". It is impossible to get M1 thumb when loading a FULL clip with all 8 rounds. One gets M1 thumb from doing foolish and stupid things like pushing down on the follower while the bolt is locked back and not restrained.
Congrats on your new toy and most importantly, HAVE FUN. And keep your questions coming.
Jon

[NateRhoades]

Thanks Jon! When I got the gun, I got 1200 rounds of American Eagle factory ammo with it so I've got a lot of Non-M1 specific ammo. That is why I was asking about the adjustable plug. I've been told twice that I'll risk bending my operating rod if I don't back off the gas. True or not True?

Thanks

Nate

[NateRhoades]

Should probably be more specific on the ammo, its American Eagle .30-06 Springfield, 150gr Metal case boat tail. Specifically AE3006N, Red box with black eagle

[jak]

Should probably be more specific on the ammo, its American Eagle .30-06 Springfield, 150gr Metal case boat tail. Specifically AE3006N, Red box with black eagle

The American Eagle ammo you have may be to hot for your garand. The American Eagle ammo specifically made for the garand has a picture of a M1 on the box.

[TJT]

When I got my first M1 almost 40 years ago , I pretty much shot whatever was available in 30-06. We didn't know any differently back then. We all thought 30-06 is 30-06 is 30-06. We all know differently now, but you should be ok with the ammo you have. A general rule of thumb is that as long as you don't use a bullet heavier than 150 grains, you're good to go. If it worries you, try single loading a round or two and fire the rifle. If the recoil seems excessive or violent then get a gas plug, OR back the current gas plug out, effectively turn the rifle into a single shot manually operated rifle and use up the ammo that way. It's not near as fun but you'll have peace of mind.
Jon

[Phil McGrath]

How loose or sloppy is the fit of the gas cylinder in the barrel splines? You can't get nice groups if its wiggling and dancing around at the end of the barrel.

[NateRhoades]

Everything is tight. No slop at all. The gun is in really good shape and I could not find a single thing that raised any suspicion at all. I just found out from the previous owner that he had not shot it seriously since he had the National Match sights installed. I'm unsure about whether the work on the rear sight could have made that much difference, but I assume it certainly could have. My only real question is whether you can center the rear sight and adjust the center mark to show center on the scale??? I have not torn into the sights yet and really did not want to.

Thanks,

[Phil McGrath]

Next questions, is your gas cylinder a WWII narrow base? if it is you may need a common post-war wide base gas cylinder. And is there any side too side play with the aperture rack in the sight base?

[NateRhoades]

Not sure if it is narrow or wide base. There is more than 1/16" of base on the left side of the front sight and the right edge is just edging over the right edge. The aperture rack is secure and tight. I attached a few pictures for reference.

[Phil McGrath]

You have the wide base, the narrow base you would have just enough for the sight too sit on top with very little room too move it too either side. I'm at a loss and as unsightly as it looks as long as the front sight doesn't overhang the edge, Ordinance said you were good too go. Personally the front sight that far too one side would drive me nuts, if it were mine I would split the difference between them and a little white nail polish on the rear base too mark the rifles new mechanical zero and call it done.

Moving the front sight, about .008= about 1 MOA. You can use a pencil too mark where the front sight position and use that as a reference too judge its movement. A little oil and a brush removes it when your done.

[TJT]

One of mine looks the same except it's on the other side of the platform from yours. I'd still center the rear sight and move the front. The rear sight being off center would bother me a LOT more than a little front sight overhang. The object is to have the same amount of available windage both ways.
Jon

[Orlando]

Nothing wrong with rifle. That is the very reason thechange was made to a wide base gas cylinder

[AFJon]

The American Eagle ammo you have may be to hot for your garand. The American Eagle ammo specifically made for the garand has a picture of a M1 on the box.

For what its worth doesn't appear to be much difference in the American Eagle 150s regular or Garand safe.

http://www.garandgear.com/m1-garand-ammunition

[NateRhoades]

Thanks for that link. Great info!

[TJT]

AFJon,
Thanks for the info. I just may have to re-think my stand on standard v. modified gas plugs.
Jon