Winchester Garand....Convert To .308?

[NASAcollector]

There are plenty of awesome M1A National Match guns for sale. You could buy a 3006 Garand that identifies as a 308.

 

[H. Bowman]

My 308 Garand is one of my favorite rifles to shoot steel with. Do it. Or buy one from CMP already set up.

 

[NapalmCheese]

In this day and age where the CMP is selling Garands with brand new stocks and brand new barrels (and considering most Garands have been rebuilt more than once) do it. Unless your particularly Garand is all original there's no point in not rebuilding it one more time.

And even if it is all original, if it's not in shootable condition right now and doesn't have any paperwork showing it was the rifle carried up Iwo Jima then you might as well rebuild it.

 

[BigBossman]

In this day and age where the CMP is selling Garands with brand new stocks and brand new barrels (and considering most Garands have been rebuilt more than once) do it. Unless your particularly Garand is all original there's no point in not rebuilding it one more time.

And even if it is all original, if it's not in shootable condition right now and doesn't have any paperwork showing it was the rifle carried up Iwo Jima then you might as well rebuild it.

Pretty much.

 

[hambam105]

Is the OP aware that 308 conversion on a War Time Garand is against the Law in 13 States?
Well, if not, then it should be.

 

[M1A Rifleman]

Alter an original Winchester receiver, no. Clean it up and shoot as is. I don’t think the original 308w M1 conversions were all that reliable.

 

[Enfielder]

Alter an original Winchester receiver, no. Clean it up and shoot as is. I don’t think the original 308w M1 conversions were all that reliable.

Done correctly, they are reliable

 

[M1A Rifleman]

Done correctly, they are reliable

No expert on the 308’s but recall reading years ago the Navy conversions had issues.

 

[BigBossman]

No expert on the 308’s but recall reading years ago the Navy conversions had issues.

I think it was because initially they used chamber inserts that tended to randomly eject with cases. Rebarreling to properly chambered barrels fixed the issue.

They are reliable as the day is long.

 

[bonesurf]

experience of 2. CMP 308 and a Fulton armory tanker in 308. totally reliable, granted talking experience in the hundreds of rounds, not thousands.

 

[smoothy8500]

Is the OP aware that 308 conversion on a War Time Garand is against the Law in 13 States?
Well, if not, then it should be.

???
Is this for reals? Which 13 states?

 

[echo1]

What about taking a different approach? This Garand of mine was acquired during the DMC to CMP transition, when you needed a sponsor and had to qualify. My bud ordered a Winchester specifically and I have a portfolio with all the letters, articles and manuals that came with it. Should I assemble it with all Winchester bits? I know rifles built in such a fashion are mostly posers, as during rebuild parts off the shelf is what is used, and generally all Winchester correct Garands were done post CMP. PAX

 

[RPVFlyer]

Yeah you could look for more Winchester parts to swap in so it's not as much of a mix master. Then resell the old ones dont need on the CMP forum for someone else doing the same. There are some online guides that help with that. If really want 308, can go for a M1A and reconfigure for the "M14" look a like. Would be a lot easier then can have both warhorses.

 

[echo1]

Yeah you could look for more Winchester parts to swap in so it's not as much of a mix master. Then resell the old ones dont need on the CMP forum for someone else doing the same. There are some online guides that help with that. If really want 308, can go for a M1A and reconfigure for the "M14" look a like. Would be a lot easier then can have both warhorses.

I think Winchester correct is the way to go. I can do it a little at a time asd I come across bits & pieces. PAX

 

[eaglemike]

Good luck, OP. You'll end up with a nice piece. I only shot a few of the DCM matches long ago. One of the preferred setups was a Garand in .308. I have a Fulton Armory match version one of my friends used in a few back then, zero issues. He did reload, since .308 Garand suitable fodder wasn't around. Still likely not around unless it's been altered with a special gas setup. It's always fun to build something. I think you are blessed to have this on your list.

 

[echo1]

THANKS MIKE, WHEN I GOT IT i DIDN'T KNOW THEY WE SCRCE. I''M HAPPY WITH IT. PAX

 

[ptmn2]

Most conversions of Garands to 308 are reversible, so if you do change to a 308 barrel, you just need to save your original. Personally I wouldn't do it with your Winchester DCM gun.

I had one Garand converted, but the procedure I had done is not reversible. For you old timers that used to look at Shotgun News, Ed Bland -Bland Firearms Repair, used to advertise converting Garands to 308 and M14 magazine feed. I had one of my Garands converted by him and it did require receiver modification.

Luckily I used a beat Springfield Blue Sky import with korean chu wood and a sewer pipe bore that I got for $199 and it came back with black walnut stock, M14 mag and 308 barrel

 

[mrbieler]

Would not convert a functional Garand with a good barrel but if I had one with a shot out barrel and/or just a receiver, a 308 garand is a blast. I have one in 30-06 and a CMP Special in 308. The 308 is a cat to shoot.