M1 Garand Tanker

[aloharover]

Anyone have one?
I have read a couple comments that they are picky about the ammo they take, but so far they are all second hand.

If you don't know the Tanker is a short barrelled M1 made for folks that spent a lot of time in a vehicle, like Tankers

Here is what a full length looks like


Numrich has a conversion kit so if you have a cheep CMP M1 you can get yourself a very nice Scout rifle for under800$
http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd....rSuperSKU=&MC=

There is even a company that makes a rail that replaces the upper handguard so you can put on some log eye relief optics.


I would be doing a .308 conversion and would like to try an M1-Carbine para stock.


I think in the end it would be a pretty cool little truck gun.

[Azzy2000]

Cant help you much with the Tanker , all my experieince is with the standard M1.. but , Reese surplus carries a cool folding stock setup originally for a BM-59 that will fit the Garand also. Looks like they're out of stock right now though..

http://www.reesesurplus.com/

[aloharover]

Here is what the final Scout Garand would look like.
Second is with a box magazine conversion

[TheRedHorseman]

FYI: the "tanker" Garand was never an issued weapon, it's a thing developed by the aftermarket, tankers were given grease guns and pistols for the most part.

All Garands are technically ammo "picky" since you can easily overpressure it and beat up the operating rod when using hot ammo. However if they are acting up with various ammo it's probably a result of whoever did the conversion not making the gas port big enough, need of cleaning, or lack of lubrication.

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by TheRedHorseman

FYI: the "tanker" Garand was never an issued weapon, it's a thing developed by the aftermarket.

I never knew that about the Tanker.

Originally Posted by TheRedHorseman

All Garands are technically ammo "picky" since you can easily overpressure it and beat up the operating rod when using hot ammo. However if they are acting up with various ammo it's probably a result of whoever did the conversion not making the gas port big enough, need of cleaning, or lack of lubrication.

Cool, thanks.

[Johann]

Originally Posted by aloharover

Here is what the final Scout Garand would look like.
Second is with a box magazine conversion

That looks really odd Out of the box thinking for sure!

Would the wire stock hold up to 308? The para carbine shoots something with alot less umph, correct?

Why not rechamber a AK to 308 ala Saiga?

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by Johann

Why not rechamber a AK to 308 ala Saiga?

BTDT just thinking about a new project.

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by Johann

Would the wire stock hold up to 308? The para carbine shoots something with alot less umph, correct?

Yes, the round is actually called .30 carbine.
And yeah the wire stock may need to be remade. Or use a folder made for the M1A or the BM59

[Azzy2000]

Originally Posted by aloharover

BTDT

Dayum thats fugly!

Originally Posted by aloharover

And yeah the wire stock may need to be remade. Or use a folder made for the M1A or the G58

Not sure if you found the BM-59 stock on the reese page , I tried to post up a picture of it , but it wasnt liking it. IF you can find one , it would probably be the best setup for you , much more durable and better looking IMO than the para-carbine setup.

[aloharover]

Found a later photo and put that one up instead.
Still have to make a new dust cover and then refinish the wood and metal.
Also edited the second post I changed the name to BM-59.

[aloharover]

Found a good photo of a BM-59 para stock. This is cool

[Azzy2000]

Yup.. thats it. And there are some very nice looking wood pistol grips for them also , instead of the bakelite/plastic looking one on the picture you posted. The pictures on www.reesesurplus.com show the wood pistol grip.

I almost bought one a year or so ago to keep until I got my M1A... wish I would've now. Hopefully more will become available.

[aloharover]

From Reese did they come with the wood stock also?
CMP has some woodless M1s right now for 295. With a stock for 395. The tanker kit comes with a new barrel, so the rack grade M1s isn't an issue. 600$ to get a shooter and add the folder and stuff later is a good deal.

[aloharover]

Here is the wood one.

[aloharover]

extended

[aloharover]

$395 for a shootable M1 garand
$230 for the short barrelled .308 conversion
$50 for the M14 mag release and other bits needed for the mag conversion
So 675$ for a short barrelled M14 style weapon.

$130 for the optics mount
$150 for the folding stock

$950 for my own DIY SOCOM. That is not too shabby

[Slimjim]

What mag are you considering useing? I dont think your gonna have a problem with the .308 conversion its been done, but theres a reason why nobody is converting these to mag fed. the .gov tried BAR mags back in the day, but it made the reciever too thin.

[Azzy2000]

Finally got the pic that i wanted... It is slightly different from the ones you posted. It does not have the extra support rod from the stock mount to the butt pad. Looks similar to a mini-14 factory folder.

[TheRedHorseman]

Originally Posted by aloharover

BTDT just thinking about a new project.

Duuuude, specs, now.

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by TheRedHorseman

Duuuude, specs, now.

Build details were posted in the AK Build thread. Look for 308 or FAK-30. Yeah kinda cheesy but thats what I call the end result.

It is a milled Yugo receiver, FAL barrel, gas system, and mags, and a piece of 1/8 wall 1.5x2 tube.
The bolt face and extractor needed just a little bit of work with a dremal, the 7.62x51 head is just a fraction larger then the 7.62x39
The end of the barrel was turned to be a press fit in the Yugo trunnion.
Ft AK sight reamed, FAL bird cage.
The AK gas tub was lengthened and slips over the FAL gas tub. The cut and insert are under the upper hand guard.
Front FAL gas block had the sight cut off.
AK rear gas block brazed to the trunnion.
So you install the AK tube like normal and then insert the FAL tub from the rear and thread it into the FAL front gas block. Gets pinned.
AK piston replaced with the FAL piston.
Modded the AK mag latch to work with stock FAL mags.
Cleaned up the gas axe cuts on the frt and rear trunnions, drilled and tapped them.
Cut down the 1.5x2, drilled holes for the front trunion.
Worked out the location of the trigger assy based on the length of the magazine.
I then placed the rear trunnion. Its a bit further behind the pistol grip so that with a stock Yugo butt stock I got the length of pull that was comfortable to me.
The welds on the side of the tube are for the upper and lower bolt rails.
I have a 555th and a small press brake and have been making my own receivers. Made up a small section that holds the entire trgiier assy. This drops down into the tube from the top. Held in place by the trigger guard screws.
The tube was left long in front. Lower hand guard was attacked with dremel and wood chisel. Couple of screws from the bottom hold it to the tube. So I have a fully floated bbl.

Still to do.
No safety yet. Plan on making an AR type thumb safety.
Need to take a second AK dust cover and cut part of it off and weld onto this one to get to length.
short section of rail attached to bottom of handguard for a folding bipod.
Scope mount.
Head space the thing and then drill for the barrel pin.
Test shoot.
Tear down.
Sand blast and duracoat. I now want to do a desert camo pattern using Docs skull pattern.

The second photo is a dummy round. Don't worry, unlike somepeople I never ever use live rounds until I get to the range and am ready to shoot. No need to worry about me shooting myself in the leg

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by Slimjim

What mag are you considering useing? I dont think your gonna have a problem with the .308 conversion its been done, but theres a reason why nobody is converting these to mag fed. the .gov tried BAR mags back in the day, but it made the reciever too thin.

I will compare an M14 receiver and the M1. Plan is to use M14 or FAL mags for the .308 scout.
I want to do some more research on the BM-59. The magazine is very interesting, it looks like it necks down to a single stack at the top. I don't know if the BM is a .308 or 30-06. If the latter then it looks like they made the magazine to offset the problem you mentioned.
I found some BAR mags for 12$, probably get a couple just to have and plan.
I don't see why you couldn't plate the sides of the receiver and then just make clearnace slots in the stock.


edit: Nope the BM-59 is .308 Just uses a different mag design then the M14, the BM59 can be described as re-chambered M1 Garand, with addition of the removable 20 rounds magazine

[Johann]

Originally Posted by aloharover

Found a good photo of a BM-59 para stock.

That looks more capable for sure. We have a carbine on display here at the museum and I swear I could bend that stock 180* with my hands.

You have some interesting ideas

[TheRedHorseman]

The BM-59 mag is a dual position mag like the m14, at least the one at my local shop is.

[aloharover]

Fulton has a lot of photos of the M14 and BBM59 mags side by side. You can see where the BM mag is larger, almost looks like it might hold a 30-06 round
http://www.fulton-armory.com/MagComp.htm