How To Restore A World War Two M1 Garand Rifle | History In The Making

See how an M1 Garand Rifle is fully restored, and find out why this revolutionary weapon was so popular during WWII and the Korean War.
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[@montanamountainmen6104]

The enemy hearing the ping of the clip is a myth. My grandfathers served in WWII, I asked them about the enemy hearing the "ping" they laughed and said" Over the sound of machine guns, mortars and arty and men firing in all directions you never heard the "ping" and if the enemy was 100 yards away they couldn't either."

[@88mike42]

Montana...No kidding...what a load of crap. I've fired thousands of rounds with the M1 on the rifle range and couldn't hear the clip eject from the rifle four feet away on either side.

[@JoeyP322]

Imagine no ear plugs in the middle of some sort of a firefight. You couldn’t hear anything....

[@RoyU-fw4wx]

Yep, you just fired 8 rounds 30-06, the enemy is either dead or deaf, they won't hear anything about little ping

[@Garandasaurus]

You can't hear Jack with tons of small arms fire going off. You have to scream in a guys ear to be heard, and your supposed to hear a ping? Spare me please....

[@supakritpulmanausahakul1650]

You could reload it in like 2 second as well

[@bread-cf8fl]

"It's time to go." "Was I a good gun?" "No, I'm told you we're the best."

[@captaincrafterstudios2581]

Laughs In m16

[@applesauceman3555]

@@captaincrafterstudios2581 M16 was nowhere near as reliable as the m1 garand or even the m14.

[@captaincrafterstudios2581]

@@applesauceman3555 it's still great though

[@duncanblack7359]

Captain Crafter Studios Both guns are indeed, stunning. :3

[@andybreglia9431]

@@applesauceman3555 : I served with the M1 Garand. I was not impressed with the M14. I wouldn't be comfortable with something that looks like a toy, hence the name Mattelamatic.

[@machone7580]

My M1 is 50's vintage, made by H&R. I would never get it redone, it's beautiful the way it is.

[@nicholaspietrzak9992]

It really wasn’t bad looking before hand...

[@Casloveskim]

Nicholas Pietrzak i tought that the same way., but they edit the after shot in front of the video!

[@MrAwsomeshot]

my CMP field grade H&R looked a little rougher than that and it shoots like a champ. 2moa to 300 yards all day. long as throat erosion isnt bad most m1s are still serviceable battle rifles 8 decades later.

[@poncoolride]

@@MrAwsomeshot yeah, lol I was thinking wow what a bunch of b.s. myself, and i dont think the steel was bad by any means on these either. Maybe some could have been heat treated a little better but I dont recall anyone complaining about these being made of poor grade steel...

[@ScoutSniper3124]

My 1944 Garand is worn and scarred, but that's the BEAUTY of it. The rifle has EARNED each and every scar in service of our country. I can relate to that, I have a few scars of my own... SSG. U.S.Army (Medically Retired), Infantryman / Sniper, multiple tours

[@brisiobrien1]

What most people don't realize is that most if not all of these rifles were refurbished one or two times before. If you look at the cartouche marks you will see many armory rebuild proof stamps. It is unlikely that your WWII Garand has an original finish. Garands were manufactured up until 1957, well past WWII.

[@roverman985]

You can run a Garands serial number to see if it was manufactured before and during WW2. If it was it most likely seen combat

[@mrbeast85]

British Lee Enfield No4 rifles are the same. They were sent for a process called FTR (Factory Through Refit). Basically most of the weapons from the war were worn out, damaged and in poor shape. So they were shipped to factories for re-manufacture. Many were cannibalised for spare parts and cheaper, war-expediency components were discarded and replaced with newer spec parts. If you have a Enfield No4 with 'FTR' stamped on the receiver then it was rebuilt post 1945.

[@supermoon1430]

Manuel Navarro it still doesn’t need to be completely redone and stripped it of any character

[@markgoostree6334]

My Springfield M1 serial number puts it close to the end of production. The rifle shoots good and I cherish it...gift from my family...but it only gets shot maybe 200 rounds every year. Its just one of those guns that shooters need to have in the collection.

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

mines a 43 springfield. only thing not origianl is the stock. Barrel, trigger group, bolt, all that is orignal and matching

[@GuitarGunner]

I have a 1943 Springfield M1 Garand, all original WW2 parts with the exception of the barrel which was replaced in 1946 when it was sent back to be re-armored. It's a beautiful gun, the prize of my collection and it still shoots like a champ (even if I don't).

[@jeremydeville885]

That is the dumbest legend. During a firefight I doubt you can hear that ping

[@sharkfinbite]

People online for years on KZbin have been demonstrating in experiments for YEARS it is a lie. You hear the gun shot more instead of the ping. You NEVER hear the ping. Spread the word.

[@CrazyHorseInvincible]

You can hardly hear a fucking thing during a firefight.

[@lognomelchorambas5364]

Jeremy Deville really?

[@facesitter6967]

@@lognomelchorambas5364 Yes, really. The sound of multiple rifles going off at the same time would drown out the noise of the clip ejecting and hitting the ground. It's an annoying, and ignorant myth.

[@chrisphoenix77]

You just fired 8 rounds of 30.06. You can't hear anything.

[@edge1289]

That tung oil sure turned BLO red after the rifle was assembled. I own 4 Garands and shoot them in CMP competitions, 2 are WWII and 2 are post war, I would not let anyone sand blast my rifles.

[@andybreglia9431]

I served in the Army with the M1. Assuming our enemy soldier could hear the ,"ping" with all the gunfire, the guy to the right just put in a fresh clip, the guy to the left has 5 cartridges. Don't forget the BAR man. Any of these men would qualify our enemy soldier for his country's equivalent of a posthumous purple heart if he tried to rush the man with the empty rifle. In practice, we did what we called the "Murphy drill " where after the last cartridge, we were timed on how fast we could insert a fresh clip and engage and hit the next target.

[@dubfez_9256]

That drill named after Audie Murphy?

[@andybreglia9431]

@@dubfez_9256 : My understanding was that it was named for the guy whose law went, "If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong, usually at the worst possible moment." Having an empty rifle would qualify, speed to deal with this worst possible moment was drilled into us as a training exercise.

[@RoenAccurate]

When did you serve?

[@andybreglia9431]

@@RoenAccurate : 1962 to 1965 active duty. Enlisted reserve 3 more years. My term of service may have expired, my oath didn't. This was kind of an ongoing joke, because I also showed an aptitude for automatic weapons, my alleged girlfriend during field training exercises was Ma Deuce.

[@renoyoder6627]

i personally liked the look of the original better than when it was restored.

[@lovegrenade5966]

His trigger control needs more work than that rifle ever did!

[@mr.angryman3599]

Empty and action is open who cares really? He had his hand over the trigger guard after shooting as well so where did he not have trigger control?

[@wonderloaf]

@@mr.angryman3599 It's when he's firing it, he pulls the trigger really badly.

[@exsgt007]

I caught on to it also, whew!

[@mr.angryman3599]

@@wonderloaf I know trigger control is a big thing with pistols but is it really that important with rifles when you have your shoulder stabilizing the rifle

[@wonderloaf]

@@mr.angryman3599 It's just as important in rifles really. A little movement by the shooter can makes a big difference downrange. But I'd say you read about trigger control a lot more frequently on the handgun side of things for some reason!

[@cs512tr]

that has to be the biggest YANK of a trigger i've ever seen lol

[@jason60chev]

1941? The rifle was adopted in 1936, although production was slow, there were some with Army units before Pearl Harbor.

[@DW-wp8lo]

I was going to point that out as well, but I wanted to make sure someone else hadn't already mentioned it. :-D

[@mackmyles9034]

I thought that too

[@gregfair1749]

The M1 Garand is my all-time favorite rifle. I own an H&R but hope to own a WWII Springfield Armory and/ or Winchester one day!

[@evilscience3164]

That rifle looked fine. Remember they are 80 years old. The stock was perfect, no dents chips and cracks, it was a replacement. The metal looked fine. At the end of the vid in the closeup .the metal and wood looks blotchy.

[@rednecksniper4715]

That rifle stock was perfect just the way it was

[@catfish252]

Beautiful work, true craftsman

[@McNavarone]

Awesome... But man he was pulling that trigger...

[@stitch626aloha]

no kidding

[@stevew9251]

Cringe

[@TheRealOriginalDiegoM]

Even after the last round. What a soy boi

[@BELCAN57]

"squeeze, don't jerk"

[@bryan70546]

well im pretty sure he was checking for function and not being a trained sniper like you experts

[@johnhayes309]

Beautiful work awesome job

[@gregsmall5939]

U.S.Rifle cal .30 M1 was standardized in1936. Mass production by government arsenals started immediately. Production by non government subcontractors, like Winchester started in 1939. The receiver steel was the hardest available. That's why there are millions still in operation.

[@Aetlaify]

Well done granpa! What an iconic piece of that Garand is!

[@mikedapipeboss396]

Beautiful work!!!

[@joshmarkham8985]

I agree it is a pity to take away all the patina, however it is also interesting to see what the gun would have looked like when it was first pressed into service.

[@brillstrat1738]

it was nice that my grandfather was able to buy a stock m1 Garand in the 1960's from an army surplus. he gave it to me and everything points to it being made in 1941. 20+ whole years, built during the war; never used and brand new

[@Gmar69]

Your craft is very valuable to the many owners of these fine owners. I have a standard Garand and a D model. Thanks for the video.

[@scotttyson8661]

Great video thanks

[@fatrat69]

I love my m1.. I love that it has dings on it

[@zillsburyy1]

great job!

[@DFox-ud3gx]

I have one on the way can't wait just like Christmas a little boy waiting for morning.lol my bucket list

[@marcpabel4768]

Your doing a great job with that.👍

[@John-Adams-Can]

This guy lives in my town and his restoration jobs are absolutely worthy of the M1 Garand! His trench shotgun replica is top!

[@gearhead6424]

Best Video I’ve seen in a long time

[@warplanner8852]

Then you should get out more.

[@peterhoulis1184]

Looks awesome

[@rcbif101]

lol, that trigger pull....

[@brianweiss1403]

M1 is a great hunting rifle no scope needed accurate as hell with the stopping power all around it's perfect in every way

[@billhunt2605]

What a beautiful weapon!

[@frankpasqua7706]

that legend about the sound of the clip letting the Germans know the GI was empty has been totally disproven

[@dubfez_9256]

by who? i mean thats a loud enough ping in close quarters, for a duel or small skirmish? no other loud booms and bangs going off?

[@jason200912]

@@dubfez_9256 the only possibility of truth is in a quiet 1 on 1 firefight which means from some reason, two opposing soldiers decided to ditch their squad

[@dubfez_9256]

@@jason200912 you would hear it during a sporadic, squad vs squad skirmish

[@jason200912]

@@dubfez_9256 in a squad vs squad, the dumbest thing you can possibly do is assume that 1-2 pings means their entire squad is busy reloading.

[@dubfez_9256]

@@jason200912 I never said that though

[@YgSmLn]

Thats an absolutely beautiful m1.

[@danieldalessandro96]

I live in Ontario and I met nick a few times and brought a garand to him that needed work. It came back in perfect working condition at a fair price. If he didn't live so far, I'd visit him more for he's such a kind and respectful man. A true protedigy and master at his work.

[@williamrodrigues8333]

Id like to send old messed up looking Mp40s and STG 44s to him, could he fully replace/restore heavily rusted weapons?

[@danieldalessandro96]

@@williamrodrigues8333 he can. He's showed me some handguns that were in floods and were rusted to hell because of it. He micro welds them, brings the metal back, grinds it down to original condition and puts original lettering in if there was. He's the man for the job.

[@danieldalessandro96]

@@williamrodrigues8333 he has a KZbin page. It's not up to date but check it out

[@williamrodrigues8333]

@@danieldalessandro96 thank you for your help

[@randysimmons9838]

That reddish stock looks great

[@rogerroddy5828]

Thank you for the great video. I have a Springfield M1 Garand and would like to refinish the stock. What was the water temperature, chemical used in the water, and how long do you keep it in the water to clean all the soaked in oil? Thank you Roger.

[@mijnheerlijkebuitenlandseb3172]

I love this rifle So much

[@davehill759]

That is absolutely beautiful

[@robinj.9329]

God bless folks like this that see the great need to preserve our History!

[@carguy.4591]

Love this gun!!

[@mrmuck3917]

Nick built my M14! What a shooter! 1 to Sub MOA capable M14 I'll take that every day of the week! Cheers Nick!

[@anthonyciccariello8089]

Good job

[@229glock]

Beautiful

[@evangreene2216]

For some Reason the music that plays When he reassembles it is Relaxing abit

[@zillsburyy1]

BRAVO!

[@jackmason5673]

Mine is a 1953 and 1956 model in good condition not as pristine as this some wear on the metal some dings and scratches in the stock but no pitting or rust at all absolutely love it I think the minor wear tear gives it character.

[@wallen8132]

He does amazing work he re did my Luger looks new thanks!! Nick

[@marcogram1216]

Yes he does. He will even recreate the machining marks. A true artist.

[@Coronet_shop]

Very interesting

[@vinceruland9236]

"The greatest battle implement ever devised" George S Patten.

[@Dark_Horse_VT]

On one hand, I love the "frozen in time" look the restored garand has, but on the other hand a garand with dings and age just has character that can't be replicated. I love them both

[@eddihaibsh8179]

It's a great weapon and unique

[@bogey2230]

Always wondered why my Grandfather had 'tung oil' stashed in his garage ( I bought my Grandfather's house years ago when they moved to Florida) since he worked primarily with metal in his shop. Now I have a clue as to why ( Pop pop was a WWII vet) Whether it's true or not about the Grandfather/tung oil/WWII, I will always think of him when viewing a can of tung oil. Thanks "Quest TV" for giving me another memory of the greatest man I even knew.

[@tiredowalkin]

Oh, that deep red wood finish !!! I love it! I would like to put that on my new CMP Walnut stock. I was told a medium brown leather dye before the tung oil will do it. Any tips?

[@Kpoole35]

Cognac or Red Oak stains should get you close, depends how many coats you put on. Tung oil will make the color rich.

[@Kpoole35]

I would like to add that Cold Pressed linseed oil would oxidize to that deep salty if the rifle is kept in low light for a few months without staining.

[@tiredowalkin]

@@Kpoole35 I have not started the project yet, gathering materials and courage first. Might check into this method, Thank you.

[@ronaldsmith6161]

Man, in the early 90s you could buy all the M1 rifles you wanted for 300.00, and carbines for 160.00. They were stacked deep and sold cheap. I got a carbine and it shoots great.

[@lucascady4992]

Ronald Smith I here you brother, I seen alot of these for that price in the 90's! To bad I was buying speakers and window tint to pimp my ride.. I finally grew up and bought my first M1 Garand last year for $1200. It's a January of 1943 Spring Field.. CMP restored. I love it, worth every penny!!

[@BillMcGirr]

I bought mine in 1988... The store owner was asking $275. I offered him $225 and he took it. The stock looked like it survived the battle of the bulge. The action was unfired. Can’t beat the good old days.👍

[@coupesix]

Now people are making $50 bucks an hour it’s all relative....the more we make the more things cost. Like everyone wish I would have bought many rifles back then...just like now they seemed pricey cause of the wages back then and now

[@DFox-ud3gx]

Ronald I wish I got that carbine also. Not cheap anymore I got the garand a 1943 S.A.

[@josephfanella724]

This guy is a master. Watch his videos!

[@NorthwoodsShooter]

Every time I see this video pop up on my KZbin page, I always think the guy looks like Michael Bloomberg. Anyone else thought the same?

[@gravis00]

Such a beauty

[@darrylg7600]

I could not be more happy with my Garand that Nick rebuilt for me. My 1943 will be going there shortly.

Lovely work. There are not many M1:s where you would want the patina. Most are not museum pieces.

[@DocM.]

That wood finish tho! Maybe yes times infinity... Gonna need that towel.

[@82ndsniper1]

Very very nice job...some like it the way it is some like it restored..I have both...

[@tomjones1967]

That looks beautiful! I have a early 40s Springfield & treasure it. What happens to all the markings especially the cartouches in the wood?

[@Michael-dq7mz]

I have one from 1942. I dont think it has markings on the wood. Cartouches are usually stamped on the steel as far as I know.

[@robertlewis7347]

@@Michael-dq7mz No, the stocks do have cartouches and inspector initials stamped in them.

[@horacegentleman3296]

Acetone soak works better for removing oil and is a lot less likely to warp or separate the grain on the stock than boiling it.

[@Chewie316]

One of my favorite weapons. Great restoration.

[@davidsanders1991]

where did you get the color on that wood after the tung oil?

[@lolekbolek2702]

Art...

[@tylerr7437]

cool!

[@Tuckedin10]

How did they get the stock that color, did they stain it after the tongue oil was applied?

[@MSRLR]

A lot of guys say you shouldnt restore a rifle. So if you hit a deer with your car, and fucked it up, you wouldnt fix it, and repaint it? That car has history. I bought a M44 mosin carbine. I hope to one day get a super nice finish, modern finish, referbish the wood. Give my grandkids something they can enjoy, and will last. I want my rifle to out live me. Out live my grandkids. Something to share through the generations.

[@jaytonhawkins2872]

This comment section goes to show just how judgmental and petty the gun community has gotten. If you have a Garand that you feel has historical value and you don't want it refinished, that's fine. Not everyone wants a museum piece, and not everyone is concerned with the "value" of the gun after it's refinished... mostly because they'd never think of selling it. Ever think that maybe they actually want to shoot it regularly?

[@barryallenporter8127]

You gotta do a full refurbish/restoratiom at some point, otherwise the piece is just gonna get worse and worse until it’s unsuable. Regular cleaning and oiling isn’t enough to preserve of a gun, that’s why rifles in active service get sent into arsenals for rebuilds. I’d love to have my Gewehr 98 restored like this. 112 years old, Non-matching, the stock is majorly shrunk, it just needs new life breathed into it.

[@LordKhyron85]

Plus, not everyone regards 70+ years' worth of grease, cosmoline, sweat, and general filth to be "original" or have "historical value".

[@jaytonhawkins2872]

Honestly, it might not. Just because a rifle is old or beat up doesn't mean those cracks, scratches, dents, and dings are from battle. It could just be that the rifle hasn't been taken care of. Even if the scars did have historical significance, any "value" removed by restoring a gun is really only *collector* value. Unless you plan to sell it to a collector, there is no reason not to do what you want with it. Some people like a clean rifle. That's why I refinished the timber on my Enfield No4 Mk1. It has value to me... I'd never sell it.

[@striker1553]

I agree. I built myself a 308 in a nice laminate stock. Wasn't cheap, but no one in the Garand community would consider buying it when I tried to sell it. It was faux paw to them apparently.

[@foist101]

The US Government would have rebuilt and refinished most rifles in their inventory at least a couple times to keep them in top notch working condition.

[@erniedagalea8438]

I love garand how i wish i could have one in my collection

[@paulhorten2736]

😍😍😍I have one of the last produced...

[@notnotagoodguy9600]

What do they mean restored, it looked like it hadn’t even seen combat

[@michaelt9443]

Not not a good Guy that’s what the definition of restoration. Recover the item to its original condition....

[@jackshenton5927]

@@michaelt9443 no he meant before they restored it

[@mrmuricaman3825]

Not not a good Guy that’s the point

[@gus23a]

​@@michaelt9443 No, it is not. Restoring something means to conservate it with minmal intervention, with period correct materials and techniques and reversible methods. This is done to perserve the piece itself AND its history. By sanding, degreasing and dyeing the stock, sandblasting the metal parts and reblueing them, he robbed the M1 of its history. What he did, was making it like new, not restoring it. Before he did it, the rifle had witness marks, the stock was soaked with oil and sweat (maybe even blood) of the soldiers who entrusted their lifes to this rifle. It bore the marks left behind when it was used in Normandy or the Pacific theater in WWII, maybe the marks it got when it was used to defend an oupost in Korea, maybe even Vietnam. By removing all of this, he made this rifle just a piece of lifeless metal and wood, not worth even looking twice at it. It became just any M1. And that is, what many people get wrong about "restoring" things. Restoration is about conserving the piece in its current form and trying to prevent it from further decay. Nothing more, nothing less. Making it like new, is destroying it.

[@janrazilalolod2410]

My fave video game gun

[@DanTweekStudios]

What finish was used after the tung oil? The tung oil looked like linseed, then in the next shot it's like this beautiful deep mahogany. It looks beautiful! I need to know the next step haha!

[@ethanriccio9817]

I can’t believe how beautiful that m1 was when it was finished

[@ThunderGod9182]

I have an M1 Garand from vulcan gun, I love it, it's my favourite rifle I own.

[@type_s_tyler7547]

Anyone know what the finish or type of wood is shown on this Garand? I love the reddish color

[@timbernie]

NICE

[@vladimirkovacevic1656]

M1 Garand is awesome

[@hotrodhendrix1]

I wouldn't mind doing this to a Garand in rough shape. Anything in even semi good condition probably not. Cool video to see how it is done though. Would love to have some of those setups

[@davemills34]

Dad used his new A5 20 gauge to get a large very pissed off dog out of a leg trap. Made it bite the rear grip area and freed him. The gun was the tool he had at the time. It’s my gun now and I love those teeth marks.

[@tacoma3653]

I have a couple of 98k’s. I enjoy how beat up they are as it adds to the history. But I dig why people would want to bring a gun back to its past look

[@NloboLobo]

Always good to have clean wood

[@LIMBOMOTOSERVICIO]

old but gold

[@kinostrong6724]

GOLD

[@migisan1613]

That ding sound is satisfying

[@sypher0101]

How do you get that dark maroon color back after applying oil? it looks like the oil made it look a little yellow...

[@504SPANK]

I have a all original 1955 H&R M1 Garand, and the gentleman that I purchased it from said it was used in camp Perry matches. I don’t doubt it because it shoots unbelievably good with open sights. I harvested my first Whitetail deer with the M1. I paid $1000 for my HR, and I know that the prices have gone up since then. I suggest anyone that’s wanting one of these rifles need to to get one while they can, Because they keep going up in price and they’re starting to become hard to get.

[@johncota1184]

I got my M1 this past August from the cmp, service grade H&R 1954 vintage, at least the receiver is. Shoots beautifully , $750 & nearly a 5 month wait.

[@Gristle111]

lefty... love it..

[@ragingpepe7027]

I’m 12 and I hope that when I’m old enough I can move to America and get one of these!

[@troyweatherford2428]

If you are European, there is still hope for you! The Danes and Italians among other nations in smaller numbers used these rifles after WWII for a long time so they are available there.

[@josecanisales3491]

What stain did you use on the stock?

[@tylerthegrimm]

Nice.

[@TheJabbate1]

God damnit, that’s one sexy battle implement!