Garand Refinish

[rotarymike]

So some of you saw my 1950's H&R Service Grade Garand at the last Shootzenfest. Being Service Grade, it wore a new CMP birch stock in the rather unflattering pumpkin color.

I decided it needed to be refinished before presenting it to my Grandfather, who was a sharpshooter in the Korean War and carried an M1 much like this.

First I had to strip and bleach the stock. First pic shows what it looked like after bleach; second pic shows the yellowness of the wood under bright lights.

Next came alcohol stain and lots of BLO.

Started topcoating the BLO with Tru-Oil. I almost wish I could have kept it glossy, because it sure was pretty.

Many coats of Tru-Oil later, reassembly.

The orange highlights aren't the same orange as before, and without the flash are much harder to see.

And the obligatory gun pr0n (and you can see what it looks like sans flash)

Now I've got several hundred rounds of Greek M2-Ball, and some AP on the way, with plenty of clips. I need a range trip!

 

[flareback]

Nice looking gun. You did a good job with that refinish.

 

[rotarymike]

Thanks. I'm not much of a woodworker but all-metal stocks get very heavy

This was just a refinish of an already good, clean stock, with only minimal stain on it to start with.

Refurbing a Mosin M91/30 stock to fit a Chinese T53 is much more challenging. That's the next gun to work on... I got two T53 fixer-uppers but all that was wrong with them was the chu-wood stocks are craptonium. So I'm cutting down cheap ebay (as in, $15) 91/30 stocks for them. Won't try to sell them as original, but who wouldn't want a decent condition Mosin carbine?

 

[kg4kpg]

Looks sharp!

I'm going to Boggy Head Monday the 20th if you want meet up. Not planning an all-day thing, just going long enough to shoot a few groups with the 6.5 and zero the scope on the carbine.

 

[rotarymike]

I've got some guns to zero too. Not sure how much gun fun I'll be up for since I'm doing the Basic Instructor class Sunday... unless you're planning on going during daytime work hours. Then I could maybe skate away for a while...

 

[Paco]

I approve this thread!

 

[Midnight Raver]

They sure are nice rifles!

 

[Ritter Gottes]

Good job Mike!
I have refinished several M1 stocks and I would say you did a fine job sir. Birch is a difficult wood to work with in my opinion. Fordnut has a couple of the M1's that I refinished if you have ever seen his M1's. (I need to start working on him to get them back! LOL)

Cheers!
RG

 

[rotarymike]

He's got one blonde wood M1 that is just fantastic. I assumed it was a Boyd's laminate and not 'natural' wood.

I will say a part of me (a large part) wanted to just buff the Tru-Oil and leave the stock gloss. It looked like glass. But I'm happy with the end result, and with some use/weathering it will look even better.

 

[Ritter Gottes]

Yes, one is a boyds laminate that is finished with many many coats of tung oil. I do like the used look too as it adds character to the rifle.

RG

 

[rotarymike]

Thought so. Man what a nice rifle.

Both of my 10/22's are in laminate stocks like that, although with a semi-gloss finish. One is stock from Ruger (black/grey laminate) and one I picked up to put on my wife's rifle (black/purple). Always been impressed. Heck, I have an unfinished target stock for a LR Mauser that is a boyd's black& grey. One day, when I can afford the $500 palma barrel, I'll finish it...

 

[fordnut]

The Garand I have in the Boydd's may be up for trade. It just takes up room in my safe. I have fired 24 rounds. It is a good shooter...but, I still perfer the ol' Springfield...and, It will be here as long as I am...

Ammo is getting so expensive I don't shoot much...

Steve

 

[jfeenin]

That is one nice looking Garand!