I've literally had this rifle my whole life. It's all I have left of my father.
It makes you think you can shoot good is what everyone who has ever tried it says.

I learned to shoot competition with it. I have both sets of sights for it, military and competition. One competition when I was 15, a military configuration match, I smoked everyone so bad that they completely tore the rifle down to make sure I didn't cheat.

Then the base colonel came over and congratulated me and personally gave me the trophy as I had beaten him so badly. He then tried to recruit me into the corps. My older brother (Vietnam vet who shoots WAY better than I) told him absolutely not. Hell, I was thrilled to just have them man shake my hand.

That’s a fine looking rifle. The family history makes it all the better.

Beautiful rifle and great story! I love the Garand, Have 6, including two in 308.

That's a beautiful Garand, and more importantly some awesome memories that come with it. Looking at that sling I can tell the gun has seen some use, but has also been immaculately maintained.

The well-designed sights and long sight radius make the Garand an easy gun to shoot well...although based on your target from the other thread I can't make mine do anywhere near what I'm sure you could! I've had mine out to 600 yards at my buddy's farm, and it's amazing how you can just dial the sights, hold for windage, and ring the steel that's smaller than the front sight post at that range.

What's your rifles manufacturer and month/year of birth?

""In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised."

Lieutenant General George Patton
January 26, 1945

I bought mine from the CMP back in the day before the world went to crap. Everyone should own at least one. Only wish I would have bought more. They can still be had, but not at the price I paid.

That's a beautiful rifle and a great backstory. It's always nice to read about a rifle that has personal meaning.

Tony.

Need to get a pic and share, but bought my one and only Garand at a gunshow in Birmingham, al back in 2006 from a gentlemen who left NO after Katrina. A 5 digit Springfield that doesn't appear to be arsenal refinished, and it was a good deal as well. I have not shot that rifle nearly as much over the years as I should have, need to find time to rectify that. Yours looks awesome, especially with the family connection.

Beautiful rifle Marsy!! I am green with envy...

That's a great rifle and a fabulous memory!
I've only shot an M1 one time. I was amazed at how accurate I could be at 100 yards with iron sights--as a rank beginner.
I really need to get one.

Great story Mars, cherish and enjoy that rifle as much as possible.

Since we're posting photos, here's our three. When my son got his, he insisted we make the teepee since we had three. All three are CMP purchases that lack the family and personal history of the one in the OP, but I'd love to know what they saw in the years before they got to us:

My August 1941 Springfield Service Grade
My November 1942 Springfield Special Rack Grade
My son's January 1945 Springfield Rack Grade

He got the Garand and the 03A4. And the A5.

I got the 1911.


Oh the year before, I bested him with it...

Nice story, and gorgeous rifle! I love the M1 Garand, thoroughly enjoy them.

I got my M1 from my Grandfather he also gave me a 1903 MKI he gave me those a number of years back.
Sadly, he passed two weeks ago so I am grateful to have them.