[Sticky] M1 Garand Owners Club

Very nice, its a shame we cant use most real steel parts on our guns in the UK!

Yes, it is strange, I heard about that. We can use only some external parts, not from mechanism itself. What about wood?

Hello to everyone! I decided to try to make AEG Garand as close to an original one as possible. This is the result of my work. Kart М-14 is inside, I used the reciever details and outer barrel from old marushin Garand, wood and other metal parts are original RS.

You got an AEG M14 in a "real steel" M1 garand stock?

That's a bit of a holy grail over here... we've always thought that the "real steel" stocks were too narrow at the hand grip for the AEG motor to fit.

How did you manage to get round that problem?

Yes, this is RS birch stock. I removed unnecessary lugs from motor cover, and if you do it carefully, without unnecassary wood removing, walls are thick enough for robust original stock. I reinforced them with thin epoxy layer, just in case.

Sounds good.

Could you post some photos of what you removed from the motor cradle, etc?

Sounds good.

Could you post some photos of what you removed from the motor cradle, etc?

May be later, I gave it to my friend for m-14 gear box upgrading.

Cool... there's no rush!

Thanks William, you may have made a lot of people's day

Thanks William, you may have made a lot of people's day

Thank you!

Yes, it is strange, I heard about that. We can use only some external parts, not from mechanism itself. What about wood?

Great looking rifles William, I did catch your pictures the other day when I was browsing the US WW2AA forum.

It's the same for us, parts such as woodwork/furniture, sling swivels, butt plates and other similar "inert" items are ok to use but you could not for example take a de-activated weapon and turn it into an airsoft gun. For my part I've used real Thompson wood work (buttstock, butt plate and foregrip) on my TM M1A1 and random real SA80 parts on my G&G L85A1 such as the odd spring, front sling loop the mag release guard as I modded it up to A2 appearance.

Yes, it is strange, I heard about that. We can use only some external parts, not from mechanism itself. What about wood?

Great looking rifles William, I did catch your pictures the other day when I was browsing the US WW2AA forum.

It's the same for us, parts such as woodwork/furniture, sling swivels, butt plates and other similar "inert" items are ok to use but you could not for example take a de-activated weapon and turn it into an airsoft gun. For my part I've used real Thomspon wood work (buttstock, butt plate and foregrip) on my TM M1A1 and random real SA80 parts on my G&G L85A1 such as the odd spring, front sling loop the mag release guard as I modded it up to A2 appearance.

OK, I see. So you can use some real parts for appearance. Not bad situation!

Ok so I ordered a conversion kit from 2nd bat over in the US after hearing that AZR had closed.

The most striking difference between this and other kits is probably the bulkier stock shape, making the gun even more like a Garand and less like a converted M14.

This was my FIRST ever airsoft gun (have since bought an AGM Mp40) so I had a bit of a bomb disposal face on when I was doing this incase I ruined the gun forever but that turned out to be part of the fun I guess?!

It has turned out better than I expected in the end and shall be getting christened at POW on Sunday

My next project is a Kar98/BAR10 springer - a bit little more involved than this - so wish me luck!

EDIT 28/05/2010: Uploaded better pics taken in Daylight, the indoor pics didnt really do her justice. These pics are probably more informative for folk considering which conversion kit.

Very Nice Greedo, the fatter stock definitely improves the appearance!

Cheers Webby! Chuffed with it myself.

Yeh the kit comes with an augmentation piece that you screw on to the bottom of the M14 standard stock. Then you fill in the nooks and crannies with resin and smooth it all over with sandpaper until it is seamless with the original stock. It adds a nice bit of weight to the front of the gun as well, making it feel fairly substantial in your hands. More so than the plastic M14.

Need to work on converting the shotgun magazines now but I'll need to wait until my dremel arrives (getting sucked into this gun making lark!!).
In the meantime I'll be fielding it with standard M14 magazines to see how the internals perform.

Just noticed Williams RS one. That is VERY nice.

I'd be a little wary of using a Dremel on those mags, plastic and a few thousand RPM could lead to tears before bedtime! I just used a modelling saw, files and abrasive paper and left my Dremel firmly in its box.

I just used a craft knife.

yeah plastic is thin enough for an average stanley knife to cut. Using a dremel will leave little sodding bits of plastic shavings inside the mags which might make it into your gun via the BBs

Thanks for the warning.

The magazines where tough to find so I wouldnt want to loose any (or mess up the gun with plastic debris).

Got a wood stock on mine yesterday and now, the woodstain is dry!

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Before anyone asks, I haven't fitted a sling because I loathe them!

AGM M14 base gun (tight barrel and new hop chamber fitted), with wood stock and real steel parts (handguards, bands, gas assembly and front sight).

Looks nice Heide. Are the two different tones of finish intentional??
It adds a nice touch of authenticity to it. Looks like a battlefield relic!

Did you import the RS front gas assembly and sights?
The gas assembly on mine is a actually made from plastic resin and although it held up nicely for a full day yeaterday, it would be reassuring to know that if it gets cracked or heavily chipped then I can replace it with something more durable.

Looks nice Heide. Are the two different tones of finish intentional??
It adds a nice touch of authenticity to it. Looks like a battlefield relic!

Did you import the RS front gas assembly and sights?
The gas assembly on mine is a actually made from plastic resin and although it held up nicely for a full day yeaterday, it would be reassuring to know that if it gets cracked or heavily chipped then I can replace it with something more durable.

The front handguard is indeeda different finish, well spotted! I didn't want an "armoury fresh" rifle, so, I'm happy with the overall finish. I did indeed import the gas assembly and sight, I got them on Ebay. Surprisingly cheap too.