Ain't life Garand...( or Wooden you know it...)

[BME]

Ok.
I wont step on @Davbot71 's toes… he can do the write up of the M14.
I’ll yak on about the M1 Garand…

First, the family portrait…

“Be quiet Junior…stop squirming in the back…!! We’ll be there soon…!!”

The difference in size and weight , really is noticable…

The M1 carbine was definitely the lighter, smaller , support weapon…

Thank goodness WW2 was fought, back when men were men.

The M1 Garand has enough weight, heft and bulk, to see modern 19 year olds complaining about the OHS issues, of carrying something so heavy.

" its too heavy…its too long…its too noisy…i get a sore shoulder firing it…i cant take selfies carrying it…why are we fighting…cant we talk it out, around a meditation circle.??"

M1 carbine, and M1 Garand…

[BME]

Close up of the M1’s flush mag.

This, is how you do a flush fitting internal magazine…
No dangling tea bag strings…

What’s this double decker, teabag slapper.?.?

The mag warrants mention.

On the positive side, it is flush fitting perfectly, and fits very securely.
Its easier to load: you need a speed loader.
Hold back the main spring in one hand, and the top gel retaining latch can be locked back, keeping the magazine open.

Pop in the gels…it only holds ten.

Then , insert it into the blaster.

10 Gels is a bit of a bummer, but its anatomically correct.

I would rather have this, than a double bagger protruder.
Maybe someone can jerry rig something, for a larger capacity mag, for game days…

It can be a bit particular to insert. Get the very front up and in, hold upward pressure on it, then feed the rear up slowly. It’ll click in, and you’ll hear the mag spring release.

Its easier to do, upside down…get it on its back, and gently rock it in…much easier to guide it in…, (yes, @Maiphut , i remember last time we talked about this technique…!!)

[BME]

Ok, other general stuff…

Wat also have a M1 Garand with lighter wood…korean war era.
I prefer the dark.

Also, M14’s have 2 types…upper wood (civilian) or upper metal (military)
I got the upper front wood…the metal section is plastic.
The plastic upper may be available at a later date, and also spare mags.

A few wood close ups…

M14 on top…dark, but slightly reddish…

M14 fore-end

The Garand only cocks half way back…but rattles nice and loud.
The battery compartment is in the stock, a small door opens to a cavity for a 11v battery, with a deans connector.

[BME]

So, how does it go.?.?

Well, the real steel was a heavy hitter, so to is this…
Maybe too much so…

Ouch…!! ( if it hits you…!!)

i started off trying Dragon Orbs ( a bit larger).
It didnt like these, low fps out of the barrel.
I switched to ihobby blues (hard gels, medium size), and got the results above.

Not game day blaster as is…its too hot.
Good for nephew bruising, though…!!

You might wanna drop the spring down, for lower fps / gearbox stress…
or, you might wanna leave it as is…

Higher fps brings with it all the curving / hook shots etc.

Anyway, that’s about it from me for now…
Davbot can review the M14.!

[Maiphut]

Awesome, wood looks good too.

Thankyou for sharing. Make sure you don’t get Garand Thumb

Looks like the one I had back in the day. One of my favourite actions. Easy as don’t stick your finger in it

Carbine was a pea shooter for drivers and rear echelon troops but still a handy dandy thing. Miss mine was fun at the range for plinking.

[Friendly_Fire]

Knew it wouldn’t take you long, Beemer.

[BME]

Just wait for the upcoming M1919 review…!!

Kidding…

That’s a bit too rich, even for my tastes…

I’d rather a half priced MG-42…

[BME]

UPDATE: Easy mag insertion…

There is a trick to getting the mag in, with minimal force.

Minimum force is a good thing, as even though the mag is quite strong…you do need to push with quite a bit of force to click it in. The resistance comes from overcoming the mag release catch, in the magwell.

It takes quite a bit of force, to overcome it.

So, when its reload time…

1. get the old mag out, and rest the rifle against your leg, pointing upwards.
2. HOLD the mag release button IN.( this recedes the mag catch)
3. lead with Front of mag first, up and in.
4. with no catch in the way, it will lay flat easily. Release catch. Its now secured.

Otherwise, your pitting the strength of the magazine, against the strong mag release catch, in an awkward position. Something will break eventually.

Easy peasy.!

[PAB]

Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but I don’t get what is so good about the M14? Why don’t we have the gel version of our beloved wooden stocked SLR? Plus you’re likely (or WAT is likely) to sell more to Aussie veterans, than they would a M14.

Even some Americans will admit the FAL/SLR/L1a1 was a better rifle than the M14.

[BME]

I think, that the issue is this.

Ultimately, these are converted a/soft units.
Of very familiar and well known US models.
That would sell lots of units, in the US / worldwide/ WW2 memorabilia market.

Our SLR, is an aussie item.

While popular with aussies, probably not as recognisable in the worldwide airsoft market. Hence, not a big worldwide market for them…

Probably low numbers were made, and long since sold out…

[Maiphut]

Plus you need to do some horse trading with the Americans, whop the barrel down and clamp an XM148 40MM UBL launcher on it Only a few packets of smokes and beers and job done.

[_Mqx_007]

looks awesome! mine is hopefully here tomorrow.

Fingers crossed we get extra mags. I will be tuning it lower so it can be fielded (although how well who knows)

[BME]

With only 10 shots…
You’ll know what it was like, for the troops in ww2.!

[_Mqx_007]

keeping it close to the real deal!

[Maiphut]

Just yell out Winchester and reload

[DocBob]

@Maiphut

Plus you need to do some horse trading with the Americans, whop the barrel down and clamp an XM148 40MM UBL launcher on it Only a few packets of smokes and beers and job done.

… and that my good folks is how “the Bitch” was born!

[DocBob]

TAIDI were/did make an FAL, but that was during the time the company was falling apart.
I was actually saving my money for one at the time, but couldn’t be comfortable in actually ever receiving the product with all the rumours flying around at the time.

Was a damned shame I never managed to get hold of one, purely as a gift for my Old Man.

[Maiphut]

Yes conversion. I checked the site yesterday and it is exactly same. So wave off on trying to purchase another until somebody pops in with better info.

I spoke to him he couldn’t get the site down was the problem.

[DocBob]

This was years ago when I was looking at the FAL, and TAIDI were sort of still operating, but were starting to flounder with orders from customers, so is why I held off ordering anything until they got back on track again… but that never really happened unfortunately.

Was pretty bummed because they were an Australian Company doing great things that nobody else was doing and had some amazing products.

They were expensive, but you could see the quality and workmanship that commanded the higher pricetag and happy to pay accordingly.

[Bart368]

@PAB

FAL/SLR/L1a1

Converison kit for L1A1

ARES Wooden Furniture Kit for ARES L1A1

[ARES] Wooden Furniture Kit for ARES L1A1