M14 Forum

NE450N02 · February 15th, 2012, 12:21 AM

I have a fair amount of experience with "Tanker" Garands, both in 30/06 and in 308.
They were made by Roland Beaver.
Both have Obermeyer barrels, the 30/06 is a standard weight the 308 was match weight. The 308 has a Smith Muzzle break, and a foward mounted scout scope. It is very low in recoil, but I do not find the recoil of the 30/06 objectional at all.

Both of these rifles are very accurate, and 100% reliable with GI surplus ammo, and reloads. The 308 shoots commercial hunting loads just fine, but some commercial 30/06 hunting loads show signs of high pressure, which is normal as most commercial factory 30/06 hunting loads use a powder too slow for the Garand system.

In short I think the "Tanker" Garand makes a most excellent rifle.
They are very handy and quick to reload with the en block clips.

Also for some states, you will have to use 5 round clips when hunting. I think Colorado is one of them IIRC.

They are also much more rugged and reliable over the long haul than sporting semiautos.

If you like the Garand, and you would like a shorter rifle then a "Tanker" is the way to go.

tankerG · March 30th, 2012, 04:54 PM

Several years ago I struggled between a tanker versus other military-style .308's. From encouragement and pics from this forum, I finally went for the tanker....and haven't looked back! Was fortunate to get a Nigerian Mark IV stock, and handmade some ventilated handguards to assist with barrel cooling.
I've shot all kinds of NATO surplus through it, as well as several commercially available mil-spec rounds with no problems. Alot quicker to maneuver, and take-down, lubing, and repairs are just like the standard M1.
I built mine from a parts kit and a shortened barrel/op rod kit. Absolutely love it! I'd say go for it!
Here are some pics in it's latest paint scheme:

bd111 · March 30th, 2012, 07:05 PM

Last two posts above right on! I'll keep my Tanker. The key is getting one that's built to the necessary precision. You can't just go to e-bay or the CMP board and find an op rod that's modified right.

That's a sharp looking kit stick. Would it still be relevant to ask where you got your kit and do they still have some?

tankerG · March 30th, 2012, 08:00 PM

I built my tanker from a Dupage parts kit, a tanker conversion kit I picked up at a gun show, and the stock is from Reese Surplus. Sadly, Dupage sold out of their kits long ago, and Reese closed mid-2010 I believe.
But don't lose hope. Parts and kits can still be found - you just gotta keep your eyes open. And I'm attempting to make a Nigerian pistol grip style stock from an old Garand stock. If it works out, I'll probably post pics and you could copy it.

aldenl · March 30th, 2012, 09:49 PM

That's a nice tanker but I would get a Field Grade from the CMP and sent it to Tim Shuff. he builds a great rifle. I have a Mini-G. He reparks everything and the guns shoot great. Plus it's cheaper.

NE450N02 · March 31st, 2012, 01:36 AM

Here are some random thoughts on a Garand Tanker, vs a M1-A Scout rifle,H&K 91, or a AR 15. I have used all of them and they are all good rifles.

It is hard to beat an AR15 in 223/5.56 for a personal protection rifle.
I have used one as a work gun and fired several thousnds of rounds through one with no problems. Still it is a 223...

The M1-A Scout is a great 308. As is the H&K 91. They are both different, but both excellent guns.

So how does the M1 Garand Tanker fit in???

First it is legal in every state, as far as I know. It only holds 8 rounds so early in a "firefight" it is at somewhat of a disadvantage to a 20 round mag rifle...

But how many 20 round mags will you have, how many can you carry???

At some point all of your mags will be empty. M1 Garand clips are cheap enough that you can have several thousand rounds already loaded into the clips.

So your sustained firepower could be greater with a M1 Garand, than with a 20 round mag gun...

Well actually all of the above is just theory and will most likely not come into play for most of us.
For a citizen, a Garand Tanker, with its 8 round clip is not that much of a handicap, if any.

Also the Tanker Garand is easier to carry since it does not have a magazine extending "down below".

And if you are on a real tight budget, there is nothing wrong with using a CMP Garand, just as it comes, full sized, as issued.

I will say, when done, as a Tanker, or a MiniG they are most handy...

I have carried a Tanker Garand on many road trips, and carried one in bear country, and always felt well armed.

tankerG · March 31st, 2012, 10:53 AM

Shuff actually did the park on this kit.
Another plus: do it in .308. Since its a military supported cartridge ammo it is easier to get then -06 (although, you wouldn't be able to tell that from the current ammo market). And get a vented gas plug (Schuster or McCann's), so you can buy and shoot any milsurp ammo you find cheap and not worry about hurting your op rod. Though, I have a spare 18" rod ready in case I need it.

PhillipM · March 31st, 2012, 11:19 AM

I always considered the tankers a bastardized rifle with most plagued with functioning issues and the barrel too short for 30-06, however this thread has made me rethink one in .308. Maybe I should get one from Shuffs or http://www.warbirdscustomguns.com/M1%20Garand.htm one day.

huntinghawk · March 31st, 2012, 04:30 PM

I've two in 7.62 & everything together to build a third. Actually are my favorite battle rifles because of the way they handle.

HH

tankerG · April 1st, 2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntinghawk

I've two in 7.62 & everything together to build a third. Actually are my favorite battle rifles because of the way they handle.

HH

Actually, Hawk, it was your posting pics of your tankers a few years ago that was the deciding factor in me doing my tanker. And I've never looked back. Thanks!

Depth Afield · April 1st, 2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NE450N02

But how many 20 round mags will you have, how many can you carry???

At some point all of your mags will be empty. M1 Garand clips are cheap enough that you can have several thousand rounds already loaded into the clips.

Stripper clip loading an M14.

The "how many you can carry" argument of the tankers is one of the weakest. I love my M1s, but not a chance that I would be grabbing one of them over my M14. That is even with the imaginary scenario of a sustained rolling firefight.

huntinghawk · April 1st, 2012, 03:29 PM

I like the fact that my 7.62 ammo on enblocks in bandoliers & in ammo cans are good to go for the next 40 years or more. Best that can be done for the M14 is have the ammo on stripper clips.

But whichever you choose, its about practice. And I have dummy rounds in an enblock that I can regularly practice in the house loading.

Either way, I love my shorties. But can build a M1 tanker for less then a M1A bush/scout.

HH

pepsi71ocean · May 15th, 2012, 06:31 AM

Tim Schuff is a great guy. I still have not been able to decide which of my Babies to send to him, so i'll end up buying another one.

Tim rebends to OP rod using a pipe bender that he has built to allow for the free range of movement, i spoke to him for a good few hours now over the phone about it over the winter.

He also uses a adjustable gas plug, because the shorter barrel causes higher port pressure.

tankerG · May 16th, 2012, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillipM

I think when you lop the barrel off a 3006 it kills any velocity advantage over a 308 it had.

According to Shuff, his Mini-G in -06 is about 10% less velocity than the standard length barrel. A tanker (being a little longer) would lose less - lets say 8%. One is not going to shoot 16 and 18.25 inch barrels past 200 yards and expect match-grade performance. And at those ranges I don't think the loss of velocity is going to matter much. JMHO

The thing with a tanker is the fact that it's different, alot more maneuverable, and just as bullet-proof reliable as the M1. Someone mentioned they carry it as their "truck gun". I think that sums it up well.

Mainzer · May 16th, 2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailormilan2

Stick with 308 and don't use a muzzle brake. Short barrel makes them loud enough as it is, and a muzzle brake only makes it worse. Use a flash supressor. I shortened a T-37 Pronged Garand Flash suppressor for my 308. It works well, and reduces the flash to smaller than that of my 4" barreled .357 Mag.

The bottom photo looks exactly like mine. A Century Arms reman job. I don't have a surpressor though. It's in .308...a little confusing to someone just "picking it up" because the heel says "Springfield Armory" and "Cal .30 M1". Fun gun but I'd sell it...other "gun" interests.