M1 garand 308 tanker for an AR 15

Montoya · February 18, 2013, 09:24 AM

I had a person offer me an M1 garand 308 tanker for my AR 15. My AR is "suped" up a bit with a free float rail light and laser. should I do it?
this is my only AR.
Thanks again guys

Fishbed77 · February 18, 2013, 11:12 AM

No!

If you want an M1, get a Service Grade 30-06 rifle from the CMP for $625. It will be an awesome rifle. If you want a .308 Garand, get one of the CMP .308 Specials for about $1000. That said, your AR-15 is almost certainly worth more money than either Garand in today's market. My advice - keep the AR and save up for a CMP rifle.

Most "Tanker" Garands are bastardized bubba-creations. The only Tankers I'd trust would be those from Schuff's.

blfuller · February 18, 2013, 12:05 PM

Some tankers work and some don't. It depends on who did the conversion. Buyer beware.

**4V50 Gary** · February 19, 2013, 07:27 AM

No. Unless that gun was made by Beretta as in BM-59, I wouldn't touch it. beretta reengineered the op rod, making it straighter. A gun plumber made Tanker will eventually destroy itself.

Skans · February 19, 2013, 09:31 AM

If it was a nice BM59, I would say go for it. The BM59 will be worth more than your average AR in the long run.

bamaranger · February 19, 2013, 09:26 PM

I've always wanted a Tanker in .308, but the quality can be all over the board. Schuff's are supposed to be OK, and I would trust the rifles made by Genesco Springfield Armory and sold commercially back in the 80's.

That's about all.

HKGuns · February 21, 2013, 08:24 PM

There is no such thing as a tanker. They are butchered M1 Garands. Buy a "real" Garand.

pcb911 · February 21, 2013, 09:03 PM

Bought a "tanker" from a LGS while at UGA in the early 70's. It had a shortened garand gas system and barrel. And a m-14 trigger group so that it took a m-14 mag in .308. The stock was thicker than most and had m-11 and alpine on the pistol grip bottom. There was only a serial number on the reciever. And in that area the reciever had a dark pinkish color.

It was a handfull to shot due to the length. There was a crack that developed as it was shot in the trigger group where the mag was inserted. The LGS told me that they had to order the new part from Italy to fix the rifle. I think that I still have the broken part in my warehouse. Will look to see what the numbers on it next time I go to the warehouse.

It was a great gun, you just had to have some body weight to control it.

chris in va · February 23, 2013, 12:15 AM

Here's what you do.

Sell the AR. Call the CMP, fill out the paperwork and pick up two Special Grade M1's. Shoot them and smirk knowing they will double in value in a few years.

If I had some disposable income, my safe would be filled with M1's.

Dr Big Bird PhD · February 23, 2013, 01:14 AM

Are M1's legal to buy in Cali through CMP?

Wrothgar · February 24, 2013, 01:03 PM

Only problem with CMP is that you have to be a member of a club, which, other than the NRA, I'm not right now.

bcarver · February 24, 2013, 02:53 PM

The club membership requirement can be met with a $20 membership to "GCA"(garand collectors association). It includes 4 quarterly magazines also. CMP will sign you up. Don't let that slow you down.

chris in va · February 25, 2013, 03:51 AM

I signed up for the VFW. Big deal.

James K · February 27, 2013, 11:25 AM

Not only are many "Tanker Garands" iffy on functioning, a lot of them were made from M1 "cut and weld" receivers that had been de-milled by cutting in half. The pieces were sold as scrap then bought by people who welded pieces back together.

There were a number of problems with that business, including the lack of knowledge about why the receivers were scrapped in the first place, and the fact that the front and back parts were always from different rifles. Also, if the welding was not done properly, the lower receiver bridge can be out of spec and the gun can slam fire.

Jim

Wireman134 · March 1, 2013, 11:39 PM

Would not convert one via Shuffy's or what ever shop. Have 2 CMP service grades from before when they gave out all matching rifles and the DCM ran the program. $310 & $275/ less wood, both matching barrels & correct parts, except op rod and rear sights. Yes do make sure it's not a Fed Ord. or a re weld. Out of the box Arlington Ord. T26 shot 2 MOA with M80 ball. After major bedding and unitizing by me. 1 MOA is the norm, sub MOA with M118/M118LR hand-loads. A fine machine for the $550 I gave in 95'.

johnwilliamson062 · March 4, 2013, 08:15 PM

CMP is a little short on stock right now. They have a few Garands available, but you can't be picky.

February 18, 2013, 09:24 AM	#1
Montoya Member Join Date: March 1, 2012 Location: Southern Colorado Posts: 26	M1 garand 308 tanker for an AR 15 I had a person offer me an M1 garand 308 tanker for my AR 15. My AR is "suped" up a bit with a free float rail light and laser. should I do it? this is my only AR. Thanks again guys

February 19, 2013, 07:27 AM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	No. Unless that gun was made by Beretta as in BM-59, I wouldn't touch it. beretta reengineered the op rod, making it straighter. A gun plumber made Tanker will eventually destroy itself. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

February 19, 2013, 09:26 PM	#6
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,303	tanker I've always wanted a Tanker in .308, but the quality can be all over the board. Schuff's are supposed to be OK, and I would trust the rifles made by Genesco Springfield Armory and sold commercially back in the 80's. That's about all.

February 21, 2013, 09:03 PM	#8
pcb911 Member Join Date: February 10, 2011 Location: North Georgia & Fl. Posts: 44	Bought a "tanker" from a LGS while at UGA in the early 70's. It had a shortened garand gas system and barrel. And a m-14 trigger group so that it took a m-14 mag in .308. The stock was thicker than most and had m-11 and alpine on the pistol grip bottom. There was only a serial number on the reciever. And in that area the reciever had a dark pinkish color. It was a handfull to shot due to the length. There was a crack that developed as it was shot in the trigger group where the mag was inserted. The LGS told me that they had to order the new part from Italy to fix the rifle. I think that I still have the broken part in my warehouse. Will look to see what the numbers on it next time I go to the warehouse. It was a great gun, you just had to have some body weight to control it. __________________ Assume nothing.

February 23, 2013, 01:14 AM	#10
Dr Big Bird PhD Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 779	Are M1's legal to buy in Cali through CMP? __________________ I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor

February 18, 2013, 11:12 AM	#2
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	No! If you want an M1, get a Service Grade 30-06 rifle from the CMP for $625. It will be an awesome rifle. If you want a .308 Garand, get one of the CMP .308 Specials for about $1000. That said, your AR-15 is almost certainly worth more money than either Garand in today's market. My advice - keep the AR and save up for a CMP rifle. Most "Tanker" Garands are bastardized bubba-creations. The only Tankers I'd trust would be those from Schuff's.

February 18, 2013, 12:05 PM	#3
blfuller Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2013 Location: Washington State Posts: 246	Some tankers work and some don't. It depends on who did the conversion. Buyer beware.

February 19, 2013, 09:31 AM	#5
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	If it was a nice BM59, I would say go for it. The BM59 will be worth more than your average AR in the long run.

February 21, 2013, 08:24 PM	#7
HKGuns Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2005 Location: Bora Bora Posts: 932	There is no such thing as a tanker. They are butchered M1 Garands. Buy a "real" Garand.

February 23, 2013, 12:15 AM	#9
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Here's what you do. Sell the AR. Call the CMP, fill out the paperwork and pick up two Special Grade M1's. Shoot them and smirk knowing they will double in value in a few years. If I had some disposable income, my safe would be filled with M1's.

February 24, 2013, 01:03 PM	#11
Wrothgar Junior member Join Date: January 28, 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 778	Only problem with CMP is that you have to be a member of a club, which, other than the NRA, I'm not right now.

February 24, 2013, 02:53 PM	#12
bcarver Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Location: Jackson,Mississippi Posts: 838	club membership The club membership requirement can be met with a $20 membership to "GCA"(garand collectors association). It includes 4 quarterly magazines also. CMP will sign you up. Don't let that slow you down.

February 25, 2013, 03:51 AM	#13
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I signed up for the VFW. Big deal.

February 27, 2013, 11:25 AM	#14
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Not only are many "Tanker Garands" iffy on functioning, a lot of them were made from M1 "cut and weld" receivers that had been de-milled by cutting in half. The pieces were sold as scrap then bought by people who welded pieces back together. There were a number of problems with that business, including the lack of knowledge about why the receivers were scrapped in the first place, and the fact that the front and back parts were always from different rifles. Also, if the welding was not done properly, the lower receiver bridge can be out of spec and the gun can slam fire. Jim

March 4, 2013, 08:15 PM	#16
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	CMP is a little short on stock right now. They have a few Garands available, but you can't be picky.