OT: Garand Stock Set Refinishing

marvl · February 25, 2002, 12:38

Well, I just finished refinishing the wood on my 2 CMP Garands and thought I would show you guys n gals the results-- not great, but serviceable. These were my first two, and of course I many many mistakes.

In both cases I stripped the old finish with Easy Off Heavy Duty oven cleaner. If you're not familiar with this technique, you spray it on, let the wood set for about 10 minutes, then scrub in hot water with a Scotch Brite pad. It works amazingly well. I performed the operation in the bathtub and received only minor complaints from the wife.

My general technique was:
(1) One coat of MinWax stain (upper is walnut, lower is red oak with a little red mahogany-- I was after a redder finish on the second Garand).
(2) Two coats of MinWax Tung Oil.
(3) Two coats of a hand rubbed orange oil and beeswax wax finish.
This will work very well if done correctly, but I screwed up a few things.

The upper dark walnut Garand is the original USGI stock set. I left the dents in, as I figured it gave it some character.

When I stripped the finish on the second Garand I discovered a birch stock and walnut handguards, and despite my best efforts I couldn't get them to match. So I ordered a new unfinished stock set from Brownells.

Mistake Number 1 -- In order to keep the cats from mistaking my nice new stock set for a scratching post I covered it up with a towel until I got around to finishing it. The towel had some oil on it I was unaware of, and it got into the wood. You can see some uneven areas at the back of the stock on the lower Garand.

Mistake Number 2 -- Trying to get the friggin' handguard ring back on, I managed to break off a small piece of the rear handguard. Epoxyed it back on. Haven't screwed up my courage to try again so you can see the band is missing on the lower Garand.

Mistake # 3 -- Hard to see, but the stock should have been sanded a bit to provide a better fit to the buttplate. The edges at the end of the stock should have been rounded some to meet the buttplate smoothly.

Hopefully I'll get to do this a few more times and get one that comes out "purty". When I do I'll post a pic.

**W.E.G.** · February 25, 2002, 12:53

Nice Garands!

How are the front sights? Can you wiggle the assembly left and right?

marvl · February 25, 2002, 13:02

Nope, front sights are pretty tight. Both are in good to excellent mechanical condition. Haven't yet had a chance to see how well they shoot, though, other than to put a few clips through them to check function.

capman · February 25, 2002, 17:00

Hi Marvl,

Nice Garands.

Next time just leave the handgaurd clip on during the refinish, then touch up the metal if necessary.

Also the wood at the butt plate is supposed to be higher than the metal plate, this is called "proud". All M1's when new were like this.

Have fun shooting them

cap

Muggzy · February 26, 2002, 09:27

Marvl, The top one looks like it's suppose to as far I know. You can always re-refinish
one if your not happy with it.
I made the same mistake on the handguard clip, I split the handguard down the middle.
GunParts Corp (Numerich Arms) sent me one that matched my stock very close. Seems like making mistakes is the way I learn the best. Do and re-do. I mixed a walnut stain and Red walnut stain then Tung Oiled for the finish and I'm real happy with it. Tung oils sets up hard, tuff finish. Gotta love those Garands. Nice work!

**GDYankee** · February 26, 2002, 10:30

Pretty Garands.

capman is right about not rounding off the edge at the butt. A good rule of sanding is to never round off an edge -- it changes the original contour and is a dead giveaway of a sanded stock.

February 25, 2002, 12:38	#1
marvl Registered FALaholic #: 4486 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 319	OT: Garand Stock Set Refinishing Well, I just finished refinishing the wood on my 2 CMP Garands and thought I would show you guys n gals the results-- not great, but serviceable. These were my first two, and of course I many many mistakes. In both cases I stripped the old finish with Easy Off Heavy Duty oven cleaner. If you're not familiar with this technique, you spray it on, let the wood set for about 10 minutes, then scrub in hot water with a Scotch Brite pad. It works amazingly well. I performed the operation in the bathtub and received only minor complaints from the wife. My general technique was: (1) One coat of MinWax stain (upper is walnut, lower is red oak with a little red mahogany-- I was after a redder finish on the second Garand). (2) Two coats of MinWax Tung Oil. (3) Two coats of a hand rubbed orange oil and beeswax wax finish. This will work very well if done correctly, but I screwed up a few things. The upper dark walnut Garand is the original USGI stock set. I left the dents in, as I figured it gave it some character. When I stripped the finish on the second Garand I discovered a birch stock and walnut handguards, and despite my best efforts I couldn't get them to match. So I ordered a new unfinished stock set from Brownells. Mistake Number 1 -- In order to keep the cats from mistaking my nice new stock set for a scratching post I covered it up with a towel until I got around to finishing it. The towel had some oil on it I was unaware of, and it got into the wood. You can see some uneven areas at the back of the stock on the lower Garand. Mistake Number 2 -- Trying to get the friggin' handguard ring back on, I managed to break off a small piece of the rear handguard. Epoxyed it back on. Haven't screwed up my courage to try again so you can see the band is missing on the lower Garand. Mistake # 3 -- Hard to see, but the stock should have been sanded a bit to provide a better fit to the buttplate. The edges at the end of the stock should have been rounded some to meet the buttplate smoothly. Hopefully I'll get to do this a few more times and get one that comes out "purty". When I do I'll post a pic. __________________ "Life is uncertain, eat the desserts first!"

February 25, 2002, 12:53	#2
W.E.G. Administrator Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 1211 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 31,108	Nice Garands! How are the front sights? Can you wiggle the assembly left and right? __________________ . . . Ask me about the Mason-Dixon FAL Collectors Association.

February 25, 2002, 13:02	#3
marvl Registered FALaholic #: 4486 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 319	Nope, front sights are pretty tight. Both are in good to excellent mechanical condition. Haven't yet had a chance to see how well they shoot, though, other than to put a few clips through them to check function. __________________ "Life is uncertain, eat the desserts first!"

February 26, 2002, 09:27	#5
Muggzy Registered FALaholic #: 4396 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,723	Marvl, The top one looks like it's suppose to as far I know. You can always re-refinish one if your not happy with it. I made the same mistake on the handguard clip, I split the handguard down the middle. GunParts Corp (Numerich Arms) sent me one that matched my stock very close. Seems like making mistakes is the way I learn the best. Do and re-do. I mixed a walnut stain and Red walnut stain then Tung Oiled for the finish and I'm real happy with it. Tung oils sets up hard, tuff finish. Gotta love those Garands. Nice work! __________________ Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ablility to learn from the experience of other, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. Douglas Graham Life is drawing without an eraser Judge me all you want, just keep the verdict to yourself a positve attitude may not solve all your problems, but will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort ~ Herm

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

February 25, 2002, 17:00	#4
capman Registered FALaholic #: 5083 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 330	Hi Marvl, Nice Garands. Next time just leave the handgaurd clip on during the refinish, then touch up the metal if necessary. Also the wood at the butt plate is supposed to be higher than the metal plate, this is called "proud". All M1's when new were like this. Have fun shooting them cap

February 26, 2002, 10:30	#6
GDYankee Member Contributor FALaholic #: 1007 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 116	Pretty Garands. capman is right about not rounding off the edge at the butt. A good rule of sanding is to never round off an edge -- it changes the original contour and is a dead giveaway of a sanded stock.