just got this from an estate from my uncle in law and I am wondering why the barrel doesn't look right. Barrel is 21 1/2 inches long. barrel is marked sa 5-41 with an L and a K marked on barrel.

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it's missing the forward section of stock, and if the barrel is 21" long - then someone lopped 3" off the standard barrel length. that does not appear to be the standard front sight... and the bayonet lug is missing.


looks like someone "sporterized" it

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thats what I was thinking but didn't know for sure, guess ill be ordering a barrel then and putting it back to correct specs. I have nothing in it so it will be worth it in the end thanks

I'm definitely not a M1 expert by any means - you might want to make sure it's not some sort of special rifle before you go and change anything.


also if it shoots well... why change it?

original spec M1s are everywhere - it's not like they are some sort of uber rare piece.
just my .02, if it's indeed out of spec, but it shoots well - just enjoy as is.
returning it to spec won't make you a whole helluva lot later if you wanted to sell it IMHO.

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Not to mention that the gas tube and op-rod have been shortened (along with the corresponding re-location of the gas port).

Sounds like the perfect candidate for a sweet Tanker conversion to me.

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Might had been a tanker gun

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man that loves guns Big Little X NAVY 375 Dan 357 M 41 M 44 M Long guns 22 223 243 25.06 270 30.06 Black powder 45 cal 50 cal hand and longe guns. I load all that I shoot

I think the SA means it is a Springfield Armory barrel and 5-41 may indicate the month and year of manufacture. As others pointed out, it has probably been sporterized. You might want to find a good Garand specialist to check it out and see what other mods might have been made to it.

I concur with previous posters, it was turned into a hunting gun and it looks pretty nice in the picture, I wouldn't change it but shoot it for what it is. Your marking indicates it was made in the same place but a month before mine. Springfield Armory may 1941.

It is not a tanker gun, the T26 had its own look and was not just for tanks but jungle fighting.

yes, its a model thats been "chopped and bobbed".

I would keep it like it is and shot it. This way you will enjoy it more.

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man that loves guns Big Little X NAVY 375 Dan 357 M 41 M 44 M Long guns 22 223 243 25.06 270 30.06 Black powder 45 cal 50 cal hand and longe guns. I load all that I shoot

The floor plate of the trigger housing has apparently also been cut, bent, and welded. If any of you would like to know all of what was done to that sporterized M1, visit my MediaFire shared eBooks folder and download "The M1 as a Sporter - Olson & Zehm.pdf".

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I could cry! I've been looking for a Springfield Armory barrel with the Military Armoror's inspectors marks to replace my barrel. Could it have been a grenade launcher?

I could not get your pictures but a 5-41 barrel is PRE WWII and would of been worth some serious money. I know sporterizing military rifles was big in the 1960's but the value went to zero as soon as it was altered. What is the serial number on the receiver? kwg