Project Appleseed

I could use some of your technical assistance.  I am setting up an M1 Garand and M1A for KD shoots.  I will be using iron sights but would like add reproduction leather cheek pieces to the rifles.  I started using cheek pieces on my 10/22s and really like the addition.  I have 2 questions.  #1 when looking at google images of M1 Garand the majority show the padding down on the side.  But I found an install note by a random company that stated the pad was located by installing 2 screws into the stock  along the bottom of the stock, this would position part of the padding at the top where I assume it would belong.  It make sense but it just doesn't make sense why so many picture show the pad down on the side.  Question #2 Does the standard USGI reproduction cheek pad for the M1 Garand work on the M1A?

Thanks in advance

The standard cheek pad for the M1 has the padding on the left. The pad is used to reposition your cheek to the left when using a scope. The WWII scope on an M1 is left of center. I'm not sure but would bet a box of .22lr's that the M1A is the same.

Quote from: 2 clicks low on May 29, 2014, 07:27:59 PM
The standard cheek pad for the M1 has the padding on the left. The pad is used to reposition your cheek to the left when using a scope. The WWII scope on an M1 is left of center. I'm not sure but would bet a box of .22lr's that the M1A is the same.

The original butt stock configuration on M14/M1A is nearly identical to the M1 (including the rather short LOP), so the pad should fit just the same. However, the USGI scope mount for M14/M1A is a bridge over the action (see - for instance - this), since it doesn't need to be top loaded.  That eliminates the need to reposition the shooter's cheek weld.

You might be able to reposition the padding to effectively raise the comb height, though that shouldn't be necessary if you are shooting with the standard irons.

The M1C and M1D cheek pad will work on the M14 platform, But it will push you head to the left pretty far. My M1C was not easy (without tilting your head) to shoot with the iron sights.  You can remove the padding as needed to tailor the pad to your bone structure for good sight alignment.   

The sights on service rifles show pretty good alignment by default. I would only add a cheek piece if I was using a scope or I absolutely needed it. I have not needed one with the M1, M14, or AR. I do have a single wrap of vet wrap on my 1903a3, but that is mostly to provide a consistent spot weld.

Thank you all for the solid advice.

Quote from: Nero on May 29, 2014, 07:51:35 PMthough that shouldn't be necessary if you are shooting with the standard irons.

I will respectfully disagree here.

Personally, I find the comb height on the Garand to be rather low. I have a fairly full face, but it is at the bottom end of usable for me. My wife (who actually owns the Garand in our household) finds it unusable.

My recommendation is to use that reproduction cheek pad, and stuff it up to where it works for you.

The two grommets for screws are to locate the pad on centerline and keep it there- but they are not necessary. The pad will keep itself in position properly without them, so unless you really want to put a couple of screws into your stock I wouldn't bother.

My understanding (which is limited, as I wasn't there) is that the cheek pad was designed originally for use with the offset scope mount on the M1C/D- as that mount was completely unusable without the pad. But many guys apparently found that the sniper pad added the comb height they needed to use the iron sights properly. I'm in that camp myself.

And if that pad works for you on an M1, it will do the same on an M1A.

Check out Triple K leather. They make a lace on leather riser that centers on the butt stock. I use one on my scout mounted M1.

Quote from: douglas34474 on June 01, 2014, 07:22:10 AM
Check out Triple K leather. They make a lace on leather riser that centers on the butt stock. I use one on my scout mounted M1.

Link: http://www.triplek.com/Products/id/38/grp/63/prd/1542/

 I too have the triple K. Neither any of my M1A's nor my Garand stocks give me a proper comb height. One of our instructors took an SKS handguard, ground down the legs, then by dry fitting it finally got it where he needed it. Then he screwed it down with long screws and counter sunk the screws.  I took a synthetic one and did the same for my FAL. A collector would panic over all this but it was rock solid and worked great.

Quote from: ItsanSKS on June 01, 2014, 08:18:37 AM

Quote from: douglas34474 on June 01, 2014, 07:22:10 AM
Check out Triple K leather. They make a lace on leather riser that centers on the butt stock. I use one on my scout mounted M1.

Link: http://www.triplek.com/Products/id/38/grp/63/prd/1542/

I really like that leather riser and the price isn't bad either.

I made a cheek pad for my 10/22 with materials from the craft store. I'm no seamstress, but I was able to figure out my mom's old sewing machine well enough to put this stuff together. Cost, about $15 (my labor is worthless). Cordera fabric, straps, buckles, hook and loop fastener material and pipe insulation. The thickness of the pad is regulated by how many layers of insulation used. The M1 pad was a commercial M1 pad modified to use pipe insulation on top of the stock rather than the left side (side mount was designed for the offset scope on the M1C/D). With these pads I'm able to get a perfect cheek weld with each rifle. No need to mess up the stock with screws.

Thanks to everyone for the information.  I ended up installing the leather cheek piece and even used the brass screws per the military guideline.  It feels nice and I look forward to trying it out this weekend.  Thanks again.