M1 Garand tactical gear

[Appalacious]

Hey guys. 
As the (relatively) new owner of a garand, I'm wondering now what options there are for tactical gear.  Specifically, how would one safely and effectively carry all those en bloc clips? 
I've seen this product:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MGR100-1.html#Reviews

But is that the best option?

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
J

[Camljr]

This guy Jerry, on the CMP forum makes his own...

http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55795


they are awesome and well constructed.

It holds 12 en bloc clips, and has a 2" shoulder strap made out of 17337 webbing, which is rated for 2200 lbs. The Garand Grab and Go are $50 plus $5 shipping via Priority Mail.

If you'd like to order anything, please email him at jerryd1235@yahoo.com . Let him know what color you'd like, and (in the case of the Garand stock pouch) whether you want right hand or left hand.

link to a couple pics.....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/3073612355_4588c9b5fd_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/3073612403_0638c7f193_o.jpg

[Old Dog]

There may be lots of better things out there but I use the old stuff.  Repro 10 pocket clip pouch is one option.  The other is the military surplus (US military) magazine pouches.  The M14 20 round double mag. pouch will hold 7 clips while the triple 30 round M16 type mag. pouches will hold 8 clips.

Different rifles, same ammo carrying gear.  Another reason Old Dog fits.

[Appalacious]

Unfortunately flickr is inaccessible where I'm at, but I'll check those out tonight.


I like the idea of using current ammo pouches.  I never even thought of that.  Thanks Old Dog.  You taught me a new trick.

I guess AR15 pouches would be the obvious choice, since they're more plentiful and cheaper.

J

[capnmac]

The original "universal" ammo pouch on the M-56 web gear was meant to hold either Garand clips, M-1 Carbine, or M-14 magazines.  Those pouces used to be around $5 each at the surplus places.  They are generally sturdy and the canvas well-made and durable--they are not the most ergonomic pouches, nor entirely "friendly" to customized LBE use.

The most "traditional" tactical rig used in the history of the Garand would really be the cloth bandolier.  These are still available, and rund from stout to flimsy.  The flimsy comes from the intention that they'd be single-use--so that's not always a sign of defective or fraudulent manufacture.

But, GIs found many ways to use the bandoliers, slung over shoulders, around the waist, all sorts of ways.  many of them a bit more comfortable for fitting the deck than with full pouches smashing a person just inbetween the hips, like M-56 gear "wants" to.

[ben1775]

These frag grenade pouches from cheaper work well http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MOLLE661-1.html. Each pouch holds 3 en blocs really well, so the triple pouch holds a total of 72 rnds and the double holds 48. They work okay on my standard LBE belt but I added a couple alice clips to tight things up a bit. I'm happy with them.

[Swampfox]

This stuff looks pretty high-speed, if you're into that kind of thing.  And it comes in shapes to carry lunch for whatever rifle you're Appleseeding with at the moment.

You need some money to spend on it, though.

Check out the M1 Garand 48 rnd pouch

http://www.antipersonnel.net/fmco/005.html#5

HTH,

Swampfox

[Buckshot]

One thing to be aware of with spare Garand ammo is that you MUST re-close the pouch after you pull a clip out of the pouch.

Otherwise you will be scattering the loaded clips around at random as you move with an open pouch.

That is one of the main arguments for the old 10 pocket belt, you only release the clips as actually used.

Buckshot

[Flathead]

The bandoliers that come in the spam can work great, they were "tactical" before we knew what tactical was. If it worked in WWII and Korea then it should still work today. Each one holds 48 rounds has a strap that can be hung over a pack or other gear and easy to keep track of how many clips you have used from it just by feel.

[Son of Martha]

Cut the dividers out of 30-round M16 mag pouches.  You can fit a whole bando of .30 cal on clips in each one...

SoM

[Appalacious]

The bandoliers that come in the spam can work great, they were "tactical" before we knew what tactical was. If it worked in WWII and Korea then it should still work today. Each one holds 48 rounds has a strap that can be hung over a pack or other gear and easy to keep track of how many clips you have used from it just by feel.

I agree that those bando's are really functional.  I just have a hard time figuring out how I would secure them to me.  There's no way to tighten them, and even then...around what?  my waist?
How did they do it in WWII?
J

[eaglescouter]

Worn diagonally, on one shoulder and under the other arm down to the waist.

[Appalacious]

Worn diagonally, on one shoulder and under the other arm down to the waist.

And that's secure?
I guess it would work in a pinch, but I sorta feel like it needs to be more still.
J

[capnmac]

I just have a hard time figuring out how I would secure them to me.  There's no way to tighten them, and even then...around what?  my waist?
How did they do it in WWII?

Well, the WWII issue included a 2-2.5" long saftey pin, which used to be easy surplus to find (like two fistfulls for 25¢).  During the war, though, many troops just grapped up part of the strap and cinched a quick knot into it.  The bandoliers were also worn in and around the troop's web gear, which offered an number of ways to stablize the load, too.

Now, what would really be cool, especially for a/s would be the cavalry bandolier.  That was made similarly to the cartridge belt, only with a slip-buckle rather than the T-closure.  Legit ones I've seen at shows run $75-150 as they are a rare, but low-demand, sort of item.  Without breaking out reference books, unlike the M-1926 mounted bandoliers (for the 1903 rifle) none of the garand mounted bandoliers were made with 1911 magazine pockets, or snaps for the magazine carrier.

[HollywoodMarine]

If you want something like a bandoleer this stuff is ok, you could make the AR 20 rnd work but there will be some wiggle room. The price is not bad.

http://www.michigantacticalsupply.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11&zenid=5ba4672d1499d0aac72db118ca55d81c

[HollywoodMarine]

However if u want to go with the standard AR ammo pouch this stuff is ROCK SOLID. There stuff is pricey but well worth it. SOE gear will out last your Grand Kids.

http://www.originalsoegear.com/m1tray.html

[Appalacious]

Thanks for all the input guys.  I went ahead and picked up 3 AR mag pouches from the surplus store on the way home.   They're the molle type. 2 mag's per pouch I think.  4$ apiece. 
Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes.  That pouch insert thingy looks pretty cool, and it might fit in one of these, but I'm not sure.

J

[Buckshot]

Worn diagonally, on one shoulder and under the other arm down to the waist.

And that's secure?
I guess it would work in a pinch, but I sorta feel like it needs to be more still.
J

They go UNDER the M1923 or later M1945 suspenders.

Yep, they are secure.  You shorten the web (via the safety pin) to ride above the 10 pocket belt so that the 10 pocket is not driving them into you.

Buckshot

[Appalacious]

got a pic?
J

[capnmac]

Several in Shelby Stanton's US Uniforms of WWII, more in various other reference books.  The Time-Life WWII series has them.

Found this:  http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-116.jpg

Check here:  http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=629
Post number 6 has a good photo of a pristine example with safety pin

Looking for better.  Do know that there's a nice Nat'l Archives photo of a couple of marines hauling an ammo cart and they are strung in bandoliers.

[Appalacious]

so was the safety pin used to fasten the bando to the jacket?  Or was it used to fasten it to itself- thereby tightening it?
J

[Nickle]

It is used to fasten it to itself- thereby tightening it.

[capnmac]

Also one bando to another, if desired. 
A person could also just knot the strap as needed--people were of a slighter dimension back in those post depression days.

Was no real doctrine for wear, so what ever worked, worked.  The cloth bandolier was for the convenience of ammo bearers coming up to the line, not as a tactical transport method (QMC would have said that's what the 10 pocket belt was for, but QMC staff had nice offices near DC to come to those conclusions, too).

[Appalacious]

By the way.
Those sks chest rigs that cheaper than dirt is almost out of?  Really great for the M1.
I got 4 of those in yesterday, they each hold 2 bandoleers' worth of clips.  96 rounds.
And they ride high on the torso/chest, so prone is not a problem at all.

My friends and I bought 13 total.  Came out to 7.50 per rig.  Not bad.

J

[wildman]

I have found the clips tend to hang up in M1 bandoleers making it difficult to access them quickly. This can be a problem during the "Counter Attack" exercise at Field Shoots. I prefer a bag hung over the shoulder and across the chest ending on the right side. A butt pack with cargo strap works well, it allows quick access with my right hand. There are probably as many ways to carry ammo as there are those of us that try. What ever works for you.

M1 bandoleers were designed so units could quickly resupply the troops when that was required.