M1 "Tanker" - The Firearms Forum

firefighter1635 · 11-24-2012, 01:06 PM

I was at my LGS yesturday and lo and behold they had a M1 tanker for sale they just got in on trade. It was a beautiful example, almost pristine, marked 899.99!

Good price? I'm assumming so, i've seen them for much higher.

I got a little devil self sitting on my right shoulder and a little angel self sitting on my left and they're battling it out right now.

woolleyworm · 11-24-2012, 01:14 PM

It is most likely not an original Springfield prototype T26. Either way though, 899 is a good price if it's in good condition. Give it a very very detailed inspection and if the LGS doesn't allow you to have a gunsmith inspect it, then check the barrel markings and serial numbers. You can check the serial number against the M1 serial number lists. I do like having a smart phone with me so that I can do some research on the fly.

LDBennett · 11-24-2012, 02:39 PM

firefighter1635:

There was never a production "Tanker" M1 Garand rifle. The standard barrel length is 24 inches.

The gas is feed to the operating rod only a couple of inches from the end of the barrel. Any attempt to shorten the barrel will effect the operation of the gun. While it might be possible for a knowledgeable gunsmith to shorten the barrel and the gas system including the operating rod, it is doubtful the 'Tanker" gun you are looking at was done right.

The bottom line is don't buy a "Tanker" version. It is a kludge made for appearances only and the chances of it operating reliability are less than 50-50 in my opinion. $900 will buy you a very nice M1 Garand that is not molested which will keep its value better than a "Tanker" version.

CMP sells some very nice M1's in various conditions and someone who has jumped through all the hoops to get one might be willing to sell it for less than $900.

Take a look here:

http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/m1garand.htm

I got a completely rebuilt M1 Garand with a new near match grade barrel (the "Special" grade) for less than $1000. The Service grade at $625 is an excellent rifle (I bought two of those, both excellent). Now, you have to qualify for these CMP rifles (and you may??) but there has to be one of these out there someone bought and is selling for the same or near the same money.

Do yourself a big favor and don't buy a "Tanker". You may be sorry if you do.

Also don't fall for a "Matched" number gun. There was no such thing. The numbers on the parts are the part drawing numbers. A "correct " gun will have all parts from the same time period. These guns were re-built many times and parts got all mixed up in the process. Unless someone has searched out all the "correct parts", you'll not find a "correct" parts gun today. Even CMP is sold out of the "Correct" guns.

An M1 Garand is worth owning. They shoot well and are a big part of our US Military history. Ammo is good old 30-06 and Greek surplus military contract correct ammo is available through CMP at 192 rounds for about $100.

LDBennett

firefighter1635 · 11-24-2012, 02:56 PM

Thanks LDBennett. I've spent some time researching the "tanker" versions this morning and I think i'm going to pass. Everything you've said has been said many times over on everything i've seen on the net.

cpttango30 · 11-24-2012, 04:20 PM

I would like to see pictures of this Tanker gun just curious about what they look like...

I have seen many a CMP Mossberg 44US get bought for dirt cheap then in 2 weeks show up on thatothergunauctionsite.com for 3 times what the people paid for them.

firefighter1635 · 11-24-2012, 06:59 PM

It looks like a M1 Garand but shorter, type M1 Tanker in google it'll bring up alot of pics.

gvw3 · 11-24-2012, 07:58 PM

They had on at a local gun shop here. It was not in very good shape but the price as I recall was under $500.

aa1911 · 11-24-2012, 08:04 PM

I would also pass on the tanker. Technically no such thing as a production gun made, they're hack jobs at best. Cool to look at I guess is about it.

get yourself a nice CMP Garand instead! a fine gun that laid the groundwork for the best battle rifle ever made, the M14

11-24-2012, 01:06 PM	#1
firefighter1635 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US of A Contributor Posts: 1,837	M1 "Tanker" I was at my LGS yesturday and lo and behold they had a M1 tanker for sale they just got in on trade. It was a beautiful example, almost pristine, marked 899.99! Good price? I'm assumming so, i've seen them for much higher. I got a little devil self sitting on my right shoulder and a little angel self sitting on my left and they're battling it out right now. __________________ "The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson "The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." - Samuel Adams -->

11-24-2012, 01:14 PM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: M1 "Tanker" It is most likely not an original Springfield prototype T26. Either way though, 899 is a good price if it's in good condition. Give it a very very detailed inspection and if the LGS doesn't allow you to have a gunsmith inspect it, then check the barrel markings and serial numbers. You can check the serial number against the M1 serial number lists. I do like having a smart phone with me so that I can do some research on the fly. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

11-24-2012, 02:39 PM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,711	Re: M1 "Tanker" firefighter1635: There was never a production "Tanker" M1 Garand rifle. The standard barrel length is 24 inches. The gas is feed to the operating rod only a couple of inches from the end of the barrel. Any attempt to shorten the barrel will effect the operation of the gun. While it might be possible for a knowledgeable gunsmith to shorten the barrel and the gas system including the operating rod, it is doubtful the 'Tanker" gun you are looking at was done right. The bottom line is don't buy a "Tanker" version. It is a kludge made for appearances only and the chances of it operating reliability are less than 50-50 in my opinion. $900 will buy you a very nice M1 Garand that is not molested which will keep its value better than a "Tanker" version. CMP sells some very nice M1's in various conditions and someone who has jumped through all the hoops to get one might be willing to sell it for less than $900. Take a look here: http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/m1garand.htm I got a completely rebuilt M1 Garand with a new near match grade barrel (the "Special" grade) for less than $1000. The Service grade at $625 is an excellent rifle (I bought two of those, both excellent). Now, you have to qualify for these CMP rifles (and you may??) but there has to be one of these out there someone bought and is selling for the same or near the same money. Do yourself a big favor and don't buy a "Tanker". You may be sorry if you do. Also don't fall for a "Matched" number gun. There was no such thing. The numbers on the parts are the part drawing numbers. A "correct " gun will have all parts from the same time period. These guns were re-built many times and parts got all mixed up in the process. Unless someone has searched out all the "correct parts", you'll not find a "correct" parts gun today. Even CMP is sold out of the "Correct" guns. An M1 Garand is worth owning. They shoot well and are a big part of our US Military history. Ammo is good old 30-06 and Greek surplus military contract correct ammo is available through CMP at 192 rounds for about $100. LDBennett

11-24-2012, 02:56 PM	#4
firefighter1635 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US of A Contributor Posts: 1,837	Re: M1 "Tanker" Thanks LDBennett. I've spent some time researching the "tanker" versions this morning and I think i'm going to pass. Everything you've said has been said many times over on everything i've seen on the net. __________________ "The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson "The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." - Samuel Adams

11-24-2012, 04:20 PM	#5
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: M1 "Tanker" I would like to see pictures of this Tanker gun just curious about what they look like... I have seen many a CMP Mossberg 44US get bought for dirt cheap then in 2 weeks show up on thatothergunauctionsite.com for 3 times what the people paid for them.

11-24-2012, 06:59 PM	#6
firefighter1635 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US of A Contributor Posts: 1,837	Re: M1 "Tanker" It looks like a M1 Garand but shorter, type M1 Tanker in google it'll bring up alot of pics. __________________ "The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson "The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." - Samuel Adams

11-24-2012, 07:58 PM	#7
gvw3 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago IL Area Contributor Posts: 3,273	Re: M1 "Tanker" They had on at a local gun shop here. It was not in very good shape but the price as I recall was under $500. __________________ Criminals advocate stronger gun laws to foster a safer work environment. This limits their exposure to risk.

11-24-2012, 08:04 PM	#8
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,113	Re: M1 "Tanker" I would also pass on the tanker. Technically no such thing as a production gun made, they're hack jobs at best. Cool to look at I guess is about it. get yourself a nice CMP Garand instead! a fine gun that laid the groundwork for the best battle rifle ever made, the M14 __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."