Random question in seek of biased answers.

[Roadkingtrax]

SO...I purchased a really nice 1961 DCM rifle, it is an HRA mixed parts in really excellent shape. The only bad part is the bore, by far the worst barrel I've seen personally on an M1.

Pitted like a 1903 blank barrel, MW is 4.5 and TE is 4. I plan to replace the barrel. There is this annoying feeling to try to stick another HRA tube on the rifle, 1954 or 1955 it doesnt matter to me. Here are my options.

Currently own:
1951 SA NOS Barrel
1953 SA Barrel 2.5 TE, <1.0 MW. Previously installed
1951 HRA Barrel NOS

Buy:
1955 HRA Barrel near new.

If it were your rifle, what would you do?

[cuppednlocked]

I enjoy shooting them. I'd put the previously installed barrel on it and never look back.

If you gotta scratch the itch and buy an HRA barrel, go for it if that is what makes you happy!

[Prince Humperdink]

I would use the NOS HRA and slowly"correct"it...That's just Me though,I can never leave well enough alone!

[jak]

What are plans for the rifle ? Shooter ? Wall hanger ? Safe queen ? Did you even see how it shoots with the pitted barrel yet ?

[Roadkingtrax]

What are plans for the rifle ? Shooter ? Wall hanger ? Safe queen ? Did you even see how it shoots with the pitted barrel yet ?

No, and I'm not going to bother with an almost 5 Muzzle Wear. The previous two owners over the last 51 years did not fire it...I hope to make it more accurate then that barrel could possibly be.

It will be a casual shooter, no more safe queens/wall hangers if I can help it.

[LEAD POISON]

2 PM's sent

[jak]

No, and I'm not going to bother with an almost 5 Muzzle Wear. The previous two owners over the last 51 years did not fire it...I hope to make it more accurate then that barrel could possibly be.

It will be a casual shooter, no more safe queens/wall hangers if I can help it.

If that's the case, I would go with the barrel that matches the color of the receiver.

[KnickKnack]

If the 1951 HRA NOS is not "correct" for the receiver serial number, then I would try to trade it for a dated HRA barrel that is "correct", in the same NOS condition.

[timshufflin]

The only non correct Garands I own are SA's. I can't allow my other brands to be incorrect. I'd correct it for myself, I'm stupid that way.

[canes7]

If you have the $, time and ambition. Correct it. If there is a chance of it straining your budget or patience then don't bother. Garands are fun keep it that way.

[herrmann]

The 1953 SA barrel could be considered correct.

[MajorD]

you really need to shoot it with the barrel it currently has- some rough looking barrels can often still shoot pretty darn good.

[ZachM]

I'd shoot the current barrel first and see how it does. If its bad, change the barrel and try to correct the rifle.

[Roadkingtrax]

I'll be more then happy to sell that HRA barrel.

If anyone has confirmed excellent groups on an otherwise properly set up rifle that has a MW of 5 on a hot barrel...I would love to see them.

[Dave]

If your going to go through the "trouble" of swapping the barrel, I'd use one that would be correct for the receiver. HRA barrels are available in almost all date ranges, that may not be the case in a few years.......... JMHO