Pachmyr Swing Out Scope Mount for M1 Garand

[JGW]

All - Any experience in using / reading about the Pachmyr Swing Out (or maybe called Low Swing) Scope Mount made specifically for the M1 Garand? I picked one up on a whim, but wanted to see what your experience is with it.

JGW

[timshufflin]

Let's see it baby cakes.

[JGW]

Here is a picture off of Google of an M1 with the Packmyr Swing Out scope mount. This is not my picture, but it is functionally identical. The mount is attached to the receiver by four drilled / tapped screw holes on the left side of the receiver. You can pull it over to the left to use iron sights or load / reload. When you move back into position there is a very positive "lock" to hold the mount in place over the receiver. I think these date back to the 50's or 60's? I got it with an M1 a bought locally for a really low amount. I figured I was buying a receiver and getting the rest of the rifle for free. I didn't realize it was drilled and tapped for the mount (I probably wouldn't have bought the rifle had I known that at the time), but since I got the rifle, mount, etc. for the price of a B grade receiver, I figure it might be made into something good. (After I replace the bolt that somebody chromed. Uggghhh.).

[Shug]

I've been looking for one of those for a while. They're pretty rare on the market, as far as I can tell.

[timshufflin]

Yah I was looking more to see the mounting style. I'm pretty sure this requires 4 holes being drilled in the receiver.

[JGW]

Yah I was looking more to see the mounting style. I'm pretty sure this requires 4 holes being drilled in the receiver.

The receiver is indeed drilled / tapped on the left side: 4 screws. For some reason I can't upload the photo of the receiver, but there are 4 screw holes on the left side of the receiver.

[jtfsemperfi]

Very interesting. I have been wanting to use a scope on a Garand (other than the original style) for a while and keep considering the CASM one that replaces the rear sight. Might have to start looking for one of these.

[JGW]

I talked with a guy that builds custom M1s. He is familiar with the Pachmayr Swing Low scope mount. He told me that if you don't have the special jig from Pachmayr (from way back), you simply cannot drill one of the required holes without the bit "wandering". He built an M1 with this mount on a receiver someone else had already drilled / tapped (with the top / rearward mounting hole having "wandered"). Even with only being affixed to the rifle with three of the four screws, he said it was rock solid, held zero, etc.

[JGW]

Here are some pics:

[JGW]

And a couple more:

[Shug]

Is there any issue with ejecting cases hitting the bottom of the scope?

[timshufflin]

Can't speak to that set up but I can tell you that the center mounted scope mount from m14.ca doesn't have any problems. I would think that they'd both be the same way. If they did strike the bottom of the scope I'd say no worries.

[JGW]

I haven't shot the rifle with this set up yet. The guy I got it from said it was his grandfather's deer rifle for as long as he [the seller] could remember. The seller needed cash to buy a Glock or XD or something. I, on the inside, was shaking my head. Certainly he will regret selling his grandfather's deer rifle to fund a Glock or XD? To each his own I guess. When I shoot the rifle I'll let you know how it does.

JGW

[blfuller]

The Griffin & Howe mount that was used on the M1C is still available and is sold by Griffin & Howe, it uses 1" rings. It is offset so there would be no occlusion of the ejection or loading the clips. Not exactly cheap but that is another option. Not sure how it would compare price wise to the installation of a block for an M1D configuration or the Pachmayr mount.
http://fulton-armory.com/images/Garand%20M1C%205.jpg

[JGW]

I can't speak to the M1D configuration, but with the Pachmayr, while it centers the scope over the action, if you don't have a special jig (that is not made anymore and is not available even from Pachmayr), then your top right mounting hole (top right from perspective looking at the receiver from the left side) has to go through the curved part of the receiver, and it is impossible to drill a straight hole without it walloring out. The only other M1 I've seen with the Pachmayr mount, I spoke with the builder, and that was his experience as well. Even with only three of the mounting holes securing the mount to the receiver, it is reported to still firmly secure the mount such that point of impact doesn't shift. I hope I find that is true.

With the Griffin and Howe, I don't think you have to be concerned with a wandering drill bit, but you don't have the mount centered. Nevertheless, that didn't seem to hold back the marine and soldiers using an offset mount to good effect in WWII and Korea.

JGW