While upwards of 6 million M1 Garand rifles were produced between 1936 and 1957, almost all of these were .30-06 models made under Army (War Department) contract and then filtered out through the U.S. military.
A much smaller slice was the Navy-ordered circa 1960s MK2 7.62 NATO conversions of which AMF upgraded 17,050 rifles and H&R another 15,000 rifles using a 3:1 mix of converted .30 caliber barrels (the MK2 MOD 0 rifle) and new-made 7.62mm barrels from Springfield Armory (the MK2 MOD1).
Few of these rifles have floated out to the consumer market over the years, typically being prize guns won by Navy and Marine personnel at marksmanship events then subsequently later sold to local gun shops and collectors.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program, the DOD’s clearinghouse for surplus civilian legal rifles, has typically just sold isolated stripped receivers and the occasional gun at auction.
That is until the organization recently obtained a stockpile of these guns from naval storage.
They have both models available as of this post, with the following information (and prices) noted by CMP:
MK2MOD0. These rifles were conversions of the M1 Garand to 7.62 NATO using a chamber bushing to convert the barrels from 30.06 Springfield. CMP categorizes these rifles as unserviceable due to the likelihood of “bushing ejection”. These will be inspected and generally complete but will be shipped in an inert state that maintains the rifle’s historical integrity. A waiver must be signed to acknowledge receipt of this NLU as a non-functioning display piece along with CMPs intention that no attempt be made to reactivate the firearm to a functional state. Parts will not be gauged, and no implication of serviceability should be implied. Transferred exclusively for collectability and display, these rifles are being sold “as-is” with no refunds or exchanges. $950.
The MK2MOD1 was a purpose-built 7.62 NATO caliber rifle, built without the problematic “barrel bushing”. The MOD1 has a 7.62 NATO chamber without the barrel bushing and is safe to use with 7.62 NATO ammunition. These rifles have been inspected, repaired as needed and function fired. Cosmetic condition is good, but Throat and Muzzle readings may exceed normal service-grade criteria. These are being sold as is. Purchase will require written acknowledgment regarding EXCLUSIVE compatibility with 7.62 NATO, Mil-Spec ammunition. These rifles should not be assumed safe for use with commercial spec, .308 WIN ammunition. $1,600
With these guns suddenly a thing, the Garand Collector’s Association has made several Navy MK2 articles available to the public to help provide some more knowledge on these rare rifles.