Never did catch the guy's last name. Old guy named Tom who runs his
gunsmith shop in the back of a gun shop/pawn shop in Hot Springs. He
was recommended to me several years ago as someone who knows his way
around a Garand. The rifle looks terrific. Took the thing to a
rifle match at MVSA this morning. The first group I shot while
sighting was about 2". The ammo is old surplus of unknown origin.
The markings on the boxes were in English, at least. I won the
match, but it doesn't really count since .308 rifles aren't legal for
John C. Garand matches. HUGE gain in accuracy, but considering that
the old barrel was made in 1942 and apparently the rifle was used in
basic training considering the cleaning rod damage to the muzzle, I
certainly expected a huge gain in accuracy. Like I told someone
else, getting a new barrel took away all my excuses if I don't score
well. The rifle is also much more pleasant to shoot. The perceived
recoil is about on par with my SKS now. So now I have a rifle with
about the same felt recoil as an SKS, only with trigger and sights
that are not even in the same league, and 2moa accuracy with me
shooting it. I'd have to say I'm fairly pleased.