Sarco Bm59 Type E Garand Kit Comes To Life

[John Ryan]

I registered here years ago but have become an infrequent lurker. After recently buyin this from fellow on the FAL Files who had commissioned this build from James at http://www.cmparmory.com/ I thought I would post some pics.

 

It was built with one of the Kits Sarco is advertising as a BM 59 kit. I have seen this ad in there for years and had never seen or heard of anyone who had done the conversion until now. James at CMP Armory said he has done a few. I remember reading (maybe) here and there that some of these parts may be left over from old projects by Fed Ord/Sante Fe and Golden State. Other posters mentioned that these kits come from Type E conversions done by Beretta for the Argentine navy. I'm not sure what parts of that jazz are true or not. What is true is that these are very cool rifles.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/DSCF2617.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/DSCF2273.jpg

 

I have had a chance to run about 200 rounds through this rifle it and I have to say it runs great and is my current favorite to shoot. The barrel that came with this kit gauges 1 at the muzzle 3 at the throat. It shoots 1 MOA with no problem. The BM59 bolt that came with it did not headspace so this is running with a PB Garand bolt for now. It takes a little nudge to drop the bolt on the first round but feeds and cycles fine under power.

 

 

Here you can see the biggest changes in the modifications to the Garand receiver. In this case the receiver legs have to be drastically reshaped not only on the inside to allow the mag to pass but too lock into the stock as that relationship is changed from the Garands.

 

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2203.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2199.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2180.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2187.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2366.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2194.jpg

 

Here are some shots showing the differences in the inside of the stock.

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/DSCF2321.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/DSCF2322.jpg

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Here compared to a USGI postwar birch

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20stock/DSCF2349.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20stock/DSCF2336.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20stock/DSCF2338.jpg

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The receiver has been modified to have the BM59 bolt catch hold the bolt back after the last round is fired.

 

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2287.jpg

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The barrels are similar to but not identical to the Italian 7.62 conversions that Sarco also sells in that they are a half inch shorter that a 30-06 barrel. The difference is that the Type E/BM 59 barrels have feed ramps timed into the throat and some contour added in the form of a ramp to ease the op rod along the barrel shoulder. The op rod in the type E kit is the same length as the SARCO Italian 7.62 conversion op rod. I tested and they are in fact interchangeable.

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2285.jpg

 

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2354.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2357.jpg

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Anyone know what make of barrel this is??

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/DSCF2626.jpg

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The guy who commissioned the build did not get a brake in his kit and SARCO never made good on it. I even called MG Dave but he said he would not break up a kit. Three weeks ago as I was walking into a Chicagoland gun show I saw one. It was on the first table right by the door. I should have played the lottery that day. Anyway..The brake has 8 ports on the left and 16 ports on the right. I presume this was to control muzzle rise to the right in auto fire. The stubby little break works very well in semi auto and there is very little muzzle rise at all.

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/DSCF2621.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/DSCF2622.jpg

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I'm very happy with my Type E. I love niche models like these.

 

JR

[mikebaker1129]

Nice write up !

Is the mag catch pin welded in the receiver ? The"E" type muzzle breaks do not seem to turn up very often , but a Smith Garand break works well as a substitute .

By the way I also have one "E" conversion built by James at CMP Armory.

Your barrel looks just like mine.

[John Ryan]

Mike

The mag catch pin is welded in in a nice puddle. Did it really need to be?

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2189.jpg

 

 

Finding the brake was a stroke of unmeasurable luck. The guy who was selling said he had had it in his parts box for 20 years and just decided to bring it that day. A Smith brake (spendy) would do profile wise but having the right one is what makes it a complete "E" to me.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/DSCF2618.jpg

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JR

 

 

 

 

 

[4 Brigada]

HI John

 

Beautiful rifle, I have had a project going for a long time now and some of your pics really put everything in perspective. Just have a couple of NOOB questions, the op rod is the standard garand,has the regular bend but its the italian (shorter) ? Does it have the BM59 op rod spring guide ? I see in the pics that the op rod spring housing is different than the one used on the BM59, any chance that the next time you clean it you can get the dimension of the tube used in that spring housing or a pic of it next to a ruler? It would really help me out.

 

Thanks

Walt

[John Ryan]

HI John

 

Beautiful rifle, I have had a project going for a long time now and some of your pics really put everything in perspective. Just have a couple of NOOB questions, the op rod is the standard garand,has the regular bend but its the italian (shorter) ? Does it have the BM59 op rod spring guide ? I see in the pics that the op rod spring housing is different than the one used on the BM59, any chance that the next time you clean it you can get the dimension of the tube used in that spring housing or a pic of it next to a ruler? It would really help me out.

 

Thanks

Walt

 

Sure Walt I will measure and take some separate pics for you. The reason I took such detailed shots was because I too have had projects in this direction. I though others might like to see the real changes at work here with the skirt off. I saw this piece for sale and decided it would save me a lot of time and dough to get this rifle when it became available.

 

I'll expand with the new pics when I get them up but for all intents and purposes this is a USGI op rod (with the same bend). It has been shortened at the tip one half inch by Beretta to meet their design specs of shortening/ converting the barrel to 7.62. The op rods travel has the same relationship to the receiver bolt and barrel as one that is reciprocating on a std Garand. What is different is the method in which it's movement is governed. The OP rod spring guide, in this "E" configuration, is anchored to a pin in the front magazine block instead of the std M1 config linked to the follower arm.

 

I'll get some comparison shots. (I love comparison shots) I'll bet the op rod spring is shorter than std Garand in this variation.

 

 

JR

 

[mikebaker1129]

No, the pin did not have to be welded, but being welded it will never walk out !

I agree on the brake, without it ,it just wouldn't be right !

 

[4 Brigada]

Hi John

 

Thanks for your quick response, I have what I call a BM 59 recoil system, consisting of a BM 59 op rod for the 19.32 imch barrel, the op rod spring, the spring housing, spring guide and forward magazine guide assembly for the same model , by looking at the pics it seems that the BM59 E use the same op rod spring, the difference being that the op rod spring housing is maybe longer and either has a sleeve or its machined so it has the same OD as the op rod recoil spring. Here is where Im at in my project, I picked up a (poorly modified, .308 cut barrel overtimed, op rod incorrect length, barrel looked like it was shortened and shaped with a chainsaw and other issues) .308 Garand rifle that can use M14 mags. Compared to the BM59, the receiver has less modifications and it has a simplified mag retension system that consists of a pin/mag retainer assembly inside a block all this is held in place by the standard Garand follower arm pin, pretty simple similsr to the M1A /M14. But being a cheap bastard, and hold on you purist (let me have the :nono: later) I m replacing the whole front end with BM 59 components, barrel, gas cylinder, and the BM 59 recoil system with it being modified to use the existing components so no further receiver mods are needed. Now the reason behind this is simple, I live in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, I can not own a BM 59 and as I didnt have BM 59 magazines before the Hi Cap ban and dont have any BM 59 magazines now that rules out the true conversion . I have had a couple of M1As way before the Hi Cap mag ban I have a nice supply of M14 mags, it seemed the only way to go. Plus it doesnt have any of the evil features like pistol grip, flashider or folding stock so it can use the detachable magazines. Now this would have been a lot easier with pics but digicam went TU about a month ago. But soon as I can I will post pics especially under the skirt sort of speaking.

 

Cheers

Walt

 

 

HI John

 

Beautiful rifle, I have had a project going for a long time now and some of your pics really put everything in perspective. Just have a couple of NOOB questions, the op rod is the standard garand,has the regular bend but its the italian (shorter) ? Does it have the BM59 op rod spring guide ? I see in the pics that the op rod spring housing is different than the one used on the BM59, any chance that the next time you clean it you can get the dimension of the tube used in that spring housing or a pic of it next to a ruler? It would really help me out.

 

Thanks

Walt

 

Sure Walt I will measure and take some separate pics for you. The reason I took such detailed shots was because I too have had projects in this direction. I though others might like to see the real changes at work here with the skirt off. I saw this piece for sale and decided it would save me a lot of time and dough to get this rifle when it became available.

 

I'll expand with the new pics when I get them up but for all intents and purposes this is a USGI op rod (with the same bend). It has been shortened at the tip one half inch by Beretta to meet their design specs of shortening/ converting the barrel to 7.62. The op rods travel has the same relationship to the receiver bolt and barrel as one that is reciprocating on a std Garand. What is different is the method in which it's movement is governed. The OP rod spring guide, in this "E" configuration, is anchored to a pin in the front magazine block instead of the std M1 config linked to the follower arm.

 

I'll get some comparison shots. (I love comparison shots) I'll bet the op rod spring is shorter than std Garand in this variation.

 

 

JR

Edited November 23, 2009 by 4 Brigada

[John Ryan]

Walt

 

Type E op rod guide is 6 1/8 inches long. and .295 in (7.49mm) thick at hook. It appears to run on a std Garand spring. This one was at 19 and 1/8 at rest ( probably need to be replaced soon.)

 

shown here with a std M1 Garand

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2638.jpg

 

The reduced diameter portion under wrapped coil is exactly 1" long . Sorry I did not feel like taking that spring off to mic it.

 

I'm not sure I know what you mean by the "op rod spring housing is different than the one used on the BM59". The op rod spring is in the op rod.

 

I hope that helps.

 

JR

[John Ryan]

I did find out that the barrel markings... SIAU, stands for Società Italiana Acciai Ugine, or the Italian Society of Steel, Ugine. It was founded in 1930 as an Italian subsidiary of the French Ugine S.A.

 

SIAU was sold to an Italian company, IMS SpA, in the 1990's. They still make custom steels in bars, rods, and sheets.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/DSCF2626.jpg

 

 

JR

[4 Brigada]

Hi John

 

Thank you, man. That really helps a lot. The difference are that the spring that I have for the BM 59 is 18 inches long with no taper. The BM 59 op rod spring housing is 5.875 in length and the diameter is 0.254. This lets the op rod spring go all the way to the "hook". Also inside the op rod spring there is a "op rod spring guide" which looks like some sort of metering needle. From what I have read it limits the cyclic rate of full auto fire. Again thank you for this info. It will save me a lot of research time. So I owe you big. As soon as I can get pics I will post them .

 

Cheers

Walt

 

 

 

Walt

 

Type E op rod guide is 6 1/8 inches long. and .295 in (7.49mm) thick at hook. It appears to run on a std Garand spring. This one was at 19 and 1/8 at rest ( probably need to be replaced soon.)

 

shown here with a std M1 Garand

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/M1/Type%20E%20Garand/Type%20E%20conversion/DSCF2638.jpg

 

The reduced diameter portion under wrapped coil is exactly 1" long . Sorry I did not feel like taking that spring off to mic it.

 

I'm not sure I know what you mean by the "op rod spring housing is different than the one used on the BM59". The op rod spring is in the op rod.

 

I hope that helps.

 

JR

Edited November 24, 2009 by 4 Brigada

[mikebaker1129]

JR I learned something today . I had no idea that is what the SIAU on the barrel stood for !

Thanks for sharing .

I beleive he fas one of the Goldenstate or Federal Ordnance conversions that use M14 mags, that does not ose the dovetail slots inside the receiver and 8mm pin . His uses a simplified block which has a feed ramp /bullet guide and is retained by the follower arm pin used on a M1 Garand.The spring guide look like a sewing needle and does not look like the typical catch found on a BM59.

I have drawings of the parts if you would like I could email them, but I have no idea how to load pics on the forum.

 

Walt sounds like a cool project, I will be attempting a similar project soon .

Sounds like your conversion also used one of the cut down 1903 barrels sleeved to a M1 barrel stub with a insert to convert from 3006 to 7.62 nato that was silver soldered about 1/4 of the way down ?

Did your conversion use a Garand gas cylinder ?

[4 Brigada]

Hi Mike,

 

Yup thats the one of them barrels, when a bought it I checked the headspace LOL. Even with it four pieces of masking tape added to the field gauge it would would go into battery. MMMM something wrong here I thought LOL. So I asked if I could disassemble the rifle, I found the barrel loose, and when I hand tighten it, it overtimed about 10 degrees. So barrel now =boat anchor. Yes it does have a Garand gas cylinder, but gas port was miss drilled on the barrel, in relation to the at rest position of the op rod or the op rod is too long either or. Nice bend on the shortend op rod but it you can tell were it was galling the bottom of the barrel ,also there are indications on the op rod that it was contacting the lower band even though it had enough clearance, the barrel being loose would twist and the op rod would hit along its right side against the lower band as it travelled rearwards. The scariest OH MY GOD is that there was impact induced damage to the bolt and to some extent the receiver. There was someone shooting this rifle in the condition that it was. So far I replaced the barrel, op rod ,op rod spring and gas cylinder, with BM 59 parts. all tolereance were nominal and fit and dry cycling with the hybrid parts (m-14 mag conversion) worked with out a glitch. But the proof is when it goes BOOM and I mean that in the good way. Will keep updating as changes ocurr. But looking for a job is hard work, not much play time. Sure If you have drawings it would be great, I have a machinist, his work is superb but as a result he is a very busy man. looking at the parts they are nothing out of this world to make actually pretty simple. But one needs the time and the proper machines.

 

Best Wishes

Walt

 

 

 

JR I learned something today . I had no idea that is what the SIAU on the barrel stood for !

Thanks for sharing .

I beleive he fas one of the Goldenstate or Federal Ordnance conversions that use M14 mags, that does not ose the dovetail slots inside the receiver and 8mm pin . His uses a simplified block which has a feed ramp /bullet guide and is retained by the follower arm pin used on a M1 Garand.The spring guide look like a sewing needle and does not look like the typical catch found on a BM59.

I have drawings of the parts if you would like I could email them, but I have no idea how to load pics on the forum.

 

Walt sounds like a cool project, I will be attempting a similar project soon .

Sounds like your conversion also used one of the cut down 1903 barrels sleeved to a M1 barrel stub with a insert to convert from 3006 to 7.62 nato that was silver soldered about 1/4 of the way down ?

Did your conversion use a Garand gas cylinder ?

Edited November 29, 2009 by 4 Brigada

[mikebaker1129]

Walt shoot me a email at :mikebaker1129@aol.com and I will send the drawings .

Mike

[mikebaker1129]

John Ryan email me your address I have something that I want to send you in the mail !

Mike

[John Ryan]

FYI

 

Reese Surplus has just found some BM59 "E" stocks ($50.00) and rear handguards ($15.00) in their inventory.

If your E stock from Sarco was as bad as mine you may want to grab one of these. The one I got from her was inleted for full auto and was the correct length to lock up nice and tight on the BM59 E. It did not have the side swing rear swivel and will therefore tolerate a Std Garand butt plate. It was a light colored walnut that had been dyed brown. No makers marks but the heel and grip profile is like the other 1/2" short Terni 7.62 Garand stock I have.

 

If you order one, ask Colleen to double check this measurement on the right side from the full auto cutout to the tip of the stock ( w ferrule removed).

 

The BM59 is 9 1/2 " from the full auto cutout to the tip of the stock

The BM59 "E" is 9" from the full auto cutout to the tip of the stock

 

Colleen Reese (309)441-5003 phone

reesesurplus@geneseo.net

 

There will never be more of these.

 

 

JR