The entire time I've been reading posts on this thread I've been thinking about an M1 Garand conversion I saw in a magazine several years ago. I found it this morning in a 1995 issue of American Survival Guide magazine. The conversion is from the standard Garand to a version called the T26.....

The T26 is also called the Tanker Garand, although no such models were ever issued to tankers. The article also says that the T26 was a shorter, lighter and more compact version intended for use by airborne and jungle troops, however, none were ever issued. Also, the redistribution of most of the weight to the rear stock of the rifle is said to cut down considerably on recoil, giving about the same as a .223 fired from an AR-15.
www.scott-duff.com/t26.htm

www.theothersideofkim.com/index.php/tos/printv/9031

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