Great story! I remember my first and only M1 that I was issued in high school JROTC for 4 years (79-83'). Springfield Armory #3134069, barrel was plugged and bolt face welded for the school however. Carried that sucker for over an hour everyday after school. Owned about 9 of them over the years. Now I highly doubt I'll ever be able to own any of the rifles I was issued in the Army or carried in the service in Iraq. Our Gov't doesn't trust us after we get out with a "once a machine gun, always a machine gun".
CD