Fixing and Shooting M1s
You might also check with the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP, formerly the DCM) web site (a quick Google should find it). They often have parts for M1 Garands for sale. In the past, they have also sold M2 Ball ammo. Over the years the DCM/CMP has sold Carbines, 1903 Springfields, 1911A1s and M1 Garands. It is a congressionally mandated program administered by the US Army to promote marksmanship.
Also check for the closest rifle club in your area that hosts CMP rifle matches which should be listed at the CMP web site. They normally shoot the National Match Course of fire with service rifles. While the M1 is still used in these matches, the match grade AR-15 rifles now rule the roost, but shooting an M1, M1a or AR-15 is a fun way to spend the day. CMP Clubs will often provide competetors with M2 Ball ammo or M80 (7.62 NATO) Ball as part of their entry fee.
If you like to shoot, there is no better way to do it with your new M1. The course of fire is usually 10 rounds standing at 200 yards, 10 rounds sitting rapid fire (2 and 8 in 60 seconds) at 200 yards, 10 rounds rapid fire (2 and 8 in 70 seconds) at 300 yards prone position, and finally 20 rounds prone slowfire (1 minute per round) at 500 or 600 yards depending on the facilities at the rifle range. Ranges that only have a 100 yard distance will shoot the reduced course which is the same course of fire, but with target sizes reduced to simulate their apperance at 200, 300 and 600 yards at 100 yards. Most soldiers and marines that used the M1 in WWII and Korea learned their skill on similar courses of fire, so once mastered, you will have a much closer kinship with your M1 and its role in history.
As Stand Watie noted above, most collectors soon find that there are virtually no un-rebuilt M1 Garands extant, but many aficionados will go to great lengths to obtain the proper parts with the proper draw numbers to rebuild their rifles to an original condition. At one time, the DCM warehouse at the old Anniston Army Arsenal in Alabama would rebuild an M1 to original specifications if the rifle had been purchased through the DCM (now CMP). I think they suspended the service in the mid 90s.
One note about reloading to duplicate the M2 Ball load. As alluded to by Kevin when using commercial ammo, use IMR 4895 or an equivalent rate of burn powder. The gas system of an M1 lets a lot of gas in and if you use a slow burning powder, its peak pressure will be too close to the gas port near the muzzle and can potentially bend the oprod. The gas system on the M1 evolved from an original gas trap system, so don't stress it with a slow burning powder such as IMR 4831. This will probably mean a lower velocity than you might achieve in a bolt action rifle, but your M1 will last a lot longer. One of the big improvements to the M1's replacement, the M14, was an improved gas piston assembly that self vents when actuated and releases high pressure shortly after the piston starts its reward movement. That and its shorter, stiffer design precluded the oprod bend that can befall an M1 using improper or slow burning powder.
A quick aside for Stand Waitie: When I shot on the 5th Army Rifle Team, we used to practice a couple of times a year at Camp Bullis, not too far from your location in San Antonio. They have a great KD range there and one can shoot in matches out to a thousand yards there. It's a wonderful place to shoot and I'd bet my lunch money that you can enter CMP matches there on several weekends in the spring and summer.
