True, but they've always had an accuracy problem.
The M1 is a quality built rifle, even though it was mass produced. It's heavy, yet very well balanced. The 30-06 round carries a great deal of energy out to long ranges, and is very accurate. Being more of a quality rifle, it doesn't have that slack/slop feel that allows for it to carry half it's weight in dirt, within the action of the gun, and still fire. But don't let that fool you, these guns are pretty damn rugged. Just the fact that some of these rifles have gone through two wars, some still with the original parts, and all these years later they still see frequent range time today...is really quite amazing.
But you're comparing two different animals. A battle rifle, and an assault rifle. When it comes to accuracy vs. reliability, I have yet to see where the garand doesn't score well in either catagory. Patton hit the nail on the head...
I could challenge anybody, even with the most tricked out ak/sks, at distance shooting with open sights on a garand. No sweat.
I've played with both sks's and ak's, shot them plenty, and yeah they're fun. But please...put the authority in my shoulder and give me a real rifle...Give me the garand!