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M1 Garand

3K views 18 replies 11 participants last post by  bumblebee 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've always admired the M1 Garand. Now I may have a couple nickels burning a hole in my pocket and I'd like to seriously look into one. I don't have the desire to spend $1200 on one sinice I'm looking for a shooter not a collector. What are my best options? Try to go through CMP? There is not anyone in my state closer than a couple hours away that handles this. NOT ALLOWED seems a bit high. Am I being unreasonable in my expectations? Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
You didn't say where you live. If you can qualify for a CMP purchase - that could be a good way to go. Most of the on-line auction sites seem to go on the 'high side' of pricing, and you cannot personally see exactly what you are buying.

My advice is to check for Gun Shows in your area. Most States have them. If you are not familiar with M1s - do a LOT of reading up on them before you buy. Pay special attention to makers, makers marks and serial number ranges to know what you are looking for/at.

I see a lot of pretty decent Garands at Gun Shows often for under $900. I've also seen some junk offered for more money - so know what you are after and what to look for. Decide what model you desire - a WW2 issue, a "post-War" issue or a Korean War vintage. They are all out there!

Besides the obvious cosmetic things like finish and quality of wood, you need to know what to look for in parts identification. Don't be too put off if there are some mis-match parts - this is very common with surplus rifles. Be more concerned with the condition of the bore (these were used at a time when corrosive ammo was common, so be wary of pitted, frosted or worn out bores).

I do not have any idea of your firearm knowledge or experience level. If you are not sure - try to find someone who knows Garands - or at least someone with basic firearm knowledge. Last chirp out of me - if you do go to a Gun Show to look at Garands - insist on doing a full inspection BEFORE you buy. If the seller won't let you break it down to examine it - or if it looks "dirty" (and the seller insists it will clean up just fine) - walk away. Remember that if a guy has an $800 rifle he wants to sell - he is going to 'spiff it up' first. If it is junk - he wants to hide it in dirt and grime.
 
#3 ·
I bought a CMP special grade, the one with the new barrel, wood and sling. The receiver has been refurbished and refinished. They are currently sold out, but they do have the special field grade. I believe they are basically the same, just the receiver has a little more pitting above the wood line. If you are looking for a shooter rather than a collector piece, $830 seems like a pretty good price, if you qualify.
 
#5 · (Edited)
I too have a Special which is a totally rebuilt gun with new stocks, new match level barrel, and known good parts internally. The receiver is original but re-finished. It is the like owning a new M1 Garand. I think that is the best way to own a shooter M1 Garand.

My son-in-law is a collector of sorts and he has bought several CMP Service Grade M1's (original parts, low wear, excellent appearance) and each was absolutely excellent. They seemed little used and came with a chamber erosion test number that reflected little use. All shot well.

When you buy M1 Garand at a gun show or from a dealer, except for a visual check, you have little idea of the condition of the gun. The CMP guns are all inspected and graded (both externally and for barrel chamber erosion) so you know exactly what you are getting. No CMP rifle leaves them without being inspected.

The rub is you have to qualify to buy them. Visit their site to see what that means. Many gun clubs offer courses to get you qualified for CMP membership. For most it requires proof of shooting experience unless you are over a certain age. Get the details from them.

While it is nice (I suppose) to have a M1 Garand that may grow in value over time, I think it better to have one with little wear and shoots well. The Special was particularly attractive to me. I am a shooter not a collector and choose guns accordingly. But the son-in-law's several Service Grade guns would satisfy me too.

I bought an M1 Garand several decades ago commercially. The barrel was shot out and the replacement I got at the time was junk. I bedded it and did all the "match" updates and it still never shot well. It had the price advantage when I sold it as having been produced in the last month of M1 production at the close of WWII. I passed it on as it was worthless to me because it had very poor accuracy even after I corrected all its problems.

I also have a Beretta parts gun with an American made receiver and parts made in Italy after WWII. I bought it through a local chain sporting goods store in CA, Big Five, some decades ago. It is only an OK shooter, even with a scope mounted on it.

Those two M1 experiences is why I advocate for the CMP M1 Garands.

LDBennett
 
#6 · (Edited)
CMP is the route to go. I've purchased seven Garands from them, they are hard to beat. It's not like it was, the CMP is almost out of them. You can mailorder a random one or you can buy from the CMP auctions. The auction rifles are pricey, but you are guaranteed an authentic rifle backed by the best customer service there is.

While you're there, buy this for me please :)
http://cmpauction.thecmp.org/detail.asp?id=3919&n=XM-3-Sniper-Rifle-S6533990
 
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#12 ·
But isn't the shooting requirement another stumbling block? I was exempt from competition shooting requirement by my age. I did buy several M1 Garands. See those requirements below:

MARKSMANSHIP OR OTHER FIREARMS RELATED ACTIVITY:
You must provide proof of participation in a marksmanship related activity or otherwise show familiarity with the safe handling of firearms and range procedures. Your marksmanship related activity does not have to be with highpower rifles; it can be with smallbore rifles, pistols, air guns or shotguns. Proof of marksmanship participation can be provided by documenting any of the following:

  • Current or past military service.
  • Current or past law enforcement service
  • Participation in a rifle, pistol, air gun or shotgun competition (provide copy of results bulletin).
  • Completion of a marksmanship clinic that included live fire training (provide a copy of the certificate of completion or a statement from the instructor).
  • Distinguished, Instructor, or Coach status.
  • Concealed Carry License.
  • Firearms Owner Identification Cards that included live fire training. - FFL or C&R license.
  • Completion of a Hunter Safety Course that included live fire training.
  • Certification from range or club official or law enforcement officer witnessing shooting activity. Complete the CMP Marksmanship Form to certify your range firing and the required marksmanship related activity for an individual to purchase from the CMP.
No proof of marksmanship required if over age 60. Proof of club membership and citizenship required for all ages. NOTE: Proof of marksmanship activity is not required for purchase of ammunition, parts, publications or memorabilia.

There is no free lunch in life!

LDBennett
 
#14 ·
Designer:

I have AR's, Garands, FAL, H&K, Levers, bolt, pump, centerfire pistols, rimfire pistols and rifles, and even a couple of shotguns. There is no reason to limit what kind of guns you buy!

The M1 Garand is Iconic and a must have gun! CMP has sold thousands and you will see hundreds at any large gun show. But this is not forever. The last ones were made over 60 years ago. Even though there were well over 5 million made, they will become less available. CMP has offered some of the best I have seen for good prices. They are gunsmith inspected and graded so you know exactly what you are getting. Years ago I bought an M1 Garand sight unseen through an importer and was I ever disappointed. No matter what I did to that gun (replaced worn out barrel with questionable new barrel with partially drilled out gas port and National Match bedded it and it still did not shoot). My CMP Garands shoot well out of the box because I bought the better grades.

My best one is a pure shooter. It has a match grade new barrel from Criterion. All parts are hand selected and refinished. The stock is new. It shoot like a dream. It is their Special grade.

The grades are Rack, Field, Service, and Special. The Service grade ones I bought looked almost new. All barrels are graded by barrel chamber erosion. In some cases you have manufacturer choices. All are cleaned and inspected and repaired as necessary. You need to go to the CMP site to find out what exactly you could get today. It takes time and you have to submit all the right paperwork but eventually it comes to your door step without going through a dealer. In California with all the new laws that may not be true (???). You are ten times more likely to get a good shooting Garand through CMP then you are buying one private party or at a gun show or even through a local gun shop because of the CMP inspection process and grading.

LDBennett
 
#15 ·
My Garand is one I won't give up. It shoots accurately up to 600 yards, and has not failed me. I have carried it through the woods and taken deer, elk and sheep with it. It shoots as well or better than my Rem 700
 
#19 ·
There is little comparison between an AR and a Garand, especially long range accuracy. The gas block/port on the Garand is out at the end of the barrel, while the AR is mid pipe. With the Garand, the bullet is gone before the gas starts the cycling and accompanying barrel rise. If you spend some time shooting a Garand, you will understand

I own several AR's because of the interchangeability of components. I have uppers set up in different barrel lengths, Twists, and accessories, depending on what tool I need. I build my AR's with the Swiss Army Knife concept in mind. I have a long range shooter with 22" bull barrel, Heavy floated hand guard and bipod that weighs more when fully loaded than my Garand, but at 600 yards, the Garand shoots better patterns
 
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