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This Garand makes me smile

2K views 16 replies 7 participants last post by  CCHolderinMaine 
#1 ·
http://cmpauction.thecmp.org/detail.asp?id=3989&n=M1-Garand-Service-SA-5754
I'm pretty sure this is the second lowest number Garand I've ever seen go up for sale.
I think they are ultra neat. Number 5754 out of about 4,300,000 SAs made.
The Garand buying folks don't find them quite as neat as I do as it's only up to about 1500 after 8 days on auction.
By contrast this low grade, but quite rare WIN-13 is over 2200 after only about 8 hours...
http://cmpauction.thecmp.org/detail.asp?id=4017&n=M1-Garand-Field-quotWin-13quot-WRA-1630177
If anybody would like to buy me a Christmas in July present, I'd be very happy with either!
 
#5 ·
Any Winchester Garand is a hot seller. What is your barrel, stock? That will make a huge difference. That being said, your average Winchester mixmaster is hard to find under a grand. And, it's real easy, I mean real easy, for a Winchester to be worth more.
But, keep in mind what you're seeing here is CMP auctions. These are auctions only in that the price is determined by bid. You're buying from the CMP and that increases the price a lot.
 
#3 ·
That Win with all the correct parts will sell for bigger money than that when it's all done, but I really like that low number SA. That could be a bargain even though it's a mixmaster. If you don't get it for your birthday in July, I wish someone will give it to me in August! :)
 
#6 ·
But with CMP you get a gunsmith inspection, a measure of barrel erosion, an an honest representation of condition. How many other auction sites offer that and what exactly do you know about one on a rack at a LGS or at a gunshow or private part sale?

My desire is a excellent shooter so I went with the CMP Special Grade that has a new Criterian barrel, refinished select parts, and a new stock. I have seen several of the CMP Service Grade Garands and they almost looked new.

Decades ago I bought one of the Korean import Garands. I got a shot out barrel, some worn out internals, and a dinged up stock. It shot just barely OK. I replaced the barrel with a new bargain barrel, replaced some of the obviously worn out internals, and it still only shot OK. Its receiver was SA but the serial number revealed it was made in the last month of WWII as SA stopped production in 1945. It sold easily decades later.

I also have a "Beretta" Garand. It actually is a USA made receiver (no marking on it by whom?) with all Beretta made internals and barrel. I put it in a laminated new stock and added a scope. It is an OK shooter. Neither Garand I have owned shoot as well as my CMP Special and I have in it only about what you would pay for a SA Garand at a gun show that was in much lesser condition. Originality means nothing to me. How well it shoots and how good it looks is what is important to me. Garlands are NOT an investment to me as I NEVER plan on selling the CMP Special. It goes to the family trust for disbursement when I am gone.

LDBennett
 
#8 ·
But the regular CMP prices for the various grades are fixed.

Auctions in general for anything usually result in the buyer paying too much.

A few years ago I was searching for a barrel for a Dan Wesson revolver. I tried regular source with no luck. I found one on an auction site and proceeded to bid. I needed that barrel since I had irreparably damaged the original trying to get the shroud nut off. So I set up to try to get the last bid in. Having never done it before, I timed it wrong and lost the barrel. Upset at myself, I started the search all over again and found a new one for less that the closing auction price for a used one. So much for auctions!

LDBennett
 
#12 ·
Let's see: $7000+ for a Winchester M1 Garand that is close to or maybe even pristine. It is so valuable that it will never be fired and will spend its life in a safe. OK, if that turns you on.

I spent closer to $1000 for a "Excellent" CMP Special with re-finished metal, a new criteria barrel, and a new stock. Sure, there is little history but I get to shoot it! I had a WWII Korean re-inport with a shot out barrel, crummy wood, poor accuracy, but History as it was delivered to the government in the last month of WWII. I also have a Beretta internal parts and barrel gun with a US made new receiver and an added laminated stock. Looks great but it has only average accuracy.

I'll take my CMP Special any day because I am in no way reluctant to take it to the range and shoot it. I'd even take it into the open desert to shoot cans and steel targets. It is a shooter not a safe queen.

But everyone gets to choose. I have a hard time with pure collecting guns that are made to shoot. But that's just me.

No thanks to the $7000+ Garand (the auction is not over yet...I think it will go for more).

LDBennett
 
#13 ·
I like both.
I own 7 Garands. 4 of them are shooters. 2 have enough "extra" value that I don't shoot them. One is in the process of moving from "as received" to "shooter".
I find the history enjoyable. I'm personally a collector type person. I enjoy the rarity of the unusual and desirable ones.
You hit it on the head. "everyone gets to choose."
 
#14 ·
So here is my logic (I respect the opinions of those that collect but I don't have to agree with collecting to collect):

I don't buy hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, lathes, milling machines or other tools to hide them in a darkened garage, never to be used. They are tools to be used. I treat guns the same way. ALL my many guns are tools to be used, even if they have excessive value (if I even buy such guns, which I don't, normally). There are NO safe queens among my many guns. Some are more expensive than others but are treated equally.

That is what I choose.

Why am I so vocal on this matter? Because collectors raise the value of some interesting guns I'd like to own to beyond my ability to own them, financially and availability wise. They raise their value through their demand, buy them and take them out of circulation, and make them impossible for the normal shooters to own. Think COLT SAA, COLT anything, Connecticut High Standards, and many others. It upsets me to think of great shooting guns sidelined to live in a safe forever.

Such is Life!

LDBennett
 
#15 ·
I understand your point.
I look at it this way.
I'm a coin collector. One thing that I find very interesting is early type coins in uncirculated condition. One that I like a lot is a 1876 seated dime in MS-61. I find it amazing that a dime from that time can possibly find it's way to 2017 without ever entering circulation. Where was it hiding until some collector found it and preserved it? But, if that collector hadn't done that, it wouldn't be here for me to enjoy. Sure, I'm not going to put it into circulation where it was intended to be, but my collecting it might allow it to be here another 150 years from now for someone else to marvel at it's historical trip.
That mint Garand could be taken out and fired until that barrel was shot out just as it was intended to be, but I look at it and ask "how on earth did it make it to today?". So sure, this one is most likely going to ride the safe. But maybe that'll mean it's here 100 years from now making your great,great,great grandson appreciate an original example from days long, long past.
Just another way to look at it. We completely agree that there are different views on the subject, and that's ok.
 
#16 ·
Been a few years back but I had a friend that was a High Power Match shooter. I've still got his shooting glasses and log book. Havn't looked at it in years but I've got it. He was an NRA Judge. Didn't find out till after he had died that he had LOADS of ribbons and awards. DEAF AS A POST from NOT using ear protection.
When he died, I grabbed all of his guns so they wouldn't sprout legs.:eek:
His "BABY" was an M1 Garand. Custom made Walnut stock. The rifle was all Chrome plated. I thought about keeping it for myself but after firing it a few times and getting the $**T kicked out of me, I figured it best if I got rid of it and give the $$ to his wife. This thing kicked like a mule!!
I shoot an M1A and the recoil doesn't bother but this Garand and the 30.06 ammo was a KILLER.:eek:
His wife asked me about his "Baby" and I told her that I would sell it BUT, I wasn't going to "give it away". Finally took it to the local Gun shop and put it on Consignmemt. Was asked how much I wanted to sell it for and got the old "Pawn Shop" drill. It's just an old rifle, etc.:rolleyes: You won't get that much out of, etc.:rolleyes:Sell it for $1000.00. It'a all custom built.

Got a call the next day "first thing in the AM".
Sold it!!:cool::cool: Went up to the house and gave his wife the $1000.00 CASH and she dam near fell over. I told you "I wasn't going to give it away".;)
I think I fired maybe 20 rounds thru it while I had it and my shoulder still hurts.:)
 
#17 ·
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