M1 Garand....Help!
I'm wanting an M1 Garand, got that fever for one. I don't want a wall hanger, I want a shooter. About 20 years ago, before I really wanted one, I bought two. One had a barrel that was shot out, and the other one had the barrel cross threaded. I came out ok on trading them though. That experience has me a little jittery about buying one that will be worth anything.
Now, I've got the bug for one to keep and shoot.
I've seen new Springfields on GB for around $925.00. I've seen originals for around $800.00.
The seemimgly best price I've found on the net is $795.00, for a rebuilt one, with a one year warranty.
My questions for the experts are:
1. What do I look for in quality?
2. Do I buy a new Springfield or an older one?
3. If I buy an older one, what's the worst case scenario if it's a piece of junk to make it into a good shooter?
Thanks to all in advance for your replies.
"If they won't give us good terms, come back and we'll fight it out."
-- Gen. James Longstreet
Now, I've got the bug for one to keep and shoot.
I've seen new Springfields on GB for around $925.00. I've seen originals for around $800.00.
The seemimgly best price I've found on the net is $795.00, for a rebuilt one, with a one year warranty.
My questions for the experts are:
1. What do I look for in quality?
2. Do I buy a new Springfield or an older one?
3. If I buy an older one, what's the worst case scenario if it's a piece of junk to make it into a good shooter?
Thanks to all in advance for your replies.
"If they won't give us good terms, come back and we'll fight it out."
-- Gen. James Longstreet
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Purchase a Springfield service grade M1 from the CMP for $500. These are the best deals going and I just received my 8 rifle order for the year a couple of weeks ago. I've looked at every M1 rifle I could find for sale on GB and was left unimpressed with what was offered and the starting prices. A CMP service grade will be a fine shooter and will actually have some collector value down the road since it will be a papered rifle released from government stores. Nearly every other M1 I have run across at gun shows has ether been an import or a CMP resale at a healthy markup. If you want to have a match rifle built for serious shooting then this is another matter entirely.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Mark, where do you find the import marks? I looked at a nice Garand at a show this past weekend for $600, but I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to these rifles.
Thanks, Grizztribefans@sssnet.com0 -
Mark's advice is good. You can find the Civilian Marksmanship Program website at www.odcmp.com
Not everyone can meet CMP requirements for purchasing an M1, so you really need to learn some basics before buying one elsewhere. It is especially important for you to understand the different manufacturers; I cannot recommend that you buy ANY M1 that was not made by/for the US Govt.
During WWII, USGI M1's were made by Springfield Armory (a US Govt factory) & Winchester; during the '50s they were made by Springfield Armory, International Harvester, & Harrington & Richardson. These are the only M1's you should consider. Most of these will have been rebuilt by a US arsenal, and these, if in good condition like most sold by CMP, will be your best bet for a shooter. Surprisingly, if you look carefully, you can actually buy an almost new USGI M1 in substantially original condition in the $1,000-$1,200 range.
Commercial versions of the M1 may have new or used USGI parts, or foreign made parts. These will have names like Springfield Armory, Inc. (a commercial manufacturer), Springfield, Inc. (the same company), Beretta, & CAI. I cannot recommend any of these for you.
If you are unable to buy directly from CMP, sometimes you can do almost as well on the For Sale page at the Culver Shooting Page. Collectors often buy several CMP rifles, looking for a specific model, & then sell the excess for close to what they paid on that site.
Dealers I would be comfortable buying a "service grade" M1 from are Orion 7 & Scott Duff. If you don't know your gun, know your dealer. Buying from an online auction is difficult unless you are REALLY familiar with the gun, and the seller posts a detailed description & high quality photos (something that rarely happens.)
Neal0 -
Thanks Neal!
Thanks, Grizztribefans@sssnet.com0 -
CMP is your best bet to get what you want. Good price, and the potential for collector value. It's a little bit the luck of the draw, but most times you will get a respectable shooter. Good Luck! 0 -
cmp is the way to go. its one of the last places that give the gun a real military inspection before it goes out. i'd be suspect of just about everything else. most guns ive seen out there are parts slammed together as a way to get rid of parts at top dollar. gun mfg'ers are no exception. besides cmp, i'd say hire, (commision,) a true blue garand 'gunsmith' to do a parts hunt for you. let him hunt the best parts out of tons of crap at gun shows, and let him build you a perfect one. his trained eye is what your paying him for. this way, you see it going together and he can tell you what he's doing as he does it. its a good education, trust me. it humbled me a few notches when my guns were built some years ago. i was shown things i would have missed otherwise. ask your smith if he was a military armorer and youre in business! good luck!
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
grizzclaw, take a look at item #12454393 on the GB site and scroll down to the fourth picture the seller has posted. This last photo shows you the most common location for import markings on M1 rifles, although some are stamped on the chamber area of the barrel and can only be seen when the operating rod is in the locked open position. There are also some rifles import stamped on the receiver itself, although this was not a common practice with the Garands.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Mark, thanks. I ran a search after I asked my question and saw the pictures. Thanks for your help. This seems to be one of those weapons that a person should research well before purchasing one.
Thanks, Grizztribefans@sssnet.com0 -
Thanks for all the suggestions. It's been a great help. I'll let you guys know when I finally get one!!
"If they won't give us good terms, come back and we'll fight it out."
-- Gen. James Longstreet0 -
While you guys know I have always recommended the CMP for everything....scott duff is a GREAT CHOICE for high end stuff. He was recently selected by the John C. Garand family to sell off much of Garand's original tools and artifacts. He is also scrupulously honest and infact will tell you when he thinks there may be something suspect about a rifle that looks clean as a whistle...very high marks for him. Beach 0 -
Anyone interested in collectible M1 Garands is urged to check out Scott's web site at www.scott-duff.com remember to put the hyphen between the two names. Of course Rebel SPECIFICALLY asked for a SHOOTER and Mr. Duff's selection is aimed squarely at the M1 collector so be prepared for prices which tend to be double what you'd be looking at for a serivice grade M1 from the CMP.
Mark T. Christian0
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