School me on the M1 Garand

[257wby]

I'm in the market for a M1. Is there anything to steer away from or look for? I'm an avid shooter but am wanting to add a Garand (of which I know little about) to the collection for it's historical value. I'm thinking Springfield is the way to go? any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[becker_atc]

I think there are some reweld receivers out there along with some cast ones. Wanna say like century or some one did them. Stay away from those.

I have an international harvester built rifle from the 50's but for true historical I might want a WWII era rifle.

I'm no expert may try the mil surp section




Sent via message in a bottle

 

[adluginb]

Buy from perplexed and you get a good one.

 

[cz_partizan]

Check out the CMP. The requirements are easy to meet and the prices are good but the only thing is you will wait a few months to get it to your door.

I think all they have left are Springfields and HRA's, both will satisfy your needs if you're looking for a good shooter

 

[Kid Glock]

Check both CMP and perplexed.
Unless you're wanting a correct collector grade, a good shooter grade will shoot just as well.
I've had DCM/CMP rack grades that shot decent. For the money and if CMP has any left, I'd suggest service grade for all around use.

 

[Shadowrider]

Perplexed and Coolhandluke know their milsurps for sure.

CMP is sure to get a good shooter into your hands. It'll be a mixmaster, but they sure know how to make sure it's in spec before it goes out the door and you won't have to mortgage the house. For a true collector you just might.

 

[coolhandluke]

All of the advice above is spot on. Study up on how to field strip an M1 and identify any potential issues (i.e. rewelds, bent op rods etc.) before going shopping for one.

If you're new to the M1 platform your two best options are purchasing from the CMP or purchasing from a private seller that is selling a CMP rifle. Todd (Perplexed) does purchase multiple rifles fairly regularly and occasionally he'll handpick his choice of the bunch and offer the others for sale at prices cheaper than you will find from any other private seller or gun shop. IMHO purchasing from someone like Todd (or on the CMP forums) is the way to go if you are picky. There is minimal markup on the price and you know exactly what you are getting. Sometimes it's a crap shoot as to what you will get from the CMP...everything will meet or exceed their grading standards, but it's hard not to be disappointed when you see some of the outstanding rifles that are being received and posted on the CMP forums.

As far as the manufacturer goes a WWII era Springfield will fit the bill perfectly if you are after something with historical significance. Most have undergone rebuilds and part swapping so finding anything as correct as a WWII receiver and original barrel combination would be a good score. If you just want a nice example, a post-war rifle may be the way to go. They also tend to be much more simple to correct if you ever decide to undertake the task. As far as fit and finish is concerned, HRA's were probably the best of the bunch and Winchester's were definitely the worst. WWII era Winchesters and post-war IHC rifles will be the most sought after of your run of the mill field and service grade rifles.

If you can wait until April, the CMP will likely have field grade, service grade, and special grade rifles available at the Oklahoma Games at the OKC Gun Club. You would then be able to handpick a rifle. I would be sure to get there early when the sales open though as the pickings are normally slim and I haven't been overly impressed with the field and service grade rifles offered any of the years that I have attended.

 

[SMS]

Except for a few very well documented examples, just about every Garand is a mixmaster. CMP is my first choice, but if you don't want to do the paperwork, at least buy from a reputable dealer/seller, and buy the gun not the story.

Springfield, HRA, IH, Winchester...if you are just interested in a casual shooter then the manufacturer doesn't matter. Some will fetch more than others.

If you buy one, be prepared to buy more.

 

[Perplexed]

The others have pretty much covered all the salient points of the purchase of a M1 Garand, and Luke makes a number of good points, so I really don't have much more to add. Just for the record, I am not a vendor of Garands! My collection ebbs and flows as the mood strikes me, though at this time I don't have any Garands I'd like to cull from the herd. The CMP route, as mentioned, is the way to go if you're willing to settle for a mixmaster rifle; if you want an all-correct rifle, buy from an established member of the CMP or Surplusrifle forums, or the Garand Collectors Association classifieds, and be prepared to shell out several times what a Service Grade mixmaster will cost. The Garands you see on Gunbroker are a crap shoot - some are honest, but some will have faked stock cartouches or even punch-marked barrels. Proceed with caution and an abundance of common sense if you go that route for an all-correct example.

 

[Pulp]

One other thing; the human thumb is not designed to be shaped like a .30-06 cartridge. The M-1 is capable of doing this, regardless of original thumb design.