[Nick1911]

So where can i find a good shooter and how much will it cost? I was thinking under $800; what are my options for a service grade Garand? It will be awhile before i get the money for one (got a remington 11-87 on the way :D ) so i'll check out the local shops; although i don't remember seeing too many of them around.
Is there anything that i should make a special effort to check when looking one over considering purchase? (like some flaw that is a common weak point)
Any other insider information on the garand would be great,
thanks,
-Nick

[Brian Dale]

Sure! The jaw-dropping news you'll encounter at the Civilian Marksmanship Program's web site, most specifically the page:

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1garand.htm

is that you can get a service-grade M1 for five hundred bucks. All you have to do is to meet their requirements and send in a form with your money. The requirements are easy to meet: be 18 or older US citizen (I don't see your location, though), not be prohibited by law from possessing a rifle, join a CMP-affiliated club (even the Garand Collector's Association), and show proof of marksmanship: either shoot a couple of affiliated matches (don't let this be a worry - they're fun), or be military, LEO or a veteran.

Check out these threads:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=551804

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42938

and

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46822

Plenty of links in there to get you started, and there's more good info at

http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com/

[Newton]

Sounds like a lot of trouble to save $300.

[DonP]

and at the last five gun shows I've been to, the starting price for Garands was closer to $1,000 in decent shape. I saw one for $850 and it was pretty sad looking and was a Danish return.

The CMP Garands are still the best gun deal around. I have 2, so far. I'm saving up for an 03A3 next.

The paperwork sounds tougher than it is. If you are a Veteran you can take the short cut and just send in a DD 214 isntead of the shooting requirement. The CMP site even gives you a link for requesting a copy of your DD 214 form too.

Don P.

[Steve Smith]

Sounds like a lot of trouble to save $300.

:scrutiny:


I must really need a life. I thought I had one, but I guess I am wrong?

[ReadyontheRight]

CMP Garands go through a better testing process (http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/inspect.htm) than most used rifles and they will give you a replacement if you get a clunker. The best way to buy one is if you can get to the CMP shop at Camp Perry and pick one out for yourself. You need proof of citizenship, membership in an affiliated organization and proof that you've shot in a high power match. Just track down your local CMP-affiliated organization to fulfill the last two requirements.

The best deal around. Unless of course you can get an experienced high power shooter to sell you one that is all tuned-up.:)

I guess I need a life too.

[Steve Smith]

ROTR, I thought they were all Rack Grades there...that's all I saw when I looked.

No one would ever sell a kick-butt Garand like you are talking about. What are you thinking?


How's that thing shooting, anyway?

[Nick1911]

well i'm 17 (be 18 soon) looking for my first centerfire rifle, i always kinda liked the garand, (haven't fired one yet) and decided to opt for it over something more modern and\or accurate (i woln't be shooting it much, around here i can get away with shooting a 22 all i want, but i'm probably get my neighbors pretty angry if i light off a 30-06 all the time) I'm in Indiana, i'll check out CMP's website for affilitated organizations around here.
Thanks,
-Nick

[ReadyontheRight]

Steve -- I think they probably sell out of the Service Grade during the Garand matches at Perry. They are always putting new Garands and Springfields out as they go through the process.

I stopped by the store on my way out of town. The armorer was walking out to put one on the rack and he asked if I was looking to buy one today. He had just set out a Service-grade Winchester they had just rebarreled. $575, but I had no $$. I could have brought it home and sold it for at least $900 (but I wouldn't have sold it).

I'm embarrased to say that I haven't shot it yet. I really do need a life. I'm getting to know my AR and getting my old Garand ready for hunting season.

That Springfield will get a good workout next Spring and Summer getting ready for the NTIT. I only had 4 rounds left at 200 yards. Next year we'll do better now that we know what we're doing.

[voilsb]

I want one, too, but I need the money for it :(

[shermacman]

I got a service grade M-1 from CMP just two months ago. The wood was fairly beat up but responded beautifully to a good scrubbing and linseed oil. The trigger mechanism, action and barrel were absolutely clean. Like never fired. I ran an entire box of ammo, the NATO box with bandoliers and clips already assembled, through it my first month. I love the gun. The paper work is a bit of a pain but hey best five hundred bucks I have ever spent! Every time I fire it I can sense the men who won World War II.

[Steve Smith]

That's cool. Get some good zeros for that old girl and she'll treat you fine. I know that the CO team can win the civilian NTIT next year...we will see.

I would also like to win the civilian NTT on Friday. I know we could...but will we? We will see!

[ReadyontheRight]

Nick1911 -- You'll be hard-pressed to find anything more accurate than a Garand for the $$. At least if you plan to shoot more than 5 rounds at a time. Hunting rifles may be accurate, but they are not built for shooting more than a few rounds accurately at a time.

Welcome to the club! (You're a member even if you are just thinking about getting a Garand). I wish I had your interest in Garands when I was 17. I could have bought one for around $100.

[RustyHammer]

CMP ....


www.odcmp.com

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1garand.htm

www.battlerifles.com

[cracked butt]

I bought a service grade from CMP this year and am very happy with it. I would buy 3 or 5 more if I had the money lying around.:D

[vertigo7]

I'm looking into buying one for myself from the CMP as well. I'll need 3 to properly stack arms, so I'd better start saving my pennies....

[Brass Balls]

For an excellent price on a new Sprinfield Garand checkout http://www.sportingarms.com/results.asp?mfr_name=0&category_descr=0&subcategory_descr=0&max_price=&keyword_descr=garand&B1=Submit&page_no=1

[RustyHammer]

Yeah, but could get two REAL USGI M1's for that money via CMP and still have a few bucks for ammo! :p