[Sven]

Curious which manufacturer you would choose for your M1 Garand, and why.

[Dan Shapiro]

I have one of each and they're all about the same. If you want the best looking, then go with H&R or a 6 million SA.

Anything other than a SA will require you to wait at CMP.

[dude]

If going for a 'new' one I'd go Springfield Armory. (even after I found that Hesse is making the revievers for them!)

I wanted one in .308 so I bought one of those $500 CAI beaters........... and had a new .308 barrel installed. After a bit of gas port tuning and spring swapping she shoots NATO 7.62 fantastically well. The South African stuff that is to popular out there right now is not hot enough to cycle though.

$850 total happily invested for parts/smithing

[telewinz]

Because I used to have on IH and got rid of it before it became such a collectors item.:banghead:

[jacks308]

That was an easy one , 3 million or higher Springfield and don't look back untill anything else (except a cast clone catches) ya in a weak moment . They are the easiest ones to find and the finnish appears to me to have gotten better after around the 3 mil. mark . HRA 's or Italian ones would be second for me .

Jack

[Southla1]

2 or 3 of each!:D

[Stephen Ewing]

Dude, I'm pretty sure the "new" Springfield I took apart a couple of weeks ago was made by Lithgow.

Either way, I wasn't real impressed with it. The sides of the receiver weren't anywhere near parallel, so those grooves the follower rides in got very close together as you got lower, which made re-assembly more of a fight than I'm used to.

Steve

[Sven]

What are the differences between the manufacturers, besides scarcity?

Different parts? Finishing?

[CGofMP]

Depends on what it's wanted for....
I suspect this has to do with selecting a CMP weapon... so any and ALL opinions will be null and void because they are not in even close to similar condition...

Sight unseen for shooting I'd probably go for Springfield. They have a reputation of ebing better made.

For collecting - Winchester. People want those for the name. They are however GENERALLY not machined as nicely.

For the 'historical' factor - International Harvester because they made farm Machinery and its neat to see weapons with makers marks from tool, toy, or busines machine makers (remember M1 Carbines by Rockolla and IBM?)

For the 'neato' factor - Harrington and Richardson.

Bottom line is that at this point in time (no new USGI M1's being made) all M1's need to be taken on an individual basis when appraising them or selecting one to shoot. Blanket statements pretty much fail.

I am NOT talking about the newer made or remade weapons from present-day springfield, blue sky, or any of the others. I vastly prefer milsurp USGI.

Just my opinion.


Charles

http://www.memorableplaces.com/m1garand/



http://www.memorableplaces.com/m1garand/navimages/soldier.jpg

[Citadel99]

There's just something cool about having a rifle made by the same folks that made combines, rigs, and the first ever SUV--the Scout.

Mark

[Kahr carrier]

International Harvester. :)

[scottsw1]

I have a Springfield, but would love an H&R and a Winchester!

[cratz2]

I voted for the 'Just Buy One' option but all things being equal, there are plenty of Springfields and I'm sure it will be easier to get one in the future. If they were all of the same general condition, I'd probably get an International Harvester.

[Sven]

Charles,

Amazing site. Thank you for your detailed observations on the process and the product!

I was leaning towards getting a Miltech Arms (http://www.miltecharms.com/) restored M1 Garand (http://www.miltecharms.com/rifles.htm#GARAND).

I'm less interested in complete authenticity of all the bits and pieces, and more interested in something in 'as issued' condition.

Looking.... well, like this:

http://www.miltecharms.com/m1g.jpg

I'm hoping to meet with the owner of Miltech in the coming weeks and tour his facility - it's just up the road. I'd like to hear how these restorations group.

Specs, from the website:


SPECIAL MILTECH M1 GARAND

RESTORATION FEATURES
Gas system rebuilt; new stainless steel piston on OP rod, gas cylinder honed to match piston, guide-lug rebuilt and milled to original dimensions, new operating rod spring installed New hammer spring New clip-latch spring New clip ejector spring Rear sights re-worked and calibrated to insure a tight positive adjustment New walnut stock, inletted to each action New match grade barrel

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Original GI manufacturer Action: Gas semi-auto Weight 9 lbs 8 oz Length 43.6 in Muzzle Velocity: 2,750fps Max. range: 3,450 yds Max. Effective range 800-1,000 yds Magazine: 8 round, En Bloc

ACCESSORIES INCLUDED
Chamber Brush Combination Tool Two 8 Round Clips Historical Literature New Model 1907 Leather Sling Sectional Cleaning Rod Manual Padded Case Pine Crate
Price - $1550.00

OPTION: Rarer Manufacturers: Winchester, International Harvester, Harrington & Richardson
(Please add $125.00 to above prices)


Pricey. There is a Winchester MILTECH on GunBroker right now with a bid at $1,000 - buy now for $1495.

My goal is to have a reasonably accurate, new or nearly new rifle in terms of the actual mechanics (especially the barrel). I just don't like the idea of an old barrel of unknown history.

My roomate just inherited a nice old rifle in .30-06 and is considering returning to handloading. :rolleyes: :D

[JG]

Orion 7 all day long......very nice Garands.:cool:

http://www.m1garandrifle.com/

[Sven]

Orion can get pricey too...

Match Grade. These rifles are rebuilt using our finest first quality U.S.G.I. parts. Premium grade medium weight Douglas match barrel, specially selected new commercial walnut stock and handguards, full bedding, match front and rear sights capable of 1/2 minute adjustments, match front end and gas system modifications, and match tuned trigger. A serious competition rifle. Available in 30-06 or popular 308 Win ( add $25.00. ) Guaranteed under 1.25 M.O.A. Complete with sling, clips, and training manual. $1749.95

Trophy Match grade. Our finest match rifle. Rebuilt with all our first quality parts as our standard match grade rifle. All match modifications including a premium Chrome-Moly heavyweight Kreiger barrel. Guaranteed under 1 M.O.A. Available in 30-06 or popular 308 Winchester ( add $25.00 ). Complete with sling, clips, and training manual. 1949.95

[CGofMP]

I just toured miltech in a limited way last weekend.

From what I saw they do SPECTACULAR work. The rifles look like they just came out of the factory for the first time.


MOST Collectors would NOT be interested in these as Miltech does not appear to mind switching out parts, stocks, and of course refinishing and reparking...

But for those looking for a shooter that looks to be in prime shape you could do worse!

I have also heard good things about Orion and Dean's Gun Restorations.

Thank you very kindly for the nice words about my website. We worked really hard on that one and even harder on the portions of it that CMP got from us last year. Those portions which deal with Nomenclature, Accessories, Detail Stripping etc of the Garand can be found at http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com

I really fell in love with Garands a few years ago... would never have expected it.

It is a magnificent arm with a history that makes it unique. Like the 1911 model .45 it is elegant in design and it is simple to operate and service/strip on the user level.

Thanks again for the praise of the site :-)

Charles
http://www.memorablepaces.com/m1garand/

http://www.memorableplaces.com/m1garand/atrainwreck.jpg

[JG]

Orion can get pricey too...


Well sure, but do you need a Match gun? You can get a Battle grade for $899 or a Select grade for $1299...which is basically unissued in appearance (refinished metal, new wood, new Wilson barrel).

With Orion, you definitely get what you pay for.....but you're right, they are not that cheap.

[3 gun]

If there ever was a "must have" the M1 Garand is it. Get one, any one, while you still can.

[foghornl]

International Harvester made for 2 reasons...

My long deceased Dad carried the M-1 as a WW2 Army Infantryman, earned a Silver Star in the Pacific Theatre.

Post-war, Dad worked for IH for 31 years, was in the Evansville, Indianna Refridgeration/Machine Works division from 1953-1959, when the 'fridge/freezer/home AC division was sold to what is now Whirlpool. He worked in the Receiver Broaching line, as I sort of vaguely recall him mentioning several years later.

P.S. My M-1 is a 1955 vintage IH, still with the LMR of (I think)Birmingham, Alabama barrel.

[D.W. Drang]

"Other: Several of each!" :D

[eclancy]

Hi all,
I would go with an IHC with the LMR barrel. Most of the LMR barrels were close to NM spec's.
Thanks again
Clancy

[Gewehr98]

Kinda looking for a Beretta or Breda Garand now. They did a good job with all that leftover Winchester Garand tooling.

[Sven]

Looks like most people are voting for Springfield or 'doesn't matter' - might be that they are just voting for the Garand they actually own. =)

Results so far:

1. Springfield Armory 36.84%
2. Doesn't matter... just get one! 26.32%
3. International Harvester 18.42%
4. Harrington & Richardson 7.89%
5. Winchester 5.26%
6. Other 5.26%

"International Harvester" sounds pretty cool - many of these rifles were no doubt used to 'harvest' internationally.

[ReadyontheRight]

Everyone needs a Garand. Get one from the CMP while you still can before they get even more spendy.

Springfield. General Issue. Service Grade. There are many like it but this one's mine.:)

[BenW]

Kinda looking for a Beretta or Breda Garand now.
Empire Arms has one (Breda) left:

http://www.empirearms.com/rifles.htm

[Selfdfenz]

IH but only because I had one once....and I always liked the idea it was made by a tractor company.
Still remember the serial number.

S-

[Bostonterrier97]

Beretta...because they are so rare...actually I would like a REAL BM59 by Beretta..
(note: the Japanese made a few copies too..)