Garand or M1A

[Smiley]

I was just at the local gun store and I found something that I have been looking at for a while. An M1 Garand in excellent shape with low 600,000 serials number for a decent price. Much less than the new springfield and a little more than a CMP throw together. I am going to sell one of my pistols that I haven't used in several years to fund it right after I take some good digital pics of it. I can almost do an equal trade for it

On the other hand I have been kind of unofficially saving afund for an M1A.

Should I jump on this Garand or keep saving for the M1A and keep looking for another Garand.

 

[Carnitas]

M1A mags are in the range of $50 each. Garand clips are much cheeper. For a highpower rifle or plinker the Garand makes sense if you shoot 3-gun or some other sport where a 20 round mag would be useful go with the Springfield. How's the barrel on that Garand? If its shot out it might not be such a good deal.

 

[Sunray]

The voice of experience says to jump on it. If you wait, the price will have doubled for a rifle in poorer condition. Check out out well before you buy it though. Especially the muzzle.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Why not get a CMP garand ?

 

[B27]

Bird in the hand.

 

[craigz]

Definitely go for the Garand. You can always get a new M1A.

 

[Feanaro]

Why not get a CMP garand ?

Gotta join a CMP club, spend X amount of time and qualify. As far as I know.

 

[Blain]

Get an Armscorp M14 with all USGI parts....do NOT get the M1A gun (which is the Springfield TRADEMARK NAME for their gun) as they are made out of cast parts and suck. Only get an M1A if it is a preban made out of all GI parts.

I would get a real USGI Garand over an M1A cast replica of a rifle.

 

[El Rojo]

I vote for both.

 

[45Badger]

Got both. Love both.

Get first one you like and can afford. Save for the other.

Thenyou too, can love both.

 

[Sactown]

I agree with 45Badger. Get what you can afford now and save for the other. Sooner or later, you'll get both.

There is more surplus .308 than 30.06, if ammo availability is a consideration.

 

[hps1]

Smiley:
If you are a veteran, you do not need to fire the qualification match; all you need is to send your DD214. Also, when you say qualify, there is no requred minimum score to shoot and the CMP matches are a lot of fun. Our club will furnish an M1 rifle and 58 rounds of ammo to shoot the course (includes entry fee) for about $21.00 and provide coaching, as well. IIRC you only have to fire one match to "qualify", and who knows, you just might get hooked. CMP has a list of affiliated clubs across the country on their web site.

By the way, if you are a vet, you can simply join a State Rifle Assn. to fill the requirement of belonging to CMP club, as most are CMP affiliated. Details here: www.odcmp.com/

Once the CMP Garands dry up, look for the Garand prices to jump just like the "03's and 03A3"s, and as has already been pointed out, M1A's will always be available.

Which ever rifle you choose, have fun!

Regards,
hps

 

[FPrice]

GET IT!

If it is in excellent shape, it is worth the money. However, at that serial number range, do not expect all of the components to be original. It is most likely a combination of parts as most GI guns ended up with swapped out parts (due to mass GI-cleaning parties and quite probably a new barrel. This however does not detract from the worth of the rifle.

Garands just do not seem to show up much in this part of the country, especially at that price.

Check it out carefully and if you are correct on the condition, I say buy it and start a new fund for the M1A.

 

[Nando Aqui]

Without going into how good or bad castings are, or how many different types there may be, just who does not use castings? From what I have read, Polytech uses forgings, but many people don't trust their quality either.

======================
Blain:
"Get an Armscorp M14 with all USGI parts....do NOT get the M1A gun (which is the Springfield TRADEMARK NAME for their gun) as they are made out of cast parts and suck. Only get an M1A if it is a preban made out of all GI parts. "
======================

Armscorp Website: (about their receivers - abbreviated quote)
"...Manufacturing the best M14 semi-auto receivers Doesn’t Happen by Magic... They are made from 8620 certified steel investment castings..."
======================

 

[aerod1]

It makes no difference which one you get first because eventually you will have both. I know.

Jim Hall

 

[Fatelvis]

Aerod, I agree, because it happened to me! UA Sprinklerfitters Local 281 Chicago

 

[FPrice]

aerod1...

"It makes no difference which one you get first because eventually you will have both."

Actually....it does make a difference. Financially at least. From what I have seen, Garands just keep getting more expensive, and a bit rarer, while M1As seem to be holding still on price levels and also seem to be a bit more available. So it may be smarter to get the Garand first and then look for the M1A.

BTW, I agree with the second part of your statement since I also have both.