I live in NJ, so I can't make the ride, but I'd love the chance to hand pick mine if I can.
While I was searching around this site I found a link to a "garandguy" who is here in NJ. His website looks pretty good so maybe I should check them out and pay a little extra for his work.
Depending on where you are in NJ it's a 10-12 hour ride to CMP North. It is nice to pick one out but I have never been disappointed with a mail order M1 form CMP.
I've had some dealings with Tony (thegarandguy) and from my experiences he is honest, up front, and aims to please the customer. It will cost more than CMP but after all he runs a business and if he gives you too good a deal he doesn't eat. I think his prices are very reasonable for what he does.
If you buy a service grade rifle, You're buying one that has been used, likely in one or more wars, and have to realize that before you get it.
Not really. WWII serial number SGs are just about dried up and most SGs recently are high serial number SAs and HRAs that were made after the Korean War so few saw combat. I just got a SG HRA (4.7 million, 1954 manufacture) that came with a new CMP stock (no collector value but looks pretty), new metal on the wood and oprod, and from 6 feet away looks new. Slight wear on receiver and barrel. Special grades may be refinished and/or new parts.
misprint, trying to remember the velocity marking from the HXP ammo cans.
Question is, if matching velocities are found is there some reason not to use modern ammo in a garand? thanks!
No. Velocity is not related to pressure curve and at times not related to pressure period. The Greek ammo I've chronographed averaged 2910 fps a little hotter than LC but safe in the Garand. Federal is supposed to be making a Garand safe load that's marked as such but I haven't seen any. I shoot Greek or my own loads so i haven't tried any commercial ammo but the adj gas plug is the answer if you want to.