new guy with a CAI garand questions.

[Jim Mac]

Just picked up a CAI garand in a trade and wondering about the parts thats attached to the century reciever.
the serial number puts it at 22xxx and century said the rifle was sold late 2001
parts hanging off of it as follows
hammer 286 in a triangle with the 2 on top
trigger housing D28290 12 SA
gas piston housing? BMB
op rod D 35382 wra
barrrel 1 SA 7 44
front sight BMB
Operating rod housing phillips head screw PO
Early lock bar sight
bolt carrier D28287 19 SA
Any info is greatly appreciated.
Im into the gun for $480 in trade value, 0 out of pocket money, So its not like I went and purchased this thing. thanks. jim

 

[Orlando]

Just a basic mixmaster, the Op Rod and lock bar sights are worth some extra to a collectorand possibly the barrel depending on condition. Parts have more than likely been reparked so thats hurts the value alittle
Dont have any idea on the hammer, thats a new one on me.
Hopefully it will function well for you. Many of the Century receivers are out of spec and have issues
If its no good you can part it out and easily make money

 

[Jim Mac]

Is there any way to date the parts? As it sits now, as long as its a shooter Im happy. Others say to buy a USGI reciever in the future if I want a collectable rifle, which isnt important right now, and even with a mil spec receiver its still going to end up a non numbers matching mixmaster so I cant imagine its going to be very collectable unless Im mistaken. thanks. jim

 

[Orlando]

A USGI receiver will not make it collectable as its a mixmaster. It will make it worth more in resale though

BMB marked parts are Italian

 

[Jim Mac]

basically if this thing shoots and works fine, Im probably better off just keeping it as is? no sense changing stuff if it really doesnt need it then correct? I really didnt get it as a collectable. Im in the same boat with my first 1918 luger. all matching except the take down lever and side plate. But its been reblued in its past life. Its a gun I always wanted, same as the garand so I think Im just going to appreciate it the way I got it. thanks. jim

 

[RCArms.com]

basically if this thing shoots and works fine, Im probably better off just keeping it as is? no sense changing stuff if it really doesnt need it then correct? I really didnt get it as a collectable. Im in the same boat with my first 1918 luger. all matching except the take down lever and side plate. But its been reblued in its past life. Its a gun I always wanted, same as the garand so I think Im just going to appreciate it the way I got it. thanks. jim

You could probably part it out and make enough to purchase a USGI Service grade from the CMP.

 

[1KPerDay]

If it works, keep it and shoot it.

 

[cfullgraf]

Is there any way to date the parts?

The major components can be dated approximately by the drawing and revision number stamped in the part. Some parts you have to compare the parts to photographs to see which version it is.

Your barrel was made July, 1944 by Springfield.

Looks like the gas cylinder and front sight are Italian.

If you are really interested, there are several good books out there on the M1. Scott Duff is one author and Bruce Canfield is another.

Check here:

http://www.scott-duff.com/M1Garand.htm

The CMP has lots of information.

http://forums.thecmp.org/index.php