Milsurp advice again please - Garand

SImple answer, but a CMP rifle...a lot of dealers are buying CMP rifles and reselling them

There are parts of the Garand that you won't be able to check just by "eyeing" them. For example, are the gas cylinder and op rod piston in spec? Is the clip latch and clip latch spring in good shape? Is the stock loose or well-fitted to the rifle?

You can try a "bullet test" on the muzzle. Stick an M2 Ball bullet into the muzzle and see how far it goes in. If the muzzle accepts the bullet up to the brass, the barrel is probably about done for. (This is nowhere near as good as using a gauge, but gives an approximation.)

None of those problems can't be corrected, but I wouldn't pay a $200 premium over CMP without knowing how much more money I'd have to put into the rifle.

Augh... double post.

Augh... triple post.

CMP. For homework, read Hatcher's "Book of the Garand" or something else useful, and follow the CSP website over at www.jouster.com to learn all you can.

If you're careful you can come up with a decent shooter for, say $500-550, have a lot of fun, and learn a lot as you go. Sort of like carpentry or rebuilding an engine. Probably one of the more honest and satisfying pursuits in the shooting hobby today.

There are a couple of .....well, less than really good companies making M-1 forgery receivers.

Century Arms...name & S/N stamped in left side of receiver (CAI). Not on the receiver 'tang' like the REAL M-1's

Lithgow...an Australian company. Haven't seen 1 of these fire more than 3 rounds without the op-rod disconnecting.

Saw an M-1 in the 'previosly owned' rack and my local Gander Mountain. Guy got real P-O'd when I pointed out it was NOT a Springfield as they had it tagged (for $699, at that). Guy argued with me that it WAS A GEN-U-WINE Springfield. When asked to show me where it was marked on the receiver, he pointed to the side, and said "CAI. CAI is owned by Springfield, just like Mossberg owns New England Firearms."

So, I attempted to open the action... the op-rod disconnected from the bolt, and bolt also jumped its tracks with just one pull of the op-rod handle. Then the 'mental midget' start yelling that I "Broke the Rifle, and I was gonna buy @ $699"

When I mentioned that the BATF-E would certainly be interested in them selling mis-marked weapons, the guy grabbed up the M-1 forgery and ran into the back room....Heven't seen him or the [ahem] rifle since.

If you want a good, serviceable rifle at the best price going, CMP service grade is certainly the way to go. If you are looking for something specific, do your homework, and don't mind paying a higher price, there are some good ones to be found online.

Oooops, sorry...Just re-read your original post.

Leaving CMP out of it, $700 for a Garand in the shape you describe seems within reason to me. $600-$800 seems about the norm for "real" Garands outside the CMP these days.

Of course, YMMV.

Assuming the receiver is GI and isn't a reweld, $700 would be about right. Most rewelded receivers have drawing numbers which don't match the serial number. They're built out of rejected GI receivers that are cut in half.

Its probably a rack grade rifle purchased from CMP and being sold for $300 more than its worth. It might shoot good, or the barrel might be completely shot out, without barrel guages, you have no way of knowing if you are buying a dog or not.Go the CMP route and you can be assured that you'll get a rifle as good as or better than the one you see in the shop for about $500.

Or, have Clayton Smith build one for you with all USGI parts, new stock, barrel and park job...for $800.00



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