Thinking about getting a Garand
- Thread starter Paper_Zombie
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26point2
Member
Thanks Onmilo. I'm good w/the organization. I joined GCA last week.
I've only shot the M1 once...it was back in 1988, but I remember it as an awesome experience. I still have a very steep learning curve IRT the M1, but I'm motivated.
I'm looking at the Special Grade. I'm at a good point, I have more money than time so I don't mind spending a bit more to get quality. I know...1st world problems.
Thanks again...I love this site.
Craig
I've only shot the M1 once...it was back in 1988, but I remember it as an awesome experience. I still have a very steep learning curve IRT the M1, but I'm motivated.
I'm looking at the Special Grade. I'm at a good point, I have more money than time so I don't mind spending a bit more to get quality. I know...1st world problems.
Thanks again...I love this site.
Craig
bigdogpete
Member
Off the subject of the OP. I have always wondered why a C and R would satisfy marksmanship for CMP Garand order. I did nothing for marksmanship to get my C and R.
26point2
Member
Nice...I guess that means no one can ask a question here if there is a FAQ, on any site, anywhere.
All you had to do was not post. If I remember correctly this still is a discussion forum.
R/
Craig
bigdogpete
Member
Keep asking away.
You will just love a special grade. I had several other grades but not a special. Believe me, they are nice.
Paper_Zombie
Member
Unfortunately for the asker...I cannot remember what the other two Garands were...(I called them this morning and they were down to one)
It turned out to be a Century (yes, yes...I know)
Still, I cram-researched, got there and field-stripped it, and was lucky enough to have a guy there that knew a bit about Garands.
Most of the parts are Springfield Armory, with a Beretta barrel, and a C.A.I. cast receiver.
Not much collector value, but it should be a decent shooter, which is what I bought it for. (oh...yeah...I did buy it, lol)
I know the owners well, and if there are any major problems with its first outing, I'm confident they'll work with me on doing a fair exchange for another gun.
I've already gotten it home and detail stripped it...found out that the internals were packed with cosmo (which I consider a good thing). All the major wear points on hammer, extractor, etc. are in good condition.
I do not, unfortunately, have go-no go gauges for the gas cylinder, so I guess I'll take my chances. If I have a few FTF's, I guess I'll know what's up.
Overally, I'm happy so far...I'll report back after I actually put a few live rounds through the thing.
P.S. Oh...I do have a -single- box of 30-06 labeled "for M1 Garands", but I also bought a couple boxes of more modern ammo...should I be wary? The other ammo is a heavier grain...180-something as opposed to the 150-grain M1-specific ammo.
It turned out to be a Century (yes, yes...I know)
Still, I cram-researched, got there and field-stripped it, and was lucky enough to have a guy there that knew a bit about Garands.
Most of the parts are Springfield Armory, with a Beretta barrel, and a C.A.I. cast receiver.
Not much collector value, but it should be a decent shooter, which is what I bought it for. (oh...yeah...I did buy it, lol)
I know the owners well, and if there are any major problems with its first outing, I'm confident they'll work with me on doing a fair exchange for another gun.
I've already gotten it home and detail stripped it...found out that the internals were packed with cosmo (which I consider a good thing). All the major wear points on hammer, extractor, etc. are in good condition.
I do not, unfortunately, have go-no go gauges for the gas cylinder, so I guess I'll take my chances. If I have a few FTF's, I guess I'll know what's up.
Overally, I'm happy so far...I'll report back after I actually put a few live rounds through the thing.
P.S. Oh...I do have a -single- box of 30-06 labeled "for M1 Garands", but I also bought a couple boxes of more modern ammo...should I be wary? The other ammo is a heavier grain...180-something as opposed to the 150-grain M1-specific ammo.
You probably don't wanna shoot that heavy stuff in your M1. I don't remember the exact things that will happen, but my imagination can lead me to believe say your operating rod and face trying to occupy the same real estate. Surely will increase wear as well.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
There is ammunition like this loaded for use in the M1 Garand which is likely the box you have. The ammunition is loaded to lower pressures and develops a pressure curve safe for use in the M1 Garand.
As to the 180 grain loads I would avoid them. While match ammunition was available for the M1 Garand in a 173 grain bullet weight this ammunition was developed for use in the M1 Garand. The use of 180 grain hunting rounds can potentially develop pressures exceeding what the rifle was designed for. Read into that bad things can happen with your operating rod and gas system that can cause serious personal injury or worse. When shooting ammunition like hunting ammunition or higher pressure loads they do make the schuster gas plug which allows bleeding off excess gas for shooting higher pressure loaded ammunition. There are other variations of the gas plug I linked to.
As to the Century Arms receivers? Many shooters have fired hundreds of rounds using them without a problem while some have had problems. These forums have several threads on the subject. Shoot the rifle with ammunition made for it and see how it functions. Throughly clean the rifle and properly lubricate it before ever shooting it, especially with your mention of cosmoline.
Ron
Sport45
Member
bigdogpete said:
The requirement is for "Marksmanship or other Firearms Related Activity". Holding a Fedreral Firearms License (your C&R) is clearly a firearms related activity.
P5 Guy
Member
No that is the way to get info ASAP. At times questions get answered wrong or not in a timely fashion.
Hitting the CMP directly avoids these pratfalls. There were only 6 million M1s made from 1936 thru 1957. Lend & Lease, sold outright to other governments and lost during the wars greatly reduced the number returned to the DCM/CMP for sale as surplus, and the CMP is going to run out of serviceable rifles. We are just helping you to get a rifle by directing you to the source of the best information.
When you get your rifle be sure to post some pictures!
"Why would anyone buy a Garand NOT from the CMP? I don't get it."
Perhaps I can explain...
Four years ago I ordered an M1 Carbine and a Garand from the CMP. The Carbine was fairly awful. I ordered the step down from the top grade but I would classify it as "junk" grade.
The Garand was worse. I would not have purchased either rifle had I seen them in person. After this experience I decided that spending more to buy a gun I can see in person is a good value.
Now, undoubtedly what will follow is numerous posts of photos showing gorgeous M1s with beautiful stocks that came from the CMP. Apparently the CMP only hates me. No matter, I want to see what I am getting from now on.
Perhaps I can explain...
Four years ago I ordered an M1 Carbine and a Garand from the CMP. The Carbine was fairly awful. I ordered the step down from the top grade but I would classify it as "junk" grade.
The Garand was worse. I would not have purchased either rifle had I seen them in person. After this experience I decided that spending more to buy a gun I can see in person is a good value.
Now, undoubtedly what will follow is numerous posts of photos showing gorgeous M1s with beautiful stocks that came from the CMP. Apparently the CMP only hates me. No matter, I want to see what I am getting from now on.
Welding Rod
Member
I have only bought the SGS and Special grade as the minimum criteria for them ensures a great gun, or the ability to swap it out for another if for some reason it weren't.
I had one, a Special with WWII era receiver, that had to go back and be replaced. The serial numbers were stamped so deep in the receiver that the bolt could stick in the fully reward position. No biggie - the CMP paid to pick it up and promptly send me another rifle that was excellent.
I also had some worn out small parts on Specials that had problems (mostly rear sight pinions) and the CMP sent out new condition replacements promptly at no cost.
My SGSs have been perfect, like new condition with essentially zero wear on anything. External handling marks were the only signs the guns had been touched by humans after assembly.
I do recommend the SGS over all others (including the Specials) as the metal should be "collector grade" (other than the repro stock metal) which means it will be essentially free from wear, even if it has handling marks, as opposed to containing partially worn parts that have been nicely refinished, like can be found in the Specials.
I had one, a Special with WWII era receiver, that had to go back and be replaced. The serial numbers were stamped so deep in the receiver that the bolt could stick in the fully reward position. No biggie - the CMP paid to pick it up and promptly send me another rifle that was excellent.
I also had some worn out small parts on Specials that had problems (mostly rear sight pinions) and the CMP sent out new condition replacements promptly at no cost.
My SGSs have been perfect, like new condition with essentially zero wear on anything. External handling marks were the only signs the guns had been touched by humans after assembly.
I do recommend the SGS over all others (including the Specials) as the metal should be "collector grade" (other than the repro stock metal) which means it will be essentially free from wear, even if it has handling marks, as opposed to containing partially worn parts that have been nicely refinished, like can be found in the Specials.
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Reloadron
Contributing Member
Here you go Saxon. The rifle on the top is definitely not a CMP rifle the rifle on the bottom I have no clue, I did not get it from the CMP. I was told it was a CMP rifle. I inspected it, I liked it, the price was right so I bought it. The upper rifle I built around '96 as my gun for a NRA M1 Garand gunsmithing class. It was picked from a lot of many for my project gun. The lower is a GI Birch stock around a 1955 or so vintage if I recall correctly. Both rifles are SA Manufacture.
When looking at a M1 Garand in a private sale the trick (if we want to call it that) is to know what you are looking at. That is why I generally begin my post on this subject with for the less than M1 Garand savvy buyer the CMP is a good way to go, however, it is not the only way to go. As the CMP stock diminishes those shopping for a M1 Garand will need a crash course on what to look for.
Ron
When looking at a M1 Garand in a private sale the trick (if we want to call it that) is to know what you are looking at. That is why I generally begin my post on this subject with for the less than M1 Garand savvy buyer the CMP is a good way to go, however, it is not the only way to go. As the CMP stock diminishes those shopping for a M1 Garand will need a crash course on what to look for.
Ron
GBExpat
Member
You should have taken your own advice and not posted your rude reply to his helpful suggestion.
Sport45
Member
No, he bought the Century M1 from the shop. See post #31.
Ignition Override
Member
A friend won about a dozen Garands as prizes in rifle matches.
He also bought a couple from the CMP and highly recommends them as The best source for an M-1.
He also bought a couple from the CMP and highly recommends them as The best source for an M-1.
Paper_Zombie
Member
Got to take it out today, and am greatly relieved.
It performed like a champ. Ate up 80 rounds without a hiccup, no failures whatsover, and it's dead nuts accurate at 100 yards. In fact, the very last shot of the day blew straight through the center of the target. Couldn't have asked for a better shot to stop on.
Did a little more looking since my last post. Seems that almost all the parts are Springfield Armory, with a Beretta barrel, and of course, the Century receiver. It also came with a muzzle-brake already on it. Decided to leave it on since I wasn't sure how it would affect the gas plug if I took it off. (Let my buddy fire off a couple clips, and holy crap was that sucker loud!)
Very, very, very happy with the gun.
Now, I'm on the hunt for some decently priced ammo. (Range trip today cost waaay too much to do on a regular basis)
It performed like a champ. Ate up 80 rounds without a hiccup, no failures whatsover, and it's dead nuts accurate at 100 yards. In fact, the very last shot of the day blew straight through the center of the target. Couldn't have asked for a better shot to stop on.
Did a little more looking since my last post. Seems that almost all the parts are Springfield Armory, with a Beretta barrel, and of course, the Century receiver. It also came with a muzzle-brake already on it. Decided to leave it on since I wasn't sure how it would affect the gas plug if I took it off. (Let my buddy fire off a couple clips, and holy crap was that sucker loud!)
Very, very, very happy with the gun.
Now, I'm on the hunt for some decently priced ammo. (Range trip today cost waaay too much to do on a regular basis)
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Glad it all worked out and you got a good shooter, I am sure you will enjoy it. The CMP is a good source for reasonable ammunition and start saving reloadable brass as you may find yourself rolling your own.
Ron
Ron
Sport45
Member
I don't think he's listening to the CMP suggestions. 
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