6.0 million Garands

[Mustang51]

I've always had a thing for Garands (probably a result of watching too many episodes of "Combat" as a kid). Over the years, I've accumulated half dozen of the things, including several Springfields, an H&R and even an International Harvester. Recently the Civilian Marksmanship Program placed a few hundred of the "6.0 million" , Garands up for sale.

These were the "Last of the Mohicans", as far as Garands were concerned and most were originally made up as National Match rifles. The moniker "6.0 million Garand" refers to the serial number, which is anything over 6,xxx,xxx and denoters the very latest production Garands.. I was able to glom two of the little devils and was thrilled when they arrived.




Both of them, unfortunately, came with brand new wood. Fortunately they also came with National Match barrels that are like new. One is a 3-53 LMR NM barrel and the other a 3-52 SA NM barrel.

I'm hoping to get out to the range sometime this week and give them a test firing. Range report will follow.

 

[Roadking Rider]

Very nice. M1 Garands are kind of special rifles. Mine is one of my most prized rifles.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I had an M1 Garand when I shot in competition as a kid.
My Dad accurized the rifle but lost interest when he found out that he had to drive xxxx # of miles on a weekend to watch ME shoot 10 holes in a piece of paper.
My other one I bought from a Barfly who wanted to sell "an Army Gun" that I bought for a grand total of $20.00 away back when.
The latter rifle I shot quite a bit but sadly I traded it for something else.
DUMB?? You Bet!

 

[Reloadron]

Very nice rifles, very, very nice. Just something about the Garand where many of us are drawn to them like flies to honey. Think about it, all in all they made over 6 Million of those rifles.

Ron

P.S. Get a high hump gas cylinder lock for the upper pictured rifle.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Very, very nice!

 

[1KPerDay]

SWEEET! did they put them up for auction or something? How were you able to specify the late serials?

 

[rtz]

"The sad part of the story: the 770,000 M1 Carbines also available for sale in Korea are still banned due to their ability to accept “high capacity detachable magazines.” Which is ridiculous; the CMP has been selling those exact same guns and magazines for decades.."

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/01/foghorn/u-s-to-import-87310-m1-garand-rifles-from-korea/

 

[AlexanderA]

Just wait until the antigunners latch onto the term "battle rifles" when they get around to going after M1 Garands! They're going to use Patton's assessment of "the greatest battle instrument ever devised" against us! ("Battle rifles belong on the battlefield and not on the streets of our cities!")

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Just got into Garands and ordered a couple of SGS and SG Garands from CMP in late January. I'm not sure what took me so long but now I've got the bug for older rifles. Already been looking for sources of stocks and parts to replace the new wood on the SGS.

It also inspired me to do C&R paperwork so I can start on 1903's and work into SKS and Mosins and K31s. I guess it's a good direction to go while modern rifles are being oversold and overpriced right now.

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, guys.

1Kperday, these were sold as "Service Grade 6.0 million" rifles with a very small premium ($25) over a regular SG rifle.

I got to the range today for a short firing session. Fired both rifles at 50 yards with LC CMP ammo to make sure they were on the paper...

#6088


#6095



Then moved back to 100 yards with some Hornady Garand-safe range ammo.


Both Garands like this ammo much better than the LC. The rifles shot better groups @100 yards with this than they did @50 yards with the Lake City.

#6088 (5 shots @ 100 yards)


The group for #6095 was just off the target into the backer. Not as good as the one for #6088, but not bad.

 

[saltydog452]

CMP says the 6M Service Grade were sold out a/o Oct 2012. No longer accepting orders.

My bad, and I wish...

Like lots of things, when I think that I should 'jump on the bandwagon', its allready left town.

salty

 

[ball3006]

Nice rifles. Mine is a like new M1D I bought from the CMP as a retirement present to myself when I retired 3 years ago. chris3

 

[saltydog452]

OOps, forgot to ask...

Mustang 51, did the new wood stock require any internal shaving here and there?

Thanks,

salty

 

[1KPerDay]

Great shooting... I wish I'd heard about these when they were available. I didn't hear a peep.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Nice. I have an old Korea re-import from '90 that I re gassed and barreled (NOT as much of a bargain after that expense-rifle was <300 bucks) and a sweet 5.5 mil range M-1 basically new; worth the 1200 paid any day. The Garand will soldier on long after we're all dust.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I've only shot a Garand once and a very few rounds at that, but it was thoroughly enjoyable. I have to say it was one of the most exciting guns I've ever fired. I don't know if it's the design or just the history behind them. I'd imagine a little of both.

Those are some very nice examples. I, too, wish I'd have taken advantage of the sale.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Mustang51]

Salty, I fired it just as it came from CMP. Wonder if it needs some stock tuning

 

[B!ngo]

So, what's the best way to buy a high-quality one of these - preferable a carbine? Don't want to spend too much but don't like the look of a beater.
B

 

[Mustang51]

Check the CMP website. The M1 carbines, however, are long gone.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Some C&R websites seem to have some, but they're quite a bit more than what the CMP sold them for. I missed out on the carbine train too.

 

[Tim the student]

So, what's the best way to buy a high-quality one of these - preferable a carbine? Don't want to spend too much but don't like the look of a beater.

CMP service grade.

I got one of their last carbines - they don't have more, and are not expecting to sell them again. If they do, it will be via auction. If you want a carbine, I'd look at Scott Duff. I think he gets them sometimes, but they are spendy.

 

[cfullgraf]

CMP says the 6M Service Grade were sold out a/o Oct 2012. No longer accepting orders.

M1 Garands of limited quantity and some interesting feature like a 6 million serial number go quick. Inventories usually sell out in a few days of their announcements.

They definitely fall into the "You snooze, you lose" category.