CMP Garand questions

[Texpatriate]

I'm thinking about getting a couple of M1's from the CMP while I still can, to shoot/enjoy now, and then to pass them down to my boys one day when they're old enough to appreciate them. Thought maybe I'd get a couple to keep and a couple to hold onto as an investment.

I notice that for the "collector's grade" Garands that the CMP has for sale it says "Only available in serial # ranges between 5.4 and 5.8 million". How do I find out what years those were manufactured in?

Also, I notice that they are asking $950 for the collector grade and $975 for correct grade. Why is that? That seems backwards to me.

Last question, how much has the "market value" increased on M1's increased over the last 10-20 years in comparison to the rate of inflation?

I'm trying to justify these as an investment to my sweet little "I have an MBA in Finance" wife. I tried to talk her and her accountant father into investing in gold about 5 years ago and they thought I was nuts. "Commodities? The stock market is the only way to make any money." :banghead: I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that one now. Needless to say they've now seen the error of their ways.

 

[30Cal]

CMP Service Grade M1's sold for $310 in 1998. A Service Grade M1 with CMP papers will sell for at least $700 anywhere in the US today.

I dunno if the Collector/Correct grade CMP rifles these days are as good a deal.

 

[Trebor]

Do you want a rifle to shoot or to collect?

The best rifle to shoot is the Service Grade.

The Collector Grade and Correct Grade are more for collectors. You are paying more for "correct" parts and such that don't make the rifle shoot any better.

Personally, if you are only getting one Garand, I recommend the Service Grade. You can shoot it without worrying that much about reducing the value.

 

[strat81]

Serial number info:
http://www.jouster.com/serial/serial.html

 

[TexasRifleman]

I notice that for the "collector's grade" Garands that the CMP has for sale it says "Only available in serial # ranges between 5.4 and 5.8 million". How do I find out what years those were manufactured in?

Those are all Harrington and Richardson serial number ranges which basically means post WWII and post Korea or "peacetime" Garands for that range.

If you want more precise dates you'll need a specific number but by giving that range CMP is making it very clear these will not be WWII/Korean guns.

I just got one in Collector Grade and it's in fantastic shape, well worth the price. It's all HRA except for the barrel which is a Springfield in VERY nice shape. HRA used Springfield barrels on some S3 ranges so that makes it "correct" by the way.

Personally I'd buy the Collector Grade even if you just want a shooter.

You are not ever going to wish you hadn't bought a CMP Garand when you could no matter what you pay them for it.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Just tell them "Remember what I said about gold five years ago?... Yeah, same deal here... except these are more fun and meaningful."

 

[Texpatriate]

CMP Service Grade M1's sold for $310 in 1998. A Service Grade M1 with CMP papers will sell for at least $700 anywhere in the US today.

The prices I have been seeing around here look to be closer to the $900 range for service grades.

Anybody know the answer to why they're asking more for the correct grade than the collector grade?

 

[Aint Life Garand]

CMP's only currently offering correct grades not collector grades (though I wish they were)

RM1SACR
M1 Garand, Springfield Armory, Correct Grade. Only available in serial # ranges between 5.4 and 5.8 million. $950.00

RM1HRACR
M1 Garand, Harrington & Richardson, Correct Grade $975.00

I believe since fewer H&R garands were made versus the Springfields is why it is $25 more.