CMP M1 Garand which one?

[possum]

i have been looking at the cmp m1 garands but i am having a difficult timedecideding which one would serve me best. i want a shooter a rifle that i can use, out to 300yds etc. not a pretty gun, not a collecter grade or nothing like that. my m1 will not be on display and notmeant to lookgood, but i desire that i have one that shoots reliable, and in pretty decent shape.

so which way should i go. field grade, service grade etc. what do ya'll suggest? i know there are many of you with experience when it comesto the cmp and m1's any help would be much appreciated.

 

[BsChoy]

If looks or collecting isn't your desire then the field will do quite well. I got a greek return last year just before they ran out. It was ugly as sin until I ran it through the dishwasher and refinished it as replaced the front handguard and all was right with the world!

 

[az_imuth]

I don't think you would want anything less than a service grade rifle for the purposes you describe. While some people inevitably receive a field, or even a rack grade rifle that is in fantastic condition, the odds are well against it happening. Back when it was pretty common to get a really nice rack grade from CMP I ordered five of them. Two were fantastic, two were very worn and one was so-so. So even back in the good old days it was a 50/50 shot. The CMP's grading system seems to be much more refined nowadays so I wouldn't risk it if I needed a shooter. As far as Springfield vs. HRA I think it's a matter of personal opinion. If I were only getting one I would go with SA solely for the historical aspect.

Good luck with whatever you decide upon,
az_imuth

 

[Shear_stress]

I agree with az_imuth--get the nicest one you can afford. With the woodless Danes no longer available, you'll probably wind up spending more fixing up a rack grade than just buying a nice service grade in the first place.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

Go for service grande - and if you are wanting it as a shooter, rather than a ww2 collector piece - ask for a late serial number. One from the ww2 or korean era will probably have a shot-out barrel, if it hasnt been rebarreled. You could get lucky and get one made in 1956 that has not seen much service beyond sitting in a National Guard armory.

Mine was a woodless Dane that the first owner put a 1950s stock on, and I am happy, but it cost me a bit to clean it up.

 

[possum]

thanks for all the replies, i appreciate it i was thinking the service grade as a minimum too.

 

[dscottw88]

i'm going with the service grade personally. Why go with less when you can go with more? Besides..... It's only money, you'll make more!