Garand Purchase, or These Rifles Are Gettin' Friggin Expensive!

[joegerardi]

Yet another M1 Garand owner into the fold...

Yesterday on the way to work, I heard a radio ad for a gunshop here in Savannah that I didn't know about named Wilmington Armory. As luck would have it, I got no lunch yesterday or today, so I left early and headed out to see what they offered.

First mistake...

They had the standard selection of handguns, with a couple of neat additions- a Colt 1911A1 from '42 in beautiful shape, a 1911 in great shape, and a Remington Rand in good shape. I don't normally see those in Savannah. What caught my eye were the 6 M1 Carbines and 3 M1 Garands. I was really tempted by an Underwood Carbine that was true WWII vintage i.e. it had the flip sight, no bayonet lug, and the Inland stock, which was in absolutely gorgeous shape. $750.00, and I was really waffling, because at the gunshow 2 weeks ago I bought a NIB Universal, which I know isn't the same thing, but it IS an M1 Carbine-pattern.

I've wanted a Garand for the longest time. He had 3- an M1D that was just fabulous, (95% condition, I'd say) and included the Type 84 scope, and 2 Service-grade rifles: one beautiful-condition, and one in good but servicable condition.

I vacillated between the carbine and the Garand, and finally settled on the cheaper Garand Service-Grade. He gave me 15 clips, put a US-issue sling on it, a box of military-issue M2 ball from Lake City Arsenal, and we settled on $625.00. I'm thrilled, but...

Now, I'm only a month and a half since buying my first long gun. It was a 1968 Winchester 94, and 2 weeks ago, along with the M1 carbine, I bought my first AR. Now the Garand, and the dealer also had several Springfield 1903A3's that were catching my eye. These rifles are getting expensive dammit...

I just GOTTA get rid of this sloppy impulse control...

..Joe

PS: Anyone know who made the Type 84 scopes on the M1D's?
PPS: What's the best method for cleaning up the stock on these things?

 

[critter]

I, too, am weak! I like a lot of guns, but I REALLY like the U.S. military firearms: 1903A3, M1 carbine, M1 Garands, M1A's, AR's, 1911's

They are some of the best engineered AND most historic weapons on the planet. They SPEAK to you in seductive little whispers and, as I said, I am weak!

 

[ScottsGT]

Are you telling me you bought an M1D for $650? I thought those were in the thousands! You might have gotten ahold of a fake. But even an M1 Garand at that price is good. What make is it? You really need to go visit Culvers Shooting Page and post the info there. Careful though. I've found out that they are a tight family over there, and if you didn't buy it from one of them or the CMP, they tend to call you all kinds of bad names like "Troll"!
I bougth my M1 from the CMP, I got a 1903A3 also from the CMP. As far as the stock goes, go buy one of those wall paper trays that you run wall paper thru to get the glue on the back of it, and fill the bottom 2 to 3 inches with lacquer thinner and drop your stock in it. Work it with a parts cleaning brush to break loose any cosmoline and paint that has been applied. Take it out, dry it off and let it set in the hot sun for three or four hours. This will let anymore grease in the wood rise to the top. Soak it again and do this procedure three or four times. Then you can do the Boiled Linseed Oil finish.
I can give you a real good lesson on that one if you're interested.

 

[joegerardi]

Scott:
No, I did NOT get an M1D for $625.00 If I had, you'd be able to hear the whoop of joy where you are all the way from Savannah! I got a Service Grade, but through a gunstore, which for me, was worth the extra money, as it saves me all the work of removing all the grease/Cosmoline. (I'm a lazy slut, I am!)

I just want to remove the acumulated years of crud and scrock off of the wood...

Would plain Tung Oil and a Cheesecloth do the trick?

..Joe

 

[Jspy]

Tung oil is used AFTER you clean up the wood for a hand rubbed type finish. For starters you could try something like regular paint thinner, or a product like greased lightning or purple power to start the cleaning process.

 

[DF357]

Here's my newly acquired M1 about a month ago when I got it. I too just wanted to clean the crud off.

I soaked a pad of 0000 steel wool in mineral spirits and scrubbed the wood. Then after drying, I coated it with some BLO. After 30 minutes I wiped if off with a clean cloth and repeated the process. I let it sit for a couple of days and the BLO just seemed to soak in, so I coated it again and wiped as before. Here's the results:

I like the results. In the sun (like in the picture) you see lighter highlights but under normal light, it looks just like it should, used but semi shiny and clean.

I'm pleased with the way it came out. It doesn't look refinished.

 

[joegerardi]

Thanks for the help, guys. It's off to Lowe's for me!

..Joe

 

[ScottsGT]

Careful which BLO you use. If you have the patience, order the BLO from Brownells. It is a higher refined/twice boiled that will dry out quicker. I use Ace hardware brand once, looked great, but took weeks for the BLO to dry all the way. But DAMN! The gun safe smelled good when I opened it up. Ahhhh, the smell of BLO and Hoppies #9 together!