Help! Need help with Garand trade

[LiveLife]

Help!

I have an opportunity to trade for a M1 Garand. How much are they worth for trade if they are in fair/good condition.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Go to the CMP http://odcmp.com/ for the very best of comps and you might even decide to give one of theirs a whirl!

 

[LiveLife]

Thanks, yes my sister already got one through the program.

These are two M1 Garands available for a quick trade ... and I need a reference marks for trade value.

So is $500 for fair condition and $600 for good condition good reference marks for trade value?

 

[Reloadron]

Without actually seeing and gauging the rifle(s) it is really hard to call. Typically around NE Ohio a really nice clean basic Garand like the one pictured below would draw about $900 on the open market. Through the CMP program good rifles like this sell for about $650 I believe.



Outside the realm of a CMP rifles I have seen what I call a beater shot out rifle with a $600 price tag. The rifles, in reality are worth what someone is willing to pay for them.

This would go much better if you could post a few images and more details as to condition.

Ron

 

[LiveLife]

Thanks!

I haven't had a chance to inspect the rifles but according to the seller, the condition would be much worse than the example in the picture.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

""Thanks, yes my sister already got one through the program.

These are two M1 Garands available for a quick trade ... and I need a reference marks for trade value.

So is $500 for fair condition and $600 for good condition good reference marks for trade value?""


I guess there's a lot of room there depending upon what you think you've got into your side of the trade... Not unreasonable starting numbers though.

 

[Reloadron]

Thanks!

I haven't had a chance to inspect the rifles but according to the seller, the condition would be much worse than the example in the picture.

Then I would guess $500 rifles as purely a guess and assuming good parts.

Figure it this way. If I can snag a M1 Garand for about $500 with a hopeless stock I can restock the rifle for about $125 from Boyds Stocks. This assumes a barrel that will gauge good. No clue as to today's rates but if the metal needs reparkerized that will run maybe another $100. That assumes good metal with a good receiver group.

The big bucks enter if the barrel is shot out. Pretty soon you have more in the rifle than it is worth. If I could snag two relatively rifles for $1,000 I would be all over it. The problem is with a M1 Garand and not seeing the rifle and gauging it (bore and throat erosion) it is impossible to call what the rifle(s) worth.

Ron

 

[LiveLife]

Thank you all very much for the comments that I was looking for.

I won't make any trade offers until I inspect the rifles and range test them.

I am more partial to .308 M14 but may keep one of the Garands and sell/trade the other on THR.

Will keep you posted.

 

[mshootnit]

If the M1 is in shooting order it is worth somewhere between 575 and 2300 depending on what it is. No joke.

 

[LiveLife]

Once I get to inspect them, I'll post pictures and shooting impressions.

That should help determine the trade value even more.

 

[cfullgraf]

Help!

I have an opportunity to trade for a M1 Garand. How much are they worth for trade if they are in fair/good condition.

Thanks in advance!

If you have not already done so, read the descriptions of the various grades of M1s over at the CMP sales site. It will give you a point of reference.

 

[LiveLife]

If you have not already done so, read the descriptions of the various grades of M1s over at the CMP sales site. It will give you a point of reference.

Yes, it was the first thing I did on that site.

Thank you!

I can't wait to inspect the rifles!

 

[cfullgraf]

Good luck!

 

[Tim the student]

Really hard to say without knowing more about them. Around here, they sell for a pretty penny - but I don't buy them on the market here, I buy from the CMP.

Because of the quality you can get from the CMP (they really are a heck of a value, IMO), I wouldn't guess over 6 for a Springfield.

 

[LiveLife]

I told the seller trade will depend on the actual condition of the rifles and how they shoot.

He said one of the rifle stock's wood is in need of some TLC. I will add the cost of a replacement stock/refinishing.

I get to inspect them on Sunday and I'll post close up pictures here before I offer any trades.

Thanks!

 

[Reloadron]

I told the seller trade will depend on the actual condition of the rifles and how they shoot.

He said one of the rifle stock's wood is in need of some TLC. I will add the cost of a replacement stock/refinishing.

I get to inspect them on Sunday and I'll post close up pictures here before I offer any trades.

Thanks!

Cool and share the results with the class.

When you look at the rifles it helps to break them down so you can see the metal below the wood lines. This is where rust and pitting is common on the receiver. Work the sights and note the detente in the clicks, they should be tight and firm. Make sure the corner breaks on the receiver are somewhat sharp in the operating rod channel.

If you have a .30 caliber bullet try placing it in the bore and see where it stops. That will give you an idea of the bore erosion. Sort of a poor man's bore gauge.

Good luck and hope they are nice servicible rifles.

Ron

 

[LiveLife]

When you look at the rifles it helps to break them down so you can see the metal below the wood lines. This is where rust and pitting is common on the receiver. Work the sights and note the detente in the clicks, they should be tight and firm. Make sure the corner breaks on the receiver are somewhat sharp in the operating rod channel.

If you have a .30 caliber bullet try placing it in the bore and see where it stops. That will give you an idea of the bore erosion. Sort of a poor man's bore gauge.

Awesome! Thanks Ron.

 

[LiveLife]

OK, I inspected the rifles and here are the details:

- The serial numbers are in the 4,XXX,XXX
- Barrel bores were not shot out verified by several Winchester Super-X bullets
- Stock lacks the proof marks and there are numbers stamped on the bottom of the grip
- The trigger groups appear near new with very little wear
- Trigger guards are stamped metal and lack the "loop" that you put the bullet/screwdriver through
- Action is smooth
- There are relief cuts on the receivers
- Rest of smaller parts appear new or with very little wear
- Condition of the stock and wood pieces are fair at the most and one forearm had a chuck missing
- Shot Winchester Super-X with relatively lighter than expected recoil I recall from shooting other M1 Garands

Here's my concern I have not run into my "Google" search ... the gas tube assembly is welded so I could not unscrew it from the barrel. I expressed possible guess that perhaps the threads were not holding the front sights steady so they could have been welded.

Now, is this a common issue and how will this affect the trade value? How will you clean the gas port hole?

I am looking to possibly trade new 20" AR HBAR flat top with quad rail hand grip, Glock in 40S&W, M&P45 and Taurus PT145 with stainless slide. I told the seller if the welded gas port is an issue, I may consider trading the AR uppper for better of the two or AR upper, Taurus, Glock or M&P for both rifles.

Any thoughts? There has not been any trade deals made yet and the seller will wait for THR forum input/review comments.

Also, if I decided to keep one and sell the other on THR forum, how much should I expect to sell it for + shipping?

Thanks in advance!


Bottom of gas tube showing the weld

 

[LiveLife]

 

[Reloadron]

Everything was not so bad right till the gas tube. That weld could likely be milled off and I have never seen a welded gas tube like that. All I can do is speculate why that was done.

If the rifles shot well then the ball is in your court but you seem to have a good sized pile of stuff you are looking to trade. I don't know that I would be that generous. Even as is if you figure a pair of $600 rifles that is $1,200 tops. With the gas tube fiasco I see maybe $1,000 on both.

Again considering what a Service Grade M1 Garand is on CMP standards and they run about $650 delivered to your door you may want to rethink this swap.

Let's see what some of the others say...

Ron

 

[Tim the student]

The gas tube weld is not cool at all. Not one bit. I can think of no reason why that would be done (or should be done rather). The rest of the gun doesn't look that bad though, but I would offer a fair bit less than I would have otherwise, just because of that weld. What is the bore and crown like? How well did it shoot? If it shot really well, I'd be more interested in. If it shot really poorly, then much less so.

Unless you want an M1 today, if I were in your shoes, I'd think long and hard about the quality of M1 you will get from the CMP compared to what is in front of you. Bear in mind the grade descriptions from the CMP are a worst case kind of thing. Most buyers get something better than the grade descriptions - enough that those who get a gun that matches the description often get butt hurt about it. Those that get something worse get a replacement "new" rifle, which usually seems to be quite nice, from what I recall. Food for thought.

Also- FYI, it is generally agreed not to run commercial ammo through an M1 without an adjustable gas plug. They run about $35 or so, IIRC. There are two kinds I'm aware of. Shuster and McCann - I'm unsure of the spelling, but I'm sure you can figure it out with a bit of google.

I encourage you to ask this over on the CMP forums. Lots of knowledge over there.

 

[PTMCCAIN]

Thumbs up on buying through CMP. Would not touch that rifle with that weld.

My .02

 

[zoom6zoom]

The weld really concerns me. I would run, not walk, away from this one.

If you're fixated on it, offer $325 as a max for a parts gun.

 

[Double Vision]

I agree with the gentlemen above sharing concerns regarding the gas tube weld.

I love Garands but I lost interest in this rifle at that point.

IMHO the CMP is the way to go for a Garand.

 

[LiveLife]

Well, the seller is claiming he was not aware of the welded gas tubes.

As of now, all of my trade items are taken off the table until the seller agrees to have the rifles inspected by a qualified gunsmith familiar with M1 Garand repairs.

When inquired, he stated he bought 3 rifles for $1500 and he has 2 left.

He appreciates all of your input and comments and I absolutely thank you all for your participation.

I am not sure what's going to happen next but I am thinking about going into my reloading room and doing some reloading.