Hello Everyone,
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) sent me a catalog of their products and I was very excited by the idea of buying an old Garand and fixing it up with some parts from Brownell's (e.g., stock, etc.). I have a gunsmith who is very good with the M-1 that will do the work for me.
I'm a little confused by the grading system and the various makers of the M-1 Garand and was hoping someone could help me.
First of all I'm looking for a shooter...nothing more. I'd like a rifle for shooting enjoyment and (if necessary) could be used for more serious purposes like self defense or hunting.
First of all there is "rack" and "service" grade. Further, the "service grade" M-1's were made by Springfield Armory, Harrington & Richardson while the "rack grade" guns were made by Springfield Armory and Winchester. Tom complicate matters even further some of them were Danish issue pieces recently brought into the United States. Some of the Danish "service grade" rifles have what is called a VAR barrel which the brochure claims is a prized feature by target shooters.
What is a VAR barrel? Is it a good thing worth $75.00 extra?
Here is a summary of their price list:
M-1 Garand - Service Grade - Springfield Armory - $500.00
M-1 Garand - Service Grade - Harrington & Richardson - $525.00
M-1 Garand - Rack Grade - Springfield Armory - $400.00
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Service Grade - Springfield Armory - $400.00
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Service Grade - Springfield Armory (VAR barrel) - $475.00
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Rack Grade - Springfield Armory - $350.00
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Rack Grade - Winchester - $400.00
or an incomplete rifle for those rebuilding.
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Rack Grade - Springfield Armory - $350.00 (does not include stock, handguards, rear handguard band, front handguard spacer, front handguard ferrule, buttplace, buttplate screws, stock ferrule, stock ferrule screw, stock ferrule swivel, and butt swivel)
Which one would you select if you were in my shoes?
Also, it seems as if the CMP ships the rifle directly to you rather than through an FFL judging from their order form. Am I missing something or am I reading this correctly?
Thanks for the help everyone.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) sent me a catalog of their products and I was very excited by the idea of buying an old Garand and fixing it up with some parts from Brownell's (e.g., stock, etc.). I have a gunsmith who is very good with the M-1 that will do the work for me.
I'm a little confused by the grading system and the various makers of the M-1 Garand and was hoping someone could help me.
First of all I'm looking for a shooter...nothing more. I'd like a rifle for shooting enjoyment and (if necessary) could be used for more serious purposes like self defense or hunting.
First of all there is "rack" and "service" grade. Further, the "service grade" M-1's were made by Springfield Armory, Harrington & Richardson while the "rack grade" guns were made by Springfield Armory and Winchester. Tom complicate matters even further some of them were Danish issue pieces recently brought into the United States. Some of the Danish "service grade" rifles have what is called a VAR barrel which the brochure claims is a prized feature by target shooters.
What is a VAR barrel? Is it a good thing worth $75.00 extra?
Here is a summary of their price list:
M-1 Garand - Service Grade - Springfield Armory - $500.00
M-1 Garand - Service Grade - Harrington & Richardson - $525.00
M-1 Garand - Rack Grade - Springfield Armory - $400.00
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Service Grade - Springfield Armory - $400.00
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Service Grade - Springfield Armory (VAR barrel) - $475.00
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Rack Grade - Springfield Armory - $350.00
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Rack Grade - Winchester - $400.00
or an incomplete rifle for those rebuilding.
M-1 Garand (Danish Issue) - Rack Grade - Springfield Armory - $350.00 (does not include stock, handguards, rear handguard band, front handguard spacer, front handguard ferrule, buttplace, buttplate screws, stock ferrule, stock ferrule screw, stock ferrule swivel, and butt swivel)
Which one would you select if you were in my shoes?
Also, it seems as if the CMP ships the rifle directly to you rather than through an FFL judging from their order form. Am I missing something or am I reading this correctly?
Thanks for the help everyone.