I made a pretty dumb deal on a Garand, but I wanted one bad.

[Doug S]

I might have just made the stupidest gun deal that I’ve made to date. I’ve been wanting a M1 Garand for some time for my WWII collection. I recently posted concerning a Winchester receiver (Underwood barrel) M1 Carbine that I acquired at a pretty good deal. I bought it with the idea of using it for trade fodder. After getting it, I liked it so much that I considered keeping it, but I couldn’t get an M1 Garand off my mind (I guess I’ve been watching too many WWII movies). Anyway I went to Cabelas today to see what they had on the shelves. They had 3 Springfield Garands, and I selected the one with the lowest serial number (2,932,xxx). According to what I’ve read on the net, this would make it approximately early June of 1944 production. Anyway, I tried to get them to trade me even up for my M1 Carbine, which of course the wouldn’t do. So, I decided to try a “two-fer” deal with my M1 Carbine, and SKS paratrooper. Of course they were more interested in this, and were willing to make a trade with no money exchanged. I should have held out, and sold these guns, and then got a Garand, but I went for the deal. Anyway, I know next to nothing about Garands, but I have a book ordered which should be here in a day or two.

What I can say from a quick look over the gun barrel marked S-A-1-52, and I the bolt is marked D28287-19SA 0-15. Are these Springfield manufacture? The stock is fairly rough, but a nice dark military looking color which I like. I can find no markings on it so far except for a serial number 9231 on the buttstock. Is there an easy way to tell if this is an American military stock, or something other. It appears to be walnut based on the dark color. Otherwise, I no nothing about the Garand, so I can’t comment on the other parts yet. I don’t see an import mark, but I figure I’ll find it when I disassemble the rifle after getting my book.

I would appreciate any feedback on the markings. Also feel free to laugh at me for the two-fer deal. I really wanted a Garand. I know the CMP would have been a better route, but I’m impatient, and impulsive. I guess I should mention, I had $750 in the two guns that I traded, and the Garand was marked $899 (of which they came down $100 on the price).

 

[Acera]

It sounds like you got a good deal.

You would have probably paid more than $750 for a Garand at a gun show.

You got to pick and choose which rifle you wanted, not possible with the CMP unless you make the drive to them.

Yeah, you did good. Both guns you traded are easy to replace, if you decide to later.

Now go shoot it and tell us how much better you love it after shooting it than you did before.


You should have no regrets.

 

[Doug S]

It sounds like you got a good deal.

Now that's what I wanted to hear. I do appreciate the comments.

I plan to get it to the range, just as soon as I can find some ammo. Neither of the two stores I stopped in today, had any ammo.

 

[10X]

I think you did OK.
You got what you wanted, so, not to worry.

The bolt and barrel with "SA" or "S-A" markings are Springfield.
The barrel has a 1952 date so is a replacement, not a problem.

 

[Buckshot Bill]

Doug, I'd say it sounds like a good deal. ANY decent Garand will cost you a minimum of $800 and up, [mostly up!]. Hope yours shoots good for you. PLEASE do some research concerning which ammo to feed your new baby. It's my understanding that commercial ammo- Remington, Winchester,etc. is too hot for Garands and will cause damage to them. Surplus Greek ammo from CMP is what many say should be used. Hopefully some HR members that are more familiar with this situation than me will jump in here and explain it. I just don't want you to damage your rifle. Good luck, Buckshot Bill

 

[61chalk]

You did good, as long as your happy. An you got some great history with that Garand. Hornady makes ammo just for the M1, CMP Greek ammo is cheaper. If you shoot modern ammo, keep the bullet as light as possible, well below 180 gr. an I would call an ask the maker if it will be ok for the Garand, otherwise as stated above you can really damage it.....

 

[irishsquid]

I love Garands but I'd have a hard time parting with a M-1 carbine with a Winnie receiver. While not necessarily a bad deal, I probably would've opt'ed to endure the painful wait for a CMP Garand and kept the carbine. Anything "Winchester" commands a premium price from milsurp rifle guys.

The bolt and barrel are both Springfield Armory. Are your sure the bolt is D28287-19SA and not D29287-19SA?

 

[Tim the student]

If you're happy with it, you got a good deal, IMO.

Look at the CMP forums ( http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/ ), and talk to those guys, if it's Garand related, they know about it. There's a ton of info over there.

 

[Doug S]

Irish Squid,

I did check the bolt number again, and it does appear to be an "8" as I said in the original post, not a "9". Why do you ask?


I do appreciate everyones comments, and info.


I liked the Winchester receiver, but of my two carbines, I opted to keep the Rock-ola because it has a matching barrel whereas the Winchester did not.

Here are some quick pictures. The flash makes things look harsh.

I do have other question. If you look at the last picture, the receiver appears to be offset further to the left in the stock (when looking down on the receiver). The flash causes some shadowing in the larger "receiver" picture that makes it look worse, but the closeup "receiver markings" shows what it looks like more accurately. Is this normal? Thanks again for all of the feedback.

 

[FlyinBryan]

that is a true battle rifle.

i see total beaters at the shows going for 1200.

i have one in the 2.7 range. 1944 i believe.

thats a mean motor scooter right there.

one of the great things about the m1 in ww2 was the ability to shoot and scoot.

taking machinegun implacements before this rifle required specialized equipment in the form of 2 or more heavy machine guns to apply suppressing fire, allowing a 4-5 man team to flank the position (effective because of directional limitations of most machine gun squads of the time)

with the widespread arrival of the m1, this tactic was possible with 4-5 standard g.i. rifles keeping the krouts down with non concurrent bursts, timed to provide sustained fire while the runners moved around for elimination from the weak side.

just not possible with your standard m1903, or any other standard rifle before it.

forgive my wordyness, but im passionate about these rifles.

(see sig)

 

[irishsquid]

The barrel is a replacement (as you probably already gathered). I was curious if the bolt might be the original. It probably isn't but it's most likely a WW2 era replacement bolt.

I noticed that you have a very earlier type "grooved" clip on the rear handguard. Those are pretty darn rare! The clip alone is probably worth over a $100.

Almost ALL Garands are "mix-masters" (including mine) but we still love them (much like Old Yeller).

As 61chalk and Buckshot Bill mentioned, you need to be careful with the ammo you're using. Stick to milsurp M2 ball if at all possible. You don't want to risk damaging the oprod. If you reload, stick to milsurp specs. You can also buy adjustable gas plugs to compensate for different loads. I've never used one. I'm told you sometimes need to play around with them to get the action to cycle properly.

It should also be mentioned that commerical primers tend to be softer than milsurp ones and have been known to go off when the bolt slams closed. I'm told it's rare and I've never seen it actually happen but I've heard about it and, believe me, you don't want your M1 going full auto on you!

 

[Doug S]

forgive my wordyness, but im passionate about these rifles.

No problem, I love history.

The barrel is a replacement (as you probably already gathered). I was curious if the bolt might be the original. It probably isn't but it's most likely a WW2 era replacement bolt.

I noticed that you have a very earlier type "grooved" clip on the rear handguard. Those are pretty darn rare! The clip alone is probably worth over a $100.

Very happy to read all of that. I like the idea of having WWII era parts. Someone on Glock Talk suggested that this is an early Korean War rebuild.

 

[hk lover]

garand offset

i have a H&R 1953 garand that is offset to the left in the stock as well.mine is a refurb and has all s/a internal parts.the offset is not a problem as far as shooting.you will be happy as can be after the first shot.fulton armory has a website that will answer any questions you may have and also many,many replacement parts so dont worry it will probably outlast us all.every time i shoot mine i am amased at the cool factor as well as the accuracy.

 

[irishsquid]

We Garand guys DO love our rifles!

The stock looks like a GI replacement. About the only thing you might find on it is a circle "P" proof mark on the grip area.

Looks like you got a good one.

 

[dscottw88]

This makes me feel lucky to have ordered a Garand last year from CMP. From my mailbox to my front door took 3 weeks and I got a receiver dated for august of '44.

 

[61chalk]

hk lover is right about the offset, mine was that way with the old stock, an the brand new stock is the same way, thats the way they were made...if I'm wrong, someone correct me.

 

[Doug S]

Wow, a lot of good information here. I don't think I've every got as good a response about a reifle. I guess these Garands, do have a "following".

After reading all of this, I'm very happy with my trade.

 

[Squeaky Duck]

If you're trying to justify buying it to alleviate the guilt from spending $900, let me help you justify getting it - I WANT IT TOO.

The Garand is a great rifle.

I blew some moolah 3 weeks ago on a pistol. No reason, I just wanted it. Now I'm having fun shootin' it

 

[Doug S]

If you're trying to justify buying it to alleviate the guilt from spending $900

You might be onto something.

 

[irishsquid]

I concur with hk lover and 61chalk. I believe the offset is normal. I've got a GI replacement stock on my rifle. I hadn't really thought about it before but every M1 I've seen has it.

Take a look at the channel for the oprod handle on the receiver and notice how far it sticks out. Sure looks like the stock is offset to accommodate it.

 

[Doug S]

Consensus does seem to be that the offset is normal. One person suggested that it resulted from sanding during refurb at the rear of the stock.

Edit: Actually, here is a picture of an early production rifle I found surfing the Garand sites on the web. It seems to have the same offset.

 

[Hardtarget]

You've got a Garand!? You'll love it! To prove it, get to the range. The first ping will nail it for you! Did for me.

Mark

 

[Three44s]

General Patton would tell you .....

...... you done good!

Three 44s

 

[dscottw88]

Well, the M1 Garand can be had from cmp for $500. A carbine is also $500, and a SKS in todays market can be anywhere from $200 to $400 generally. So... If it were me I wouldn't have made the trade. Basically you gave them anywhere from $700 to $900 dollars worth of product for $500 worth of product.

 

[CZguy]

Well, the M1 Garand can be had from cmp for $500. A carbine is also $500, and a SKS in todays market can be anywhere from $200 to $400 generally. So... If it were me I wouldn't have made the trade. Basically you gave them anywhere from $700 to $900 dollars worth of product for $500 worth of product.

Sorry, but I have to agree.

Also feel free to laugh at me for the two-fer deal. I really wanted a Garand. I know the CMP would have been a better route, but I’m impatient, and impulsive.

CMP is the way to go.