International Harvester M1 Garand

[therealdoublel]

I guess i'm one of those cowboy / farmer guys who really wants to get an IH M1 Garand because hey, the tractor company made it,. i do not currently own a Garand but would like to, and would prefer it to be an IH model. I know you can order a Springfield M1 off of CMP for around 500 to 600 bucks. I saw an IH that looked in pretty good conditin at a show for $1,000 bucks, is that a good deal and what are people paying for International M1 Garands? Thanks

 

[dmazur]

It all depends on whether you want it to be "correct" (all IH parts) or just have an IH receiver. I understand the latter is much easier to come by, and perhaps for less than $1000.

You probably already know about the CMP sales page for Garands -

http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm

You can check there periodically and see if they've managed to stumble into a crate of IH Garands. As you can see, all they seem to have now is SA's and HR's.

If you really, really want an IH Garand, $1000 isn't bad for one that won't need another $1000 of work, if you want a shooter. You need to do the standard checks for ME, TE, check it for bolt release with a gauge (or a clip of dummy rounds), etc. Sometimes these checks are hard to perform if the seller won't let you do anything with the rifle except "look" at it. If you just want it as a piece of history, well, it's worth what you're willing to pay...

 

[therealdoublel]

at this point i think all i am worried about is the receiver saying IH, possibly later into my collecting years i may worry more about 'correctness' so 1,000 is a fair price for a good shooter?

 

[dmazur]

As I'm not an expert in Garand appraisal, it's a hard question to answer. CMP Garands are available for less than $1000, and in fairly good condition. The problem is the IH receiver. As these aren't available from CMP at the present time, the question really centers on the condition of the particular IH Garand that's available for $1000.

I'm sure many would say that's too high a price. I don't think so, provided you aren't going to have to replace a bunch of parts to get it to shoot well. Parts that used to be cheap are no longer available for bargain prices. Op rods, for example, are a couple of hundred dollars, I believe. Rebarreling isn't cheap, either. So, if it needs major work, that $1000 rifle can turn into $1800 easily.

Just a crazy idea. You might email some of the Garand builders and see if they have any they have built from IH receivers. The prices are higher, like around $1000 to start, but you will generally get a guarantee.

Garand Guy

You can see from this site that a "Super Premium Grade" is available for $995, with a 1-year warranty. This includes a new barrel and a new stock. If you're willing to wait, this builder may be willing to sell you a IH when he gets one as a trade-in, after he rebuilds it.

 

[skidooman603]

On Gunbroker the IH seem to be going $1000-$1500 depending on condition

 

[lipadj46]

A guy posted here about selling a a IH M1:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=427324

Sounds like he is looking for big money but not sure there is the demand these days (no matter the condition) with the CMP pumping out Garands.

 

[az_imuth]

Personally, I would be very careful buying an IHC unseen unless it came with DCM/CMP documentation. There seem to be quite a few of these that were welded together from parts and built up into rifles at some point in the past. If you do have an opportunity to look one over, make sure you know how to spot a weld, or take someone with you who knows what to look for. Another way is to compare the serial number on the heel to the drawing number on the receiver leg.

I think a $1000 for a really nice IHC shooter is a fair price, especially if it comes with DCM/CMP documentation. You can occasionally still find deals on IHCs if you are patient and keep your eyes open for one.

 

[snorko]

Side note: i live in the town where these were made. While selling NRA tickets at a gun show, talked to a fellow who had the job of test firing Garands at the factory. Yep, paid to shoot and abuse.

 

[Bbqznbeer]

May I suggest purchasing an adjustable gas plug for your M1.
Modern ammo , especially 180gr hunting fodder , has been known to damage the M1.
An adj, vent plug will allow the use of nearly any ammo available and alot less stress on the rifle and shooter.

 

[10X]

$1,000 is high for a shooter grade.

One has to assume the rifle is a parts gun (most are) and not a collector grade gun until proven otherwise. You also have to assume average wear and condition unless proven otherwise. Both of these factors would place a shooter M1 in the $600 - $800 range.

Gunbroker prices are not reality. Usually these are 20%-25% higher than you can buy in your local area.

 

[Buckskinner]

I'm the guy who's looking into the value of my IHC Collector grade M1 in the other thread.
I found this: http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=62996&whichpage=2&SearchTerms=ihc,collector,grade

One particular quote goes: "I was at an auction today and they sold 5 IHC's the cheapest went for $2100 and the highest was $2700 They were all nice M1's but maybe half were as nice as the one you have pictured."

Sure, its just internet chat, but if you saw an IHC at a gunshow for $1K, and it headspaced correctly, had a decent barrel (ME & TE within your tolerances) then it might've been a decent deal.

My IHC has iron clad provenance, and that means something to collectors. If you had money dripping out of your sleeves, and really wanted an IHC shooter, then mine would be a decent investment and very reliable rifle.