(This is NOT a Garand vs. Carbine thread. It is a new vs. old thread.)
I preface this by saying I have only owned and been interested in guns for about 6 months. However, it's an addicting hobby.
My grandfather passed a few years ago and he was, by far, the most influential figure in my life. Part of the greatest generation, he spent several years serving his country in Europe during World War II. From what he told us, during the war, he was a technical sergeant in a tank destroyer unit and he often dealt with repairing and maintaining the small arms of his men. He rarely spoke of his days overseas. He mentioned he liberated some concentration camps, so I'm sure speaking of such horror wasn't a favorite pastime. I'm in the process of looking for photos of him with his rifle so that I may buy what he carried.
I have fired a rifle once in my life. One round, that's it. I know practically nothing about rifles, let alone vintage rifles, milsurp rifles, or used rifles. I am aware of the CMP program, gun shows, and Gunbroker as potential places to get one of these weapons. Of course, I am not made of money and cannot afford one of the Miltech refurbished weapons. I am not opposed to getting an original USGI, but have concerns about buying a 50 year old weapon. I do not know what to check for or how to fix them. I also don't want the first year of ownership to spent at a gunsmith.
I want to shoot this gun, not hang it on the wall. I am not expecting 1/2" groups at 300 yards, but would like something that resembles accuracy.
What is my best option? A new/slightly used Springfield Armory Garand/Auto-Ordnance Carbine (Kahrbine) or an original WWII-era USGI? Please note, if I do get a new rifle, it will be from one of the two companies mentioned above. What about the different grades of CMP weapons? Will a rack grade weapon shoot a target that looks like a blind guy pulled the trigger? Will it need to be 'smithed right out of the box?
I am not looking for opinions of "get the USGI because the new ones are fake." And please don't tell me that the SA/AO guns are junk. I trust those brands, and I trust something that's brand new more than something that maybe have literally been through a war. This is more about knowledge and expertise. However, if you know of trustworthy sellers of USGI weapons, please tell me. If anything, my grandfather was practical, and certainly wouldn't have liked it if I bought an old one because it's the "real deal" or if I bought a new one "just to have a new one, even though the old ones were better."
Any books you can recommend on Garands and M1 Carbines (from a technical perspective) would be appreciated too!
Thanks in advance for your help!
I preface this by saying I have only owned and been interested in guns for about 6 months. However, it's an addicting hobby.
My grandfather passed a few years ago and he was, by far, the most influential figure in my life. Part of the greatest generation, he spent several years serving his country in Europe during World War II. From what he told us, during the war, he was a technical sergeant in a tank destroyer unit and he often dealt with repairing and maintaining the small arms of his men. He rarely spoke of his days overseas. He mentioned he liberated some concentration camps, so I'm sure speaking of such horror wasn't a favorite pastime. I'm in the process of looking for photos of him with his rifle so that I may buy what he carried.
I have fired a rifle once in my life. One round, that's it. I know practically nothing about rifles, let alone vintage rifles, milsurp rifles, or used rifles. I am aware of the CMP program, gun shows, and Gunbroker as potential places to get one of these weapons. Of course, I am not made of money and cannot afford one of the Miltech refurbished weapons. I am not opposed to getting an original USGI, but have concerns about buying a 50 year old weapon. I do not know what to check for or how to fix them. I also don't want the first year of ownership to spent at a gunsmith.
I want to shoot this gun, not hang it on the wall. I am not expecting 1/2" groups at 300 yards, but would like something that resembles accuracy.
What is my best option? A new/slightly used Springfield Armory Garand/Auto-Ordnance Carbine (Kahrbine) or an original WWII-era USGI? Please note, if I do get a new rifle, it will be from one of the two companies mentioned above. What about the different grades of CMP weapons? Will a rack grade weapon shoot a target that looks like a blind guy pulled the trigger? Will it need to be 'smithed right out of the box?
I am not looking for opinions of "get the USGI because the new ones are fake." And please don't tell me that the SA/AO guns are junk. I trust those brands, and I trust something that's brand new more than something that maybe have literally been through a war. This is more about knowledge and expertise. However, if you know of trustworthy sellers of USGI weapons, please tell me. If anything, my grandfather was practical, and certainly wouldn't have liked it if I bought an old one because it's the "real deal" or if I bought a new one "just to have a new one, even though the old ones were better."
Any books you can recommend on Garands and M1 Carbines (from a technical perspective) would be appreciated too!
Thanks in advance for your help!
