M1 Garand Buying Advice

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Gunnerpalace

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I may have a chance to obtain a M1 Garand and I wanted to know what I should be looking for quality wise or marking wise,

Based off the serial it would have been made around Early 1941 or Late 1943,

Will provide more info if needed.

Thanks.
 
the serial number should get you right down to the month and year it was made. Just buy it and don't look back. If it doesn't work like you had hoped just sell it to me.
 
Check it out carefully to be certain that it has not been abused, then buy it.
Use GI ammo / equivalent or reload using 150 grain bullets and IMR / H 4895.
Then enjoy it for many years to come.
One of the most enjoyable military rifles ever made.

Roger
 
Garands are great, but there are some beaters out there.

Check under the front sight for a "Blue Sky" import mark or something similar. If you have the chance, check the head space and muzzle wear, and check the parts for excessive wear.

The easiest part to check is the barrel. Lock the op-rod back and look for the markings on the barrel. There should be something like SA-6535448-7-48 where the SA is Springfield Armory, the next is the drawing number for the barrel, and then the barrel's date.

Compare what you're getting to CMP's descriptions for their Garands and see how it stacks up.

http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm
 
The "if it's a garand, buy it" guys are not playing with their own money. Yours could be completely clapped out and not worth $400. Read up on the CMP forums or do some searches here.

If the receiver serial number matches the receiver drawing number range you can be confident the receiver wasn't cut/rewelded (some have been). Then see if you can get someone to check out the barrel muzzle wear and throat erosion. If the barrel's in good shape then it may be worth $800 to you. You can get one for around $600 from the CMP (or buy one used that someone else got from the CMP) that you can be assured contains the proper parts and is in shooting condition.

Or get a book and read up on Garands. I recommend you get a bit more info before you lay down your money.
 
It's $800.00 firm

Looked like a new stock too.
Click to expand...

If it has a WWII receiver and is in decent condition, $800 is a good price. WWII receivers are the most sought after. Im gonna guess then that it is a Springfield receiver, if it is a Winchester, than thats a GREAT price. Make sure you look up the serial number though, the range you gave cant be right if you know the serial number, Garands were kept track of pretty well, you can easily find the date ranges online.
 
Well that just it I remember the first three digits but I can remember how many numbers it had, it was an SA though. Primary reason I like it WW2 heritage.

As for CMP I meet none of the club or shooting requirement for it.
 
if you passed hunter's safety or have a CCW they'll accept that... as for the club join the GCA (garand collector's assn) for $25. :)

GarandOwner, I paid $1300 for my first 2 garands, a Fed Ord "tanker" and a Blue Sky M1. Last time I asked people thought I paid too much. Both have WWII Springfield receivers. So do you think I got a good deal? ;)

BTW the Blue Sky looks a bit rough (stock mostly) but it shoots better for me than my CMP guns, including one with a new barrel. Strange, that.
 
if you passed hunter's safety or have a CCW they'll accept that...
Click to expand...

That's just it I don't, otherwise I probably would go that way.

And I would need to head to Perry to try to see if they have a WW2 number, (Pretty much the whole reason I'm interested in it)
 
I bought my Garand from James River Armory.
They refinish the metal and replace the stock.
They are priced by throat erosion or they'll install a new barrel.
It shoots beautifully and looks great with the new stock.
My Springfield receiver is from late 1943.
It costs more than CMP, but it really is a nice rig.
They're located near Baltimore
http://www.jamesriverarmory.com
 
If you're not too far you can go to the CMP North Store and pick out the rifle. Make sure you have all your paperwork with you and take it with you. The staff are great and will tell you what you have when you pick it out.
 
Ah... you won't get a WWII numbered one via the CMP, at least not through the "regular" channels. Maybe via auction.
Click to expand...

Uh..... why not??

WWII serials are quite common among CMP's SA Service Grades and Field Grades. Of course the Winny's that are now being offered are all WWII vintage.

The only ones listed that are Post WWII only are the Correct Grades and maybe the Specials (??).

Best to all,
Swampy

Garands forever
 
My CCW permit is good at the CMP? I'm a member of an affiliated club, but just haven't filled out the CMP paperwork because of the "markmanship" requirement or whatever it is. That, and the fear that I'll go nuts buying guns from them. But I DO need some surplus ammo......

Oh, for the original question - I heartily recommend buying a Garand! Great fun! I have a 1943 SA that I picked up for $700, that came with a full 192-round ammo can with clips and bandoliers (corrosive Korean ammo though).
 
Do whatever you have to do to get a CMP Garand.

If you are looking for a M1, your first option should be the CMP.

For 595.00 you get a rifle that is in excellent condition and would usually run twice the price in gun shops. The M1 I picked out in the South store was essentially a new Garand. No evident wear. :)

Of course when you buy a M1 from the CMP, the sales agreement states you are not buying the rifle in order to resell it. The Civilian Marksmanship Program is just that, they want you to shoot the rifle they sell you, not sell it for a profit.
 
Swampy, I'm sure you're right... I thought I remembered seeing a thing on there that said the only ones Springfields left were post WWII numbers. I must have been mistaken.

Forgot they were offering Winnies now also. I want one.
 
$800 might be $450 too much depending on the rifle. I highly recommend a CMP rifle (or at least one with CMP paperwork).
 
800 would be too much for a worn out Garand if it is...You should just get one from the CMP.
Click to expand...

Agreed, If you don't know Garands and can't get someone you trust to look at it then go to CMP. I have a couple of their rack grades and they're great. There's a lot of knock off M1's out there.
 
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