So I have always wanted an M1 (like many people), so to treat myself for christmas I went to a local gun store and purchased one. It seemed in pretty solid condition. The tag said it was Korean War era and it retailed for about 850 or so. I was filling out all he registration forms when one of the managers of the store walked up and checked out the rifle. He looked at the markings and said "god******! someone wasn't paying attention, this is a match grade barrel". At first I thought he was going to tell me I couldn't have it or something because he seemed really ticked off about it, but he let me continue and I carried it out. I don't really know much- if anything about used service rifles, so i really have no idea what "match grade" means and how much it may be worth. All I really want the gun for is to plink around at my buddies ranches and maybe try a hunt or two with it, so I am wondering if this rifle is something that might be worth selling? If anyone could explain its worth (if any) that would really help me out. Thanks alot.
M1 Garand "Match Grade"? Purchase...
- Thread starter dadams868
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I'd shoot it first and see if it lived up to the Match Grade name.
It might be a collectable rifle, but it's hard to tell withought knowing who the maker was and what shape it's actually in.
You might try this site, www.jouster.com, a.k.a. Culver's Shooting Pages with Garand questions. Lots of M1 guys hang out there.
It might be a collectable rifle, but it's hard to tell withought knowing who the maker was and what shape it's actually in.
You might try this site, www.jouster.com, a.k.a. Culver's Shooting Pages with Garand questions. Lots of M1 guys hang out there.
match grade????
it should say NM some where on it.what yr is barrel.[near muzzle]and who made it.
:banghead:
it should say NM some where on it.what yr is barrel.[near muzzle]and who made it.
:banghead:Post a few pictures here. Especially post closeups of barrel rear sight and op rod markings. Thhre are a few M1 guys who hang out here too. Ed Clancy comes to mind. He probably knows as much about them as anybody.
It would be curious if just the barrel were Match. The entire rifle would be, from the sights, trigger, op road on down. Enjoy your new rifle!
yeah... its says "NM" faintly on the barrel. I kinda guessed that that means "national match" but I have no idea. I looked up the serial number on another website and it seems to be made between 54'-55' by the springfield armory.
The manager who exclaimed it's "match grade" was uttering nonsense. Even if it's a NM barrel, it doesn't really mean much in itself. Unless the rifle is an actual complete National Match rifle as built by the original Springfield Armory, the NM barrel doesn't do anything for you, for accuracy or for collectability.
According to Scott Duff, when SA built NM rifles, they would hand selected barrels based on air-gage requirements. Other than that, an NM stamped barrel is exactly the same (no difference in contour, twist, rifling, etc., like a modern 'match' barrel for a Garand).
On the other hand, if the rifle you bought is an actual complete NM rifle, it's worth far more than the $800 so you paid for it. The actual price depends on whether or not the origins can be documented.
If the manager was going to price it higher just because it says NM on the barrel, he doesn't know much about Garands.
Is the rifle bedded in the stock?
According to Scott Duff, when SA built NM rifles, they would hand selected barrels based on air-gage requirements. Other than that, an NM stamped barrel is exactly the same (no difference in contour, twist, rifling, etc., like a modern 'match' barrel for a Garand).
On the other hand, if the rifle you bought is an actual complete NM rifle, it's worth far more than the $800 so you paid for it. The actual price depends on whether or not the origins can be documented.
If the manager was going to price it higher just because it says NM on the barrel, he doesn't know much about Garands.
Is the rifle bedded in the stock?
gift horse
Being that this sale was in CA, and that so many gunstores are owned and operated by individuals who are profit minded only -greedy, I would be concerned that this person is giving you a defective or at least sub grade piece.
"One of the managers" of the store is like the car salesman who gives you what he calls a good price and then says, but I must check with my "manager" to see if I can get it approved.
It is likely that you have a grace period to return the rifle for a refund.
Have it examined by a gunsmith immediately, so that you can be sure of what you have.
Most of the greedy type of owners have gone over all of their inventory several times, like Ebeneezer Scrooge with his shillings, and they are not about to let a mistake that will cost them their precious money despite all the outcries of OMG!
Being that this sale was in CA, and that so many gunstores are owned and operated by individuals who are profit minded only -greedy, I would be concerned that this person is giving you a defective or at least sub grade piece.
"One of the managers" of the store is like the car salesman who gives you what he calls a good price and then says, but I must check with my "manager" to see if I can get it approved.
It is likely that you have a grace period to return the rifle for a refund.
Have it examined by a gunsmith immediately, so that you can be sure of what you have.
Most of the greedy type of owners have gone over all of their inventory several times, like Ebeneezer Scrooge with his shillings, and they are not about to let a mistake that will cost them their precious money despite all the outcries of OMG!
Where did you read that this took place in California? I saw no location for the original post nor in the poster's profile.
Yeah... im not from California. I'm actually from Houston TX- gun capital of the US.... I cant say for sure that he wasnt a "used car salesman".... but in this city most people know their ****. It was also a very repuitable store- "Collectors Firearms". Ill snap some picks of the M1 though gator.
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