M1 Garand military surplus for $800

[happygeek]

I was wondering if this was even a good deal. The Big 5 sporting goods store in the area is selling M1 Garand military surplus rifles for $800. The one I looked at was in less than awesome condition. The stock was all scratched up, which didn't really bother me, it is a war relic. What bothered me was that in my brief inspection of the chamber I noticed it was dirty. This concerns me that the previous owners didn't maintain it. Of course the guy at the store says it'll shoot ok, but he's a salesman.

Then I read this: http://www.ehow.com/how_4595295_purchase-m-garand.html

Before Purchasing ask if they can do a barrel throat erosion check for you. If the shop does not have the proper gauges take the bullet of a cartridge (of the proper caliber) and insert into muzzle, if it sinks to the brass do not purchase. (unless you plan to buy a new barrel)


Tips & Warnings

* Check for a diagonal line on the back of receiver underneath the serial number (means re-weld, DO NOT PURCHASE)
* Check for pitting in the metal of weapon
* Check for stock to receiver fit (If it is too loose you can purchase a new stock relatively cheap)
* Check for a feed ramp (if present this means weapon is chambered in 308 not 30-06)
* Check to ensure that safety functions properly before purchase
* If the receiver is a re-weld DO NOT PURCHASE
* If the receiver has deep pitting or gouging be weary of purchasing
* If Barrel does not look straight or throat erosion does not pass DO NOT PURCHASE
* Make sure that ammunition is of proper caliber that your weapon is chambered in

After seeing the condition of the one at the store and reading about some of the things that could be wrong with it, I'm starting to think I should just spend the money on a new one (a store in the area is selling new ones for $1,400). I like the whole history aspect of it, and it'd be cool to own a war relic that might have seen action, but I don't want to get something just to display. A new M1 Garand would still have history to me, and I do want one I can use at the range "out of the box".

What I'm getting at is have ya'll found well functioning military surplus Garands, how much are they worth, and what are the major things I should inspect at the store before I think about buying a milsurplus Garand? Or would I just be better off getting a new one?

 

[rondog]

Don't get a "new" one, just order one from the CMP. Those are the best values in M1 Garands there is. If you're within driving distance of either Ohio or Alabama, just go get it in person. Otherwise it'll be a 6 month wait.

 

[1KPerDay]

A new one? Where are you going to find a new one? They haven't made new ones for quite some time. Springfield Armory, INC made some for a while, but I don't really see the point. USGI ones are better and cheaper.

No, a beat up, shagged out M1 for $800 is not a good deal. However, a field grade or service grade from the CMP for $600 (or less) IS.

 

[Ignition Override]

happygeek:

A co-worker and friend retired from the Navy Rifle Team and still shoots with them now and then.

I'm fairly new at all of this (any guns), but in stark contrast, "M" is very experienced with guns, and has been to the Anniston location to see their rifles.

He said "You should see the racks and racks of Garands" with a real gleam in his eye.
My decision would be to follow his advice (apply with the CMP). If a person belongs to a gun club etc, there should be no real hang-up ordering one.
Frankly, I would avoid the lowest-priced guns of any category and buy what is considered reliable and authentic.
Quite often, the lowest-priced guns etc create long-term regret with the buyers.

The problem is that gun fever can overcome patience and one's better judgement-if you allow it.
But vast numbers of very good military surplus rifles are always changing hands and won't disappear.
If you can afford one, I'm happy for you. But I don't yet want to either learn to reload or pay required prices for 30-06 ammo.
Back in May, my wife and I drove from Luxemburg City to Bastogne, where we met a part-time Flemish tour guide who took us to the original fox holes of the 101st Airborne and the farm hamlets, hearing personal accounts (which he learned from the US veterans and civilians) of skirmishes etc which are not yet in the books.

 

[CZguy]

A new one? Where are you going to find a new one? They haven't made new ones for quite some time. Springfield Armory, INC made some for a while, but I don't really see the point. USGI ones are better and cheaper.

I just got this one from the CMP a couple of weeks ago. It's a service grade SA that was never issued. It was made in Jan. 1955 and after a trigger job, shoots great.

[/IMG]

 

[C-grunt]

CZguy that is a beautiful rifle. If you dont mind, how much was it and how long did it take to get it?

 

[Wes Janson]

A service-grade Garand is $595 from the CMP.

 

[CZguy]

CZguy that is a beautiful rifle. If you dont mind, how much was it and how long did it take to get it?

It was $595.00, and took six months of waiting. It was worth the wait.

 

[NC-Mike]

I was at the CMP South store in early June and all they had were field grades but my son and I found an absolutely beautiful H&R M1 that gauged a 2 on both the throat and muzzle for 495.00. We brought it home with an equally strong M1 carbine that was only 419.00.

Look at the CMP first. Yes you have to fill out paperwork and get stuff notarized but you will get a great rifle and it will be guaranteed to work. Customer service at CMP is beyond reproach. If you have a problem, they will fix it.

I would say just about anything you buy at CMP is worth almost 2 times on the open market but bear in mind that the sales agreement states that you are not buying the rifle only to sell it and make a profit.

I got a H&R service grade from them that came in a new CMP stock and gauged under a 1 for 595.00. I still feel like I stole that rifle.

 

[Tim the student]

I just got this one from the CMP a couple of weeks ago. It's a service grade SA that was never issued.

Congrats on your rifle. It is truly beautiful. What do you mean by never issued though?

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah...

 

[CZguy]

Congrats on your rifle. It is truly beautiful. What do you mean by never issued though?

Yeah...

"Issued" is a military term that means given to a troop for his use. In this case this rifle has been test fired, but never carried. The metal is the original Parkerizing and is 100% the stock is a new CMP stock. All of the internal parts are Springfield Armory and are correct for this rifle. In short it's as "new" an M-1 rifle as you can get.

I will never buy a lottery ticket, because I think I used up all of my good luck with the CMP.

 

[Deckard]

I really want a service grade, but seeing as how they're out of them at the CMP North store as far as I can tell, I'm gonna take a trip down there for a field grade and put in an order for a service grade.

 

[1KPerDay]

"Issued" is a military term that means given to a troop for his use. In this case this rifle has been test fired, but never carried.

I'm just curious what information you have that substantiates that. Are you basing it only on the condition of the metal? Or did you somehow find documentation somewhere?

You sure have a loverly rifle there... the stock is amazing.

 

[Tim the student]

Glad you like it. Like I said, it is a beauty.

Cool that you got one that slipped through the cracks from being graded as Correct, Collector, or being auctioned. Did you replace the stock on it?

 

[USSR]

The metal is the original Parkerizing and is 100% the stock is a new CMP stock.

Not to disparage your rifle, CZguy, as it is indeed a fine looking piece, but the parkerizing appears too dark to be USGI original, and appears to have been reparked by the Greeks. Calling a reparked Garand with a commercial stock "unissued" is indeed a stretch.

Don

 

[NC-Mike]

Rutro, the purists have come aboard...

 

[JHansenAK47]

Rutro, the purists have come aboard...

No he is right. Rearsenaled and unissued are not the same thing. Besides the CMP auctions the unissued ones. They go for a lot more than 600 bucks. Personally I don't see the point in buying an unissued as I would shoot it anyway. Besides if it was all original I think it would be a correct grade.

SERVICE GRADE: (Good to Very Good)
Service Grade Rifles show less wear and better appearance than Field or Rack Grades. Good to very good condition. Rifle wear will be exhibited by worn and mixed colors of the parkerized finish. There may be some minor pitting on the metal parts. Wood will be either Walnut, Birch, Beech or other variety and will be basically sound but may have minor hairline cracks, dings, scratches and gouges. Wood may not match in color or type of wood. Wood may be of new production on Service Grade Garands. Bores will be generally good with only minor imperfections. The barrel crown may be nicked, but the muzzle will gauge less than 3 and the throat erosion will gauge less than 5.

CORRECT GRADE: (Very Good to Excellent)
Correct Grade Rifles are similar to the Service Grade (above), but will show less wear and use. Correct Grade rifles will have all correct parts for the date of manufacture with 80% or better overall original metal finish. The stock and handguards will be of walnut and correct for the rifle but will have some dings, dents, scratches and marring of the wood finish. Stocks will have the appropriate original inspector's cartouche. The rifle bore will be very good with no significant defects and with a throat erosion of less than 4 and a muzzle wear of 2 or less. Very good to excellent condition. Limited quantities are occasionally available. Prices start at $950.

COLLECTOR GRADE: (Excellent)
Collector Grade Rifles have 95% or better overall original metal finish. Rifle bores are excellent with throat erosion under 3 and muzzle wear of 2 or less. Collector Grade rifles have all original parts as they came from the manufacturer. Wood will have a few handling marks and minor dings and scratches. Stocks have the appropriate inspector's cartouche. Data sheets prepared by CMP armorers are included in the butt trap of each Collector Grade Rifle. Excellent condition - little or no use. Limited quantities are occasionally available. Prices start at $1400.

 

[NC-Mike]

No he is right. Rearsenaled and unissued are not the same thing. Besides the CMP auctions the unissued ones.

Why must all the bubbles be burst...

 

[wojownik]

+100 on CMP. Two service grades ordered a few years ago ($495 then, $595 now...). Sorry for the repost from another thread, but I'm just that proud of `em...

 

[1KPerDay]

Nice!

 

[1KPerDay]

Rutro, the purists have come aboard...

It's not "purist" to get the terminology correct. UNISSUED has specific connotations and greatly affects the value. If you say "looks unissued" or "looks like it just came off the assembly line" that's fine. But to say a rifle IS unissued... well, it makes people curious. Particularly if you only paid $600. It's like saying a Python is NIB but it actually has been shot/used.

As I said, it's a lovely rifle in any case.

 

[CZguy]

Not to disparage your rifle, CZguy, as it is indeed a fine looking piece, but the parkerizing appears too dark to be USGI original, and appears to have been reparked by the Greeks. Calling a reparked Garand with a commercial stock "unissued" is indeed a stretch.

No he is right. Rearsenaled and unissued are not the same thing. Besides the CMP auctions the unissued ones. They go for a lot more than 600 bucks. Personally I don't see the point in buying an unissued as I would shoot it anyway. Besides if it was all original I think it would be a correct grade.

You guys may be correct. But I believe that this rifle fell through the cracks at the CMP. The camera is misleading, it's really a greenish black. There are no signs of pitting or buffing. All of the parts are different shades of parkerizing and correct according to the information in Duff's book on post war Garands.

Again you guys may be right. But I'm convinced that I received a much better rifle than I ordered.

I have a theory that because in my whole life I never won anything (other than my draft lottery) that I was due, and used up a whole lifetime of luck all at once.

 

[1KPerDay]

I hope you're right. I'll give you $700 for it.

 

[61chalk]

CMP also has another Grade Garand for 995.00....New CMP stock an wood, New barrel,
New Repark, ...they look great for all you get an the price, they look perfect, can be ordered, an the North Store has been putting some out for sale....Can't remember what
Grade they call them....?...someone help?


Got it...SPECIAL GRADE!!!!!!!!