M1 Garand Price

[dispatch55126]

I'm going to a gun show tomorrow looking for a Garand. Before anyone mentions CMP, I want something above rack grade. So I can help myself from getting ripped off, what is a reasonable price for a field/service grade rifle. Thanks.

 

[lacoochee]

www.garandguy.com

 

[offthepaper]

I know you don't want to hear this, but my opinion (worth nothing) is that if you are going to pay through the nose at a gun show, you WOULD be better off getting the Rack Grade and having it brought back to life showing it's former glory. Do a search on the forum and check out what some former lowly RG's look and shoot like after a professional rebuild. You will be much happier and prouder of that rifle for close to the same money.

 

[mswestfall]

I think that offthepaper is onthemark

 

[CU74]

Another Alternative

off the paper offers a way to get a "good" Garand, and it's a valid way to get it done. I haven't had any experience with professional rebuilds, but the words sound like "expensive" to me.

Another way is to order a Rack Grade and a stripped barreled receiver from CMP. If you need more than a new barrel, there are lots of parts out there, (Numrich and Sarco immediately come to mind).

Don't like the stock? CMP has new ones. I got one for my Greek POS Field Grade. (We'll NOT go into the Greek I received from CMP .)

 

[Neo-Luddite]

I know this is a crap answer--you will not likely find one.

You will find the beat up and the very nice. Watch for the faked (probably not a real problem in the grade you're looking for). There is not much middle ground that I've seen; ready to go without serious rebuild needs but not 'safe queen' cherry. It would be a lucky moment.

That said--$650-750 would be a fair price for what you're looking for from what I've seen. I would take a good look. Gage the thing and don't buy if you can't field strip it at the table. Look at the metal, and don't let the wood 'WOW' you no matter how nice and perfect.

And good luck.

 

[Mr White]

You'll pay out the wazoo for a Garand at a gun show. I saw so many Garands last weekend at a show, no nicer than my CMP Springfield service grade, listed for no less than $1000.

Offthepaper's suggestion is the best one. Buy a rack grade and send it off for Extreme Makeover: Garand Edition.

Another good Garand wizard is Dean

 

[Rosstradamus]

At gunshows I've seen Garands in what I thought was bad condition for about $800. Those comparable to my service grade CMP rifles run about $1,100 to $1,400.

 

[gdvan01]

www.garandguy.com

+1

 

[Geno]

IMHO one really doesn't save much, if anything, at the gun show. The sole advantage of attending the gun show is numbers...more FFLs in a single area. Actually, when you get the best deal at the gun show is when the other non-FFLs are walking around with their own personal firearms for sale, and a sign taped on their jacket Re: what they are selling. Even if you don't make a Love Connection, you have a great conversation.

I have actually met more bull-headed FFLs at guns shows than anywhere else...FFLs who would rather cart back home their piece of junk than bargain down their price even $1.00! I'm being serious! I watched one particular crabby character pack up a rifle and take it home rather than lower the price a "...dime...". The FFL's comment, "The price is what it is; pay it or walk away!"

I just enjoy seeing all of the people, and all of the firearms. If I save a buck or two, great. If not, I promised myself walking in to not get wrapped up in other people's problems, and to just attend and have a fun time.

Doc2005

 

[Ian Sean]

Another +1 for Garandguy, bought some parts and had questions...fast service, good outfit.

As far as gun shows go, I have never paid the asking price on a gun. I have purchased most of my guns at shows and I always haggle.

Research the going prices, know what you want, if they don't like your offer move on if they say no. Having cash for an all cash deal does help.

 

[ScottsGT]

Last weekends gunshow had Garands priced at $750 for USGI's. Nice wood, nice finishes, even lockbar sights. Just no TE or MW guages around to check the barrels with. Crap shoot...... If your' going to buy at a gunshow, get some gauges, including field gauge to check the headspace. But after you spend over $100 in gauges to get a decient gun, you could have just bought from a reputable dealer.

 

[HorseSoldier]

+1 what other people have said. Get a CMP Rack Grade and even if you put $500 worth or work into it restoring it, you're still breaking even with what the usual gun show prices seem to be these days for a beater Garand that isn't much above the CMP Rack was when you started.

 

[dispatch55126]

Thanks for the info. $750+ is way more than my wallet, wife, kids, bills, pets, ect would let me spend. Instead, I took my 10/22 up to my farm (160 acres) and hunted chipmunks for a few hours. It was fun and alot cheaper.

 

[sarge83]

I was at the Anniston CMP store yesterday and found two nice field grade Dane Garands. TW 2 MW 2 on one and TW 2.5 MW 2 on the other. Stock on one was in good condition and the other in fairly good condition, no cracks. One has an original IH trigger group. Both found their way home with me. Can't wait to shoot them! They did have couple of M1 Carbines out to inspect but you could not purchase yet. There were also a few, very few, rack grade HR garands. Lots of rack grade greek garands. While filling out paperwork I did accidentally overhear a phone conversation to the effect that all the Dane Less wood garands had sold out last week. I could have spent a fortune in that place!

 

[DMK]

I couldn't find anything under $800 at my local gunshow yesterday. I doubt they were even service grades, Anything under $1000 looked really rough.

Think about this:

CMP Rack Grade: $418 shipped

Full restoration with new barrel, new wood, new springs, repark etc: $755 at Deans Gun Restorations (and Dean's not cheap, but does top notch work).

Total for a rebuilt, like new Garand: $1200 (may do better with some bargain shopping)

Gunshow Garand or questionable quality and history: $800 - $1000+

 

[270Win]

Average Garands at yesterday's gunshow were $1400 or so. Bad quality was still $1000.

Definitely not the place to buy one if you want value for your dollar.

 

[auberg]

I have to agree with Sarge. I was in Anniston too yesterday. I picked up a Greek Rack Grade that had a ME 2 and TE about 5. The stocks were good, it had been reparked in the deep black that the Greeks do. And as a bonus, the Armorer that inspected it, noticed it had a mint trigger group, with the original finish. It should be a good shooter, but I have moved the trigger group to my Dane.