M1 garand Value, Douglas barrel, etc

[CDignition]

I have seen a nice Garand locally available to me...IT is a 3 Million serial number, so around '43 or thereabouts on the reciever.

It has been all redone, 3 1/2 pound trigger, Douglas barrel, New stock(very pretty refinished and shiny)..it is a real nice rifle..

Wants 1200 for it..is that in the ballpark??

 

[TheEgg]

It would not be for me. For $1,200 i would expect a correct grade, all original rifle, in very good condition, not a reworked mix-master. (CMP sells correct grades for about $850 to $900 and collector grades for $1,400).

While the gentleman selling the rifle may have that much into it, he has eliminated through his 'refinishing' most of the things that would make it worth that kind of money -- at least to me.

 

[CDignition]

This isnt a colector rifle but a shooter...

 

[Onmilo]

If the rifle was 'smithed up right, $1200.00 is in the ballpark.
Do all the safety checks and check the headspace, the rifle may be worth what the seller is asking.

I would rather spend the money on a well crafted shooter than a parts corrected, potentially unsafe, but 'all original', Garand any day.

 

[TheEgg]

Then get a rack grade, or woodless Dane, and send off to DGR restorations. You will KNOW that it is done right, get your choice of wood and finishing, and still be in for about the same amount of money.

http://www.dgrguns.com/index.html

Since you were talking over a $Grand, I assumed you wanted something a little out of the ordinary. The all original will appreciate in value much faster than the rebuilds, but whatever floats your boat. If you just want a shooter, go for the Service Grade, $500, spend the rest on ammo.

And by the way, the correct grade and collector grades from CMP are NOT

potentially unsafe

 

[M1sdh]

M1 value

I build rifles for a living, a full blown match rifle as you've described will bring that kind of money assuming it guages correctly and performs as well. Many Garand collectors wouldn't pay for a gun like that, but, consider they have an entirely different set of standards-Steve Horak

 

[Onmilo]

Egg I agree, the CMP puts out some decent stuff though to read the posts on some of these message boards plenty of people are not too pleased with their 'luck of the draw' purchase.
My reference to 'all original' applies to a rifle one may find at a gunshow that is suspect and priced at a premium level.

 

[TheEgg]

My reference to 'all original' applies to a rifle one may find at a gunshow that is suspect and priced at a premium level.

Then I agree completely!!!!

 

[Swampy]

CDignition,

If the rifle in question has been built up to MATCH GRADE standard.... and has less than 1k rounds out the bore, and still SHOOTS like a match grade should, then I'd say that 1200 is in the park.

If however, it's not fully pillar bedded, no National Match sights, and not front end unitized.....

OR, if it don't SHOOT like a Match Grade M1.....

Then I'd say that $1200 is out of reasonable pricing.....

You can get a $350 Rack Grade from the CMP, install a new Douglas barrel, refinish the metal, and put on nice new wood..... which meets the description you gave above.... and still have less than $900 in the rifle.

Add in another $125 for the NM sights and send it out for bedding and front end work (maybe $300-$400).... and you'll have around $1300-$1400 in a brand spanking NEW Match Grade that will for certain SHOOT like a Match Grade. For the extra $100-$200 it's a no brainer as to which I'd do.....

Just my opinion...

Swampy

garands forever

 

[busterbrown]

got 1944 refurbished garand online, beautiful walnut stock- simple auction for $820.00. reputable seller threw in ammo & 30 clips free to seal the deal. fires true. i'd keep looking

 

[30Cal]

That's about the right price for a match M1. Keep in mind the demand for them isn't all that high right now, so it's not uncommon to see them for about $1000.

Ty