New Garand or Old Garand?

[theotherwaldo]

I've decided to spend my tax return toward an M1 Garand of some sort. My first idea was to join the Garand Collectors Club and get a rack-grade or field-grade rifle from CMP.
Then, yesterday, I walked into my favorite LGS. They had an absolutely pristine 1990s Garand in .308 for about twice as much as a rack-grade mixmaster.

Which way should I jump?

 

[JeffG]

I'm assuming you want shooter. I would go with the newer version.

 

[BigBore44]

CMP.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

IIRC, SA used cast receivers for those builds with mostly GI parts hung on them. You're be waaaaay better off to get a GI gun and have it rebarrelled to .308 if that's what you're aiming for. Criterion makes top notch barrels and there are several well known shops that do excellent conversions. The total cost would likely be close to what you would spend on the SA.

 

[FL-NC]

CMP. Get an ORIGINAL piece of American history. The only 308 model I would have is a US Navy converted Garand (Can't remember the mil designation). You know, when you fire a US mil Garand, it actually makes you feel more American.

 

[dieselchief]

I have a SAinc gun. it has a cast receiver with danish comeback parts. it is not legal for garand shoots due to not "as issued".
.....same folks who trash the cast receiver would gladly take a m1a from SAinc with a cast reciever for their birthday. no forged as issued m14 receivers available due to one a machine gun.....atf stuff. just saying.....I did vote for the original so not to have same dilemma I have,,,,dc

 

[Mn Fats]

CMP. Get an ORIGINAL piece of American history. The only 308 model I would have is a US Navy converted Garand (Can't remember the mil designation). You know, when you fire a US mil Garand, it actually makes you feel more American.

That's perfect.

 

[rabid wombat]

Get a CMP M1, and have the CMP Custom Gun Shop rework it into a 308....

http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/custom-gunsmithing/

“If a customer wishes to purchase a rifle from the CMP and have the CMP Custom Shop make modifications to it prior to shipping, that can be done by adding the desired work and Item #'s to the order form page 3A along with the rifle desired.”

You can have the rifle “shipped” into the shop, and then to you

 

[1KPerDay]

Go with GI. Go with .30-06. This from an SAI fanboy.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

CMP. Get an ORIGINAL piece of American history. The only 308 model I would have is a US Navy converted Garand (Can't remember the mil designation). You know, when you fire a US mil Garand, it actually makes you feel more American.

Problem was, those used chamber inserts and they were known for all manner of horrible failures. Would be a valuable collectible, but definitely not a shooter.
But yes, shooting a Garand is as American as a warm apple pie.
You know, like, uh, eating it, and stuff.....

 

[bannockburn]

My brother has both and I have worked on them. Go with the original G.I. issue M1 Garand.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I have a SAinc gun. it has a cast receiver with danish comeback parts. it is not legal for garand shoots due to not "as issued".
.....same folks who trash the cast receiver would gladly take a m1a from SAinc with a cast reciever for their birthday. no forged as issued m14 receivers available due to one a machine gun.....atf stuff. just saying.....I did vote for the original so not to have same dilemma I have,,,,dc

I'm not trashing it, but if you can get forged for the same (or less) $$$, then the choice is pretty clear.
Ive had M1As in the past, loaded and standard, and I'm getting a SOCOM with my refund check, but if I could actually get an H&R receiver, of course I would- who wouldn't?
That said, the SAs aren't bad guns at all.....but they ain't GI.

 

[tommy.duncan]

I would go with the original. Own a piece of history.

 

[cuervo]

CMP just got in a load of 90,000+ Garands from the Philippines and Turkey. Give them some time to get them graded and go with one of those.

If you are going to convert to .308, try to get a field grade (if they're available) since you are going to replace the barrel anyway. All of the new conversions are going to use a true .308 barrel, so would be safe to use.

http://www.guns.com/2018/01/31/cmp-99000-garands-are-back-from-overseas-update-on-1911s/

 

[FL-NC]

Problem was, those used chamber inserts and they were known for all manner of horrible failures. Would be a valuable collectible, but definitely not a shooter.
But yes, shooting a Garand is as American as a warm apple pie.
You know, like, uh, eating it, and stuff.....

I read in American Rifleman (I think) a while back that there was/is 2 versions of the naval 308- the chamber insert model you mentioned, and one with an actual 308 chambered barrel.

 

[Danoobie]

I've got an old one, rather have a new one. Yeah the history is great, but I've become an
"accidental armorer". If you like .308. I say go for that shooter. I know the next time around,
I'm getting something which is more shooting, and less hassles.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I'd prefer .30-06.
I've got some emotional baggage about Garands in general and .308 Garands in particular. Dad used to tell me about losing most of his gear in a training accident off Okinawa and "requisitioning" an old Navy Garand in .308 to carry ashore at Inchon as a Marine forward observer attached to an Army unit - and how many times that old rifle saved his neck.
Problem is, I loved my Dad but I didn't like him very much - and every time I think of Garands I think of him.
Consider this purchase to be a form of therapy.

 

[Jackal]

Get the real deal, accept no substitutions.

 

[rabid wombat]

Yo Waldo....

If 30.06 is the deal - no brainer. Get the Garand. I only suggested the rework since the 308 was mentioned. Buy a CMP, and do not look back!

Best,
Rabid

 

[GooseGestapo]

Look around, particularly on the CMP forum and find a CMP "SPECIAL" in .308.
It'll be a complete reworked reciever, refurbished parts, a NEW Criterion barrel and new Boyd's CMP stamped stock. Comes with a limited lifetime warranty from CMP.
You should be able to get one for around $1,000. It'll be a "shooter"!
But, not allowable "for record" in JCG "as issued" matches. An '06 Special is allowed.
I've got an '06 Special. It's near MOA with match grade ammo. (155gr A-max over 48.0gr H4895, CCI primer, Federal commercial brass). Shoots as good as my brothers '80s built match rifle with Douglas XX barrel.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I read in American Rifleman (I think) a while back that there was/is 2 versions of the naval 308- the chamber insert model you mentioned, and one with an actual 308 chambered barrel.

IIRC, they did a few rebarrelled shop models, but the whole program was supposed to be low cost and they nixed it in favor of the inserts which didn't work out. I could be wrong, read about it long time ago too.
Fortunately, '06 ammo is still plentiful and a $25 piston plug is all that's needed to run a Garand on modern factory loads. Don't see much advantage to a .308 conversion unless its going to be a serious competition gun or youre trying to rationalize your ammo inventory.

 

[CapnMac]

those used chamber inserts and they were known for all manner of horrible failures.

They stopped wit hthe chamber inserts fairly early on, and went with correctly-chambered barrels. USN used 7.62 Garands for most of a decade.

 

[WestKentucky]

Do it right, go to armorer school and build the rifle yourself. That's absolutely my idea of a good vacation.

 

[CapnMac]

Get an SAI only if it's one of the oddball "cool" versions--like the 18" barreled ones.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I'd prefer .30-06.
I've got some emotional baggage about Garands in general and .308 Garands in particular. Dad used to tell me about losing most of his gear in a training accident off Okinawa and "requisitioning" an old Navy Garand in .308 to carry ashore at Inchon as a Marine forward observer attached to an Army unit - and how many times that old rifle saved his neck.
Problem is, I loved my Dad but I didn't like him very much - and every time I think of Garands I think of him.
Consider this purchase to be a form of therapy.

Cool- here's a good link for you Waldo on running Garands with modern hunting ammo. I use their gas plug in both my Garand and recommend it. It is made of fairly soft material, however, so use a good fitting screwdriver and extra care while threading it in.
http://www.garandgear.com/