Opinion on SA's new D-Day Commemorative Garand

[TexasRifleman]

I know SAs reputation for quality is iffy lately, but does anyone think these are worth looking into for their long term "collectibleness"?

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-rifles-m1-special.shtml

Thanks!

 

[Preacherman]

I doubt that it will have much collector value... most "commemorative" firearms don't hold their value very well at all.

 

[MagnumCaliber357]

Not really

for instace how many commerative firearms from the past do you see today gettin high dollars its only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it

 

[TexasRifleman]

I guess thats why they are only a couple hundred more than their standard Garand. Just thought it was a nice package, for display etc.

Thanks for the info

 

[Sunray]

Until SA Inc. goes out of business for whatever reason, it'll have no collector value at all. It's just their commercial copy in a fancy box.
All those thousands of Win 94 "commemoratives" have very little collector value unless their BNIB. With the box never having been opened. And you'd still have to find a buyer.

 

[Dienekes]

Nice gesture from SA but for $1500 you could get an awfully nice match grade rifle from Fulton Armory or some similar outfit.

For that matter, *any* CMP Garand down to the $295 Greeks has twice the nostalgia factor and may have really been there and done that.

A few years ago my father got an M1 under the WWII vets' clause for $300. I am holding it in trust for my son. In the meantime I am shooting it while I rebarrel my "old reliable" Garand. That old three generation Garand has far more character than a rewarmed SA parts rifle.

My thoughts, anyway.

And as mentioned, very, very few of those so-called "commemorative" guns ever bring anywhere near their purchase price--IF you can find a buyer.

 

[George S.]

IIRC, the SA Garands are made from a compbination of refurbed mislurp parts and aftermarket parts.

You can get a very nice WWII era Springfield Arsenal Garand from the CMP for a bit over $500 plus shipping and you'll have a piece of US military history. Even a Greek return rack grade for under $300 can have the potential for being a nice rifle with some replacement parts and a new stock.

There is some discussion on the CMP forum and on BattleRifles about the CMP having just received a number of brand-new, never issued M1's. Apparently they were found in a batch still sealed in foil packages and the CMP will auction them off when their auction web page gets working again.

Even the Collector Grade M1's are a great value compared to the Springfield Armory version as you are still getting a true military-issue rifle.

 

[Trebor]

I've got a Winchester M-1 with a barrel dated 6 - 44. That's a real "D-Day Commerative" Garand.

 

[PAshooter]

Ditto what Trebor said - my Springfield was built in April '44. Two months was time enough for it to have made it across the pond for the big day... who knows?

 

[jefnvk]

Well, I just found myself a new desktop!

I would say that they may make a nice gift for a veteran, or a nice keepsake for your children, but don't think they will keep their value.

 

[kaferhaus]

I've got a safe full

Of commemorative Winchesters and 45s of various makes.

I bought all of them for 50-70 cents on the dollar for what the original owners paid for them.

That's the only way I ever buy one is for the "shooter value" and then only if they're NIB.

Most of these guns LOSE up to 40% of the purchase price in value the minute you buy it (original retail buyer).

Worse than when you drive a new car off the lot....

Investment? I don't think so...

When I show people the Blue book value of their "commemorative, collectible" and they realise that they've owned it for sometimes 10-15yrs and they're still upside down in it... well you can imagine their disappointment.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Ordered one anyway...

My 9 yr old son is a huge "Band of Brothers" fan, so I'll put it up somewhere til he's older I guess. Just a neat package of stuff.

Thanks for the advice. I agree with the general statements on commemoratives. I have a Winchester Centennial from my father that gathers dust in the safe as well. Thought this might be something different, but I guess they are all the same deal.

If I made money on a firearm or car deal I would think the Universe was ending anyway

 

[ReadyontheRight]

You're much better off getting a collector grade from CMP for the same price. They had a whole rack of all-matching H&Rs there last summer for $1400.

Personally, I'm more of a "get a $300 Greek while you still can" kind of guy.

Those will definitely go up in value, though it's hard for me to see ever selling mine.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I will look into that.

I don't know much about this CMP thing, I will look into it.

The dealer I talked to will have one of these SAs in stock soon, so I am not obligated to buy it.

Thanks for all the info, I will spend some time researching this.

 

[El Rojo]

I was surprised to see it only retailed for $1499. I thought it was going to be something astronomical.

I too would rather have my CMP Garand that I can hold, feel, drool on, shoot, and clean. And for $1499 I could get three more or two more and a lot of ammo.

 

[alamo]

Here's the CMP requirements - very easy to meet. I think your son would have much more appreciation of the REAL thing vs. a commemerative version, particularly when he is older.

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/eligibility_requirements.htm

Here's what they have:

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1garand.htm

 

[DigMe]

Where do I get one of these $300 greek garands?

brad cook

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Where do I get one of these $300 greek garands?

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1garand.htm#Greek

M1 GARAND – GREEK ISSUE
Same as USGI Garand rifles described for same grades above, except that these rifles were loaned to the Greek Government and later returned to the U.S. Army. These rifles have all USGI parts but stocks and handguards may be either Walnut, Birch, Beech, or other European wood. Rifles do not have import marks. Shipping and Handling $20.95 per rifle.


NLU
DESCRIPTION
GRADE
PRICE

R003GK-HRA**
M1 Garand, Harrington & Richardson
Collector Grade
$1400

R003GK-SA**
M1 Garand, Springfield Armory
Collector Grade
$1400

R004HRA
M1 Garand, Harrington & Richardson
Service Grade
$450

R004SA
M1 Garand, Springfield Armory
Service Grade
$450

R004HRAR*
M1 Garand, Harrington & Richardson
Rack Grade
$295

R004SAR*
M1 Garand, Springfield Armory
Rack Grade
$295


* Wood on the Greek Rack Grade rifles may show initials carved into the wood, considerable wear, exhibit cracked handguards, and replacement Danish or USGI stocks.

** Collector Grade rifles have all original parts and metal finish as shipped from the manufacturer, with the appropriate inspector's cartouche on the stock. Finish may be slightly worn and wood may have minor dings and dents. Rifles may be coated in cosmoline or other preservative. Quantities are limited and this grade is in high demand.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Meet the CMP requirements (US citizen, join a member organization like the Garand Collector's Association, pass the background check and qualify by shooting in one high power match) and they will deliver one to your door.

 

[cracked butt]

For $1500 you can get 3 US service grade rifles from CMP and stack them- much cooler than a rifle in a fancy box


I saw this on the springfield site:

Capacity 2 - 8 Round Clips

Maybe its one of those top secret double capacity beach storming M1s?