Please help me get my Dream Rifle... The Garand!

[Trebor]

Green Lantern,

Yes, the GCA will cover you as a "CMP affiliated club."

Your CCW permit will cover the "proof of marksmanship activity" requirement.

And yes, the CMP ships the rifle right to your door. No FFL needed. They have a special exemption from Congress to do that.

If you have a C&R license, that also fufills the "proof of marksmanship activity" requirement. (Although you don't need a C&R to get it shipped to your door. You would still need to log it into your C&R bound book though).

 

[Green Lantern]

I think my biggest hurdle might the the first part, "must provide a copy of a U.S. birth certificate, passport, proof of naturalization, or any official government document that shows birth in the U.S. or states citizenship as U.S." Here's hoping I can find/get a copy of my birth certificate!

There's more at state than a rifle - NC law now says that you have to show your birth certificate or passport to renew your driver's license!!!

 

[transformerguru]

Depends if there is a rush on them. Them were fr a time last year sold out but they got more in September and I got mine in November, about a 60 day turn around. LOVE my service grade!!! Need another now

 

[Swampy]

1) IF I sign up with the Garand Collector's Association or other proper group, would that cover me?

2) I was really hoping, if not NEEDING to put off any big purchases till later this year...these ain't, like, in danger of 'going away' anytime soon are they?

The GCA covers your requirement to be a member of a CMP affiliate club.

The M1's that the CMP now has on hand will most likely be the LAST large consignment they ever get from the US Army. These came in from Greece last year. All other foreign stashes of M1's have already been checked out by the CMP and found wanting as to quality and-or price.

Once this current consignment is gone the only rifles the CMP gets will be in very small numbers and very infrequently... and those will be priced MUCH higher and most likely be of poorer quality.

How long this current inventory lasts is open to question.... and to how long it takes for the "Last of the M1's" feeding frenzy to take hold of the buying public. Once that happens..... their order backlog will fill up FAST (Probably within a month from first warning to the dreaded "All sold out" E-mail that comes out from the CMP) and the door is closing forever.

Just my 2 bits,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[Green Lantern]

Hm, thanks for the info!

Well, I have business in the county office next week anyhow - I guess it would behoove me to see the Register of Deeds to get the birth certificate taken care of while I'm at it!

 

[Nugilum]

Do it Now!

Do not hesitate! I thought I would wait a couple of months on purchasing a M1903, and am still kicking myself for it. :banghead:

 

[Green Lantern]

Right, but now what's this I hear about having to be vewwy vewwy caweful when choosing ammo of modern manufacture in a Garand (.30-06 OR .308?)

I know that milsurp is the way to go for price, but I figure it's gonna dry up eventually...

 

[Swampy]

Right, but now what's this I hear about having to be vewwy vewwy caweful when choosing ammo of modern manufacture in a Garand (.30-06 OR .308?)

I know that milsurp is the way to go for price, but I figure it's gonna dry up eventually...

Very simple really.... The M1 rifle's gas system was designed around the same pressure curve as supplied by M2 ball ammo. Most modern commercial 30-06 ammo has a pressure curve that is too high as the bullet passes the gas port, over accelerating the op-rod and bolt. Damage to the gas system can occur... up to and including a cracked out receiver heel.

Unless you handload to M2 specs or have a ported gas lock screw installed, you are best advised to shoot only M2 spec milsurp in your M1 rifle. Currently the Greek HXP supplied by CMP and any Lake City M2 you find are the only ones available.

If you handload, just keep in mind the two following rules for M1 safe gas system ammo, supplied by the techies of Springfield Armory.
1) Never shoot bullets HEAVIER than 180 grains
2) Never shoot powder SLOWER than IMR-4320

Best,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[Green Lantern]

How about something like an adjustable gas plug?

This is a big concern now, as I don't "roll my own" ammo. Then again, when the inevitable happens and the milsurp is gone, one would THINK that some company would see a market for Garand-ok 30-06 ammo..

 

[Swampy]

How about something like an adjustable gas plug?

See my last post....

Unless you handload to M2 specs or have a ported gas lock screw installed

Just be sure to do the adjust procuedure each time you change lots of ammo.

Best,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[ColinthePilot]

Got mine from CMP in October. I also dreamed of a Garand for years. I went the easiest route possible: I'm Active Duty Air Force (Covers affiliation and firearms experience), got the legal office on base to notarize everything (free), and threw in a copy of my CCW. Rifle arrived about 4 weeks later, case of ammo a few days later. I love it.

 

[Green Lantern]

See my last post....

Ah, gotcha - wasn't sure if they were the same thing.

How tough is it to install one of these?

Also, how long does it take to get your paperwork/card/whatever from the GCA when you sign up? I'm still "on the fence" about buying a Garand, but don't want to decide to do it only to have them potentially sell out of the model I want while waiting on my 'qualifying' paperwork. ...Or will they 'hold' one for me if I give them payment info?

 

[Nugilum]

Oh Yea Baby!!

I'd thought I brag on what I've got now. I've got my Service grade's stock refinished. Technically it's a correct grade now, everything matches!

So here are my Garands!



My "Special" WWII January 1944 Springfield:



My "Service" 1955 Springfield:

Closeup of the "accessories"


Pure Sexiness:


What You Guys Think?

 

[Swampy]

Technically it's a collector's grade now, everything matches!

Sorry Dude..... but not true. In M1 Garand collectors nomenclature you have a "correct" rifle...... one that has had parts switched around to make the drawing revisions and parts match for maker and time frame of manufacture.

A "Collector" Grade M1 is one that can be verified with a high degree of probablility to have ALL the exact same parts, wood, and metal finish that it had when it left the factory..... no parts switched since the day it was made and no re-finishing.

In any case.... nice rifle.

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever
2007 NRA Missouri State 600 yard Service Rifle Champion... with an M1

 

[transformerguru]

Nice rifle porn!!! Gots to get me some of that greek ammo