rack grade garand

[paintballdude902]

im thinking about scoring a garand from the cmp for my 18th bday

i really just want a garand that i can fix up and make look nice i dont care about the stock much ive got one i found at a yard sale a year ago for 25 bucks
i just want decent metal and a barrel that will shoot ok not really looking for anything special in accuracy just enough to get on paper and have fun with

and i want to get one befor they are gone or above my range of purchasing

is there any reason i should get a field grade or service above the rack grade?

 

[Swampy]

pbd,

Each grade up gives you a better chance at a better barrel and better wood.

Some Rack Grades have decent barrels...... many do not. I generally consider RAck Grades only for "project rifles"... i.e., those that I want to spend time and $$ on as a re-build, generally with new wood, new barrel, and new metal finish.

Hey.... That's just me...

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[transformerguru]

I've got a barrel that looks to be in really good shape '53 dated if your interested. PM me if your interested and I'll cut you a deal.

 

[Rugerlvr]

Actually, service grade gives you a better chance for good wood than a correct grade. The service grade stocks may be replacement birch, and quite new looking. Correct grade are going to be period correct GI walnut, and may be quite worn.

 

[Mr White]

If you can afford a service grade, I'd go for that if I were you. Like others have said, its not only the wood, but the finish and the condition of the barrel and other parts that distinguishes service, rack and field grade rifles from each other.

 

[RenardSubtil]

If you decide on a service grade, I would let you know that I bought two HRAs from the CMP (took a month to ship to me) and the barrels had a 1.75 TE...these were '53 and '54 rifles.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

i really just want a garand that i can fix up and make look nice

I went this route when I was 19 yrs old (early 90's). It is an admirable idea to have a fun 'project' rifle to fix up. With the M-1 however, as things are now, you can get a much nicer rifle from CMP to start with for not much more money. The 'parts' for M-1's are just getting $$$ when bought as parts.

My point being, if the one you select has a nice barrel and gas system on it, it will probably have fairly nice everything and be ready to go with a good cleaning and maybe a little linseed oil rubbed into the stock.

We are at a bizarre moment in time--you're right to appreciate the fact that you CAN get today what will be likely expensive tomorrow. Get one with a good barrel and gas system up front. I love my 'fixer-up' M-1--but I ended up spending as much on a new gas system and barrel down the road as I spent on the weapon to start with.

And budget for ammo.