Rack Grade or a $1000 Garand

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edman79

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I finally my money saved up for the garand that I wanted. I was hoping to get a service grade from CMP but we all know that story. Now all they have are rack grades and it looks like what's left is of pretty bad quality as per guys on the CMP forum. I'm going to get a good return this year and I can probably just buy a nice Garand for about $1G or take a risk buying a rack grade. And unforunately I can't take a trip to pick one out. What would you guys do?

Thanks

Eddie Ed
 
I'm in the same boat. I'm going to hit up all the local gunshows. I'll probably pay $100-150 over the premium of what I WOULD have paid for the same grade at the CMP, but i'll be able to pick it out myself, and know exactly when it was manufactured, and be able to know the wear and tear before purchase.
 
ed,

Get the Rack Grade for $400... then and only then decide IF it needs any of the following:

New barrel $250
New wood $125
New parkerizing on all metal $125

Total for all 3 upgrades: $400

Assuming it really does need all three of those upgrades, then you will only have $800 in a rilfle that will look and shoot like new and probably be as good (or better) than the one you would have paid $1k for....

Just my 2 bits,

Swampy

Garands forever
 
I agree with Swampy. I bought a CMP Service Grade SA that didn't shoot well at all. After a few months, I had it rebarreled, reparkerized, all new springs and a new Wenig stock put on it. It's like a brand new rifle now, looks and shoots great. IMO, it's a much better rifle than a new Springfield Arms.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have started with a Rack Grade and sent it off as soon as I got it.
 
Buy 2---roll the dice. Fix them up when you can. Did you ever find a 'house ball' at the bowling alley that you really liked in spite of it's faults and nicks?


The question is--do you want a weapon or an 'original' all parts matched for era that has 'historical' value.

A 'nice' Garand for $1000 is a real crap shoot. My money says you won't find one very easily.

I would buy the two honest rack grades. Up front, treat them each to a new set of wood. Or, spend the 200 bucks on some of that nice Greek ammo.:D

PS--if you ever go bowling and you find that 'right' ball--offer the manager a fast 20 bucks and it will (likely) be your ball:evil:
 
Call the south store and ask them to pull a Correct grade for you. Then buy it. They aren't listed but will do it for you if you call.
 
What Ed said. If you have the budget for a correct grade, I'd go that route. You cannot get a more complete package for less. Now if you want a great looking shooter and don't care about numbers matching (heat lots, etc..) I'd get a woodless Dane, send it off for a rebarrel if needed, and get a new CMP or Wenig stock and have a new looking nice shooter.
I've got a woodless on order right now, and the cash in hand to order a second, but I'm trying to plan a trip down to the south store when the carbines come up for sale and hand pick one then. Just hoping they still have them then.
 
That's exactly what I was going to do. Buy it from Garand Guy if I went a non-cmp route. Is he good? And are those original Garands that he's selling? I was thinking of getting what he calls a super premium grade for $950. I want a shooter, doesn't have to be matching numbers or anything of that sort. BTW, I just called the north store and they said that they had some Danish field grades for $450.

Thanks

Eddie Ed
 
I decided that when I get a garand I'm going to get it from Garand Guy. From what it says on his web site he sells Garands that have been reworked with USGI parts and are essentially like new rifles. For $850 (premium grade) you are getting a great deal and don't have to worry about fixing anything.
 
Another vote for "The Garand Guy"! $850 for a guaranteed nice Garand is a great price; you will have a hard time finding a better deal. Dean's is excellent also, but you may spend a bit more.
 
Get the Rack Grade for $400... then and only then decide IF it needs any of the following:

New barrel $250
New wood $125
New parkerizing on all metal $125

Total for all 3 upgrades: $400
Click to expand...

I've been pondering this for quite some time now, so basically it would be in my best interest to find the cheapest one I can find, and just rebuild it all?

This would be ideal for me, so I could just do it peice by peice, and not have to spend a bundle all at once...How bad of shape would the wood have to be in to not be able to refinish it?..Or is that a dumb question and the answer is: "your opinion dummy"
 
Are these prices right? 250 for barrel, 125 for wood, 125 for parkerizing. It doesn't add up to 400 it is 500. Not bad if you can get the garand for 400 and tou like shooting the gun.
 
Are these prices right? 250 for barrel, 125 for wood, 125 for parkerizing. It doesn't add up to 400 it is 500. Not bad if you can get the garand for 400 and tou like shooting the gun.
Click to expand...

Yup..... my bad. Old timers disease touched me when adding.

Actually, a couple of those prices are pessimistically high. By searching for the right buy you can get that down close to or less than $400.

Fer'instance.... SA Inc. will install a new barrel and re-park an M1 for around $300, IIRC. A complete Boyd's stock set can be caught on sale at Midway for right at $100. AAMOF, I think the Boyd's M1 wood is on sale at Midway right now.

The only caveat about the above deal is that because of a wrench flat that SA puts on the bottom of the barrels they use, the rifle will not be legal for use in any Oh-Fish-UL CMP John Garand Matches. Many local clubs won't care though.....

Best to all,
Swampy

Garands forever
 
This last Saturday morning I passed on an extremely nice H&R Garand at the local pawn shop. $1200 was the asking price and they wouldn't budge. Just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. I went in to the shop today to look around and a friend of mine that works there said it was gone by closing Saturday afternoon.
 
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