Should I buy a garand or a bolt??

[TCW]

Hi All!

I currently have a mini-14 w/ a red dot. A fun gun and pretty accurate within its limits (100 yds). I looking into getting a longer range rifle that will be for range fun and SHTF. Should I get a garand or a bolt (Tikka) for this purpose? I know that the accuracy is better w/ a bolt, but all the raves about the garand is making me think . I would be losing accuracy w/ the Garand, but on the other hand not having to operate a bolt would be a nice feature. Hmmmm...what would you do?

Also, if I did buy a Garand from CMP, would I likely have to sink additional $$$ into it to make it a good shooter?

Thanks!
TCW

P.S. I live in PRK, so no AR, AK, etc.

 

[jem375]

get the garand, I have 2 of them and they are really fun to shoot....I think you will be surprised by their accuracy......Right now, the CMP are selling them for $500 I think....if you intend to use the rifle you get for hunting, then get the bolt, lot easier to mount a scope. But, just for the target range and for general shooting, the garand is great, and surplus ammo is around pretty cheap................

 

[bernie]

Personally I would prefer the M1 Rifle. It is a blast to shoot, is pretty accurate, shoots a significant cartridge, and has performed pretty well in battle. I know a lot of guys that shoot an M1 but when the mutant hordes attack they plan on using an evil black rifle. I tend to follow the philosophy of fear the man with one rifle, he probably knows how to shoot it. The M1 can be scoped, and is usable in that configuration, I have done it and it does work. Go with the M1!

 

[spacemanspiff]

the long term goal should be to buy BOTH!

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

this will sound like heresy, but i'd get the bolt, since you already have a semi-auto, and a boltgun is lighter for caliber than a garand is.

 

[aerod1]

Everyone must own a Garand! I think it is written in Holy Scripture somewhere in the New Testament. It must be in one of Paul's Epistles! So as it is written, get the M1 Garand.

Jim Hall

 

[bad_dad_brad]

I vote for both as well, but get the bolt first.

 

[MolonLabe416]

I'd sell the mini. I'd buy both the Garand and bolt rifle. I'd either get both in 30'06 or get the bolt rifle in 308 and have the Garand rebarreled to 308 (I'd go with the latter, but either will do).
You will loose some bench accuracy with the Garand as you observe, but the practical field accuracy will be plenty to do whatever you need to do.

 

[TCW]

For the Garand, would you go Danish ($400) or SA ($500)?

Would I need a gunsmith to check it out before shooting it?

Thanks!

 

[ruger357]

Another vote for the Garand.

 

[Dave P]

TCW, if you get the danish, get the var bbl - normally very accurate. SA is always a good bet. No need for a gunsmith in most cases. Do some reading on the net: http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/garand/garand.pl?

And I like the idea of ditching the mini - they are easy to resell.

But I too would vote for a bolt gun (before the garand). The mini is a spray-and-pray device, and the garand will do better, but a decent bolt gun with a scope will show you what can really be done with an accurate rifle.

If you don't get the bolt, you will miss the pleasure of those one hole groups!

 

[FPrice]

Get the Garand first and NOW while you can still get them at reasonable prices. Then get a bolt.

 

[foghornl]

Buy the US Rifle Cal .30 M1 Popularly known as 'The Garand' first.
While there is a fractional loss of accuracy at LONG distance, don't tell the guys at the Camp Perry matches that. [If a guy can consistantly hit a dinner-plate size target at 600+ Yds, I wouldn't tell him his rifle is inaccurate ]

After you shoot the M1 a bunch, then pick up a good Bolt rifle. You can always have the M1 rebarreled to .308 if you want.

 

[hps1]

The supply of M1 Garands is limited and no more (GI) are being made. Not the case with bolt guns.

I heard that the Danish VAR barreled rifles have been exhausted but you can check @ http://www.odcmp.com/ . Personally, I would purchase the Danish rack grade and shoot it until the barrel gave up the ghost and then have it rebarreled to .308. The $400 price tag on Danish rack grade saves you $100 which can be applied to a new barrel later. Barrels are available @ www.brownells.com or @www.fultonarmory.com .

Don't sell the M1 short on accuracy. NRA puts out a booklet on the M1 Garand which, amoung other good info, details steps you do yourself to accurize your M1. Following these steps will make a 1-1.25 moa rifle out of most M1's assuming barrel OK and shooter does his part.

DCM (now CMP) M1's sold for $90.00 in 1983; dwindling supplies and high demand have driven prices up to current level and if/when the CMP supply dries up, look for prices to rise drastically. Look at current 1903 prices, just a few years ago you could buy a nice GI 1903 for less than $200!

Regards,
hps

 

[cheygriz]

Definitely the Garand! And no, it isn't quite as accurate as a bolt gun, but it is accurate enough for any legitimate purpose that you would use a .30-06 for.

Then sell the Mini-14 and get an AR-15.

 

[3 gun]

No question in my mind, USGI based M1 Garand. Stay away from the "new" copies. Get one while you can.

 

[TCW]

Anyone know of a cheap way to join a CMP affiliated club?

 

[hps1]

Most state rifle assns. are CMP affiliated. If yours is not, Texas State Rifle Assn. is @ http://www.tsra.com .

Regards,
hps

 

[RustyHammer]

"Ting" .... another vote for the Garand! One of the 10 greatest guns ever. Can't go wrong!