Should I consider trading my Garand for a '03 A3

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offthepaper

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Been thinking about possibly trading one of my Garands (I have 2) for a
1903 A3. While I don't have a deal lined up, I ve ben thinking that I really would like to add a '03 to my collection. CMP seems to be currently pretty much waiting for another shipment (not expected until 2010 at the earliest).
Not sure I want to wait that long. The Garand I might offer as a trade is a Dec '43 Danish return in very good condition.
Do you think I should attempt to find a willing partner to make a trade or just wait for the CMP? Should I consider this for a straight up even trade or should I ask for a small amount of cash also? I hate to part with it, but I also hate to wait for the next CMP offering. Also the descriptions of the last CMP 1903's was not encouraging.
What do you think? Would you do it?
 
Depends on the condition of each. I know some here feel that 03s are easy to find and should cost no more than 300 bucks, but from what I've seen $600-$700 is the going rate for one in good shape. That's what I paid for my 03-A3 and I'm happy with it.

If you feel your garand is worth that much, and would rather have an 03, why not?
 
If I had two M1s, I'd trade one for a nice '03. They make a nice set.

I was in a similar situation a while back. I actually never owned two Garands, but I had saved the money for a second one. Then I got the itch for an '03 and bought a really nice Remington 03A3 from CMP instead. I'm very glad I did. In fact, I like that 03 so much, later I bought an earlier SA 1903 made in the mid 20's. One day I need to get a nice classic M1A/M14 to round out the set.

I think you might be better off selling your Garand for cash and then putting that cash away and start looking for a nice a 1903. For one, finding someone who is selling a Springfield and wants a Garand at the same time might be more difficult than finding someone who just wants to buy a Garand and another who is selling a 1903 for cash. Plus you might keep some cash in your pocket at the same time, or you might find a really pristine '03 that you wouldn't mind adding a few more bucks towards. Whatever you do, be patient about it. Many times I've bought something that was OK when my gut told me to wait, and then a month or two later a much better deal comes round and I spent my cash already.
 
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I'd keep the M1 and save for the 03 myself.
Bolt guns will be around for a long,long time,not
sure if the same will be true for semi's.
 
The price of M1s is not going down, and neither is the price of '03s. Don't sell an M1 now -- if you find an '03 or '03A3 for sale, put something down on it and then sell the M1.

BTW, I have an M1 (an H&R made in the mid-'50s) and two 03A3s, a Remington and a Smith-Corona. They are not for sale.
 
Having toured the skirmish areas all around Bastogne, Belgium back in May on a superb tour (stood in some of the
101st Airborne's actual foxholes), it would never occur to me-if I had one-to ever sell a Garand.
 
Ignition,

Great post. I can only dream of doing what you did. But, I agree that having an M-1 is a treat. I have one and will never sell it. I hope to eventually buy another one.

Considering where you were privileged to stand, you need a Garand.
 
Well, there's no telling what the CMP will do in the future, but I don't believe that you can get an 03 in firing condition now, but you can get Garands easily from them. Save another 495, and you can get a nice Field Grade.
 
I would not sell either of the Garands.

There's a mystique, and justifiably earned, of the Garand as *the* definitive American battle rifle. Even with admirable service, such does not extend to the A3.

My advice is to hold onto the Garands.

1KperDay, where's the second keeper on your sling? It maybe on the inside, closest to the rifle, just can't see from here. If so, why this way, sir?
 
1KperDay, where's the second keeper on your sling? It maybe on the inside, closest to the rifle, just can't see from here. If so, why this way, sir?
Click to expand...
The keeper to me means the little straps of leather that help make the "figure 8". If so there are 2 present. If you mean the "frog", yes, it's on the long/rear end and slung tight and fastened so the sling doesn't flop around my safe. I don't know much about slings or how to set them up properly... this is just the way this one came from the CMP ("special" grade). I might flip that lower loop so the frog isn't against the stock when it's stowed.
 
There's a mystique, and justifiably earned, of the Garand as *the* definitive American battle rifle. Even with admirable service, such does not extend to the A3.
Click to expand...
I feel the same way about the 1903 as I do the Garand.

The Marines and Navy used the 1903 for a long time after the war started.

Many people don't realize that the Marines held the Japanese back with the 1903. Many brave Americans fought with the '03 at Bataan, Corregidor, Wake, Guadalcanal, etc.

Of course, that was the original 1903, not the 1903A3
 
I did a lot of shopping over the last 3 months on 03s and 03A3s - really nice examples will set you back $650 at least. Only you can decide whether 1 Garand is enough ... given market appreciation, personally I'd keep the Garands and start saving for the 03.
/Bryan
 
I did a lot of shopping over the last 3 months on 03s and 03A3s - really nice examples will set you back $650 at least. Only you can decide whether 1 Garand is enough ... given market appreciation, personally I'd keep the Garands and start saving for the 03.
Click to expand...

You know.....................I think I would do the same thing. Good advice. :cool:
 
Id concider trading something less valuable than your garand.....like your kidney....yeah, Id rather trade my kidney for a 03A3 than my Garand ;)
 
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