Want a Garand

[kdf101]

I have lusted after a Garand since I was in Jr. High, many years ago. I have all of the necessary documents to purchase one from the CMP, and money coming up for Christmas and my birthday So..... what I need help on is what grade to get. More than likey I will just make the trip to the Ohio store and buy it when the time comes. Here is what i want:

1. A shooter
2. Something that looks decent
3. Something that I will be able to shoot a long time w/o having to worry about parts replacement, either from breakage or just wearing out.

The Special grade looks nice, but is it worth the extra money.

 

[lucky-gunner]

Garand

I think the general consensus is that the service grade is the way to go if you are looking for a shooter. The special grades are a little nicer. I think that once you get up there you'll be surprised at how nice the service grade versions are. Even the field grade versions are solid shooters.

Every CMP Garand has been inspected to ensure that they are safe to shot. I would get the service grade. If you have the extra money the special grade would be a option also. The CMP forums are a good place to get knowledge on the CMP grades.

 

[HKGuns]

There should still be decent service grade Winchesters left until shortly after the first of the year. My next choice would be an SA SG.

 

[loadedround]

Service grade Winchester or SA

 

[unwise11]

I am in jr high. and all I can say is.. Me too

 

[essayons21]

Springfield generally have a better fit and finish than Winchesters. I would recommend picking a SA for a shooter. I recently got a service grade SA with WWII era receiver and stock, but with Korean era internals and barrel which appeared to be unfired. Shoots like a dream.

CMP is great with replacement parts. I had another Garand which had a nearly worn out Oprod. After less than 100 rds, sure enough it popped out of the receiver. Called up the CMP and they sent me a new one for free, no questions, no shipping.

 

[Tinpig]

If you're going to the store, borrow or buy a muzzle gauge and give the Field Grades a good look as well. I have a CMP 1942 SA Field Grade (with original barrel...MW 3) that shoots just as well as my CMP 1952 SA Service Grade (with original barrel...MW 2) and as far as condition, they're hard to tell apart.
Whatever you get, you're going to love it. If you find a nice FG you can buy a lot more ammo.




Tinpig

 

[Hardtarget]

AMMO! Don't leave there without AMMO! Well, I mean...if you really plan to shoot it!

Like there was any question about that!

Mark

 

[wrench]

I agree with tinpig. If you're going to the north store, take a hard look at the field grades. If you can check them out in person, you might find a gem!

 

[benzy2]

Search the field grades first. Ignore the wood. Look for overall conditions of the metal and gauge a few of the better looking ones. If you find one with decent metal that doesn't swallow the gauge pick it and buy a new stock set if you really don't like the wood. I went to the north store and looked through the service grades first. None of them were anything special that were on the floor. Some were decent, but nothing jumped out as the one to buy. I found a field grade that had great metal and was really tight. The wood was ugly greek wood and was swapped for a replacement set. Looks good, shoots great, and will last. Can't beat it. If you find the perfect service grade then by all means go for it, but the treasures seem to be in the field grade line.

The specials are nice, no doubt about it, but they are at a premium. The barrel on mine gauged as new. The replacement stock made it look as new. There is a little more wear on my field grade metal than on a special, but after a little use it really doesn't matter one way or the other for a shooter.

 

[Tim the student]

I'd look at the FG's too. Don't be afraid to talk to other people and ask for help - including the staff. In fact, I bet someone else would damn near pick out a gun for you if you walked in and said "I'm looking for my first M1, and I'd like some help." Donuts may help too!

What is your priority (shooter, collectability etc) and your price limit?

I understand you said you wanted a shooter, then something that looks nice, then something that won't be worn out soon but -

A) FG may shoot extremely well too - no guarantees it won't, nor any guarantees a SG will. If I had to pick one, I'd pick a SG to be more likely to shoot better though.

B) Looks is what you make of it. Some may look better than others, but I think my GAW stock (while beat up a bit) looks just as good as my new stock, just in a different way. If you want a GI stock, you may have to accept that it probably won't look as nice as a new one.

Also, you can clean them up. IMO, no stock should stay looking exactly the same as it does when you walk out of the store with it. They all will benefit from a bit of cleaning or wax etc. It is amazing how much nicer they can look when you do some work to them (which isn't too difficult to do).

C) Shouldn't really be an issue. I think you'd have to shoot a lot to need to replace some parts in a couple years, but there are guys here who know far more than I do.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I just got a service grade from CMP. It was handpicked. The wood is slightly dinged, but the metal is spotless aside from some very, very slight wear on the bayonet lug. I recommend the service grade if you want a shooter or even a collector's piece.

 

[rondog]

If you're close enough to go to a CMP store in person, by all means THAT is the way to go! I'm much too far away to ever visit one in person, so I'm jealous.

 

[kdf101]

Thanks for the info. The stock condition is really not a big deal. It is easily replaced or cleaned up. I have cleaned up some really bad looking Enfield and Mauser stocks that, in my opinion, turned out darn nice. The metlal is my main concern. It sounds like I should concentrate on the SG and FG models. I would like to come in at less than a grand, but less is great, because then I can buy all the ammo I can afford with the money left. I do plan on shooting it, a lot. It will probably be January before I get over there. It is not too far, I'm in Indiana, but will be a full day, maybe two. I am literally losing sleep thinking about getting a Garand!!

 

[rondog]

Here, add these to your spank bank to keep the dream alive!