Wanting to buy a M1 Garand.

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ziegler44

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I've seen them used in this one store a bunch of times. The only thing is that the store is about 3 hours away from where I live. I called today to get a price estimate, but they would not give one over the phone.

Can anyone tell me about how much Garands are used? Or about how much I should be investing to get a decent one? I live in cali (Im not sure if that matters, but just letting you know). Also, what would be the best "brand"?
 
Though your questions appear to be basic, they answers aren't simple -

1. All Garands are used. They were manufactured in WWII or the Korean War, so they are of that time period. Some may have been rebuilt to a very nice standard. In addition to reparkerizing, some may have a new barrel, new stock, etc. The internal parts may be checked to specification, or sometimes replaced with NOS parts (new, old stock) as available. From CMP, Garands run around $600 - $1000, depending on grade. Dean's Gun Restorations or Fulton Armory have rebuilt Garands for $1500 or so. (Springfield Armory, Inc. made a few reproduction Garands with cast receivers in recent times, but these are generally considered inferior to the forged USGI receivers.)

2. If you want a genuine piece of history, you don't want a Special Grade, which has a new barrel and new stock. However, there is nothing wrong with the Specials if you just want a shooter. If you go with CMP, they have excellent customer service and will "make it right" if anything is wrong with the rifle when you receive it. However, the exact condition of the rifle you receive will be somewhat subject to chance. Not all Service Grades are the same, in other words. DGR and Fulton Armory will have more predictable results, similar to a Special or better, at a higher price.

3. As all Garands were made to the same specifications, it is really up to the purists to argue over which manufacturer is better. Springfield Armory made most of them, as I understand things. Some manufacturers didn't make as many, and so they are "rare" by comparison.

I don't know California law, but I believe the non-detachable internal 8-rd magazine and lack of "evil features" makes the Garand OK to own in that state.
 
Get a good safe one through the DCM

The Government has been turning out battle ready, to Brand new
M1 Garands. My family got 3 when you had to shoot a DCM Match
& join a DCM State club. All 3 were sound, safe & in need of
some wood work. You need an FBI check just like any gun.

Today most gun mags or someone can give you the address to
send for what ever condition M1 you want. After bedding and a
trigger job we got 2.5 or better. The avarage is 4" at 100yds
as issued. you can find some real dangerious trash online or
at Gun Shows. Parts are pleantiful & ammo is world wide surplus
avalible. No they are not $160.00 like we paid but some guys before
us got like new 1911 45 ACPs for $25.00 Ugh!!! Just think what it
would cost to build a new M1 Garand today?

It's your choice but I want a trained Military Armorer who went
over ever piece & put a new part in when needed. Sometimes the DCM sells Lake City M2 Ball for good prices.

Mike
 
Look into the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program)...they have links to pages that can give you wealths of information on Garands and they're also hands down the best place to buy a Garand (ie best bang for your buck). Since you're living in California, you're unlikely to visit the stores in person, so I would strongly recommend ordering a Service Grade (I chose a Springfield Armory receiver and got one made in Sept. 1943 with a 1953 barrel). It was the best firearms decision I ever made and ~$600 very, very well spent. This forum is full of very happy customers just like me as well.
 
Hey 4 Beer, They call it CMP now not DCM.

I would order a service grade from the CMP. Maker not important. Yeah, there is a few hoops to jump through with the paper work but they are the real deal and you won't loose any $.

The biggest problem is they grow on you and you can't have just one.
 
Do it, man! I suggest going whole hog and roadtripping to a CMP and get the best they have. A field grade stock may hide a much finer rifle!
 
Many of the rifles you see at shows and even in shops may well be "parts guns" built up on receivers from unknown sources with unknown parts (new made, foreign made, salvaged GI, or whatever). Not trying to scare you, but there are lots of sellers out there more than willing to take your money for a gun that may or may not be genuine military.

On the other hand, if you buy from CMP, you are getting a rifle of known quality which has been gone over by a qualified military armorer, and any badly work parts will have been replaced with good parts. I've bought several rifles from DCM/CMP over the years and I was always very pleased with both the quality and price of the guns.

CMP does have a few things you must do to qualify for a purchase, but none of their requirements are hard to meet. Check them out.
 
Another vote for the CMP. It's well worth the effort for their purchase requirements and you can buy "cheap" surplus M2 ball ammo to feed your garand from the CMP too.
 
Ziegler44-Check out the CMP web site. See if you qualify for purchase or what few things you may need to do to get qualified. The service grade Garands are the best deal going. If you want a pristine rebuilt M1 Garand their special grade sports a brand new Criterion barrel, refinished metal, new walnut furniture and is a very decent buy at 995 dollars.
 
Thanks guys (and any gals if there is). I checked out their website and it looks good. haha maybe next time im in AL ill pick one up. I just bought a Marlin XL7 .30-06 so ill be saving a little longer now before i buy a M1
 
Thanks guys (and any gals if there is). I checked out their website and it looks good. haha maybe next time im in AL ill pick one up. I just bought a Marlin XL7 .30-06 so ill be saving a little longer now before i buy a M1
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In the mean time get your paperwork in order IF you haven't already done so. ;)
 
I think I'm finally going to take the Garand plunge this summer.

One question I have is how important is the barrel wear grade? Specifically, how much should I be concerned about the throat gauge reading and the muzzle wear reading? This isn't a big issue with other military rifles I've shot, and in most cases nobody even bothers to come up with a figure for the wear. But maybe Garands are different?

Also, how much do I need to worry about headspacing?
 
If you buy one from the CMP it will headspace correctly.

Ideally, of course, 0 (new) muzzle wear and TE are preferable. But IMO (and I'm far from an expert) anything below 3 or so is fine and will have a long remaining life. Some rifles shoot very well with higher erosion or wear. You'll have to shoot it quite a bit to wear it out.
 
Some rifles shoot very well with higher erosion or wear. You'll have to shoot it quite a bit to wear it out.
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I agree.

I have a HRA with a LMR barrel that muzzle gages a 2 but is my most accurate M1.

HRA (LMR barrel) 100 yards (bench rest)

MITarget.jpg
 
The price depends upon condition. Condition includes not just the appearance, but how "correct" the Garand is, which means are the parts close to the issued parts count and condition. Does it have all issue parts? Are they in good condition? Are there any markings that are inappropriate? Is it reimported? Is it an Italian or Danish rifle?

There are many issues that determine the value of a Garand and being in California will drive the price up as well.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to find a good "shooter" Korea War vintage Garand for $800 to $1200. Expect higher prices for low throat erosion and muzzle erosion numbers and Winchesters and some of the IHCs.
 
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