Would you shoot a collector grade Garand?
- Thread starter lionking
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davera
Member
Yes. Without a doubt.
lonegunman
Member
Very slight use should not hurt a thing. I'd use military M2 ball ammo or CMP greek.
If you value the gun, stay away from bubba's reloads, hunting ammo and anything with bullets larger than 175grs.
If you value the gun, stay away from bubba's reloads, hunting ammo and anything with bullets larger than 175grs.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
CMP designation of "Collector Grade"?
Sure why not. All that means is the parts are all from the same manufacturer with a 95% finish.
One more of those word game things I guess.
But using the CMP's definition I would shoot the heck out of it and not worry about loss of value at all.
Sure why not. All that means is the parts are all from the same manufacturer with a 95% finish.
One more of those word game things I guess.
But using the CMP's definition I would shoot the heck out of it and not worry about loss of value at all.
dmftoy1
Member
Yup, without a doubt . . . but then again there's nothing in my safe that I wouldn't shoot anytime I had an urge to.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
Absolutely. They're not worth that much. less than a lot of competition rifles, pistols and shotguns. The only way I wouldn't shoot it is if it's pre-wwii, with 100% original parts, and it's in cherry condition. Then I'd just get a nice service grade from the CMP.
Freightman
Member
Yep! do all the time, I also put a scratch on my custom wood stock on my Shiloh Quigley Sharps, now I don't have to worry about it.
Dave P
Member
Shoot the dang thing - enjoy it for its intended purpose!
My personal opinion is that I won't own a firearm that:
1. I won't shoot
or
2. Won't shoot worth a damn.
Someone I know said this of wine collecting once.
"If you have a bottle that you could NEVER bring yourself to open and drink among friends, you can't afford that bottle."
I take that approach with a lot of things.
-- John
1. I won't shoot
or
2. Won't shoot worth a damn.
Someone I know said this of wine collecting once.
"If you have a bottle that you could NEVER bring yourself to open and drink among friends, you can't afford that bottle."
I take that approach with a lot of things.
-- John
GarandOwner
Member
I heard owning a Garand but NOT shooting it is the same as treason and punishable by death 
My question, if you owned a Ferrari would you not drive it?
My question, if you owned a Ferrari would you not drive it?
DMK
Member
Not just yea, but heck yea!
Why is there even a question about this?
Go to a gunshow in you area and see what they are getting for Garands and take note of the condition. Now consider what you paid for yours. Don't worry about loss of value.
Why is there even a question about this?
Go to a gunshow in you area and see what they are getting for Garands and take note of the condition. Now consider what you paid for yours. Don't worry about loss of value.
OP
OP
lionking
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2006
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- 3,108
lol well I understand.Have you ever heard of a real defense stamp being stamped on the stock sideways?
I don't own a collector grade,but may have the chance to get one,a H&R.
I just cruised the CMP forum and found they were selling for $1400 when they were available.Some guys mentioned they would pay more for one.
Now I may try to purchase it I'm debating,honestly I have gone gun crazy and need to stop(for a while) but this is one I might let the devil on my shoulder convince me over the angel saying no.
Paperwork from the CMP claims to come with the rifle but I'm leary about a sideways stamp.I don;t want to pay way too much so I'm asking,take a look.
I don't own a collector grade,but may have the chance to get one,a H&R.
I just cruised the CMP forum and found they were selling for $1400 when they were available.Some guys mentioned they would pay more for one.
Now I may try to purchase it I'm debating,honestly I have gone gun crazy and need to stop(for a while) but this is one I might let the devil on my shoulder convince me over the angel saying no.
Paperwork from the CMP claims to come with the rifle but I'm leary about a sideways stamp.I don;t want to pay way too much so I'm asking,take a look.
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johnnyonthespot
Member
someone put it to me this way:
"they shot it back in 1955 when they made it... and they didnt make it less valuable..."
shoot it enjoy it and make videos and pictures of you shooting it for youtube and the forum....
"they shot it back in 1955 when they made it... and they didnt make it less valuable..."
shoot it enjoy it and make videos and pictures of you shooting it for youtube and the forum....
OP
OP
lionking
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2006
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- 3,108
understood,I was just wondering what your thoughts were regarding collecting wise.I have never been one to sell anyway so selective shooting wouldn't devalue it much I think you are right.
I am wondering your thoughts on a sideways cartouche,besides the fact that CMP papers are suppose to come with the rifle there are possibilities of forgery out there.
I am wondering your thoughts on a sideways cartouche,besides the fact that CMP papers are suppose to come with the rifle there are possibilities of forgery out there.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Well who knows on the sideways stamp. Millions of Garands were made, most in the middle of a war. It's not too hard to imagine some getting stamped wrong.
I'd ask about that over at the CMP forum and see what the real experts say.
As for the CMP paperwork with Collector Grades those just show some basic info gathered on that rifle by the armorers at CMP. It isn't some kind of appraisal or guarantee of authenticity.
Not sure what price you are looking at but the Collector grades go for $1400-$1500 at least when they show up so that's a starting point.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a rifle that was sold by CMP in that grade, nor would I hesitate to shoot it.
lvcat2004
Member
Whether you collect cars, wine, or firearms, it all depends on WHY you collect them.
If you are a driver, wine drinker, or a shooter, then you should use them for their intended purpose.
If you are buying them for investment purpose, then more power to you, but I just can't stand those people who can't see beyond the $$$ and invest in cars/wine/rifles, because they are are meant to be driven/drank/shot. If you want something to just look at and appreciate in value, an art work such as paintings/sculputures would be more appropriate IMHO.
If you are a driver, wine drinker, or a shooter, then you should use them for their intended purpose.
If you are buying them for investment purpose, then more power to you, but I just can't stand those people who can't see beyond the $$$ and invest in cars/wine/rifles, because they are are meant to be driven/drank/shot. If you want something to just look at and appreciate in value, an art work such as paintings/sculputures would be more appropriate IMHO.
Selfdfenz
Member
lionking
If you're worried about the $$ aspect of the purchase to this extent you probably will have trouble enjoying the purchase for what it is, with or without paperwork. Invest elsewhere.
I don't recommend movies as a source for picking up social directives but have you ever seen the movie "Open Range"? Pretty good film.
There are some comments in the movie about a candy bar that would be of interest to you.
Best
S-
If you're worried about the $$ aspect of the purchase to this extent you probably will have trouble enjoying the purchase for what it is, with or without paperwork. Invest elsewhere.
I don't recommend movies as a source for picking up social directives but have you ever seen the movie "Open Range"? Pretty good film.
There are some comments in the movie about a candy bar that would be of interest to you.
Best
S-
OP
OP
lionking
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2006
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- 3,108
points of view taken.Maybe my view has become a bit skewed I dunno.I play guitar also and see guys buy a guitar and never use it,incredible fine examples that they are afraid to get wear on and that peeves me.I have been from one point that I was lucky to make my bills for the month to now being able to have a nice guitar like those I mentioned and the same with some guns.I want to take care of my things because I remember when they were unattainable to me.
I like to use them but I pamper them for sure,or have another less choice one also that I can shoot away on.I guess getting caught up on milsurps and seeing supply dwindle and seeing some oh and ah about how Garands or whatever type is now rare and how "they don't make 'em anymore" has effected my thinking to a difference between a shooter and a choice rare example.
On another board I got sorta slammed by a member when I posted that I shot my newly aquired mint Argentine mausers and his reply was thanks for shooting them,now my mint Argy's just became more rare.
Guess I need to re-evaluate my thinking.Maybe my thinking has become skewed to where I see some of them as art craftmanship pieces of history.But I tell you what if,and that's a big if I get a collector grade Garand I'll shoot it,I won't trudge through the woods with it but I'll shoot it and post the targets.
I like to use them but I pamper them for sure,or have another less choice one also that I can shoot away on.I guess getting caught up on milsurps and seeing supply dwindle and seeing some oh and ah about how Garands or whatever type is now rare and how "they don't make 'em anymore" has effected my thinking to a difference between a shooter and a choice rare example.
On another board I got sorta slammed by a member when I posted that I shot my newly aquired mint Argentine mausers and his reply was thanks for shooting them,now my mint Argy's just became more rare.
Guess I need to re-evaluate my thinking.Maybe my thinking has become skewed to where I see some of them as art craftmanship pieces of history
.But I tell you what if,and that's a big if I get a collector grade Garand I'll shoot it,I won't trudge through the woods with it but I'll shoot it and post the targets.ShunZu
member
Life is too short... enjoy your stuff. Let someone else AFTER you're done with it worry about collector value.
Corvettes should be driven... they were never intended to be garage queens.
Guns should be shot... they were not designed to be safe queens.
Correct '41 Winchester Garand. Gets shot regularly at service rifle matches.
'Course, I have a John Wayne Commemorative that gets shot, too. My sons can cuss me when I'm in the grave.
Corvettes should be driven... they were never intended to be garage queens.
Guns should be shot... they were not designed to be safe queens.
Correct '41 Winchester Garand. Gets shot regularly at service rifle matches.
'Course, I have a John Wayne Commemorative that gets shot, too. My sons can cuss me when I'm in the grave.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
There are always going to be clueless people. He sounds like one.
Selfdfenz
Member
lionking
I see where you are coming from. I take care of the things I prize as well.
I'm no expert on the Garand rifle but I wonder if the H&R M1 wasn't post WWII production. If it is/was then what you have in a collector's grade rifle is a fantastic example of what a soldier might have been issued in basic during the 50s, in top notch condition, lots or all matching parts/nice-ish stock etc, but not a new firearm by any means. There are peps here that will know if H&Rs were post WWII production....I'm too lazy to research it.
Regardless of it's born-on-date, if new WWII or Korean War vintage production M1s were even to be had they would be well worth more than $1400. Much more. You won't being getting that, so the responsibilities that go along with stewardship of a museum piece aren't part of your picture.
So, if you acquire this rifle from the CMP and keep the paperwork I think it's safe to make two assumptions (1) you can shoot it a fair amount but with confidence you're not killing it's value with each trigger pull (2) since collector grade CMP Garands (& all Garands for that matter) will be fewer and farther between in the future, it will most likely appreciate in value. Were it mine I would sure shoot it.
The comments made by others re: ammo makes a lot of sense. Use the right thing.
I wouldn't miss any sleep over that comment. You'll run across the occassional egotistical jack--- on I-net forums from time to time.
Best
S-
I see where you are coming from. I take care of the things I prize as well.
I'm no expert on the Garand rifle but I wonder if the H&R M1 wasn't post WWII production. If it is/was then what you have in a collector's grade rifle is a fantastic example of what a soldier might have been issued in basic during the 50s, in top notch condition, lots or all matching parts/nice-ish stock etc, but not a new firearm by any means. There are peps here that will know if H&Rs were post WWII production....I'm too lazy to research it.
Regardless of it's born-on-date, if new WWII or Korean War vintage production M1s were even to be had they would be well worth more than $1400. Much more. You won't being getting that, so the responsibilities that go along with stewardship of a museum piece aren't part of your picture.
So, if you acquire this rifle from the CMP and keep the paperwork I think it's safe to make two assumptions (1) you can shoot it a fair amount but with confidence you're not killing it's value with each trigger pull (2) since collector grade CMP Garands (& all Garands for that matter) will be fewer and farther between in the future, it will most likely appreciate in value. Were it mine I would sure shoot it.
The comments made by others re: ammo makes a lot of sense. Use the right thing.
I wouldn't miss any sleep over that comment. You'll run across the occassional egotistical jack--- on I-net forums from time to time.
Best
S-
Eightball
Member
Unless it was a historic piece, like, say, Mr. Garand's Garand, then yes, I'd shoot it. Which is why I hate to see such awesome firearms plated with precious metals and engraved as "collector's pieces"--they can do that after they're all banned and we need something to remind us of what rights looked and felt like, but while I can shoot 'em, I'm going to.
Though, if it was Mr. Garand's Garand, I'd sell it, pay for college, and buy another garand off of the profit of my career choice
Though, if it was Mr. Garand's Garand, I'd sell it, pay for college, and buy another garand off of the profit of my career choice
Gator
Member
Yes, it sometimes happened.
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