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Looking to pick up an M1 Garand, what do I need to know?

3K views 26 replies 20 participants last post by  SanchoPanza 
#1 ·
Hi guys, my first post on here! I've been wanting an M1 Garand for as long as I knew what it was, and recently got a source of income good enough to begin saving up for it. I'd just like to know what to watch out for, where to buy it from, and just in general how to not get the wool pulled over my eyes buying an older gun like this. I've heard lots of people say check out CMP, and I think that's my best bet. Should I go to a physical CMP shop (is it worth the drive from Southern GA), use the website, etc.? I'm also wondering about the general availability from gun shows. Are these reliable sources of such a firearm or am I more likely to pick up something on its last legs?
Just in general the need-to-knows of buying an M1 would be splendid! Thanks, and cheers!
 
#2 ·
Am NOT a Garand specialist, so take this with large grain of salt.

CMP can be a very good way to go. You pays your money, you takes your pick. Do you want a collector's grade rifle, or a shooter?

Garands were shot with corrosive primed ammo. Some have barrel throats/ muzzles that are nearing end of life from that, and poor cleaning. A CMP rifle will have been tech inspected and meet minimum standards. A gun show gun may or may not.

Beware of re-welds. These were rifles that were de-milled by cutting, welded back together and put back to service. Do be aware that shooting the wrong 30-06 ammo WILL get you a bent operating rod. Garands are meant to fire one type of 30-06. Adding an adjustable gas valve can extend the scale of ammo you can safely shoot.

There is a gent on Gunbroker by name of Mark Christian. Mark is most knowledgeable man on M1s that I know. He is also a FFL that rebuilds and sells M1s- not cheap but real good.
 
#3 ·
CMP can be a very good way to go. You pays your money, you takes your pick. Do you want a collector's grade rifle, or a shooter?

Garands were shot with corrosive primed ammo. Some have barrel throats/ muzzles that are nearing end of life from that, and poor cleaning. A CMP rifle will have been tech inspected and meet minimum standards. A gun show gun may or may not.

Beware of re-welds. These were rifles that were de-milled by cutting, welded back together and put back to service. Do be aware that shooting the wrong 30-06 ammo WILL get you a bent operating rod. Garands are meant to fire one type of 30-06. Adding an adjustable gas valve can extend the scale of ammo you can safely shoot.
I see. On the CMP website, I'm seeing different "levels" of Garands that are offered. I'm assuming these are put into different categories based on the level of quality. Would you happen to know how high up the chain of quality I need to go to get a rifle worth my money? I'm looking for something to shoot and admire, not really mint condition. Cosmetic faults are welcome (to an extent, not wanting some knockoff), mechanical faults are not.
 
#4 ·
Any M1 you buy from CMP is going to be a shooter. As you move up in the $$$, you are moving to collector grade. A chunk of what you pay for with the CMP is that the rifle has undergone a tech inspection, and if it does not meet minimum specs, it gets rebuilt.

To the purist collector, a rifle made by Winchester must have all Winchester parts. In real life, when that rifle was in service, if the Winchester frammisnoggle got bent, a unit armorer replaced it with an issue frammisnoggle, which might have been made for the military by H&R, and it works just fine.

I know we must have somebody here that can opine on the M1 with more authority than I have- they will be along directly.
 
#5 ·
I bought one from the cmp a few years ago. It was a select grade Springfield. It was rebuilt by the cmp with all correct parts, New barrel and wood. I paid, I believe, $1200.00. It is as close to a new m1 as you can get. I love it. It shoots great. The cmp has great service and will be a lot of help to a new buyer. Meaning you will get a firearm that is not junk. You have to be careful when buying a m1 and the cmp will not sell a gun that is a frankinstine.
 
#6 ·
CMP is a good way to go. The Garand is a popular rifle. So you gotta ask
"Why is this guy selling his?". I'm looking into having mine re-barreled,
rather than go thru the hassle of getting another one. I would heartily
recommend becoming familiar with the design. Simple things, like knowing
when to replace a clip release spring, can save you a lot of ag.
 
#12 ·
Get a soft cover book on the rifle and pick up a bit of it’s history, understand that a GI issued rifle is rarely going to have all of its original parts, they get traded on squad cleaning parties where several rifles are being cleaned, at any level where cleaning Is being performed or any rebuild at any maintenance level . Receiver and barrel originality is common, replacement barrels are also common. Take some time to learn about the rifle and you can more adequately invest your $1000 bill.
 
#13 ·
My brother in law bought 2 from CMP. The collector grade new commercial wood metal was reparked. Not a collector M1 to me. The Service Made was a beautiful IHC with all matching parts except the op rod. stock had a few dings. Bore and throat was a 1 and 2. I guess he was vert lucky. I believe the Service Grade would be the way to go.
 
#14 ·
Rectangle Font Auto part Magenta Event

Seth
I do not know if it still is in effect but CMP requires certain qualifications to purchase from them. It use to be you had to be a member of an authorized affiliated CMP Gun Club or organization. There are several throughout the US that qualify for the requirement. C-3 probably can fill you in more in detail regarding this. Or one of the other members here who has recently purchased a weapon or ammunition from CMP. I have purchased several rifles from them over the years but it has been a while now. And CMP can give you the specifics on the wear on the rifles when you are selecting one, As well the Grade Classification of it. The better the grade obviously the more the cost. But if you just want a good shooter they are not all that expensive compared to other sources. And some of the affiliated clubs according to CMP one is joining to qualify, the memberships run as little as $25.00. Just go to the CMP Website.
Good luck on your M-1 Adventure. They are a fine rifle. Just type in CMP Rifles for Sale on the Web. One last thing that is very important as C-3 mentioned it is very critical you shoot the correct 30-06 recommended for the M-1 Garand or you will damage your rifle. A lot of factory 30-06 rounds available toady should not be shot in the Garand! He is NOT JOKING!

03
 
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#17 ·
I wonder how many books are written on the Garand rifle. It is pretty hard to give you all the info you need in this kind of format. Find someone who is a local Garand Guru and you will get an earful. I know, my brother is one......

Buying a CMP rifle is the way I would go. Their customer service is outstanding. Said brother got a Garand Sniper from them a few months ago. It came to him with a problem. The gave him a shipping label took the rifle back, fixed it properly and returned it to him in about two weeks. No questions, no whining, they just took care of the issue.
 
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#20 ·
Just my 2¢ worth...
Are you looking for an authentic piece of military history, or a shooter that could stand a few dings without copious amounts of teardrops?

I have a USGI WW-II M1 Carbine I inherited from my father. It is a wonderful shooter and has a lot of intrinsic value. I would never take it out to the field and subject it to dings, humidity, etc. It is a fair-weather occasional shooter until SHTF. Because of that, I seldom shoot it, even though it is a great shooter. I am considering a new one from Fulton Armory or Inland - they are so much fun! In the interim, I love my Mini-14s (which don't give me M1 Thumb). And yes, I suffered from it in JROTC. Not pleasant.

If you are seeking a genuine M1 Garand with history and reliability, then CMP is the way to go. They won't sell you an unsafe weapon. But for the money, I wouldn't discount Fulton Armory or Inland or a few other manufacturers of NEW M1s, with warranties, etc. Prices are close.

All depends on your personal wants.

Wouldn't discount an M1A if your state allows. About as close to an M14 as you can get.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Buy it from the CMP.

https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/m1-garand/

Old man, old eyes, old rifle, iron sights, one shot, one kill. Only thing on that rifle that wasn't killing Nazis and commies is the wind direction string I tied on the stacking hook.

 
#27 ·
Don't get M1 thumb.

Only thing my daddy tried to show me about a rifle...got it anyway...

He knew his Serial Number 'til he passed from death unto Eternal Life.

Have it written on his opman.
 
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