Garand quantity

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

RancidSumo

Member
Joined
May 16, 2007
Messages
1,168
Location
Green River, WY
Are there enough Garands out there that I will still be able to pick one up no problem for a reasonable price in a year? Also, are the correct grade Garands worth the extra $400? I am thinking that the answer to both questions is yes but I don't know **** about Garands other than I know that they are awsome and I want one.
 
When I was researching which grade to purchase from the CMP, the Service grade was considered the more "shootable" grade with slightly newer mixed parts, and the correct grade was more prone to have matching numbers and what not.

That being said, my two recently purchased Service Grade HR garands came with mixed SA and HRA parts but they were in good condition and the barrels look real nice :D
 
While there may be enough M1 rifles to last for several years, I can almost guarantee that the prices will not come down. Either buy it now or save your pennies but plan on a price higher than todays.

If you plan on using the rifle as a 'shooter' buy a service grade & use the extra money to buy a case or two of ammo. That is, unless you must have a 'correct' rifle with the possibility of a slightly better cosmetic appearance.
 
The Service Grade is the best value for the money. You'll won't notice any difference, except perhaphs minor cosmetic differences, if pay the extra for the "correct grade."

For a shooter, get a Service Grade and spend the rest on ammo. Buy as SOON AS YOU CAN!
 
I might be able to get one as soon a 6months but I want to get an AR now. I might go with the Garand now and AR later though. I CAN'T DECIDE!!
 
Get the best M1 you can afford now with the most correct parts. You will not regret it. It's living history and you will treasure it. I lucked up about 6 years ago and found a 1943 Springfield with all the correct parts for 450. I had bought two M1s (one a Winchester) from DCM but they are all mixmasters with DCM stocks and reparked although authentic and wonderful.
The ARs are plentiful and will be AND are not so historical. M1s are not so plentiful and they have the U.S. military markings which to me makes them much more desireable. While you are at it, go ahead and find a good U.S. military M1 Carbine too. They aren't making any more.
 
The supply is getting tight. The correct grade now is $900 plus.

My friend now has about 6 M1's most are DCM's and a couple are correct grades. Saturday, he was shooting his first M1 from SOG or wherever and thinks this is his most accurate M1-- BUT he had it worked on by Clint Fowler a M1 guru.

Wringing the last couple of inches of accuracy out of a Garand gets expensive.
 
I thought I wanted to collect so I bought a couple Garands. Worked on them to get them is shooting shape when I found I didn't want to collect, I wanted to shoot. Quickly sold both M1's and bought a couple AR's.

Never missed the M1's.
 
Who made a better Garand, Springfield or H&R?
Click to expand...

Neither, all the parts are mil-spec and you can mix and match from different manufacturers. Certain manufacturers are more valuable to collectors only because of the rarity of the particular brand.

Springfield made the most M1's, hence they are the least expensive M1.
 
Undrstand that I just got a second carbine in from the CMP and already have 2 Garands.
But, with the coming political debate you should get an AR and get it pretty soon. I have 9 of them. You'll have it, Garands will actually be avalible for some time to come.
 
If you are more of a collector, get the Garand. If you are more of a shooter, get the AR.
Click to expand...

I believe that the AR is one of the easiest rifle platforms to learn to shoot accurately.

I would rather shoot my Garand, any day, over an AR. it very pleasant to shoot, easy to maintain, accurate, and the ammo is pretty cheap. and it shoots a superior cartridge (imo).
 
Who made a better Garand, Springfield or H&R?
Click to expand...

You forgot International Harvester!

I have an International Harvester or "tractor" garand as they are called, picked it up at a gun show awhile back never have shot it.

Like said above all are milspec and none were really better then another.
 
I bought a correct grade SA, and the thing is just an amazing shooter. Never had a FTF and it is superbly accurate. It's also beautiful. I definitely got a choice rifle.
 
So I take it that you are one more vote for the AR?
Click to expand...

Nah, that's just my own deal.

I do like the M1, its just the two I had were more the collector variety than good shooters. Both had sewer-pipe bores but even still, one still grouped to a certain degree. I would like to build one up with a new barrel and new wood but that is not in my immediate plans. I want another AR first. :)

I find the accuracy and the ease of mounting optics on the AR platform to be the deciding factor for me.
 
Are there enough Garands out there that I will still be able to pick one up no problem for a reasonable price in a year?
Click to expand...

According to an article in the Summer 2008 issue of GCA Journal (magazine of the Garand Collectors Assn., which you should join), last year 102,000 M1 Garands were returned from Greece. They were given away as foreign aid decades ago. Now they're back, and the CMP has them. Don't worry about their time in Greece. The HRA Service Grade I bought from the CMP three years ago was really dirty, but it had a nearly new replacement stock that is quite beautiful. Original barrel but SA bolt. It shoots great (2 MOA with Lake City Match).

Also, are the correct grade Garands worth the extra $400
Click to expand...

IMO, no. I got two Service Grades (the HRA mentioned above and a '45 SA with original bolt and barrel), and they are all I could ask for in M1's.

I do recommend a Holbrook Thumb Saver though. ($45 last time I checked) It keeps the bolt from slamming forward and makes ejecting the clip a manual operation too. Easy to install and easy to take back out if you want to go retro.
 
Get the garand. I have several ARs and several Garands. The M1 is the absolute coolest rifle ever made. ARs are a dime a dozen. Good rifles, but... meh... ARs will be plentiful and cheap for many years, IMO. Everybody and their dog makes one. And 5.56 ammo is just about as pricey as .30 ball right now, which is NUTS.
 
Unless you're looking into becoming a serious collector, don't be too concerned with a correct grade gun. Find a good shooting gun and jump on it. Mine's a mix of parts from different periods of time. Milled trigger guard on a 5.8M receiver, WWII-era trigger components, Postwar rear sights, H&R stock, ... It's a great shooter and its a genuine USGI, Depot-rebuild-correct Garand, and that's all I care about.
 
While I appreciate and respect the collector aspect of the M-1--I don't get into the finer points of it.

A solid rifle that is in spec and has a solid gas system and bore is a joy.

I like weapons and not wall hangers.


AR's are great--and I more and more find myself desiring one to mess with.

But if it came down to it, I would get the M-1 first and all the ammo you can afford.

The AR's are NOT likely to 'go away' any time soon--it's really awesome that so many people are into them and they've become mainstream.
 
Garands are a joy to shoot....and the ammo is cheaper than the 5.56 right now. However, AR's are also a hoot to shoot. If I didn't have either now I'd probably pick up a service grade M-1 & some ammo from the CMP, then save up & pick up parts & build an AR as I went along.

:D
 
The reason that I am very temted to get the AR over a Garand is the possibility of another AWB. Garands would not be affected. I may buy the garand and see if I can get a stripped lower and some mags for the AR so if there is a ban I'll be alright.
 
Well, I just spoke with my dad and I think I have decided to get the Garand. He thinks I will have more fun with a service grade Garand then with an AR. I will end up with an AR eventually but I think it will be the Garand first. Now we just need to get to an appleseed to meet the CMP requirement and sign up at the Laramie Rifle Range for a club membership. Is the Greek ammo and the mags it comes in any good?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top