M1 Garand buying help

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Jonzer77

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I am a total noob when it comes to M1 Garands and it seems like there is A LOT of info on them. I am working on a trade with a member of another firearm site and the info he gave me originally made me believe it was a Springfield. When I tried searching it I couldn't find anything and then he told me it was a CAI.

This is the following info he gave me

the bolt and trigger are only 3 numbers off. op rod is very different the receiver is m1p202** d2628712 is the bolt d2629012 is the trigger d363826 is the op rod

He wants $750 in trade value but the more and more I read about these CAI rifles, the less I believe it is worth that much, especially with the CMP garands that have been released. Thank you in advance for any help you guys may be able to provide.
 
I don't know about CAI, but Garands are mostly priced based on condition and completeness. Most (99%) have been through an arsenal rebuild at least once, so mis-matched parts is not as big a deal as with other rifles.

$750 is a current street price for a mid-level decent shooter. It's low for an all matching MFG rifle in good shape. So it may be about what you plan to do with it and how worn the barrel is (muzzle and throat)?
 
CMP also emailed out an update that they have about 2000 Service Grade rifles available now. Both in HRA and Springfield.

At $625 + shipping, I'd go the CMP route.
 
ya i wouldnt even consider it.

buy a cmp inspected usgi m1 garand for less.

if something goes wrong with a cmp rifle they will take care of it.
 
CAI is Century Arms International, an importer. It's alleged that many of these guns were build on aftermarket cast receivers from parts kits and are best avoided. They also imported some from Korea and somewhere in South or Central America.

Best route for a Garand virgin is to go through the CMP.
 
Do you have access to the rifle? What is the complete stamping and serial number on the "heel" of the receiver? A picture might help even more?
 
Unfortunately no because the seller is two hours away and he refuses to send me pics of the receiver because he doesn't want to give the entire serial number.
 
Jonzer77 said:
Unfortunately no because the seller is two hours away and he refuses to send me pics of the receiver because he doesn't want to give the entire serial number.
Click to expand...

What on earth would you be able to do if you had the entire serial#? Frame him for some crime, somehow, somewhere? Ludicrous.

Run, don't walk, from this deal and tell him why.

+1 for CMP rifle.
 
I'd definately go the CMP route. I live a little down the road from the North store, and if you pick the racks over there are some good finds mixed in with the rack grades...
 
Garand parts are not serialized...and the drawing numbers aren't the same part-to-part on a "correct" Garand anyway.
 
Another strong supporter of the CMP Garands here.
You'll love having an M1 from the CMP. I wouldn't even consider getting a Garand from any other source.
 
I would get the CMP. Depending on what you think of Fulton Armory, their smiths looked over a CAI Garand and their verdict was that it was not safe to fire due to headspace and other issues.
 
The seller won't send you, the prospective buyer, a picture of the the receiver.
This is an indicator to pass on the purchase, something is wrong.

CAI cast receiver rifles sold for $550 @ retail when they were offered and the guns have no reason to have appreciated another two hundred bucks since.
 
Another "go with CMP".

If you want to learn alot about Garands in a hurry, go to the CMP Forum and start reading.
 
Jonzer, You did good to ask before making the deal.

CIA recievers are not always in spec. I MIGHT buy a CIA if it were cheap and I needed the rest of the rifle for parts. There were four M-1 Garand makers, Springfield, Winchester, H&R and IHC. Any other maker is a fake. This includes Springfield Inc. There might have been four Tanker Garands made but never put into production. FYI.

Garand parts are not serialized...and the drawing numbers aren't the same part-to-part on a "correct" Garand anyway.
Click to expand...

True Dat! It sounds to me like the guy is blowing smoke up your skirt.

I would recommend going through the CMP like the others suggest. The CMP sells rifles that are the real deal and I don't believe you would loose on a CMP rifle. I have not been unhappy with any of the CMP rifles I have gotten. I would also get the most rifle you can afford. Hopfully it would be a service grade as these have a better barrel than the other grades.
 
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I can't elaborate on anything else that has not already been mentioned before other than if it is a CAI receiver run far, run fast. CMP is a good way to go if you meet all their criteria, some people get scared off but just take it one item at a time and see if there are any local clubs that can help you get your application started.

If you come across a International Harvester and it's less than 1000 bucks, go ahead and get it, it will be worth your money.
 
Get a CMP, it will be cheaper and an actual GI Garand without rolling the Century dice (it's generally a crap shoot with them). I went the CMP route and I'm very glad I did.
 
+1 for CMP. Their process is very simple and customer service rates at 100%. I went this route based upon several reason. My main reason came down to their armorers inspection and experience. Good luck...

BF
.30-06 ain't no joke
 
UPDATE:

First, that is one beautiful Garand FlyinBryan!

I cancelled the trade and I am glad that I did because the seller told me the gun was C&R eligible because he researched it. When I told him I was having a hard time verifying it he said he took it to three gun stores and they all told him he could C&R the gun. In CA the only guns we can cash and carry are 50 year old long guns, everything else is a felony. I am glad I did my research and I wanted to thank everyone for all of their input, it is greatly appreciated.

Time to start looking at CMP! My local shooting club makes me eligible to purchase through CMP so I will just sell my AR for cash to pay myself back lol.
 
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