M1 Garand or Carbine? Help me decide

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Dr_2_B

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I'm going to swing by CMP on my next trip thru Alabama and pick up one of these two. I want your help deciding which to get - knowing I may wind up picking the other up at some point this year. My current rifle collection includes an AR, 3 AK's, and an SKS.

I know the supply of Garands is dwindling. I also know the Carbines will be available by the time I go to Bama. I don't really need a long-range rifle - I buy guns for their defensive purpose and their aesthetics.

My head says "Get the Garand, fool! They won't be there much longer." But my heart says, "Matt, you held that carbine the other day and it was like caressing a beautiful woman."

So... I'm interested in your opinions. I mean, aside from the fact that I'm a very sick man.
 
The carbines aren't for sale yet. If they still aren't available by the time you take your trip I'd say to just hand pick a Garand at the CMP store.

We also don't yet know how the CMP will price the carbines or what condition they are in.

Personally, I'd get a Garand *now* and then save up more for a carbine later. Neither one is going to be around for much longer and prices aren't going to get any cheaper.
 
The availability of GI 30-06 is out there so there is a deciding factor for the garand. Go and pick one out. From what I gather the store personnel are quite helpfull in you doing so. The USGI Carbines are fun to shoot and make Great HD weapons but you have to practically internet the ammo in. The .30 Cal carbine is way underrated for what it can do IMHO, people forget the intended purpose for the weapon in the first place. I love the M1 Carbine and the Garand both.
Nothing does it better than the M1 Garand, nothing. Speaks with authority and packed with nostalgia. WWII and Korean vets always come up whenever I fire one. I always keep a spare bandoleer for those guys anyways. I like to let them talk, it's part of the Garand experience.
 
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" I always keep a spare bandoleer for those guys anyways. I like to let them talk, it's part of the Garand experience"
--------------------------------------------
That's it in a nutshell. Not many other FA's can make a claim to a Garand type experience. When you hold one, load one, aim one, and then let the tiger roar.......well, like I said, not many others can offer the feel of that great piece of history. Not that the M1 carbine does'nt have a history of it's own. It was carried into battle many times by U.S. forces and served with pride for it's given role. But when I think of a true U.S. battle rifle in the last century, my mind goes straight to the Garand and the BAR.
And BAR's are'nt available.
*Also, U.S.SFC_RET
I know what you mean. I've often had WWII and Korean vets come over to me at the range when they hear the M1. It almost always leads to some great talk and stories of their own experiences. And I always offer them a clip to fire off, I've never been turned down. If anyone does'nt beleive that old men are just grown boys should see the old timers grin after that "ping". :D
 
If you were aked the question " What battle of WWII interests you the most?" If your answer was something immediate of the European Theater, then go Garand. If it immediately was of the Pacific, then go carbine. Find out where your most interest lies.... Yer heart won't lie.
 
I didn't know CMP had stores. Is the AL one the only one and is it open to the lowly public? OH yea, where is it?
 
http://www.odcmp.com/Store.htm

The Garand is definitely a 'Social Gun' in terms of an ice breaker. I love to let guys have a few rounds through it. My little nephew knew about it from playing some video games. I showed him how the clip ejects & he says "so that's what that sound is". Apparently it is a sound effect in the game, but no visual effect is provided. Everybody has a Garand story or should have the opportunity!!

I want a Carbine also.

WNTFW
 
ATA, that was a very insightful response. Really.

For me oddly enough, it really isn't all that much about the history. History is secondary or tertiary. How 'bout quaternary maybe.

Oh also huddog, there are two stores. The Alabama one is in Aniston, east of B'ham. Then there's one in Ohio. Go to this page: http://www.odcmp.com/about_us.htm

And I happen to believe it's worth the time, $$$ and effort to go to the store if possible (in my case, it's sort of on my way to visit my folks). I've heard the people are very helpful and you hand-pick the one you want. I don't believe there's a waiting period for them to ship, plus I believe you can join the necessary club while there.
 
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Matheath,

I think you'll want to join the Garand Collectors Association or some other CMP affiliated club ahead of time. I don't think the CMP is set up to sign you up with the GCA at the CMP store. (Unless they started doing it recently and I'm not aware of it).

Do a google search for " Garand Collectors Association" and you'll find the info. It's only $20 or $25 a year.

If you buy on-site, you get to pick out your gun right there and take it home right then. Make sure you plan for enough time to not only shop but for the NICS check and paperwork to go through. In addition to having proof of membership in a CMP Affiliated club, you'll also need proof of U.S. citizenship (passport or birth cert) and proof of "recent marksmanship activity." A CCW permit counts for the last one, as does proof of entry in a highpower match. I think a DD214 may also qualify.

You'll want to check this info with the CMP site at www.odcmp.com to make sure.
 
You can't go wrong with either, but the Garand is available (for) now. Get the Garand & save up for the carbine later. Don't miss out on the chance to get the Garand...you will be kicking yourself later on.

:D :D :D :D ...is what you'll do after firing the Garand.

Did I mention I like the Garand? I took one to Colorado on vacation & let my 14 year-old nephew fire it. What a huge blast that was.
 
I saw on another board that the CMP was now out of Greek return Rack Grades.

I went for the Garand first, but did not know much about them and got a bad one. I eventually sold it for parts and the receiver since I did not have the money to get it rebuilt. During the time I was reading up on the Garand my wife surprised me with a nice Inland Carbine so I never went shopping for a Carbine. Eventually I found the Garand that I wanted and could afford and never looked back.

BTW, when the Carbine hits steel at 200 yards it is not impressive but when the '06 hits steel at 200 yards:evil:
 
"...very ineffective round..." Only with ball ammo at long range. The .30 carbine is for 150 to 200 yard shooting. The stories about it no penetrating the Chicom coats are nonsense though. Know a guy who was at Kap Y'ong with 2PPCLI who said he didn't care if it took two rounds. He loves the carbine.
Handloaded 110 grain HP's with IMR4227 will blow a hole the size of a grapefruit in a ground hog. Ball isn't accurate enough.
As to picking up a carbine at the CMP store, I suspect there will be a long line for one. People are lining up for them already. The release date is sometime in March, I think.
In any case, you'll want one of each. You'll be able to pick up an M-1 at the store though and the staff will help you pick one out. And listen to Trebor. You have to qualify to be able to buy anything.
 
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I would pick up a good service grade carbine now while they are available. It seems that the carbines are rarer than the Garands. You will probably be able to get a field grade Garand later on this year or perhaps even a service grade if more come in. But I would get a nice service grade carbine while the getting is good. I suspect the service grade carbines will go very fast.
 
M1 carbine is way underrated. Korea was a mountain terrain with long range combat ill suited to a pistol replacement. The M2 was a sweetheart in Nam and much loved. Serveral RVN and Special Forces groups kept the M2 when offered the M16. Finest sub-gun made. Figure .357 Mag striking force at 750RPM.
 
I believe you will see more garands go up for sale in the future and more of the better grades as well. I also believe more of the garands may even come in from greece. The cmp has been working on several things lately and they can only check out so many rifles at one time. So the 22's were just put out along with some 03's and the like and now the carbines are close to coming on the market. After that maybe you will see more garands start to come out again.
Carbine ammo? Do you thinks the greeks made any? Yelp they did and maybe we will be able to by that from the cmp also. The greek 30-06 M2 ball is still for sale from them.

For my self if I can go and pick I would go after the best carbine I could find as they will run out in about a year or less. When there you may see some nice garands so buy one if you find a good one.

Just my opinions.
Jon
 
CMP is no longer accepting orders for FG Garands as of 2-6-07. Get one while you can. I just sent in my order on Monday for Greek FG. Not sure what will happen now. The same thing happened to me in Nov when I ordered my SG the day they stopped taking orders for those. Oh man, I'm bummed. :( :banghead: :confused: :eek: :uhoh:
 
Oh, man! I hope they got my order before selling out of the Greek FG . I mailed it out last week.

I believe you will see more garands go up for sale in the future and more of the better grades as well.
Click to expand...

I hope so. . . !
 
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