M1 Garand Question

[fortyrobo]

Guys and Gals,

Hi all, I am new to this forum, and I want to buy a M1 Garand. I like the ones at the CMP, I only have enough to buy the Field grade for $495. The Springfield would be my choice. I just want one for target practice and I don't really care how it looks as long as it fires correctly. Is there any reason to hesitate on this purchase? I wish I had the money to buy a better one, but I am limited in my budget.

Thank you for your time

Forty

 

[Jim K]

Any rifle sold by CMP is going to be safe and serviceable. The only differences may be in cosmetics or things like rebuilds, mixed parts, or in a greater amount of muzzle wear or throat erosion.

Jim

 

[Tim the student]

A gun from the CMP will fire correctly and be serviceable.

I think you should wait until you can get some more money. For mail order, that extra hundred bucks is a high degree of return, IMO. I would not buy a field grade mail order, but I would go and sell some plasma, sell some crap, take some cans back etc etc to get that extra hunnert bucks.

You know that you can't shoot regular old 30-06 in it, right?

Regardless of what you choose, keep us posted. We love Garands around here. (Well, maybe not all of us, but I do at least! )

To actually answer your question, if you hesitate on this purchase, you will likely get a much nicer rifle for only a hundred extra bucks.

 

[fortyrobo]

pardon my ignorance, what is throat erosion?

 

[GRIZ22]

I think you should wait until you can get some more money. For mail order, that extra hundred bucks is a high degree of return, IMO.

I agree. You can't put $200 in a Field Grade and get a rifle as good as a Service Grade.

pardon my ignorance, what is throat erosion?

The hot gases from every round you fire with any rifle erodes the throat of the chamber the area just forward of where the bullet sits. After thousands of rounds this erodes to the point it throws your accuracy off as the bullet wobbles down to meet the rifling. Oversimplified but thats what it is.

 

[Tim the student]

Basically, it is a measure of how much the barrel is worn out at the breech end. Less is better.

But, guys have reported that certain barrels with high numbers of muzzle erosion and throat erosion will shoot well, and sometimes better than less worn barrels. So, it isn't a 100% rule - but usually barrels with low readings will shoot better.

 

[fortyrobo]

Thanks, I have wanted one since I was a kid and watching John Wayne and Band of Brothers. I like the M14, but the M1 Garand is identical except the caliber and no Magazine. which I don't care about. I was going to buy the Greek ammo from CMP, and reload if possible. I wanted a long range shooter. I will heed your advice and pay the extra, I want to keep it forever, so I will save my nickels and dimes till I can buy a good one. Are the ones at CMP (Service Grade) a good deal? I see they are only $595, a hundred more.

 

[Tim the student]

I was going to buy the Greek ammo from CMP, and reload if possible.

HXP is good stuff, and good brass too.

I will heed your advice and pay the extra, I want to keep it forever, so I will save my nickels and dimes till I can buy a good one.

Good stuff. You can get good field grades, but the chances are pretty small that you actually will. The chances are almost 100% that you will get a Service grade that knocks your socks off. If it doesn't, it will still fall within the grade description.

Are the ones at CMP (Service Grade) a good deal?

They are a great deal. Start saving now for your next one.

Congrats on deciding to get an M1, and welcome to THR.

 

[fortyrobo]

You guys are great, I don't always trust the gun stores. I know they just want to make a sell. I want the correct info to make a good decision. you guys are like having a bunch of cool uncles and big bros. Thanks again.

 

[GRIZ22]

I don't always trust the gun stores.

You can trust the CMP though. They have the best customer service and will go as far as replacing the rifle if thats whats going to make you happy.

 

[Orlando]

CMP Service Grade or go home

 

[GCBurner]

This is what my Service Grade Springfield Armory M1 looked like:


Brand new CMP marked stock, no noticeable wear on the Parkerized metal, muzzle and throat wear at "2". Not bad for $595, I think every citizen should have one.

 

[cfullgraf]

Guys and Gals,

Hi all, I am new to this forum, and I want to buy a M1 Garand. I like the ones at the CMP, I only have enough to buy the Field grade for $495. The Springfield would be my choice. I just want one for target practice and I don't really care how it looks as long as it fires correctly. Is there any reason to hesitate on this purchase? I wish I had the money to buy a better one, but I am limited in my budget.

Thank you for your time

Forty

For a first Garand, get a Service Grade or better. You will not be disappointed.

Field Grades can be great rifles, but generally, they need some TLC. Most that I have seen have been "rode hard and put away wet". They make good projects. Of the three Field Grades I have, i put new stocks on all three of them and replaced some other little tune up items. I have more invested in each than if I would have purchased a Service Grade. When i ordered them, I fully expected to replace the barrels on all three but so far, two of the three shoot fine and the barrels gauge pretty well. I have not cleaned or shot the third one yet.

The Service Grades that I have purchased were just cleaned of the preservative and maybe the stock re-oiled.

If you can go to one of the stores, you may find a gem in the Field Grade racks.

Enjoy your Garand when you get it.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Not to beat a dead horse but +1 to wait and save the extra $100 for a service grade if you're planning to mail order. It's a great deal and you won't regret it.

 

[fortyrobo]

Dudes,
I will Definitely wait, that is a great looking rifle. The Gun stores want 800 - 900 for something that is not as nice.

Thanks again.

 

[cfullgraf]

fortyrobo,

Note, the Service Grades can come with a used but serviceable USGI stock or a new birch stock.

Service Grades are reported to be very nice at present.

 

[gc70]

Get the Service Grade. Below is a recent HRA Service Grade from CMP with a birch replacement stock. For a shooter, a tight-fitting new stock is not a bad deal. If you get a used USGI stock and don't like it, there are folks on the CMP Forum who would trade with you.

 

[griff383]

I just got my service grade a few weeks ago and its awesome, stock is mix matched USGI leftovers but solid and every ding is character to me. Shoots like a dream, and I already want another one after one trip to the range with it. Get em while you can!!

 

[GRIZ22]

If you get a used USGI stock and don't like it, there are folks on the CMP Forum who would trade with you.

If you want a new stock put a post-it on your order form asking for one. If there is one available when they are filling your order you will get it.

 

[fortyrobo]

Once you place your order, does it really take 30 - 60 days?

You guys sold me on the service grade, I will hold off on food to buy that. JK

 

[fortyrobo]

What is the difference between springfield and HRA, is it just the manufacture? I like the HRA above, that is smokin hot.

 

[gc70]

What is the difference between springfield and HRA, is it just the manufacture? I like the HRA above, that is smokin hot.

Mechanically, the rifles were made to the same specifications. Scott Duff says "Rifles produced by Harrington & Richardson were exceptionally well finished in appearance." But pretty does not shoot better.

Springfield Armory made 4,188,669 rifles between 1937 and 1957. HRA made 428,600 rifles between 1952 and 1956. From a historic perspective, SA rifles have a much better chance of having seen wartime use; HRA did not begin producing rifles until the Korean war was nearly over.

When I bought the rifle in the picture above, the CMP store in Anniston only had a handful of Springfield Service Grades, but a full rack of HRAs to choose from.

 

[cfullgraf]

Once you place your order, does it really take 30 - 60 days?

These days delivery is 30-60 days. Probably 60 is closer to reality.

Lots better than in 2009 when it was 4 to 6 months.

Time depends on how caught up the CMP is. Occasionally they get rifles out in 3 to 4 weeks.

 

[deadeye1122]

I mailed my paperwork for a HRA on 2-16. Recieved e-mail that order was in process on 3-8. Recieved said HRA on 4-5. So fortyrobo when you send in your paperwork start pacing and checking e-mail like we all did. Also order lots of extra ammo. Went to the range last week for the noon hour get together and when everyone was done taking a turn and 10 clips hit the ground ( is that DING not a nice sound?) everyone was impressed. I thought it was AWESOME

 

[Ignition Override]

fortyrobo:

The bore in my Service Grade might belong to a higher category, as it looks like it is chrome-lined with nice metal in all other areas.
Even if my next "S. G" CMP M-1 does not have such a bright bore, it won't matter.

Many guys at gun shows have not only replaced parts which were safe During the CMP's initial inspectons, but at gun shows you will pay an extra $200 for the same rifle, if not more.