M1A Scout & M1 Garand: Which to buy? What prices are reasonable today?

[parabolate]

I am going to a gun show next month, Feb. 2009, and am going to be keeping an eye out for deals on a Springfield M1A or an M1 Garand rifle.

In regards to the Springfield M1A I am most interested in the Scout model with no bells & whistles attached. As for the Garand I would be most interested in a new or gently used piece.

QUESTION 1:
What prices would you all consider reasonable for these rifles? Personally I wouldn't want to spend more than $1,000 on a garand or more than $1,300 on an M1A but prices seem REALLY inflated as of lately, especially at the last gun show I was at M1A's were going for $1,500-1,600 . Is what I consider "reasonable" possible to find in today's market?

QUESTION 2:
Also, if price were not a factor, which rifle would YOU buy? I understand they are very similar in design but if anyone who has handled both could chime it in would be appreciated!

QUESTION 3:
If I did go with the M1A model with WOOD rather than the SYNTHETIC stock they offer...is it true that over time the wood expands and becomes problematic? Wood VS Synthetic stock whaddya say?

Thanks for the input!


SIDENOTE: This will be my second rifle. My first is a DPMS M4 A3 carbine. M1A or M1 Garand won my vote for 2nd rifle over an AK-47 style rifle because of their effective range. Good choice? I think so!

 

[Baba Louie]

Welcome to THR parabolate...
Garand for $1k? Do-able. Everyone should have one. Go CMP route for best price
http://www.odcmp.com/
$1300 for an M1A Scout? Doubtful. Add another 4-500 unless you get reeeal lucky. As of late $2K seems to be ballpark. After Tuesday... who knows?

If price was no factor? Well, since I own both... I will say I got the Garand 1st. Historical, and cheap (relative term) at the time (CMP M1 was $250+/- back in the early 90s IIRC... aaah, the good old days). The Springer I own is a NM so it did cost a bit more, and I did acquire it earlier this century.

If I could only keep one? Uh... I couldn't make that choice. I will say that most of my friends all seem to prefer shooting the M1A, and it is pretty darned accurate. Not to mention fun. Well, really they're mostly my kids friends (younger than I by some 30 years), the older men-folk seem to relate to the Garand better for some reason. The ladies seeming to prefer the M1 Carbine for some strange reason (small, cute, little to no recoil to speak of).

But if I had the dough... (and if any type of future ban prohibits detachable magazines) I might opt for a Garand from CMP, a case or 5 of Greek ammo, reloading setup, an adjustable gas valve allowing commercial ammo(?) and maybe have a good smith fine tune that puppy. 8 rounds is plenty, right?

Or is it? No help... am I?

Wood/synthetic stock. I've been told that the wood stocks, given enough recoil and use, will compress some of the wood fibers at the rear of the receiver and get all agly in terms of accuracy or develop splits there. I haven't run into that issue yet, but I also have a spare birch and synthetic stock stashed somewhere just in case. Or maybe I just wanted to be able to play with them some time down the road, I dunno.

Good choice?

Yes... but... AKs could also be getting harder to find in the future, not to mention foreign surplus ammo... maybe... hope not, but who knows what the immediate future will bring about?

Check out the CMP site. Go fondle an M1A. Extra magazines mandatory so get good ones when they get back ordered and are in stock (who knows?). You really can't go wrong with either. But you know that. Let us know what you do buy, show some photos, maybe a range report? I look forward to it.

 

[NotSoFast]

In regards to the Springfield M1A I am most interested in the Scout model with no bells & whistles attached. As for the Garand I would be most interested in a new or gently used piece.

QUESTION 1:
What prices would you all consider reasonable for these rifles? Personally I wouldn't want to spend more than $1,000 on a garand or more than $1,300 on an M1A but prices seem REALLY inflated as of lately, especially at the last gun show I was at M1A's were going for $1,500-1,600 . Is what I consider "reasonable" possible to find in today's market?

QUESTION 2:
Also, if price were not a factor, which rifle would YOU buy? I understand they are very similar in design but if anyone who has handled both could chime it in would be appreciated!

QUESTION 3:
If I did go with the M1A model with WOOD rather than the SYNTHETIC stock they offer...is it true that over time the wood expands and becomes problematic? Wood VS Synthetic stock whaddya say?

Thanks for the input!


SIDENOTE: This will be my second rifle. My first is a DPMS M4 A3 carbine. M1A or M1 Garand won my vote for 2nd rifle over an AK-47 style rifle because of their effective range. Good choice? I think so!

1. I paid $495 for mine last summer. I wanted a shooter and it didn't have to look all that good.

2. If price were no issue, I'd go with the M1A. The reason? It uses mags, not clips.

3. If I didn't care for the look of wood so much, I'd go synthetic. Yes, I too have heard that the synthetic hold up better in the long run in harsh weather. I just happen to like the look of good wood.

I like your choices, by the way.

 

[Swampy]

parabolate,

I own one M1A. Great rifle. Love it. Bought it in '99. Have shot maybe 1k rounds thruogh it.

I bought my first M1 rifle in 2000. Took it to the range...... "Oh baby, where you been all my life". I now own several M1's ranging from Rack Grades to Correct Grades and two Match Grade M1's (One of which I built myself and use in X-Course Highpower. See my tagline.). Have shot in excess of 30k+ rounds through M1's in the last 8 years.

They are both Riflemans Rifles. Guess which one I like best......

Re wood being "problematic". The wood on an M1 or M1A is no more "problmatic" than the wood on any other type rifle. Fully Matched out competition rifles can need somewhat frequent re-bedding to stay at top competition level accuracy, but this is not an issue for the average shooter with the average shooter grade rifle.

If you want an M1..... get it from the CMP. Best deal on genuine USGI rifles.

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[parabolate]

CMP M1's

Welcome to THR parabolate...
Garand for $1k? Do-able. Everyone should have one. Go CMP route for best price
http://www.odcmp.com/
$1300 for an M1A Scout? Doubtful. Add another 4-500 unless you get reeeal lucky. As of late $2K seems to be ballpark. After Tuesday... who knows?

If price was no factor? Well, since I own both... I will say I got the Garand 1st. Historical, and cheap (relative term) at the time (CMP M1 was $250+/- back in the early 90s IIRC... aaah, the good old days). The Springer I own is a NM so it did cost a bit more, and I did acquire it earlier this century.

If I could only keep one? Uh... I couldn't make that choice. I will say that most of my friends all seem to prefer shooting the M1A, and it is pretty darned accurate. Not to mention fun. Well, really they're mostly my kids friends (younger than I by some 30 years), the older men-folk seem to relate to the Garand better for some reason. The ladies seeming to prefer the M1 Carbine for some strange reason (small, cute, little to no recoil to speak of).

But if I had the dough... (and if any type of future ban prohibits detachable magazines) I might opt for a Garand from CMP, a case or 5 of Greek ammo, reloading setup, an adjustable gas valve allowing commercial ammo(?) and maybe have a good smith fine tune that puppy. 8 rounds is plenty, right?

Or is it? No help... am I?

Wood/synthetic stock. I've been told that the wood stocks, given enough recoil and use, will compress some of the wood fibers at the rear of the receiver and get all agly in terms of accuracy or develop splits there. I haven't run into that issue yet, but I also have a spare birch and synthetic stock stashed somewhere just in case. Or maybe I just wanted to be able to play with them some time down the road, I dunno.

Good choice?

Yes... but... AKs could also be getting harder to find in the future, not to mention foreign surplus ammo... maybe... hope not, but who knows what the immediate future will bring about?

Check out the CMP site. Go fondle an M1A. Extra magazines mandatory so get good ones when they get back ordered and are in stock (who knows?). You really can't go wrong with either. But you know that. Let us know what you do buy, show some photos, maybe a range report? I look forward to it.

I checked out the CMP site. They seem to have some great prices. Their "special" and "correct grade" models are $995. Their field & service grade models with more wear are $500-$600. I wish they posted photos of each.

I'm leaning toward the Garand at the moment because of price factor although I have not ruled out the M1A completely. I'm gonna see what is available mid-Feb. at the gun show I'm planning on attending before I make the final choice. I've been to this particular show before and they always have Garand's and M1A's all over the place.

You make an excellent point regarding availability of AK's in the future. This crossed my mind as well, but I decided to opt in for something with a bit more range as I allready own the M4 which is better suited for short-medium range.

 

[briansmithwins]

Since the M14 is a product improved M1 Garand, I'd go that way.

BSW

 

[H2O MAN]

briansmithwins Since the M14 is a product improved M1 Garand, I'd go that way.

+1

I love the M1 Garand, but I don't own one. I do own several M14s though

 

[1KPerDay]

Their field & service grade models with more wear are $500-$600. I wish they posted photos of each.

You can request a service grade with a new CMP stock. Get a service grade and you won't be disappointed. if you search cmp service here you'll find some pics.

Personally if I had to choose one I'd go with the Garand, because to me it's the coolest rifle ever made. Plus ammo is about half what 7.62X51 is, if you're lucky and get 7.62 for "only" .60/rd.

 

[parabolate]

Gonna make my final decision at the end of this month......gonna check out one more show to see if there happens to be any deals.

CMP looked like a hassle at first but the paperwork is actually not a big deal as far as their "membership" req's etc. $25 for garand collector society.


When it comes to deals, particularly for the M1A standard or scout model, what price would you say TAKE IT. I'm thinking $1400-$1500 is gonna be the best I can find if I am lucky.

Anything higher I'll go with the ping-stick.

 

[CWL]

Wood is prettier, but synthetic is tougher -your choice.

If you buy M14/M1A you will need magazines. When I was outfitting mine, they cost $50-each for GI mags.

 

[parabolate]

Aware of the insanely high cost of the mags

a couple should last a lifetime though right? lol

 

[krs]

Sometimes an owner of a CMP rifle needs to sell it, even though CMP doesn't approve of their rifles being resold, or used to didn't.

But sometimes a person's just got to let one go, approval or not......http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=124753074

 

[elktrout]

I checked with a local dealer yesterday on a new M1A. They can't get them right now and the last price they had for retail sales was $1695.

 

[lipadj46]

if you buy M14/M1A you will need magazines. When I was outfitting mine, they cost $50-each for GI mags.

USGI Magazines are $25, go here:

http://www.44mag.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CM20

They are on backorder now but you will get them in a few weeks.

 

[parabolate]

nice find

Sometimes an owner of a CMP rifle needs to sell it, even though CMP doesn't approve of their rifles being resold, or used to didn't.

But sometimes a person's just got to let one go, approval or not......http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=124753074

nice find