Was there a 'best years' M1 production?

[aspen1964]

...was there a best time of quality production for the M1 Garand?

 

[ocabj]

The later years would be the best since that's when all of the quality control issues were worked out. If I were going to build a National Match configured M1 Garand (which I plan on doing some day, even though I use the AR), I'd go with a Springfield receiver in the high 5 million serial range. That's why I order receivers from the CMP and request high serials (for the intention of future match builds).

 

[Mr White]

Ocabj is right. Late postwar Springfields are generally considered to be the best. My CMP gun, a 5.8M SA, was the deal of my life.