M1 Garand - Considering the plunge

mosinmaster

mosinmaster

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
62   0   0
So, I've always kind of looked over the M1's in the Milsurp EE and kind of got scared by the prices of $1K+.

I was wondering with the receiver coming in etc., how much would it cost to build one from parts? Are the parts you get new manufacturer with tighter tolerances? What kind of prices are we looking at? Is building one something you need a smith to help tune the gas system etc.?

I don't necessarily want to get an original all matching one, more just a shooter that goes *ping* after 8 rounds of 30-06 and puts a big smile on my face :D
 
Receiver: $70 or so after you get it (taxes, ship)
Barrel: $300-400
Bolt: $90
Gas cylinder & parts: $80
Rear sight assembly: $100
Op Rod: $140
Trigger Group: $120
Stock set with no metal: $100
Stock metal: $60
Receiver internals: $100

None of this includes ship and tax except where noted. Also it does not include costs to re-park the rifle if required, not smithing costs if needed.

That's $1160-1260 IF you can get stuff for the prices I listed, which are on the low side.
 
If you have not seen yet, Westrifle and Marstar are making plans on bringing in some of those Korean Garands. Though it will probably be summer 2014 before any would arrive, if the deal works out.
 
If the cost of the rifle is a big factor in getting one, wait until you start shooting it at a buck plus per round.

Don't get me wrong, I've bought and sold several Garands over the years and they are fine rifles. They have their quirks though and like every other rifle out there, each is a beast unto itself. Every single one I've had, except the M1D I now have, needed to be tweaked as far as stock fit etc. to get the best accuracy out of them. That's part of the fun though.

Most of the people I know that own them, don't shoot them. They sit in the dark safes and seldom see the light of day. Often, this is the case because they were bought on a whim.

They are heavy and because they are, a joy to shoot off the bench or off hand.

The last fellow I talked to about the couple he bought for himself and his wife, told me they prefer to shoot other milsurps instead. Cost is one factor and weight is the other factor.

As for the cost of a build over a surplus complete rifle, the complete rifle will be cheaper but the build rifle will be IMHO more desirable. For one thing, the build rifle is a conglomeration of parts, both old and new, while the complete surplus rifle might actually be an investment, better left alone.

The build rifle will need the same accurizing measures needed to make it shoot well and you won't mind shooting it. Likely, if everything is done properly, the cost will run between $1350 and $2500, depending on how far you want to get into it. Maybe even more than that.
 
bearhunter said:
If the cost of the rifle is a big factor in getting one, wait until you start shooting it at a buck plus per round.
Click to expand...

This is very true. 15 years ago I was shooting Garands, when the 30-06 dried up I moved to M1A's, 7.62 nato became pricey a few years back so now its 5.56 rifles for this guy. Reloading is fine and good but not when you're shooting a few thousand rounds a year out of a semi.
 
J996 said:
Reloading is fine and good but not when you're shooting a few thousand rounds a year out of a semi.
Click to expand...

I'd say the opposite is true, if you're going to be shooting a few thousand rounds a year, you'd better reload (with the possible exception of .223 and 9mm... for now).

To the OP, I wouldn't attempt building a Garand unless you specifically want the experience of building your own Garand, which is pretty rewarding in and of itself, let alone the fact that the M1 is one of the most awesome milsurps out there! I doubt you're going to save much, if anything at all, if you build rather than buy complete. We all have our favorites, of course, but of all the milsurps and target rifles that I've owned and/or shot over the last 30+ years, the M1 is my hands-down favorite. If I could only keep one rifle, I would take my all-original '56 M1 Springfield in a heartbeat, even over my SEI/LRB M-14!
 
dirtytwo said:
I'd say the opposite is true, if you're going to be shooting a few thousand rounds a year, you'd better reload (with the possible exception of .223 and 9mm... for now).!
Click to expand...

Yes you are correct, my statement was misleading. What I meant to say was that I prefer to use readily available surplus or abundant affordable ammo (5.56/.223 these days) for my semi's rather than reloading for them because of the high amounts of ammo I like to keep on hand (I'm too lazy;)) . I do reload for my bolt guns (larger calibers more expensive to feed).
 
Last edited:
Stevebot-7 said:
If you have not seen yet, Westrifle and Marstar are making plans on bringing in some of those Korean Garands. Though it will probably be summer 2014 before any would arrive, if the deal works out.
Click to expand...

Methinks this is why so many are on the EE lately... A lot of concern the prices will bottom out when the new stock arrives... I've been looking for one of my own for awhile, but I'm holding out...
 
Even if the prices bottom out. It won't be for long. A couple years at best. I think they aren't going to secure that many anyways. If the garands come at all!
 
Stevebot-7 said:
If you have not seen yet, Westrifle and Marstar are making plans on bringing in some of those Korean Garands. Though it will probably be summer 2014 before any would arrive, if the deal works out.
Click to expand...

Phat Eagle said:
Methinks this is why so many are on the EE lately... A lot of concern the prices will bottom out when the new stock arrives... I've been looking for one of my own for awhile, but I'm holding out...
Click to expand...

It will indeed be interesting IF any dealer is able to secure ANY of these 'surplus' M1 Garands. IF that does happen, it will be interesting to see what CONDITION these end up being in. And of course, what the GOING price(s) will be for THEM. As always, condition will dictate asking price(s). I would guess that some dealers have the ability to sit on inventory as long as it takes to get whatever they would want to get out of them. Also, there does not appear to be any shortage of potential 'interested' buyers.

In the interim there is what is available NOW. And what the going rate for a Garand in nice condition is NOW. There doesn't appear to be any difficulty in selling one in nice condition at the moment.

My .02 is based on being both a recent buyer and seller of nice condition M1 Garands at the current 'going rate'.

:canadaFlag:
----------
NAA.
 
Great condition M1 garand rifle's will maintain there price. The condition of the guns from norway and denmark was amazing to say the least. Most surplus guns
that one gets are not in VG/mint condition and stored that way. The US got a lot of the Korean guns, Blue Sky import, and the condition was all over the map.
Which is normal for surplus.
 
I'm wanting one now as well..I got the opportunity to shoot one for the first time this week actually, and man! what a smooth, comfortable gun to shoot!
It also surprised me on how little recoil it had for a 30-06..
 
NAA said:
It will indeed be interesting IF any dealer is able to secure ANY of these 'surplus' M1 Garands. IF that does happen, it will be interesting to see what CONDITION these end up being in. And of course, what the GOING price(s) will be for THEM. As always, condition will dictate asking price(s). I would guess that some dealers have the ability to sit on inventory as long as it takes to get whatever they would want to get out of them. Also, there does not appear to be any shortage of potential 'interested' buyers.
Click to expand...

I agree. As a relatively recent comparison, a bunch of Springfield Mark I 1903 rifles came onto our market from somewhere in Asia a few years ago. Finding one with a fair, shootable bore in an unbrutalized stock was pretty tough, yet they still fetch $700 on up because it's a desireable rifle. Heck, I had to re-barrel, re-stock and parkerize mine just to make it a decent shooter as it was key-holing bullets at less than 50 yds. So for those who are dreaming of $400 to $500 complete Garands, prepare to be disappointed; the parts alone are worth twice that!
 
When and if the Garands do come in, the sellers can either sell a lot of them at a reasonable price or sell them at a high cost to the few who can dish out the cash. What is the point of bringing a few thousand of them in if they end up sitting in the retailers warehouse for years and years. Would you rather sell 200 lawnmowers at an affordable price or 10 at a high cost? Just my 2 cents.
 
I love Garands and still have (3) of them, so I would love to see more come in from Korea! However right now the guns are only out for bid to anyone in the world who wants to buy a 160,000 of them (think that was the number Westrifle mentioned) Still a long shot unfortunately in my opinion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom