Buy a Garand or build one?

I'm slowly starting down the building one route.... I picked up two receivers super cheap last year and ordered a barrel from tradex the other day. I'm not giving myself a timeline for it, so it might be 20 years piecing it together. I'm sure it'll cost more in the long run, but I'll be gaining a better understanding and appreciation of the rifle in the process.
 
You might pay more buying parts than a whole one, but if you pay interest on the purchase of a complete one that might tip it the other way. And making a safe, serviceable rifle out of parts isn't just assembling Lego, if you don't have the knowledge and tools to do it properly, paying for that adds to the cost.

The answer is it can't be predicted exactly.
 
It depends on your level of patience. If you have patience build one as you find the parts. If you don’t and can pay for one outright go ahead. It is not as much of an adventure but it is quicker.
 
I built one, not cheap, but there's a certain satisfaction to knowing I put this thing together myself. Still have another receiver sitting on the bench. :)

Grizz
 
Going the building route as well. I wanted a full length 308 garand.

If you take your time, and wait for the parts to come up on sale, *maybe* it will be cheaper in the long run, *maybe* :)

I got a new criterion barrel, which jacks up the price.. I was told it was worth it though.

Extra bonus of building an M1, the experience will allow you to understand it better, and maybe start an M14 build on the side :)
 
The receiver is the cheap part. Everything else is gold.;) There's a lot more to assembling a properly functioning Garand than just putting the parts together. I'd recommend the comprehensive Kuhnhausen Shop Manual on the Garand and M14 to any aspiring Garand builder.
 
I picked up a small arsenal of receivers way back. Been looking through the states for small pieces. Grabbing 20x small screws and springs isn't hard when you check regularly. Downside is that things are popping up few and far between
 
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