Ellwood Epp's: M1 Garand

Boomer686

Boomer686

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Just recieved my M1 from Ellwood Epps. It was in mediocre shape. Not anywhere in the vg condition that was listed on the website :confused:... but no real biggie... I guess as that's what happens when you buy sight un-seen and rely on someone else's judgement. I was disappointed in a way as I have dealt with Epp's before and they were great.This experience has taken them down a notch or two with me.

Anyway...... I test fired it yesterday & everything is a-ok with regards to function. The barrel (internally) is good: decent rifling, good bore and it shot well too. I'm really hoping to turn this around and make a bad situation better. I've always wanted an M1 and now that I got this one I guess it'll have to make do. I am confident it can be revived. Like I said it functions great and shoots well but cosmetically.... I'd give it a 2 out of 10. I will remain positive though and make this a learning experience. I 'll use this opportunity to learn a lot more about the M1 and get to know this one intimately as I rebuild it.

Do I regret buying it? Not really.... like I said it was something I 've wanted for a while and am happy to add it to my collection. Did I pay too much? Absolutely! I figure about $250 too much when I look at the ones in the EE for the same $$$! I think this one is no where near the condition of what was advertised...


So here goes.....
What should I use on the metal.... again as it is worse than described. The only blueing left is on the reciever. The entire barrel, gas tube and action has NO blue left on it what so ever so before this turns into an anchor...... I need to fix it up.

I need to replace the stock too. I was warned that the wood was rough but.... mine is REALLY rough. My forestock is split :mad:. Is the Boydd's stock decent for the M1? I have used there 10/22 stock and it was great. How well do they fit in it?

Regards,
 
Boomer
I always find that Epps is pretty truthful.Nobody should buy a rifle, SIGHT UNSEEN. On Epps website it tells you that they will send you pics of any rifle in stock. Ive bought a few and they always send pics and will hold the rifle for a couple of days while you make up your mind. I rate them pretty good. Bob
 
Avoid the boyds wood imho. It's big in all the wrong places. Decent wood is available for probably less money than the boyds stuff all over e-pay.

The gun shouldn't be blued at all - they were parkerized.
 
The grading system is the only thing I can say is odd at epps. Great store, great service. But the way some guns get graded is wierd. Example two turk mausers side by side, one beat to hell somewhat rough bore, the other arsenal replacement stock, mint bore, good blue, both listed as good condition, both priced at $120! Needless to say I handed the mint one to a buddy of mine & said " Here, buy this". I would rate the garands as vg because they are in great mechanical shape, but no finish to speak of. Oh well parkerising is cheap.
 
If you’re not happy do something about it. A reputable dealer should give a refund or at least full credit on another purchase. Before you change or repair it call the seller to see what can be done.
 
desporterizer said:
The grading system is the only thing I can say is odd at epps. Great store, great service. But the way some guns get graded is wierd. Example two turk mausers side by side, one beat to hell somewhat rough bore, the other arsenal replacement stock, mint bore, good blue, both listed as good condition, both priced at $120!
Click to expand...

I've noticed that too. Some guns that are VG- and other's that are VG+ both get rated VG. Once I seen a SAKO L61R FINNBEAR DELUXE BOLT .375 VERY GOOD $849, and a SAKO L61R FINNBEAR DELUXE BOLT .375 VERY GOOD $979. When I asked why they said the $979 one was nicer. And some of the guns they sell they don't mention the missing parts or that the gun was altered or bubba'd somewhat.
 
Deciding the condition of any rifle is a judgement call. It takes a great deal of experience with a particular firearm to say what is good and what is very good. The finish should be part of the evaluation, but isn't always. Especially with milsurps. They're usually sold 'as is' too. Mind you, what you said to them when you ordered it might have had something to do with it. If you said send me an M1, they did. And the descriptions on Epp's site say 'good' for all of the M1's with any defects listed.
It's getting very difficult for any retailer to find any M1's in decent condition. The ones that do appear are usually kind of rough.
Gun shows are far worse though. I've seen junkers with a $775 price tag.
 
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if the metal isn't pitted, getting it reparked is cheap...I have a boyds stock that I bought used, a little beefier then the issue unit, but well made and fitted, makes a good shooter....
 
Throughout all of this did you ever call Epps about it? Did you give them the opportunity to make good?

You say :"I was very clear in what I wanted: good wood & good metal"

NRA "good" rating for modern firearms:

GOOD: In safe working condition, minor wear on working surfaces, no broken parts, no corrosion or pitting that will interfere with proper functioning.

I'm sure they would help you out if you believe the rifle was somehow misrepresented to you.

http://www.armchairgunshow.com/Condition-NRA-Guns.htm#modern
 
Boyds stock can be made to look pretty good. Overszed for sure, but not terribly.
beretta01.jpg

beretta02.jpg
 
Boomer686, you stated "good wood and metal". Most description criteria that I have read state, GOOD: Guaranteed to be complete and in safe to fire condition with no broken or missing parts, but may have minor wear on working surfaces or minor corrosion or pitting or tiny stock cracks or dents, scrapes and blemishes.
If your rifle falls into this category, you got what you asked for.
I suspect you may not be familiar with firearm condition descriptions and made an error because of it. Explain it to whomever you bought the rifle from and if it's a real problem with you, return it, after all is said and done, they won't have any trouble selling it. bearhunter
 
bearhunter said:
Boomer686, you stated "good wood and metal". Most description criteria that I have read state, GOOD: Guaranteed to be complete and in safe to fire condition with no broken or missing parts, but may have minor wear on working surfaces or minor corrosion or pitting or tiny stock cracks or dents, scrapes and blemishes.......

......I suspect you may not be familiar with firearm condition descriptions and made an error because of it.......
Click to expand...

I made it clear that for the price I wanted the rifle to have good wood & good metal and wasn't interested in anythiong less. I was told that they would consider my request and if there was a problem I would be notified. My rifle: split handgaurds, NO PARK LEFT anywhere (not even the swivels or trigger gaurd/ safety) except at tang where the serial # is. Butt plate is worn so thin on bottom half from hinge to bottom screw that I can push a pen thru it . This definately DOES NOT fit into the NRA "GOOD" description. Thanks for for the vote of confidence :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Anyway... I did not start this thread to flame Epp's.... maybe you should re-read my first post. I stated they were great to deal with but this transaction was disappointing and yet I have no intention of parting with it nor do I regret the purchase. I look forward to rebuilding & shooting as well as learning more history about the M1. Yes Epp's was contacted and they're "looking for some replacement handgaurds". I guess others who have already stated similar exceptions including comparing two rifles side by side in very different condition yet rated the same aren't "familiar with firearm condition" either.

Lastly, I asked about replacement wood options & metal finishing which was the point of this thread. You didn't offer anything that may help my situation.... you just wanted to boost your post count while trying to label me as a boob ( which is all I got from your thread...... )

Regards,
 
Boomer if you have access to a sandblaster you can repark yourself.

I got one of those small bench top units from Pricess Auto, $100. Get some aluminum oxide blast media ($45 for a bag), not glass bead, AO cost more but it lasts longer and cuts better. Take everything down, every piece and blast it.

Go to Home Depot, in the drywall section they have these stainless things called "mud bud" they use to put compound in, get the ones that have welded seams. One should do everything but the barrel. I have two welded together for the barrel. Stick this on the stove with water and park solution, bring almost to the boil. The park solution is available from a guy in Ontario (someone might have his link, I don't have it handy). Easy as adding it to the almost boiling water and letting the parts soak for 15 minutes or so. It's almost like magic watching the parts change colour. Take them out and coat them is oil to stop the reaction then whipe them down. Sand and finish the stock, reasemble and you'll have a keeper. It's a bit of work no doubt, nothing hard if you're used to working with your hands, just time consuming. But in the end it'll be rewarding. It's amazing to see something old and beat up look almost new again especially if you do the work yourself.

It sucks getting a raw deal, but as long as the gun is in working order a little TLC will make it a keeper.
 
NRA "Good" mentions nothing about finish - there just cannot be serious rusting.
Generally speaking, a rifle in NRA "Good" condition isn't really all that special, particularly if the rifle is a common one. NRA "Very Good" will be a much nicer rifle. NRA "Fair" will leave a lot to be desired, and perhaps should be avoided unless the rifle is one that is hard to find in any condition.
Are the handguards repairable? Epoxy can do wonders. The buttplate is certainly replacable.
Most US rifles were reparked once or more times during their period of service, so redoing yours will not likely do any harm. Better to not park the bore.
 
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