M1 Garand Question

Paulinski

Paulinski

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Hi all

I'm interested in purchasing an M1 garand rifle. I'd like to research a little more about the rifle before commiting myself to one. What models are out the, what to look for and what to avoid? What price range I should be expected to pay for a good gun. Any major porblems with them? How accurate are those rifles? What is the availiability of ammunition and how much does it cost. Also what is the price of scope mount?

I know its a lot of questions......:)

Paul
 
M-1's don't take to having scopes mounted. The two sniper variants(the M1C and M1D) both had the scope mounted on the left side of the receiver and were specially made to take a scope so the rifle could be loaded. If you drill and tap a regular rifle, you will drop it's value by half.
Other than the sniper variants, there are no other "models". However, there were some different features on very early examples. Most of these you will not find.
After that, you look for any obvious refinishing other than re-parkerizing, the condition of the bore, pits caused by rusting, worn internal parts and the general condition of the stock. If the internal parts have matching numbers, they have been faked as M-1 parts were not S/N matched. The numbers on the parts are drawing and part numbers.
Prices vary according to condition, but expect to pay $500 and up.
Find a copy of Hatcher's Notebook and Hatcher's Book of the Garand. Amazon if your local gun shop does have them. The latter tells you about the development of the rifle and has a whole trouble shooting chapter.
 
there is another M1c

sunray said:
M-1's don't take to having scopes mounted. The two sniper variants(the M1C and M1D) both had the scope mounted on the left side of the receiver and were specially made to take a scope so the rifle could be loaded. If you drill and tap a regular rifle, you will drop it's value by half.
Other than the sniper variants, there are no other "models". However, there were some different features on very early examples. Most of these you will not find.
After that, you look for any obvious refinishing other than re-parkerizing, the condition of the bore, pits caused by rusting, worn internal parts and the general condition of the stock. If the internal parts have matching numbers, they have been faked as M-1 parts were not S/N matched. The numbers on the parts are drawing and part numbers.
Prices vary according to condition, but expect to pay $500 and up.
Find a copy of Hatcher's Notebook and Hatcher's Book of the Garand. Amazon if your local gun shop does have them. The latter tells you about the development of the rifle and has a whole trouble shooting chapter.
Click to expand...

The other M1c has the old "crankshaft" scope mounted inline with the bore for the rear eyepiece, then the rest is on the left-side... thats the only sniper Garand besides the M1D with the long eye relief scope mounted in front of the mag well inline with bore that I can comfortably shoot... I'm a "southpaw" or lefty. Shot left-handed in service.
 
"...Shot left-handed in service..." So did I.(listened to some Militia plug telling his buddy about how it was impossible to shoot a C1A1 left. I asked him how I managed to shoot expert with one left handed.) Didn't buy an M1C/D when they were selling here for under $300 because the scope is on the wrong side. Putting a scope out on the barrel buggers the balance.
 
A Sringfield Armory Garand would be best. Very precise and reliable rifles, only watch your thumb whenever fiddling around an open bolt, potentially very hazardous! The ammo is 30-06 (obviously) and surplus military ammo goes for around 60 cents a piece, civilian ammo goes for 1.00$ a piece. however 30-06 is getting rarer in Canada so I suggest you try reloading.

cheerio
 
Garand answers

<I'm interested in purchasing an M1 garand rifle.>

Smart decision because they go up in value quite well, and have a funny 8-shot clip that the feds haven't figured a way of making Restricted.

<What models are out there ...>

Winchester - overpriced and overhyped
Springfield - plentiful. You can't go wrong. Their inspectors fixed Winchester's screwed up production line.
International Harvester - collectible, hard to find for a shooter
Harrington and Richardson - ditto
Beretta - common in Canada, scarce and unappreciated in US. One of the best made Garands ever
Breda - ditto, but slightly less name brand attraction

< ... what to look for >

How much money do you have, and how much do you know about guns? There is an inverse relationship when buying only on reputation.

< ... and what to avoid? >

Mixed parts guns are perfectly acceptible, because of rigourous engineering standardization. Matched parts to the receiver maker merge on becoming collector's guns. Replacement parts are sold by Marstar and many others.

The US Civilian Marksmanship Program has a website with information and a downloadable manual.

< What price range I should be expected to pay for a good gun?>

When the Danish government cleared its war reserves in the late '90's, those guns were selling for C$150 because there were so many. Now they resell for C$450 - $600.

< Any major problems with them? >

Mostly operator problems. The US government shot enough trials to find all the usual problems, but there are some fundamental design weaknesses that no amount of tinkering will overcome.

< How accurate are those rifles? > Very good to frigging pathetic.

< What is the availiability of ammunition and how much does it cost? >

There is zero military surplus 30-06 available in the stores. Sold off long ago. Reloads and commercial are the only sources for a newcomer.

< Also what is the price of scope mount? >

BSquare sells one that replaces the back sight. But the clip only goes in the top, so the scope must be offset to the left. The ergonomics are tough enough for a good shooter, never mind a newcomer. The M1C is a pretty mount but very collectible. The M1D is easy to fake/replicate with repro parts, but why bother with a compromise design. From time to time we see Danish conversions of Berettas with a welded night sight bracket on the left side. Big and rugged, but nonstandard fittings for optics.

My bottom line advice: buy a Garand if you absolutely have to have one, but snap up a Chinese M305/M14 semi as soon as the new shipments arrive. Cheaper to buy, easier to shoot, and designed as an improvement over the Garand. Plus there are lots of guys learning how to fix and improve them on this board.
 
Don't overlook post war Berreta and Breda M1's . They are considered by a lot of shooters to be better made then the wartime built due to better fit and machining .
Lots of info on the internet using various searches .
 
M1 Rifle

I have always liked the M1's and I have a few of them. One is in 308 and I like that one to shoot because of the cal. Buying an M305 is a wise decision at the moment. Buy them now because of the price.
Albayo
 
Didn't the Italians have a model that had detachable mags?
It looked like a M-14 but the stock and gas tube ran the full length of the barrel.
edit: I found it, BM-59 Garand converted to mags
 
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BM59 and BM62 - Prohibited and CA (bummer)

I've lusted for one of those babies for ages, but the shallow thinkers who concocted the lists of good, bad and shameful guns included the BM59 and BM62 in the not-to-be-entrusted-to-the-public list.

Some guy on this board MADE an M14 mag conversion to a Garand about two or three years ago. Very impressive steel work, but one of a kind.
 
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