Shortage of Garands
- Thread starter texasjack
- Start date
With milsurps, there is a shortage of everything. 
As for Garands, true, a few people are looking, but I'd say there is more a shortage of people willing to pay what they are worth, rather than a shortage of guns.
Put up an ad "WTB - Garand. Will pay up to $1000 for a good example". I'm willing to bet you'd have a few prospects in a very short while.
As for Garands, true, a few people are looking, but I'd say there is more a shortage of people willing to pay what they are worth, rather than a shortage of guns.
Put up an ad "WTB - Garand. Will pay up to $1000 for a good example". I'm willing to bet you'd have a few prospects in a very short while.
I havnt seen too many for sale. More for trade than for sale. There are only 2 relatively current ads for sale and they are $850 and higher. Id be more comfortable paying those prices if there was full disclosure to a reasonable
degree. If the owner knows theres some rust or a mismatched stock etc.
People in general tend to boast attributes only rather than including flaws.
degree. If the owner knows theres some rust or a mismatched stock etc.
People in general tend to boast attributes only rather than including flaws.
You can safely assume that any WWII era M1 is not going to be original to it's as issued condition, might find an original 50's production if you look around hard enough. They WWII productions were used by the US through 2 wars and rebuilt several times.Parasight said:
Personally for shooters, I'm quite happy with the Itallian versions. Built with the latest revision drawings at the time and are generally in alot better condition and better finish then the US pieces.
Andy said:P.S.
I posted without seeing Claven's and it seems we "are in violent agreement" that it's cheap buyers, not a shortage of guns that's to blame. "Great minds think alike and fools seldom differ".
I do agree it has to do with "cheap buyers" most of the time, but there have been many posts in the past of Mixmatched, beaten up models for upwards of $800! Some people like to believe they have gold.
There's plenty of Garands available for sale. The problem is GIMI (Gunnutz Induced Milsurp Inflation), pronounced like "gimme", as in "gimme lots of money."
I believe CGN has led to pronounced inflation in milsurp rifle prices in the last few years. Look at the prices of matching No.4s and Garands, for example. Up by 50-100% in the last three years.
GIMI results from two major causes:
- Increased exposure/demand: CGN in general and the Milsurp Forum in particular expose the joys of shooting and collecting milsurp rifles to many who would not otherwise have become interested in them.
-Supply to potential buyer ratio: When 2 or 3 Garands might be listed in a week for potential buyers who number in the thousands, there's a good chance the seller will get his asking price. Once a few sell for the inflated price, that becomes the new market standard. Also, a new buyer is unlikely to resell his rifle for less than he paid for it. I can't imagine a gunshop anywhere in the country that has more walk through traffic than the EE.
EDIT: GIMI proof, $900 obo Breda Garand in the EE.
I believe CGN has led to pronounced inflation in milsurp rifle prices in the last few years. Look at the prices of matching No.4s and Garands, for example. Up by 50-100% in the last three years.
GIMI results from two major causes:
- Increased exposure/demand: CGN in general and the Milsurp Forum in particular expose the joys of shooting and collecting milsurp rifles to many who would not otherwise have become interested in them.
-Supply to potential buyer ratio: When 2 or 3 Garands might be listed in a week for potential buyers who number in the thousands, there's a good chance the seller will get his asking price. Once a few sell for the inflated price, that becomes the new market standard. Also, a new buyer is unlikely to resell his rifle for less than he paid for it. I can't imagine a gunshop anywhere in the country that has more walk through traffic than the EE.
EDIT: GIMI proof, $900 obo Breda Garand in the EE.
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Swiend said:
I wouldn't think so , I have been looking at parts at shows and on ebay , not cheap . I see a 50's Breda has been posted now for $900 . I guess I should not have sold mine some years ago either .
I think movies like Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers really exposed the Garand and caught the interest of a lot of collectors thus a shortage due to demand and guys who are smart enough to hang on to them . I'm not sure prices in the $900 range are fair market value , I think $6-700 for the average common mixed parts model would be about right but I may be wrong .
9mm-Suppository said:
I sold a matching unissued breda with issue sling and bayo, just out of the cosmo (to Badgerdog - go figure!) just a few months ago. Well sorta. Actually I traded it for an unissued M1908 Brazillian Mauser.
I figure it was really worth about $800-900 in the EE.
That beat up one is definitely priced optimistically.
Sgt Striker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Great White North, Eh!
I use to laugh at the poor Yanks when comparing prices for Garands, now it's the other way around. They can still get nice rifles for around $350 and we are paying over $600+ for the same condition rifles. I guess I'll keep the 12 or so I have for a while..... hee hee Or maybe I should strike while the iron is hot, so to speak...
Or maybe I should strike while the iron is hot, so to speak..."...still get nice rifles for around $350..." Not at most gun shows, shops or even from their CMP. The CMP wants $3950US plus shipping for their 'Rack Grade' that's well beaten up, but safe to shoot. Worn parts, TE of 5 +, MW of 3 + and poor stocks. Their 'Service Grade' runs $550 plus shipping. These are in better condition mechanically, but still with rough stocks and worn parts. TE and MW is better. Then there are all the hoops that must be jumped through just to be allowed to buy from the CMP. Still the best bang for their buck though. They at least know the rifle is safe to shoot.
Gun shop and gun show M-1's, in mediocre condition, are running $700 plus with no guarantee the rifle is safe to shoot.
I do laugh when I tell them about the $175Cdn mine cost me, 30 years ago. I'm sure some of 'em burst into tears when I tell 'em about the 1903A4 I bought 25 years ago for $175Cdn too.
Garands are pricey here because some sellers think an M-1 is worth the same here as it is Stateside. I've seen lots of outright junkers for sale at gun shows here for $800 plus.
Gun shop and gun show M-1's, in mediocre condition, are running $700 plus with no guarantee the rifle is safe to shoot.
I do laugh when I tell them about the $175Cdn mine cost me, 30 years ago. I'm sure some of 'em burst into tears when I tell 'em about the 1903A4 I bought 25 years ago for $175Cdn too.
Garands are pricey here because some sellers think an M-1 is worth the same here as it is Stateside. I've seen lots of outright junkers for sale at gun shows here for $800 plus.
