Which garand to buy

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jayz

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I want to get a garand but don't know which maker to get. I would like to shoot it and not be a display model. I know that Winchester,Springfield,and Berda made them. What should I look for?
 
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ANY GARAND will make a god shooter! Winchester and Springfield Armory made the WWII versions. Springfield Armory, International Harvester along with Harrington & Richards made the post war versions. Don't forget Breda and Beretta, they made the Itialian M1's on WRA equipment post war. Anything Springfield will be the easiest to find the "correct" parts for if that's your interest. If it's strictly a shooter that you're after don't worry about the manufacturer (except Springfield Inc.) and go for a good barrel with a muzzle as close to 1 or zero as possable. With good milsurp ammo, stay away from KA headstamp Korean, and you should be able to achieve 2"-3" groups.
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I wouldn't be disappointed with a VAR barrel if it had a good muzzle, made by the Danes, they're know as very good and accurate.

HTH,

riflr guy
 
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rifle guy said:
ANY GARAND will make a god shooter!
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Would that require a silver bullet?

rifle guy said:
Winchester and Springfield Armory made the WWII versions. Springfield Armory, International Harvester along with Harrington & Richards made the post war versions. Don't forget Breda and Beretta, they made the Italian M1's on WRA equipment post war.
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In my opinion, the Winchester rifles are grossly overrated. The company had a reputation for civilian guns that did not cross over to mass produced military guns. In fact, Springfield was continually sending inspectors and skilled managers to bail out Winchester when they fell behind on their contracts. Winchester Garands I have seen do not look as well made as any of the other makers (rough tool marks in particular).

rifle guy said:
Anything Springfield will be the easiest to find the "correct" parts for if that's your interest. If it's strictly a shooter that you're after don't worry about the manufacturer (except Springfield Inc.)
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Springfield Inc is the commercial maker of the civilian M1A copy of the US M14. Canadians have the lucky choice of Chinese M306 rifles at a fraction the cost of the US imports. And, their copy of the Garand has had almost universal bad press in the US.

The Italian rifles are very good guns, despite any lingering doubts or misplace patriotism. They were competing to sell new guns to armies that had huge choices of recently surplused guns. The fit and finish of the Italian production is very high, mostly due to the absence of wartime delivery schedules.
 
maple leaf,

Sorry, never made any claims to be "good" a typest!

There has never been much question about the functon of a WRA M1. Their big problem always seemed to be in meeting production quotas and yes SA did seem to continually help out WRA during the WWII production. With their WWII out put as low as it was compared to SA there are just plan and simple fewer rifles still available. This along with the rougher milling thru out their rifle in my opinion and that of others who collect the M1 add to their look and desireability.

As far as SA Inc. their modern M1's do have a suspect reputation! Why? Because of their continued use of many worn, out of spec, parts that although USGI just simplely won't function as desinged. This along with cast receivers left many, including a family member, saddled with repeated shipping back to SA Inc. in order to finally make the rifle function properly. Many have worked fine BUT as many seemed to have not.

In reguard to Breda or Beretta's keeping in mind they were built on WRA equipment and after the war with more time to make a better rifle they too are sought after. If I come across an Itialian M1 here in the states I will likely add it to my meager collection.

rifle guy
 
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