Wouldn't that be Garand?

[MLB]

I have this crazy idea in my head that I need to pick up an M1 Garand. I don't have a tremendous amount of knowledge on the rifle, but I do enjoy learning about them.

Has anyone heard about the status of the S. Korean import issue? From what I've been reading, this snafu has been ongoing for over a year already.

A "Service grade" from CMP can by had for $600, A "Special", which I understand to be original metal and new stocks is more like $900. Thinking about one of these two for a shooter.

The SK imports (if they ever make it here) will likely have importer marks on them, perhaps making the CMP's more desirable. I'm not sure either way.

Any thoughts from my favorite guy guys?

[TMan]

I have two of them. One of them has a tung oil finish and I remember paying $850 for it, but it was a charity buy. Not sure if I'm clear on that - in other words the guy needed the cash badly and I would have paid whatever he asked for it.

As you know they have an 8 round clip. Our club only allows 5 rounds, and I was able to purchase 5 round clips, but I have no idea what I did with them. Therefore, I haven't shot it.

The other one is that one that Springfield came out with that is a hugh wooden display box. I don't plan on ever shooting it. I think they called it the Iwo Jima edition. When I bought it I thought it would look good over the fireplace. My wife was out of the country, and I just wasn't thinking.

Up until two weeks ago there were 3 Lladro figurines and 2 Waterford vases on the mantle. Then I bought a wooden sailing ship from a guy in the mall for $85. I couldn't believe the price, but he imports directly from Vietnam, where it was made. We had company coming, and while cleaning up, I put it on the mantle just to see what her reaction would be. She said: "that really looks good up there". Fortunately, the bathroom was close by.

Springfield also makes some newer versions of the M1, like the M1 Socom 16, which I have. It has a detachable magazine. Since it is a shooter, I don't know if I'll ever get around to shooting the Garand unless I happen to come across the clips again.

The Garand is a piece of history, which explains its appeal to me, much like the Nagant Revolver. My Nagant was made in 1937, and although I'm sure you are impressed that I could remember that, it isn't true because it is sitting right here in front of me. I'm taking it to the range today.

[MLB]

My wife likes those Lladro figurines too. I don't understand it, but she doesn't understand why I'd want to carry a 10lb rifle into the woods when I have a 6lb Win 94 either. Neither of us complain.

Funny you mention the wooden sailing ships. On my recent trip to the Gaspe Peninsula I picked up a beautiful 4 mast ship made entirely out of wood and string by an old Frenchman selling them roadside. He spoke only French, and I only understand a few French words (all pertaining to food by the way). Luckily for me, my two girls have been learning French in school since first grade, and did a great service to both me and the Frenchman interpreting. He was exstatic that I bought 2 boats without haggling on the price, and I couldn't believe that he can sell them for $35 Canadian. The tourist shops at Perce and most other towns were selling them for about $150, and they're made in China! I'll post a picture when I get home.

I looked at the newer Springfields, but decided that I want at least original steel in the thing. The new ones are about as much as the old ones anyway.

[5ontarget]

It all depends on what your main intention is with the gun.
I own a CMP correct grade that I shoot every once in a great while. I have a field grade with matching wood (with some arsenal repairs), and a servicable barrel that I take out shooting much more regularly. I had the advantage of being about a 3hr drive to Camp Perry and the North Store, and personally inspected several racks of them. Since they weren't busy, I asked if they had others to look at, and they went and hand picked a few from the warehouse for me to choose from. Since I was up there, I bought a bunch of ammo (I had to make the trip worthwhile. And look at all the money I saved in shipping) I also have an old woodless Danish return that I need to put into a new stock.

If you are looking for a fun shooter, I'd look at a service grade from the CMP. Who knows when the others may/may not get cleared for import. MOST of the FEW import marked Garands I've seen were pretty worn. If the wood isn't to your liking, you can buy a new CMP set (like the one you'd get on the special) for about $120. The difference is the special has a new barrel. Spingfield Armory will rebarrel and repark for a couple hundred as well, if you decide you need a new barrel. But the barrel the use disqualifies you from the Garand competitions. There are new barrels that are J.C. Garand sanctioned out there too. Again, in my limited experience, they service grade barrels have plenty of life left in them, but sometimes the gas system needs to be tweaked or the stock modified a little. Oh, yeah, you will have cosmoline to remove from the metal and wood too.

Some people are really really nuts about M1's and really look for certain parts on certain guns, try to make them all period correct - matching the manufacturer and year of the receiver to all other parts. And then there's all the competitions as well, and only certain modifications are allowed, etc, etc. I just like the history of mine (wood dents/dings, metal wear and all), and to go out and shoot it and hear the en bloc ping!

Make sure you shoot only ammo made for the M1. Modern heavy 30-06 hunting ammo has too much pressure for the M1 - unless you modify the gas system/screw.
www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1538/Product/M1_GARAND_ADJUSTABLE_GAS_SYSTEM
www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=855569&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Gunsmithing%20-%20Gun%20Parts%20-%20Rifle%20-%20(Aftermarket)-_-PriceCompListing-_-855569

just jumped over to the webpage, prices are up a bit from when I bought my last one 3-4yrs ago.

[MLB]

5OT, thanks for your thoughts. I have a lot to learn. I wouldn't have thought that modern 30-06 cartridges would harm it. Good to know.

TMan, finally got around to taking that picture:



Not bad for $35!

[TMan]

Very nice ship, but for $50 more you get one with GUNS!!! ;D

[Callahan]

MLB mutters, "Oh, frigate."

[MLB]

I'll have to out run him. He's certainly got me outgunned!

[Callahan]

True. That's got me thinking of re-reading the Hornblower series of books.