My very first Garand(s)

[Curtis]

Been thinking about Garands for a while but had not gotten serious until Saturday.  I picked up one for me and one for my son.  I bought them from a friend who needed the funds to steer his collection in a slightly different direction.  Don't worry he still has three left after my purchase.



One is serial # 167,xxx from 1940 and the other is 988,xxx from '42.  Barrels on both are dated '44.  They are both Springfields and all parts on them that I've inspected so far are also Springfield.  The rifling is pretty much on its last leg but no pitting in the bore.  Both are wallowed out at the muzzle from too many cleaning rods.  I don't really know how to check the throats, but assume they will have similar wear.

After I check them over and they pass a headspace check I'll see how they shoot before deciding where to go from here.  None of my guns are safe queens and I don't plan on starting now so if they won't shoot, I'll probably re-barrel.  I'm new to Garands so any advise is welcome.

Thanks,
Curtis

[Oldshooter]

Nice!!! I have always wanted a Garand,.................but not enough to pay the asking price for one!

Whatever shape they are in they are nice looking shooters. you are privleged!

[84Jim]

Curtis,

Very nice!  I hope they shoot as well as they look.

One suggestion that I might offer is to buy Scott Duff's book, the M1 Owners Guide (its the green cover).

http://www.scott-duff.com/

Its full of good stuff that you'll want to know about disassembly, cleaning, trouble shooting etc.

I hope they shoot fine and you don't need to rebarrel, but if you do the CMP sells Kreiger Criterion barrels for about $180.  You'll need to find a good gunsmith to install, but they are fine replacement barrels at a decent cost (IMO).

http://www.odcmp.com/

Jim

[Curtis]

Well...........I got another one (Garand) the day before Thanksgiving.  Another Springfield, but at a better price than the other two and the barrel is perfect.  5 million somthing serial number puts it in the early 50s I think.  This one is supposedly one of the hand picked CMP ones, although I bought it from an individual.  He also had some surplus ammo at an even better deal.  I got two 240 rd cans of CMP boxes and one 192 rd can already in enbloc clips and bandoleers.  So, 672 rds and a cherry Garand for .....................$700 total.  Ok, now you can pick yourselves up off the floor! <grin>

In unrelated news, I also got a Springfield 1911-A1 (olive parkerized loaded model), a Ruger 10/22 carbine (new in box) and a Ruger Mk III 22/45 from the same individual.  Christmas comes early this year for me I guess.

I heard a rumor today that there is a deal in the works for 160,000 Garands and not a few M1 Carbines from Korea.  We'll see.

Curtis

P.S.  Oh, forgot to mention .........I picked up Scott Duff's book, thanks Jim for the suggestion!

[Mikey]

Curtis:  Merry Christmas on ya.  You have treated yourself well. 

[Oldshooter]

OK CURTIS, Obama says we should share the wealth so..............start sharing Pard! 

[rich56]

The ODCMP has many Garands and getting more in soon. Its not hard to qualify. I think starting prices are $500 for a shooter. The money they make goes to a good cause, teaching markesmanship to young and new shooters.

[Tackleberry]

IF you hold a DD214 and have not purchased through CMP you are missing Out!!! Prices are way below Gun show prices and quality is there. If you are looking for a shooter go for the service grade, but even the Rack grade are fairly good guns too....I've bought M-1 Carbine, M-1 FGarand, and my 1903A1 Springfield through Civilian Marksmanship pROGRAM  (cmp) http://www.odcmp.com/