Need honest Elder input

[NorthernBorn]

After putting hands on a rough M1 Garand at a local gun shop I got a wild idea and want some input before I go ahead.

I'm thinking about selling my Beretta PX4 Subcompact 9mm (only small pistol in the house) and my Wife's perfect condition Mossberg 800B .243 Win (Not an expensive rifle but beautiful and hard to find) to fund the purchase of a Service Grade M1 Garand from the CMP.

What do you guys think?

 

[plastikosmd]

Re: Need honest Elder input

I am not old or very wise but I do have a couple of rules that I live by when it comes to horse trading.


I never give up an item that I like to get an item I MAY like

I never give up a rare item that I like to get something less rare.


I have found in the past that giving up something I like may result in something less than desireable and now I have to try and get something back I once had. In addition, I have given up the somewhat rare item that is liked and realize that I now have to spend more to get a rare item back. If I just had waited until finances improved or some other deal came along I would have both items.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: Need honest Elder input

You can't go wrong with a Garand. But I would hold out and get a higher grade or watch for a top notch Garand on Gunbroker or similar. They are out there if you are not in a rush.

The service grade guns are good starters for restoration. But if you go for one of the better ones, you will have a shooter out of the box, so to speak.

Keep the guns ya got. Save up for the Garand if you have to. Long term, it'll do better than a 401K anyway.

Just my $0.02.

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[303_enfield]

Re: Need honest Elder input

CMP= 12 M1's a year. It's better the my 401K. Rack grades shoot fine. Get two, sell one= profit. Also, you can't beat the CMP ammo deals.

Take the drive to the South Store and pick your own.

http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/stores.htm

It's worth the drive!

 

[Luke]

Re: Need honest Elder input

Just my $0.02 but if you want a gun that you'll actually go shoot a lot, an M1A might be a better choice and still have the nostalgic feel that comes with an M1 Garand.

 

[McCrazy]

Re: Need honest Elder input

I agree with saving to get a better grade Garand. I doubt the PX4 or Mossberg will be truly collectible. Garands are.

Plus every man, especially a soldier as I presume you are should have ” the greatest battle implement ever devised” - General George Patton.

 

[Radar360]

Re: Need honest Elder input

That's a good question that only truly can be answered by the individual (OP) who has to live with the decision. Honest answer is, it depends. I will share what might be my considerations before deciding.

If I enjoy what I have currently and they still have usefulness for me beyond having an M1, then I would then keep what I currently have and save for an M1.

If it's the particular M1 based on the particulars' M1 history, condition, price, sellers reputation, etc. - that might play a factor in my decision and I might sell off the 9mm & .243 to obtain them if that's where my liquidity is. Or sell something else provided I wanted the M1 more that whatever I plan to sell to obtain the M1.

So, it just depends.

 

[N2DADARK]

Re: Need honest Elder input

700 bucks for a service grade and you wont be unhappy with is, save the money and order one, don't give up home security and wife's rifle for something you just might have enough money for..... remember you have to feed the darn thing as well and Top Roman gets boring after awhile... lol.... but when you do get one you'll love it.

This

To This

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need honest Elder input

I think an M1 Garand is worth having and that they need to get out and get shot on a regular basis. They are not content to sit in racks.

I own one. Not sure, but maybe that's so others can own one too. They are heirlooms, and not commodities IMHO.

They're not making a whole lot of Garands these days. If the others are missed they can be replaced.

I would not presume to tell anyone whether to sell a gun or not.

 

[JvanL]

Re: Need honest Elder input

A Garand is worth having, but not at the price of two nice pieces. Save your pennies and get a nice M1 from CMP before they are gone.

 

[Kasumi]

Re: Need honest Elder input

Everyone’s taste and opinion will differ; for me a PX4 or a M1 Garand, I’d take the M1 ten out of ten times. The CMP offers Rack Grade at $495, Field Grade $525 and Service Grade $625, nothing wrong with Service Grade at all, when they say Throat & Muzzle wear will be less than a 3, you usually see it more in the range of a 2 or less. I’ve purchased a few Rack & Field Grades, all were good shooters.
The CMP also has Special & Correct Grade at around a $1000 -1100
To get CMP qualified to buy there’s not too much paperwork involved, take a trip to the South Store and hand select yours or have them send you one through a on-line purchase.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[samnev]

Re: Need honest Elder input

I agree with those who said save up until you can afford the M1 grade you want.I would get something above the rack grade if it was me.

 

[Former0302]

Re: Need honest Elder input

My Garand isn't the prettiest, most expensive or most accurate rifle I own...but dang if ain't my favorite.

Just something about the weight, balance, look of a Garand.

Service Grade CMP rifles are exceptional deals. The condition is well above the description given on the website and they shoot.

You can also put a note in with your order, asking for a shooter or a specific characteristic (like lock bar rear sites) or serial number range. No guarantees, but they do try to fulfill those requests.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Need honest Elder input

garands are like tattoos, you will not stop with just one

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: Need honest Elder input

The most I would be willing to spend puts me into the service grade rifles. The PX4 easy to replace and the. 243 will never be used. I've got a couple guys interested in buying it for their son's/grandson's first deer rifle so I would much rather let them have it than keep it in the safe forever.

This rifle will be an heirloom in my family once purchased and I think I'm gonna go for it before I end up waiting too long and they're gone. I thank you guys for your excellent advice (like usual).

I have heard a lot of talk about not being able to use modern hunting ammo in these rifles due to the higher pressures. Any truth to this in the service grade rifles?

 

[N2DADARK]

Re: Need honest Elder input

If you read into it the M1 Ball round and M2 ball rounds range from the 150 -174gr, of bullet weight. Velocities stay well below 2900 but some come close. The M1 can shoot modern hunting rounds however the heavy bullet and strong powder charge will take its tool according to various reloading guides. People want powerful hunting loads but grands gas system, recoil spring, bolt, op rod, ect werent ment to hold up to hot rounds. Some searching around on cheaper than dirt and other places you can find some good deals of M1/M2 100rds for 100 bucks isnt bad, even CMP sells them by the case load. Or go the way I did and reload them. Anything 150gr and you should be fine, however lead bullets will leave deposits in you barrel and can clog up your gas port so be careful with these, I shy away from shooting Core Lock bullets as well but thats my 2 cents.

 

[Big_Rig_416]

Re: Need honest Elder input

I picked up a rack grade garand from the North store just about 1 year ago. Needless to say, i love it, and it will be passed on to my kids someday. It shoots great, and im glad i got it. Its a piece of history that cant be replaced. My advice, save up, ( 630 isnt that much ) and then go get it.

On another note, The guys at the cmp are great, my stupid ass even lost the ejector spring and i happened to be in the area, so i stopped in. They replaced it free, no questions asked.

 

[c4xplsv]

Re: Need honest Elder input

I got a special grade and put it in a dgr stock. I got a 1943 receiver - awesome piece of history. I'd get one from cmp if I were you. The service grades won't be around forever.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need honest Elder input

The M1 seems to be happiest with surplus 150gr ammo, and stuff like Fed American Eagle 150gr, or Winchester white box 150gr, which are configured to essentially replicate the standard USGI M2 Ball ammo. My handload for that type of cartridge is Rem brass, Win WLR primer, 50.0gr of IMR-4064, and the Hornady 150gr FMJBT. Shoots just like a Garand should.

The Garand is a ruggd battle rifle; but it does have a weakness, and that's the Operating Rod. Its angled configuration leaves it vulnerable to peppy ammo. The first warning is a dismount, where the oprod separates from the bolt on firing. If that happens, stop immediately and cease using the ammo that produced the dismount.

Experienced Garand shooters keep the powder speed no slower than IMR-4320, and bullet weights no heavier than 175/180gr. Ignoring such limits generally results in excessive gas port pressure, and this is the usual source of permanent damage. Once an Oprod is bent out of alignmenet, it's toast; and they can be nearly impossible to find replacements for.

I would not even consider an LR load for anything under 500yd, and would consider 48.0gr of IMR-4064 and a 175SMK to be as peppy as I'd use for LR. Fed Gold Medal 168 should handle any LR needs for non Handloaders. It's accurate, and honestly, I have never had any need to shoot my Garand beyond 600.

I've tried Rem Reduced Recoil 125gr, and I do not consider them a good choice for the Garand.

Greg

 

[TGagnon]

Re: Need honest Elder input

I bought my father a special grade rebuild for his 50th. He loves it and loves shooting it but, I shoot it far more. PS if you order one get a can of ammo at the same time.

I plan on getting a correct grade now that I can afford one. It will never be altered or sold just shot 2-5 clips each range visit. Always fun to whack the chicken with that rifle!

While there are people here that reload for the garand would a palma bullet be a good choice for reloading for <400 yards? They are well within the weight range for the garand I just have not heard of anyone trying them.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Need honest Elder input

like patton said about the garand, "the greatest battle implement ever devised"

that's a pretty good endorsement.

the garand is home to not only being displayed on the wall but also sending rounds downrange. it's also one heck of a platform to compete with, and in many disciplines.

i've sold many a things because at the time it made perfect sense, then a few years later wished i hadn't.

keep what you got (especially that mossberg), have a yard sale of other crap you know you will not miss to start the garand fund. while at the range pick up brass (if any can be found anymore) and turn it in for the garand fund. sell your plasma, get a paper route

and put it in the garand fund.

i'd hold on to what you already have, regrets suck.

 

[Orlando]

Re: Need honest Elder input

There is absoltuly nothing wrong with a Service Grade, in fact this last batch is absolutly beautiful rifles. Many with very little to no wear
Only downside is they may come with the fugly orange commercial stocks
You will not be dissapointed in any Service Grade you get as long as you know there is a possiblity that you may get commercial wood
They are the very best deal for the money $625.00

 

[nectoxicdragon]

Re: Need honest Elder input

there is a lot of discussion on ammo for the Garand. The fact is there is an adjustable gas plug available that will allow you to shoot modern ammo with no issues, you can even adjust it to act like a single shot. So that point is moot. If you intend to shoot in Garand matches this plug is not allowed how ever.

As for the question at hand... Dont trade what you have for another. You wont get your dollar value out of a current production firearm in trade or sale. And you will eventually want to replace them anyway.

Next Go for the BEST grade classic arm you cam possibly get. The lesser the grade, the more tempted you will be tempted to improve and "restore" it to a higher level. This means more money down the road. In the long run MUCH more than the better grade would have cost to start with. Economically and practically speaking keep what you have and put money away for the highest grade Garand available. I'ts literally Money in the bank.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need honest Elder input

I think the Palma bullet would be OK, maybe even with the same load as for the 150. But without the Palma-optimized match rifle barrels and their slow twist/extra length and high velocity loads, I doubt it would buy you very much. Might give you another 100yd of accuracy, is about all.

Greg

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Need honest Elder input

Do the CMP rifles need to get sent to an FFL or are they considered C&R firearms?

I'd love a Garand but I'm not a member of any CMP clubs and not sure if there's any in my area.

 

[Big_Rig_416]

Re: Need honest Elder input

No, CMP rifles do not need to be sent to an FFL. They can be shipped to your door.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: Need honest Elder input

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JelloStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do the CMP rifles need to get sent to an FFL or are they considered C&R firearms? +

I'd love a Garand but I'm not a member of any CMP clubs and not sure if there's any in my area. </div></div>

You can join the garand collectors association online for $25

 

[alreadygone]

Re: Need honest Elder input

15+ years ago I bought 16lbs of surplus powder specifically designed for use in ball ammo. Don't know if this stuff is still available anywhere, but it makes excellent ammo with most any of the fmj 150s on the market.

Bob

 

[Orlando]

Re: Need honest Elder input

IMO the M1 Collectors Club is a much better deal than the GCA
With the GCA membership runs Sept To Sept no matter when you join and costs $25 If you join today you would only get 4 months memebership
The M1 Collectors Cluc is $14 for a full year from the date you join, no quarterly magazine like the GCA but a good cheap way of fullfilling membership and getting the most for your money
http://www.m1collectorsclub.com/

 

[Jaeger_308]

Re: Need honest Elder input

Thanks Greg !!!!

The Garand is a ruggd battle rifle; but it does have a weakness, and that's the Operating Rod. Its angled configuration leaves it vulnerable to peppy ammo. The first warning is a dismount, where the oprod separates from the bolt on firing. If that happens, stop immediately and cease using the ammo that produced the dismount.

Experienced Garand shooters keep the powder speed no slower than IMR-4320, and bullet weights no heavier than 175/180gr. Ignoring such limits generally results in excessive gas port pressure, and this is the usual source of permanent damage. Once an Oprod is bent out of alignmenet, it's toast; and they can be nearly impossible to find replacements for.

 

[Orlando]

Re: Need honest Elder input

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jaeger_308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Greg !!!!

Once an Oprod is bent out of alignmenet, it's toast; and they can be nearly impossible to find replacements for.
</div></div>

Common Op Rods are still easily found for around $80-$90. If you have a Op Rod that is bent out of spec Columbus Machine can put back the proper bends as well as other vendors. They also can replace the piston and lug if worn

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Need honest Elder input

Thanks for the update!

 

[Bangaboom]

Re: Need honest Elder input

I am new member of this group and am thinking of buying a M1C sniper Garand from CMP. Since this is an older version of the Garand sniper rifle do you think the receiver would already be drilled and taped for the scope mount? Enquiring mind needs your experienced input.
Thanks,

Dan G.