I have decided to make my next gun purchase a garand. I got to shoot one that a co-worker owns and it was awesome. I would be using this weapon for occasional target/plinking duty. I also like the history of this great rifle. My grandfather carried this rifle in WWII giving it even more meaning to me. I need advice on what to look out for when buying one also where I might find a good one. I have read the info on fulton armory.com about welded recievers and it made me want more info before I buy. Also is there a web site similiar to AR15.com devoted to the garand where I can go and suck up info.TIA

Get Scott Duff's book. (listed for sale on teh FUlton Armory website)


Best advice I can give is to buy one from CMP. They tech inspect them, and if they sell you a buggered one, they keep exchanging it till you are happy.

Check out this:

[url]http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/inspect.htm[/url]




Things to look at:

1. Tight gas chamber. Make sure its not slapping around on the muzzle end of the rifle.

2. Re-weld receivers (as you mentioned)

3. Don't fall for the M1C and M1D knockoffs  (basically the scoped version) A true M1C or D should come with CMP papers, and run $2,500 or more

4. Take a 30-06 bullet, and insert it nose first into the muzzle. If it goes in all the way to the shell casing, you've got a worn muzzle.

5. Prepare for a new addiction

[:D]

I'll second what g'man says, get one from the cmp. On the points he covered, if you get a service grade M1 from the cmp, #1 shouldn't be a big deal and is easily fixed, 2,3,4 are a non-issue, and 5, well I can't help you with that. Remember, with the M1 rifle, you just can't have one. [;D] my fifth M1 should be showing up in the next couple of weeks and that won't be the end.

Thanks for the quick replies guys. All info is welcome. I like being an informed consumer. In fact Scott Duff's place is very close to my home (only about a twenty minute drive)if the address on his website is right. Maybe I should go there. I leary about buying at a show especially being a garand newbie. The cmp sounds like a good option but I lack the shooting results sheet. Where can I get one of these(a cmp shoot I imagine but where do they have them?)

Thanks garand man!

Also check out [url]www.battlerifles.com[/url]

Another good book is "Bruce Canfield's Complete Guide to the M1 Garand and the M1 Carbine."  You can order it from his web site [url]www.brucecanfield.com[/url]

hey, you're in luck. there's a garand match in PA in september.  BTW, you only have to shoot 50 rounds in any competition, pistol or rifle. They've been pretty lenient about this.

PA   09/28/03
CLUB GARAND MATCH
Rifle-Garand  
Kimberton Fish & Game Assoc  Eugene Latchford610-948-9280  
Location: Kimberton F & G Assoc, Phoenixville, PA  

go to [url]www.odcmp.com[/url], it should answer all your questions about eligibility and affiliated clubs.

You should also check out the M1 forum on [url]www.jouster.com[/url], there are many very knowledgable people there.

It depends on what your looking for in a target/plinking rifle.

I've purchased from both fulton armory and the dcm(now known as the cmp).

[b]You cant go wrong with either really.[/b]

If your looking for a rebuilt cherry looking gun. fulton armory is your answer.

If your more into function than appearance.
A rebuilt gun from the CMP is the way to go.


The only meaningful difference though. Is you actualy have to earn a CMP rifle.