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Posted: 7/28/2011 6:31:51 PM EST
Sad Update I made up my mind to go get a SG at my next possible opportunity (recovering from surgery and unable to drive through this weekend) and on the website they say they are out of Service Grades now!! I am going to try to go the next weekend, and hope there are some SGs still on the shelf, otherwise I may have to settle for a FG. Can I get a good shooter FG if I Handpick or does field grade pretty much guarantee a not so accurate rifle due to increased wear?



I am a poor College student and in debt with student loans and will be in a hole when I graduate, but I am not overly concerned about employment due to the experience of my colleagues.

I am trying to tell myself I need to save, but working full time and having a little set aside it sure is tempting to pick up a Field Grade...I'm worried they may not be so readily available by the time I am out of school and I can picture my son saying "You could have bought a Garand for WHAT? From WHO?" Haha, so logically I turn to the gun board to convince me one way or the other.


ETA If I am within state and order a rifle do I pay shipping plus sales tax or just shipping? I
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:36:18 PM EST
[#1]
As far was your thread title goes, I can't. CMP Garand was next on my list until I decided to start acquiring tax stamps instead.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:37:41 PM EST
[#2]
Quoted:
As far was your thread title goes, I can't. CMP Garand was next on my list until I decided to start acquiring tax stamps instead.


I know you are a college student. How do you manage to have the collection you do?

Eta I live frugally, for example I ate mostly things I caught + rice this summer . Part of me wants to accept the fact I'll be in debt and buy myself this.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:37:44 PM EST
[#3]
They are nothing you want at all.  

Do you really want a rifle that has forged steel parts, meets actual milspec standards, chambered in 30-06, is semi-automatic, arguably the best iron sight system to have ever been devised, is sturdy enough to bash a skull into little bits should you run out of ammo at an unopportune time, and actually has a real wood stock and was fielded by the finest miltary in the world?

Did that quell your wants?
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:38:03 PM EST
[#4]
Don't get a Garand.
I tried
Just for gits and shiggles:
http://www.michaelzwilliamson.com/blog/item/the-garand%E2%80%93%E2%80%93almost-as-good-as-a-real-rifle















Ah, I can feel that hate now.  Fanbois always hate it when you inject facts into an argument.









Let me start by saying I have nothing against the Garand for what it
was—a forward-looking design for the 1920s.  John C. did a fine job with
the technology of the time, and it's not his fault what happened after.









Mr Garand designed a stripper fed, gas operated self-loading rifle in
a mid-sized caliber.  It was very advanced, and the only advantage it
lacked was a detachable magazine, which was still a subject of
discussion at the time—the SMLE had it.  The Mausers and Mosin Nagants
did not.  As designed, it had moderate recoil, and could be topped off
by shoving extra rounds into the top of the action, as with every other
battle rifle of the time.









Then the Army took a crap in it. I can't blame Garand for this,
because the Army crapped in almost every weapon it got given in the 20th Century, then complained about the taste.









McArthur made a logistical decision to stick with
.30 caliber, as it was the Depression and all the loading equipment was
set for that.  Now, I'm not blaming him for that decision…except that
I'm blaming him for that decision.  "Gee, I like your Corvette, Mr Earl,
but it really should run on diesel."  Then, of course, we found out
that Infantry officers aren't really very smart about such subjects as
metallurgy or physics (or counting above 21, but I digress), and that
the op rod couldn't take the punishment of "Full power" .30 cal loads
(that term is meaningless, btw, but fanbois love to toss it around), so
the loads were reduced in power to baby the system. (So, the fanbois
definition of "full power" was changed to meet the lighter load, and
again for the .308.  There's nothing more consistent than the
apologetics of this crowd.  They're now conceding that .276, as Garand
originally intended, or 6.8mm, might be considered "full power."  
Another 80 years and we'll actually bring them into the 1950s).









But wait!  That en bloc clip Mannlicher came up with in the 1880s is
all the rage with the Italians!  Let's use that instead of stripper
clips!  Why?  I dunno.  It makes the action more complicated, and means
SHOVING YOUR HAND INTO THE ACTION TO LOAD.  Cue fanbois whine of, "If
you know the proper places to hold each of your fingers, the proper
motions, and dance steps, you can insert it WITHOUT injuring yourself!"









Google the term "M1 Thumb."  Then google "Garand Thumb," just to make
sure you've got the full report.  You'll find about THREE MILLION
hits.  Now google, "thumb jammed in M16."  I'll wait.  Google "thumb
jammed in FAL."









If I have to stick my hands into a heavily sprung action that is
capable of smashing my fingers, and risk smashing my fingers, to load
the weapon, IT IS DEFECTIVE.  There is no argument you can make to the
contrary.  If a car required reaching under the fan belt to fuel it, and
might spontaneously start, smash your fingers and set you on fire, IT
WOULD BE DEFECTIVE.  If a gun might smash your fingers to paste on the
off chance you might happen to want to put ammo in it, it is defective.
Don't tell me you can avoid it with the proper dance card and samba
lessons—I'm in the middle of a firefight.  It's not a "Design feature."
It's not a "Beta improvement."  It is a CRITICAL FUCKING DEFECT.









To be fair, I will at this point dispense with the largely myth
theory that the "ping" of the ejecting clip will tell the enemy where
you are.  I suppose it might occasionally be an issue, but in the midst
of a firefight, that's not likely to be an issue—the enemy will be
keeping his head down as much as you are.









But it does bring us to the other matter of loading.  I've had
fanbois insist against reality that, "The Garand can be loaded with one
hand without losing sight picture."









Really?  You can secure a clip, reach up over the action RIGHT IN
FRONT OF YOUR FACE, press it down in so it hits the release, avoid
smashing your thumb and still have a sight picture and finger on the
trigger?  Well, no, actually you can't.









M16:  reach forward with index finger, press release to drop empty
mag. Pull finger back to trigger.  Use left hand to insert fresh
magazine, roll hand and slap bolt catch.  Eyes still on target, finger
on trigger before the round loads, and no need to stick fingers into the
fanbelt.  Any other modern rifle is similar.









But wait!  There's more on this loading ritual.  The Garand has some
cute little quirks, and by quirks I mean "additional Army-mandated
defects."  That en bloc clip holds 8 rounds. Because it's a double
stack, it ONLY holds eight rounds.  If you have really new, springy
clips, you can get away with 7.  Say it with me:  "Eight shall be the
counting, and the counting shall be eight!  Count not six, unless it be
followed by seven and eight.  Nine is right out!"  If you're down to 6
rounds of ammo, it's a single shot rifle.  You could refill your clips,
except its other cute trick (see above) is to throw the empties across
the landscape. Hah!  Why would you need to reload?  Certainly, in the
modern world one dumps mags if one has to.  It's nice, however, to have
the OPTION of sticking one into your belt for later re-use.  Or, going,
"gee, I think I've fired more than eight rounds out of my rifle.  In
fact, I think I may have fired twenty-five. Why don't I drop, load and
continue shooting with another thirty, and redistribute those remaining
five later?"









Good luck with the Garand.  Now, as he designed it, you'd just slap
another stripper of five in the top and be done.  But no!  That made too
much sense for the Army.  Cue fanbois:  "Just release the partial clip
and put in a fresh one."









Really? Ready?  Alright then.  Release, PING!, rounds and clip
scattered all over the landscape, because once that clip is out of the
weapon, it won't retain less than 8 rounds.  Congratulations!  You won't
be recovering that clip, OR THE PARTIAL LOAD OF AMMO IT HAD!   (I get
the impression that most of these fanbois have never actually tried all
these clever tricks.  I have.  They don't work.  Really.)









This now brings up the minor but relevant side issue of sighting.  
Before detachable magazines, military bolt actions loaded through the
top for speed.  They eject the same way.  Fair enough.  In the 20th
Century, though, they eject out the side.  Now, most of the early bolt
action sniper rifles loaded single rounds under the scope, and fired the
same way.









Nope.  The Garand is TOO AWESOME to play by those rules.  Remember:
you must load an 8 round clip.  It must go through the top. It must
eject the same way.  You'd LIKE to actually have your scope inline with
the barrel, wouldn't you?  BWUAHahahaha!  Silly sniper!  No, you'll have
your scope offset to one side, bringing a whole new adjustment to the
mix.  The fanbois will argue that if you're a real, true, sniper you
ENJOY having an extra adjustment to your point of aim.  Well, I'm not a
sniper…but I have beat them in competition.  So on the subject of
precision shooting, I'm adequately knowledgeable.  No, really, the less
adjustments the better.  You want that scope directly above the bore and
as close to the same plane as possible, not in a completely different
plane requiring juggling windage and elevation even before gravity and
wind come into play.  I'm sure someone will argue the Garand was not
intended as a sniper rifle.  This is bull. All military rifles are
intended for precision shooting when needed.  The Garand just brings all
its special quirks to the table, and leaves them there in the middle of
dinner.









The Garand club can always rely on power and accuracy though.  Or, at
least they could rely on accuracy, until the M1A and AR15 started
making it their bitch at the National Matches.  These days, if someone
brings a Garand to the NMs, you think, "Oh, good.  So I don't have to
worry about him taking top."  And power…ah, yes, it's more powerful
than…well, not really more powerful than .308 military loads, nor more
than 8mm Mauser.  It's more powerful than most 20th century
loads, but that's because when actual science displaced Freudian
symbolism, it was determined that being hit by a Caddy was just as
lethal as being hit by a Mack Truck.  The Garand does have those awesome
iron sights, though, so you can shoot 1000 yards.  Well, okay, the
manual says the sights are rated for 460 yards.  Still, that beats the
M1A, which is rated for…460 yards.  Well, at least it beats the M16,
which is rated for…460 yards.  Unless it's an M16A2, which is rated for
550 meters, or 601 yards.  Well, I guess an extra 50 years of
development was good for something.









Ah, but the body count!  The Garand killed Germans 15:1!









Well, not exactly.









The Russian casualties are due to Stalinist leadership at least as
much as German marksmanship. And it looks like 5.2 million Germans and
allies vs 6.9 million Russians and allies KIA, so hardly 15:1 on the
Eastern Front, where Mosin Nagants were in use.







Germany's total
military deaths were under 5.5 million. So, that's 300K Germans in the
West and North, by Garand, MAS 36, Lee Enfield and Springfield combined.
Oh––and Mosin Nagants in some of the European and Nordic nations, and
of course, Swede Mausers and such.  Oops.







So it looks like the
MN killed about twenty times as many Germans as the Garand. And the
Garand may have scored even less than that––the Brits did a serious
number, and the French really did put up a fight (check the casualty
figures for major battles before you start smirking and looking like a
moron), and let's not forget the Canadians. Oh, and those bombing
campaigns and artillery and tanks.







The Garand does really well against charging 4'9" Japanese with stamped-steel swords, though.









‎Lessee:  2.1 million Japanese military deaths, and probably half of
those by naval gunfire and aircraft. Then some Marines had
Springfields.  And Johnsons.  And M1 carbines.  And Thompsons.  And
artillery. And tanks…







So, the Garand's military accomplishments are largely hype, much like the rest of its capabilities.









It sure looks classy and elegant, though.









Well, then you won't like this:  We used completely re-arsenaled
Garands for about three months on base Honor Guard. Inside of a week, we
had SOP of firing in three volleys of two, with the seventh man in
reserve, so that WHEN, not IF, those pieces of shit both failed at the
same time, we could manage to get off a bang.







These were
completely refitted and speced, and looked wonderful. In theory, they
were to exact tolerance. In reality, they were jamomatic garbage.








At which point, we went back to M-16s, which didn't look as
historically classy, but at least went bang every time we pulled the
trigger.









They also jammed on loading.  Regularly.  I remember one time the
clip refused to seat, then did. So there I am, traumatized, blood
seeping into my white parade glove, next to a deceased veteran, trying
very hard to stay in formation, not wince, not cry, not curse, and not
fall out of timing for three volleys. I managed.









(Some guy on FB responded with "Sorry about your parade glove."  I
guess he missed the part about TRYING TO HONOR A DECEASED VETERAN while
my rifle did more damage to me than the enemy ever did.  I'll charge it
off to him not reading thoroughly.  I'd hate to think he was mocking a
military funeral.)









Really.  We were burying WWII and Korean War vets, and the vaunted
rifle of that era couldn't manage to reliably fire three times in a row
in tribute.  We even had clips springing across the landscape when the
action cycled, which really didn't make a good impression.









Now, I've handled good Garands as well.  I'm just pointing out that
we had a dozen of them, tuned to what should have been perfect spec,
that often couldn't get off three rounds in a row from any combination
of seven rifles.  The order to change back to real, working guns came
after we tried to bury a colonel and had to completely reload to get off
the third volley.  Yeah, that went over well.









Ah, but the Garand was the first of its kind—a self-loading battle rifle.









Well, no, not really.









John Browning had the Remington Model 8 in production in 1906.  The
police model had a 15 round magazine, beating the Garand.  It even fired
in .30 Remington and .35 Remington, more than enough to be "full
power."









The French Meunier came out in 1914, and was in production when the
war started.  Wars being what they are, it only had a few thousand
pieces produced, but they fired in 7mm, with outrageous velocities.  
This even made a second development into the RSC 1917.









MEXICO had the Mondragon in 7X57 Mauser, patented in 1907, built
under license by Sig, and used by some Germans.  Mexico, being smarter
than the US Army, started with the en bloc, and then went to the
detachable magazine in 8…and 20…and a 30 round drum for the Germans.









And of course, the Russians had the Fedorov assault rifle before the
Revolution.  Again, that Revolution screwed a few things up, and
production was limited.  However, it did exist.









This doesn't count a dozen other designs around 1910-1920 that didn't
get developed beyond early tests.  So, yes, the US Army does deserve a
little credit for thinking ahead, but only a little.  Because one John
C. Garand designed them a mid-caliber bullpup in the late 1930s, the
T31, beating everyone to the concept to the best of my knowledge, they
kicked him out on his ass.









So, the M1 Garand is not the Model T.  It's more like the
Volkswagen.  Historically interesting, rather quaint, beloved of a
certain set of collectors, but really not a replacement for a Corvette
TR1, a Ford F150 or a Buick Rendezvous.  The Wright Flyer was the second
heavier than air machine (yes, really, second), but I'd not want to
take one across the Atlantic.  My TRS80 was a really cool computer…in
1982.









Seriously.  The Garand was fielded in 1934.  Soviet Simonovs were out
in 1936, Tokarevs in 1938 (and I'm referring to rifles with both of
those, so some of you don't embarrass yourselves).  The Johnson, which
could be topped up in mid-load, was out in 1941.  And then that pesky
MP43, STG 45, SKS and AK47 came along, rendering the Garand a museum
piece in under a decade.









But, wait, there's more!  You CAN fix several of the Garand's defects
in a machine shop in a few minutes—a bit of grinding lets you fit BAR
magazines to it, which fixes the not enough rounds to engage a squad of
Japs with swords problem, and the smashing the thumb on loading
problem.  Of course, the Army did this…eventually…with a special program
that took 20 years until 1954, used a proprietary magazine, and became
one of the biggest turkeys of the 20th Century—the M14,
which, I believe, still holds the record of the shortest service life
for a primary issue rifle in US history, because the flaws were so
apparent even the Infantry couldn't pretend it was worth a damn.
(Occasional DMR use by very heavily modified M14s, while awaiting more
AR10s to replace them, does not constitute "primary issue" of a rifle.  
So stop emailing me and looking stupid.)









And that's where it should have ended, sometime in the early 60s,
with AKs, FALs, G3s and other, much superior designs in plentiful use
throughout the world.  But almost 50 years later, you just can't get the
stake into the heart.









Now, the Garand is arguably better than the Mauser K98, but it's not
better than the three Mausers you can buy for the same price, nor the
10-20 Mosin Nagants you can buy for the same price.  When it comes down
to it, it's a mass produced, multi-million number milsurp, which should
cost about $300.  At $300, it would be well worth having.  And of
course, unusual markings, history, etc, might justify more.









Hah. You wish. To touch a Garand, even a "service grade" with a bore
that gauges more than 3 (meaning "well, used") is going to cost you
$500.  A pristine Mosin Nagant is about $80-$100 in 2011.  A pristine
Garand is about $1500 or more.  For that price I can buy a really nice
AR15, AR10 or an FAL and a stack of magazines.  So if you want a using
rifle, you're buying an antiquated relic with critical design defects
for the price of something state of the art.  Don't try to explain your
logic.  You have none.  FAL beats Garand, for less money, any time.  
AR10 beats Garand.  AR15 beats Garand, though you'll throw a frothing
temper tantrum and fabricate or perpetuate all kinds of BS before you'll
admit it.









The final, and perhaps most amusing bleat of the fanbois is the
appeal to authority.  They like to quote one George S. Patton, to whit:
"I consider it the finest implement of battle ever devised."









Indeed he did say that.









In 1943.









Well, you know, I have documentation (shut up, yes I do), that in
25,347 BC, Ung the Hunt Leader of the Upper Cave of Mucky River said, "I
consider the chert-tipped spear to be the finest implement of battle
ever devised."









So there!  Who are you going to argue with? The general giving a pep
talk 68 years ago, or the leader giving a pep talk 27,358 years ago?
Huh?  HUH?









All hail the Garand!  The most overrated firearm in history!









Your hate mail WILL be graded.












 

 
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:38:15 PM EST
[#5]
Why would I talk you out of an awesome rifle?
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:38:38 PM EST
[#6]
Go for it. A friend and i made the trip from South FL last week.  There is only a finite supply of them, so do it while you can. They are surprisingly fun to shoot.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:39:50 PM EST
[#7]
Get one and buy a shitload of ammo. Am I doing it wrong?
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:40:12 PM EST
[#8]
Stop, no really, don't do it.




Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:40:38 PM EST
[#9]
Quoted:
Quoted:
As far was your thread title goes, I can't. CMP Garand was next on my list until I decided to start acquiring tax stamps instead.


I know you are a college student. How do you manage to have the collection you do?

Eta I live frugally, for example I ate mostly things I caught + rice this summer . Part of me wants to accept the fact I'll be in debt and buy myself this.


IM sent. I've worked for the past year, so that has helped me acquire a few more goodies.

One piece of advice, you'll save a shit load more money if you can avoid having a girlfriend. Nothing wrong with doin your thing though, as you are a young college male, so I know how that goes. Just don't get tied down. Also, get a job if you have the time and can maintain your studies.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:40:42 PM EST
[#10]
Why ?
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:41:58 PM EST
[#11]
I am 40 and just now got one. Stopped by CMP in Anniston. Got a Service Grade Special SA.

I never could have justified it while in college.

The only way you could is that you could sell it for more than you paid.

But I consider it Douchetastic to sell a CMP Garand. But if you really needed to it would be OK.

BTW, Plenty of Douchetastic people buying them there in Alabama and the local gushops are proof.

And I am born and raised mostly in Alabama.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:54:35 PM EST
[#12]
I'm going to get flamed big-time for this post, but I think I can help. I bought a CMP Garand when I was in college and I have mixed feelings now about owning it.

Now that I've graduated and own some ARs, I almost never shoot the Garand:
-It's heavier and less comfortable to shoot. My ARs are easier to carry around, much lighter, and don't hurt my shoulder after 100 rounds.
-Difficult and expensive to mount optics and accessories.
-Even through the CMP, which appears to be the cheapest source, .30-06 ammo is way more expensive than .223/5.56mm ammo (~50¢/rd vs. ~30¢/rd).
-Buying ammunition is a hassle, since I consume .30-06 ammo at such a slow rate that I have to re-qualify to join the CMP (i.e. join a club, demonstrate proof of membership, etc.) every time I want to re-order ammo.
-Based on what I've read, the M-1 requires slightly lower-loaded .30-06 ammo (unless you get an adjustable gas plug), so you're pretty much restricted to military surplus ammo or Federal's "Just for M-1s" .30-06 ammo (which is about a dollar a round).
-Maintenance is slightly more difficult, since (based on what I've read online, at least) proper M-1 maintenance requires the use of both oil and grease, while my ARs will do fine with just CLP.
-Disassembly is also slightly more finicky than the AR, since I can never remember how the follower assembly comes together, and the operating rod spring requires more pressure to hook back in than the AR's buffer spring does.
-Bayonets don't mount very tightly on the Garand, while my AR bayonet mounts almost rock-solid.

That said, it's a great rifle, full of history. I even got a bayonet for it to match the photo I have of my father when he was in basic training with his Garand. I think I'll keep it. But it's definitely not my go-to rifle when I want to visit the range.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:56:22 PM EST
[#13]
Save a little more and get a service grade.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:58:39 PM EST
[#14]
Quoted:
I am 40 and just now got one. Stopped by CMP in Anniston. Got a Service Grade Special SA.
I never could have justified it while in college.
The only way you could is that you could sell it for more than you paid.
But I consider it Douchetastic to sell a CMP Garand. But if you really needed to it would be OK.
BTW, Plenty of Douchetastic people buying them there in Alabama and the local gushops are proof.
And I am born and raised mostly in Alabama.


I would argue it is an investment but I never plan on selling it.... I don't think I could.

As far as the girls part... I don't spend money on them...just time! Big savings there though
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:59:39 PM EST
[#15]
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 6:59:41 PM EST
[#16]
Say you are $20,000 in debt for school, loans, etc.  And most payments and interest should be deferred until after you graduate, assuming you are a full time student.  I'm not saying be irresponsible, but what's another $600 on top of the $20,000?  Do it.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:00:17 PM EST
[#17]



Quoted:


Go for it. A friend and i made the trip from South FL last week.  There is only a finite supply of them, so do it while you can. They are surprisingly fun to shoot.


That's the thing, a finite supply of these pieces of history.



If you can swing it, it's a hell of a rifle, you won't regret it.



Just make sure you can load up on a couple cases of ammo at the same time.



 
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:05:36 PM EST
[#18]
Quoted:
Stop mocking me!!!  


U jelly?

ETA:
Quoted:
Say you are $20,000 in debt for school, loans, etc.  And most payments and interest should be deferred until after you graduate, assuming you are a full time student.  I'm not saying be irresponsible, but what's another $600 on top of the $20,000?  Do it.


Hate to say it, because it's pretty horrible financial advice, but that's kinda how I feel about it. I'll be back in school with debt already and more loans in two weeks.
Though I'm currently about $10k in loans, I'll probably double that before I finally graduate.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:06:06 PM EST
[#19]
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:06:27 PM EST
[#20]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Go for it. A friend and i made the trip from South FL last week.  There is only a finite supply of them, so do it while you can. They are surprisingly fun to shoot.

That's the thing, a finite supply of these pieces of history.

If you can swing it, it's a hell of a rifle, you won't regret it.

Just make sure you can load up on a couple cases of ammo at the same time.
 


Take a good friend and make a road trip out it and for god sakes don't be a cheap ass and ship the rifle home. You drove there to buy it, take the newly prized possession home with you. Also try to bring extra money for bayonet, sling, AMMO, hat , and t-shirt. The trip my friend and i took will be talked about for years and remembered forever.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:09:25 PM EST
[#21]





Quoted:





Quoted:
Quoted:


Go for it. A friend and i made the trip from South FL last week.  There is only a finite supply of them, so do it while you can. They are surprisingly fun to shoot.



That's the thing, a finite supply of these pieces of history.





If you can swing it, it's a hell of a rifle, you won't regret it.





Just make sure you can load up on a couple cases of ammo at the same time.


 






Take a good friend and make a road trip out it and for god sakes don't be a cheap ass and ship the rifle home. You drove there to buy it, take the newly prized possession home with you. Also try to bring extra money for bayonet, sling, AMMO, hat , and t-shirt. The trip my friend and i took will be talked about for years and remembered forever.
Good advice.


However he is in Alabama so he isn't gonna be able to dodge Alabama/Calhoun County sales tax.


ETA: Dad and I made the trip from Texas. I will always remember it.





 
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:11:48 PM EST
[#22]
Son, you need to drive to Anniston and pick out your own Garand.  My last mail order Garand from the CMP was 4 Garands ago, the last have all been bought driving to the North Store at Camp Perry and picking out those that spoke to me.  You will thank me later for this advice should you follow it.  Good luck on your FIRST Garand.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:12:20 PM EST
[#23]
They are drying up, the cast Lithgows are sub-par, only going up in value.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:12:50 PM EST
[#24]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Quoted:

Quoted:
Go for it. A friend and i made the trip from South FL last week.  There is only a finite supply of them, so do it while you can. They are surprisingly fun to shoot.

That's the thing, a finite supply of these pieces of history.

If you can swing it, it's a hell of a rifle, you won't regret it.

Just make sure you can load up on a couple cases of ammo at the same time.
 


Take a good friend and make a road trip out it and for god sakes don't be a cheap ass and ship the rifle home. You drove there to buy it, take the newly prized possession home with you. Also try to bring extra money for bayonet, sling, AMMO, hat , and t-shirt. The trip my friend and i took will be talked about for years and remembered forever.
Good advice.
However he is in Alabama so he isn't gonna be able to dodge Alabama/Calhoun County sales tax.

 


The difference between shipping and the tax is about $20 if you go with a service grade. It is well worth it to take the rifle home no matter what the additional cost. Also you have to pay the sales tax even if you are out of state, only if you ship it do you avoid tax. So in his case ( living in AL) he has to pay the tax anyways.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:13:58 PM EST
[#25]
Quoted:
Say you are $20,000 in debt for school, loans, etc.  And most payments and interest should be deferred until after you graduate, assuming you are a full time student.  I'm not saying be irresponsible, but what's another $600 on top of the $20,000?  Do it.


That's my line of thinking....
The scary thing is, your numbers are dead on...


Quoted:
Save a little more and get a service grade.


I have a good bit saved up, just want to leave enough for some ammo too.


How much are bayonets?



Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:14:33 PM EST
[#26]
My dad has always wanted an M1 Carbine, and I would love to get a Garand. He didn't know that you could just stroll on over to CMP and pick one out. Hopefully, we can make the trip to Anniston before long.  I still regret not riding over with a friend of mine when he picked up his M1 Carbine. I didn't go because I was too broke to bring anything home at the time.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:15:04 PM EST
[#27]
Get a job, and buy two...
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:15:54 PM EST
[#28]
Quoted:
I'm going to get flamed big-time for this post, but I think I can help. I bought a CMP Garand when I was in college and I have mixed feelings now about owning it.

That said, it's a great rifle, full of history. I even got a bayonet for it to match the photo I have of my father when he was in basic training with his Garand. I think I'll keep it. But it's definitely not my go-to rifle when I want to visit the range.


Thanks for the input. I have decent firearms collection and have an AR already. I shoot mostly 22 but want the Garand before they are gone...
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:16:00 PM EST
[#29]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Say you are $20,000 in debt for school, loans, etc.  And most payments and interest should be deferred until after you graduate, assuming you are a full time student.  I'm not saying be irresponsible, but what's another $600 on top of the $20,000?  Do it.


That's my line of thinking....
The scary thing is, your numbers are dead on...


Quoted:
Save a little more and get a service grade.


I have a good bit saved up, just want to leave enough for some ammo too.


How much are bayonets?





My 16" AFH 1942 was $65, my friend picked up a cut down 10" for $45.  I felt the 16" was more appropriate and the 10" would be good for a carbine and later rifles.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:20:24 PM EST
[#30]
Quoted:
My dad has always wanted an M1 Carbine, and I would love to get a Garand. He didn't know that you could just stroll on over to CMP and pick one out. Hopefully, we can make the trip to Anniston before long.  I still regret not riding over with a friend of mine when he picked up his M1 Carbine. I didn't go because I was too broke to bring anything home at the time.


Carbine's are long gone unfortunately.  If your dad is still around do the trip while you still can.  There was alot of father/sons at the CMP in Anniston when i went.  Also my friend and I were the youngest one's there by a long shot, we are 32/33. Everyone else was about 45-50 and up.

One more thing, make sure all of the paperwork and forms are filled out and notarized correctly, one small mistake can lead to a huge disappointment.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:22:11 PM EST
[#31]
I just received my first Garand (from the CMP), a SA service grade special that looks almost brand new.  Wish I had gotten one sooner.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:31:00 PM EST
[#32]
alright 70satvert, looks like it's time for a road trip to Anniston. Just pick me up in Tuscaloosa on your way.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:31:09 PM EST
[#33]
do it now, and don't look back.  twenty years from now, you'll go to gun shows and see 'em for $2500, rack grade.  i've watched this happen for years, and didn't learn by it.  used to be you could get a nice, new, in the box norinco ak-47 for less than $100.  1k ammo, $79.  go have fun, steel cased, don't try to reload.  now, all that stuff is 3x that price.  google "fulton armory" or "m1 garand" and you'll get shell shocked by the prices for the same stuff you get outta the CMP for $6-800.  customer service is superb with those folks.  the new springfield armory stuff isn't forged, it's cast.  apples and oranges.  

i have an H&R .22 olympic target single shot .22LR i got from them for $175.  the mount for the scope (52 y.o. eyes...) was more than the rifle.  6 groove button rifled barrel.  it weighs 11lbs.  at 50 yds., ragged one hole groups with cci green box.  

the CMP folks are true.  the M1 is a BATTLE RIFLE.  take one, put a cinder block out there about 50-75 yards away, and you can turn it into dust in 8 rounds.  there was a reason we whipped the Kraut's asses.  tactics and equipment.  that was the equipment.  it rocked then, and it rocks now.  only pusswads DEMAND interchangeable mags.  your daddy's daddy, did it different.  and it worked.  

it's not a go-to HD rifle.  it is the rifle that'll teach a man the difference between 'CONCEALMENT' and 'COVER'.  yes, i can shoot you and kill you on the other side of that brick wall.  

i've killed many pigs, and a couple deer with the M1.  if only for the FU, just do it.  can't go wrong.  if you decide you don't want it, email or im me, and i'll buy it from you for what you paid for it.  if you do, you'll regret it later.

-tom!
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:32:31 PM EST
[#34]
go down to Anniston and pick it out on your own.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:34:40 PM EST
[#35]
Quoted:
alright 70satvert, looks like it's time for a road trip to Anniston. Just pick me up in Tuscaloosa on your way.


It's looking like it will be a while before I can afford to purchase anything, but I'm definitely down with making the road trip with you. Luckily my new ride gets a hell of a lot better gas mileage than my '98 5.9L 4x4 Ram. 1.6L 5 speed Civic, FTW! Seriously, if you get your funds lined up, and plan to make the road trip, drop me a line. Ill drive.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:34:46 PM EST
[#36]
If you can afford to post here, you can afford a Garand
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:34:52 PM EST
[#37]
Do it now while they are still available!

Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:41:03 PM EST
[#38]
Quoted:
go down to Anniston and pick it out on your own.


The only way to do it!
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:53:25 PM EST
[#39]
Y'all definitely aren't helping.

So looks like I need to set aside 500-600 for the rifle, plus 200 for ammo and bayonet....?
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 7:57:31 PM EST
[#40]
Talk you out of one? Ok. Get two.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 8:03:00 PM EST
[#41]
If it's a serious financial burden, then a non-necessity is always a bad idea.  The CMP is no where close to running out.  

That said, you have to live a little too.  Skip the alcohol, cigarettes, and clubbing, and you can save for one very quickly.  How many other functional items can you buy today, that will outlast you, and never become worthless?  Cost is about the same as 4 months ownership of a new iphone, which will be in the trash in 18 months.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 8:10:51 PM EST
[#42]
NO...........No, I will not
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 8:13:31 PM EST
[#43]
and, the new manufacture American Walnut Stocks ROCK and look wonderful.  and, with the CMP logo, are period correct for any rifle.  if you find a Winchester stock (marked W.R.A.) I'll pay you good money for it.  for real.  

good luck, and good shooting.  it's a shoulder-cannon.  

-tom!
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 8:25:09 PM EST
[#44]
You should buy one for me,  giving gifts makes you feel good, more so when the gift would be a cherished possession. I'll even go get someone pregnant so I have someone to pass it down to.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 8:55:58 PM EST
[#45]
Can't.

I got a DCM M1, and an genuine USGI M1D.

And a re-import shooter with handguards that rattle. Great guns.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 8:57:18 PM EST
[#46]
can't talk you out of it

as gun writer Jeff Cooper once said, "every home should have a Garand in its closet"

I would recommend saving up for a Service Grade though

here's a pic of my CMP SG HRA with two of my other 30-06 rifles




I'll warn you though, once you buy a Garand  you'll end up wanting an M1A/M14
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 8:59:23 PM EST
[#47]


All from CMP. Cost me around $700 for what you see.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 9:06:00 PM EST
[#48]
Quoted:
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s297/bigg089/guns5166.jpg

All from CMP. Cost me around $700 for what you see.


Service Grade I guess?
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 9:47:32 PM EST
[#49]
Quoted:
Quoted:
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s297/bigg089/guns5166.jpg

All from CMP. Cost me around $700 for what you see.


Service Grade I guess?


yup. I love the wood that came with it.
Link Posted: 7/28/2011 9:57:59 PM EST
[#50]
Quoted:
and, the new manufacture American Walnut Stocks ROCK and look wonderful.  and, with the CMP logo, are period correct for any rifle.  if you find a Winchester stock (marked W.R.A.) I'll pay you good money for it.  for real.  

good luck, and good shooting.  it's a shoulder-cannon.  

-tom!


Meh, whatever....I just purchased my first 91/30 Mosin.....

ETA: The Garand I've fired of my buddies was pretty easy on the shoulder compared to his Mosin Nagant.  200m steel plate hits with his Garand were a breeze for my n00b ass.
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