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Posted: 11/16/2005 9:44:54 PM EDT
| I want a Garand that I can shoot, but at the same time, something that I can hold on as a collector's piece. i.e. something nice, but not too nice. In what condition are the SGs coming or would you recommend moving up a grade in order to get something nicer? Once again, thanks! |
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Something wrong with your reading skills???? www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1garand.htm Mike ps - seems like a pretty decent description of the grades to me |
Bit rude. I understand the question he's asking. Personally, I don't know what the "Trend" of the current SGs are coming in, but honestly no matter what it is it's still probably your best chance for a shootable/collectable piece. If you REALLY want collectable, you'll need to step up to the Correct Grade for all matching parts, or Collector Grade for the near 100% finishes. I got a RG that is nearly all SA parts and looks damn nice. I can shoot it and I don't feel bad, either  .
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I got a service grade last year and it's about exactly what you describe. It's not anywhere near mint, but it's not terrible either. I did a few things to it so far, stock in dishwasher, cleaned it of course, leather sling, and I peened the splines. It's approximately a 3-4 moa rifle with surplus ammo. It shoots better than that sometimes too. And sometimes a little worse. But it is great. I love the thing, it's my favorite rifle right now. My dad and brother both got USGI field grades about a month and a half or two ago and they are not much worse than mine. In fact some have aspects that are better. But I would say those were in the ballpark of same quality. And some guys say the get rack grades that are shootable too. I don't know about lately but those are probably the best deal, especially if you don't mind rebarreling in a little while, or if you had plans to right away. As an aside, I don't know the wear on my dad's muzzle or chamber but his bore looks terrible. I haven't tried real hard yet besides my normal cleaning procedure but it's pitted and doesn't shine like the others. Yet it still shoots pretty decent. Not much if at all worse than mine. But if that bugs him enough he can get it rebarreled. Good luck and the CMP rocks. |
Basically, I want to keep it all original (i.e. no rebarelling, no rewooding) and still have an excellent shooter that I can pass down when the time comes. Would this describe the SG? |
| I would say it would,But if it's at all possible go to the North store and pick it out yourself, They can ship it to your door.The chances of finding a correct service grade are about nil, as all of these rifles have been rebuilt at one time or another, But the chances of finding a very shootable rebuilt rifle with a good bore are pretty good. Ordering from Annistion is a dice throw, the first M1 I bought has some pitting in the bore,(that was dissapointing) but it still shoots 3 MOA and came with a correct uncut op-rod, lockbar rear sights, and the bbl and receiver were a match (6-45)..also has a open box SA rebuild stamp on the stock, The park was about 80%. The second one I ordered some months later came in a well used,(dinged up) but useable stock. But, has a Barrel that appears new, (MW 1) Bbl, receiver also match,(3-45)and came with a correct op-rod (cut) and correct trigger group, All I need is the correct bolt to have almost correct rifle. the park was flawless So I restocked it with a unfinished/fitted stock set from DGR, 6 coats of BLO later and it looks like a new M1, This rifle will shoot 2MOA, I feel I got lucky on the last rifle, After going to the north store many times this summer while working in the area, I feel that handpicking is the only way to go if you can swing it, No surprises, when done this way you can look the rifle over real well before buying. They've got MW/TE gages and cleaning rods and patches at the store so, you know exactly what you're getting bore-wise,The staff has in the past popped the trigger groups out for customers and looked up the parts,(they're really not supposed to) I've seen them do this for people, You could walk out of there knowing exactly what you have..and no surprises |
| Well, I guess it depends on what you want to do...If you're thinking of restoring it to being "correct" I'd go with a S.A. reason being there were more of them made (3.5 mil during WWII alone) and correct parts are still found without too much trouble. H&R's were one of the last contractors that made M1's their receivers were considered one of the best made, tolerance's on H&R parts are considered to be a little tighter, I've seen a few H&R Correct grade M1's at the North store, they are very nice, very well made, fit and finish is excellent take a look at one when you go, If you're looking for a good shooter either will fill the bill nicely, if you want a peice of WWII history then a S.A. rifle in the right serial number range will do. You'll just have to go and look, the inventory on the racks changes all the time there's no telling what will be on the racks when you get there. When you seen one that catches your eye look it over real well, use the store's bore gages, look at the crown on the barrel carefully, some I've seen looked like the Greeks used them as a hammer. look for cracked handguards,stocks, sometimes the dirt/grease on the stocks will hide these defects rather well. but take your time and look it over, don't get into a rush. give youself plenty of time just for this. I'm sure you'll find a rifle you'll really like. They still have plenty of them left, Ask the staff at the store if you're not sure about somerhing, tell them this is your first M1 and you want a good shooter, they can show you a good one on the rack or they just might go in back and pull one out for you. they will bend over backwards to fix you up. |
| I'm going to be getting my first Garand myself from CMP and have been wondering the same thing..basically is it worth the extra money for the service grade over the field grade? I know they give good descriptions of the rifles on the CMP page, but to be honest...those numbers don't mean much to me and I also would like to hear from guys who have actually gotten the different grades and what they think. |
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