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Posted: 2/18/2010 5:28:53 PM EDT
I just noticed that both are for sale for the same price. What are the advantages of either? My only experience is with my dad's DCM H&R that he got 25 years ago. And it is a fantastic rifle. Are they both basically the same, or are there differences in quality between them? Just curious.  |
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I have a couple of Springfields and an H&R. They are all fantastic rifles, but the H&R is my favorite. All of these rifles were built to meet the MIL specification, but the fit and finish of the H&R M1 was a notch above everyone else.
If both are available, I'd go for the H&R. Matt |
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Part of me says get a Springfield since my dad already has an HRA. Then, it occurs to me that I know from experience that HRA M1 garands are fantastic rifles. I've never shot a springfield, and I'm sure they're good. I don't know, I have about a month and a half before I can afford the money order. |
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Also HRA only made post wwII guns while springfield made them from start to finish. There were also many less HRA's made Yep. If you order an SA, you have a small chance of getting a rifle produced during WWII (at least, the receiver - other parts will vary) - if you order an HRA you have no chance at all. -Mark |
Well, here and on the CMP forums I've read that the latest springfields are very nice. As I said, it'll be about 6 or 7 weeks before I can actually make the money order, but I think I'm going to do it. I know it's not the greatest rifle for my intended purpose, but after my dad paid me a visit last night to drop off his HRA garand for me to shoot in a high power match tomorrow, I am dead set on an M1. What a wonderful rifle. I've wanted one since I was 6 years old, and now the desire to own my own is as alive as ever.  |
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I personnelly have both in post war configuration. The HRA is correct, the SA will be soon.
These are shooters and were not intended to be collector pieces. With that said the HRA has a better overall look and finish. The metal work is remarkable. The SA is great as well just not as good ..to my eye. Its all personnel preference. Also my HRA shoots like a demon. |
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As many have already commented, the HRAs are the top tier when it comes to finishing. The SA post-war rifles are nicely finished as well, but the HRAs are excellent. I have an HRA CG, SG, and a post-war SA CG. All of them are pretty, but the HRA CG is something to behold. From what I've been told (and experienced to an extent) was that the pecking order for overall quality of finishing are as follows: 1 - HRA, 2 - SA, 3 - IHC, 4 - WRA.
You be the judge: HRA CG overall: 
HRA CG action 1: 
HRA CG action 2: 
SA CG overall: 
SA CG action: 
SA stock; this stock beats the HRA by far; it won me over on a trip to the CMP South Store close to two years ago: 
For the hell of it, here is a Garand family photo that was taken before I got an HRA SG that now serves as my shooter (or at least will once again when I get back home): 
From L - R: 1.56mil SA, 1.34mil WRA, 4.44mil IHC, 4.53mil IHC, 4.58mil IHC, 5.8mil SA (the one pictured above), 5.6mil HRA (the one pictured above), Beretta Danish-contract. If you've read this far, I'd recommend the HRA. As someone else said, they made far fewer rifles (428k vs. 4 million) than Springfield. They are finished as well if not better than a post-war Springfield, and their barrels are just as accurate. Springfields will always be widely available, so you can close out that end of your collection in the future. HRAs will dry up someday, just like IHCs already have, and just like Winchesters are starting to do. Good luck. Post pics of whatever you get! |
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Not defensive at all. Your post implied ignorance. Not ignorance if you take the time to consider the facts. I am not bashing H&R or IHC, what I stated are facts. Does it really matter what brand is marked on the rifle? Only in the eyes of the beholder. |
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Quoted: Part of me says get a Springfield since my dad already has an HRA. Then, it occurs to me that I know from experience that HRA M1 garands are fantastic rifles. I've never shot a springfield, and I'm sure they're good. I don't know, I have about a month and a half before I can afford the money order. They are both good rifles. And, as it was mentioned...........they both meet GI specs (AKA: have met w/ Uncle Sam's approval). Now, that being said..........I would agree that having a Springfield would be nice complement to the HRA. Next thing you know.........you'll want an IHC and a Winchester. What a PLAN. Aloha, Mark PS.........CMP is "luck of the draw" so don't dream too hard. |
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Quoted: I'm still conflicted. The folks on other forums are convincing me to buy a national match AR15 instead. I haven't decided yet. I can more easily afford an M1 now though. Quoted: Part of me says get a Springfield since my dad already has an HRA. Then, it occurs to me that I know from experience that HRA M1 garands are fantastic rifles. I've never shot a springfield, and I'm sure they're good. I don't know, I have about a month and a half before I can afford the money order. They are both good rifles. And, as it was mentioned...........they both meet GI specs (AKA: have met w/ Uncle Sam's approval). Now, that being said..........I would agree that having a Springfield would be nice complement to the HRA. Next thing you know.........you'll want an IHC and a Winchester. What a PLAN. Aloha, Mark PS.........CMP is "luck of the draw" so don't dream too hard. |
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There comes a point in your life that only you can make the final decision.
Asking all these other people what might be right for you and your wallet won't solve your issues. 
I'm quite sure you will be well served by any of the rifles that you've inquired about. |
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Quoted: There comes a point in your life that only you can make the final decision. Asking all these other people what might be right for you and your wallet won't solve your issues. I'm quite sure you will be well served by any of the rifles that you've inquired about. It sucks being poor.  I really would be happy with just a NM AR15 and a Garand.  |
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There comes a point in your life that only you can make the final decision. Asking all these other people what might be right for you and your wallet won't solve your issues.
I'm quite sure you will be well served by any of the rifles that you've inquired about. It sucks being poor.
I really would be happy with just a NM AR15 and a Garand.
Life is long. You'll have ample time to buy both- just not at the same time. |
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I'm still conflicted. The folks on other forums are convincing me to buy a national match AR15 instead. I haven't decided yet. I can more easily afford an M1 now though. Sup to you. I own two ARs (M4A3 and full size A2) and an SA M1A Standard. Love them all. But the 1943 SA M1 that came into my life a little over a month ago is a whole other level of COOL. From what I can tell it's got all original SA parts. I got it at a pawn shop. Seems like it must've come from some old guy's collection or something, because it's not a mutt and it's in great shape. Makes me think that it's been in private hands for a while. Anyways... each night I lovingly take it from the safe and hold it for a while. I got Scott Duff's book on the WWII era Garands and have been going through that with the rifle next to me to check on things. There's NO point in doing any of that with my ARs or M1A. They are 2003 and 2009 manufacture rifles. All black and plastic and no history. I still like them and don't plan on selling them. But they are pretty lifeless and sterile compared to my Garand. It's had a life that predates mine. I wish it could tell me what it's done in it's life. My blacktical rifles could tell me that they went from the factory to a distributor to the dealer. Big deal. I think you know what I'm trying to say here. The ARs will still be around after you're purchased your Garand. You may not always be able to get a peice of REAL history.
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I'm still conflicted. The folks on other forums are convincing me to buy a national match AR15 instead. I haven't decided yet. I can more easily afford an M1 now though. Sup to you. I own two ARs (M4A3 and full size A2) and an SA M1A Standard. Love them all. But the 1943 SA M1 that came into my life a little over a month ago is a whole other level of COOL. From what I can tell it's got all original SA parts. I got it at a pawn shop. Seems like it must've come from some old guy's collection or something, because it's not a mutt and it's in great shape. Makes me think that it's been in private hands for a while. Anyways... each night I lovingly take it from the safe and hold it for a while. I got Scott Duff's book on the WWII era Garands and have been going through that with the rifle next to me to check on things. There's NO point in doing any of that with my ARs or M1A. They are 2003 and 2009 manufacture rifles. All black and plastic and no history. I still like them and don't plan on selling them. But they are pretty lifeless and sterile compared to my Garand. It's had a life that predates mine. I wish it could tell me what it's done in it's life. My blacktical rifles could tell me that they went from the factory to a distributor to the dealer. Big deal. I think you know what I'm trying to say here. The ARs will still be around after you're purchased your Garand. You may not always be able to get a peice of REAL history.
^ this^ I do the same thing with mine. I would love to here what the rifle/s would say if they could talk. 
ARs ...ehh, not so much, it'd probly just bitch about having to eat Wolf ammo or some other inane shit like that.
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I'm still conflicted. The folks on other forums are convincing me to buy a national match AR15 instead. I haven't decided yet. I can more easily afford an M1 now though. Sup to you. I own two ARs (M4A3 and full size A2) and an SA M1A Standard. Love them all. But the 1943 SA M1 that came into my life a little over a month ago is a whole other level of COOL. From what I can tell it's got all original SA parts. I got it at a pawn shop. Seems like it must've come from some old guy's collection or something, because it's not a mutt and it's in great shape. Makes me think that it's been in private hands for a while. Anyways... each night I lovingly take it from the safe and hold it for a while. I got Scott Duff's book on the WWII era Garands and have been going through that with the rifle next to me to check on things. There's NO point in doing any of that with my ARs or M1A. They are 2003 and 2009 manufacture rifles. All black and plastic and no history. I still like them and don't plan on selling them. But they are pretty lifeless and sterile compared to my Garand. It's had a life that predates mine. I wish it could tell me what it's done in it's life. My blacktical rifles could tell me that they went from the factory to a distributor to the dealer. Big deal. I think you know what I'm trying to say here. The ARs will still be around after you're purchased your Garand. You may not always be able to get a peice of REAL history.
WOW!!! Me, too!!! My ARs are like ugly stepchildren now....Sold off a couple of them to fund M1/M1 Carb purchases. Kept my BCM Midlength and my LMT Carbine, Eotechs, Aimpoint and LaRue stuff. Sold off the budget guns, optics, mounts and the such. Sterile. Only want high end stuff for plastic. Nothing can fill me with joy like the my M1's and my carbines. The wood; The craftsmanship; THAT FREAKIN' SMELL THATS IN THE WOOD!! They are true history and have a presence that an AR will not give you.. Do not get me wrong... Love the AR's too, but, you can't rub it down with a BLO soaked cloth... |
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As many have already commented, the HRAs are the top tier when it comes to finishing. The SA post-war rifles are nicely finished as well, but the HRAs are excellent. I have an HRA CG, SG, and a post-war SA CG. All of them are pretty, but the HRA CG is something to behold. From what I've been told (and experienced to an extent) was that the pecking order for overall quality of finishing are as follows: 1 - HRA, 2 - SA, 3 - IHC, 4 - WRA. You be the judge: HRA CG overall: http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6362/hrfullwr1.jpg HRA CG action 1: http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4771/hractionea4.jpg HRA CG action 2: http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4364/hrchambervo0.jpg SA CG overall: http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3743/overallkj3.jpg SA CG action: http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8035/actionla4.jpg SA stock; this stock beats the HRA by far; it won me over on a trip to the CMP South Store close to two years ago: http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2442/leftrearrg8.jpg For the hell of it, here is a Garand family photo that was taken before I got an HRA SG that now serves as my shooter (or at least will once again when I get back home): http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/9751/bed1gn4.jpg From L - R: 1.56mil SA, 1.34mil WRA, 4.44mil IHC, 4.53mil IHC, 4.58mil IHC, 5.8mil SA (the one pictured above), 5.6mil HRA (the one pictured above), Beretta Danish-contract. If you've read this far, I'd recommend the HRA. As someone else said, they made far fewer rifles (428k vs. 4 million) than Springfield. They are finished as well if not better than a post-war Springfield, and their barrels are just as accurate. Springfields will always be widely available, so you can close out that end of your collection in the future. HRAs will dry up someday, just like IHCs already have, and just like Winchesters are starting to do. Good luck. Post pics of whatever you get! How do you like those Turner slings? Got one the other day, and immediately ordered another one... The leather is so unique. Almost "rubberized". I threw out the M1907 1942 cheapie, cracked stiff thing after getting it. |
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