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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:07:43 AM EDT
Interesting dilemma here. Christmas is coming, I can get either/or but not both. "Good" M1's and FAL cost around the same anyway right($1000+)?
Which one?  |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:12:42 AM EDT
[#1]
Oh, DEFINITELY the US Rifle M1.
The FAL is a nice curiosity, but the M1 is history, freedom, flawless function, American ingenuity, a pure thing of beauty. But then, I AM...... garandman |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:14:48 AM EDT
[#2]
No contest - M1 all the way.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:19:11 AM EDT
[#3]
Oh yeah, the M1. Hands down the most significant rifle in our history.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:22:21 AM EDT
[#4]
Wouldn't hesitate a second....M1 all the way. Wish I had that kinda problem.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:22:46 AM EDT
[#5]
OK...I know all about the CMP and Orion 7. Any other M1 specialists I should check out?
No votes for the FAL so far huh? I figured as much. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:24:31 AM EDT
[#6]
If ya want FAL votes, go to the FAL Files at www.l1a1.com But then, they are biased. I'm NOT biased. Nope, not a bit. None whatsoever. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:26:10 AM EDT
[#7]
With everybody else who has posted so far - go with the M1. BTW, you do mean M1 as in the M1 Garand and not the M1A or M14 semi-clone from Springfield?? I ask because of the $1000 price tage you've associated with it - you do now about the CMP and $500 M1 Garands, right?
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:35:29 AM EDT
[#8]
Yes I do mean an M1 Garand. NOT the M1A.
I was looking at "Select Grade" M1 Garands at Orion 7's website going for about $1200 The only example of a CMP Garand I saw was FrankSquid's. His is a really nice "service grade" rifle but from what I understand, it's all luck with them. You can get a really sharp one, like Frank did. Or get an OK one. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:50:53 AM EDT
[#9]
Wave Runner, the CMP service grade M-1's will surprise you. I have one and have seen 9 others in the past 2 years from guys I work with. The wood is ranging from O.K. to pretty nice and mostly good. You won't be unhappy with the finish on the metal parts or the mechanical condition of the rifle they are all very nice in that respect. If it's a good looking piece you want then go with the service grade minus wood and buy a new Boyds stock, you will also have to get some of the stock metal. In my opinion the service grades have character. They are the real deal and have served our nation with distinction. They deserve a place in everyones collection before we get another commie in the White House who will send the rest of them to Capt. Crunch. Take advantage of one of the perks we Cops have(waiver of the match shooting reqiurement) and buy from the CMP. BTW Orion 7, Fulton Armory and Miltec are all putting Boyds stocks on the rifles they sell unless they classify them as collector grades. www.boydboys.com Boyds is selling their stock sets for $74.99 right now, click on "Specials".
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Posted: 10/22/2001 7:55:02 AM EDT
[#10]
M1 all the way. FAL's are fine to play with but a Garand is a part of history.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 8:13:24 AM EDT
[#11]
Does this hold true for the Danish ones as well? |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 8:18:54 AM EDT
[#12]
Get the FAL
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Posted: 10/22/2001 8:26:28 AM EDT
[#13]
There's one in every crowd huh? 
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Posted: 10/22/2001 8:33:36 AM EDT
[#14]
No way - get the FAL!!!
M1s are kind of interesting from a historical standpoint, but they don't even come close to the FAL in performance!!!! The M1 is too long, too heavy, fires an obsolete cartridge, has no pistol grip, flash hider, or detachable magazine, and can't take a folding stock or a bi-pod. Plus it only comes in one configuration (unless you count those faked "Tanker" M1s that never really existed in the first place). The FAL, on the other hand, is all of the things above. I own 8 FALs, and no two of them are alike, and they came from 5 different countries. The M1 is a relic from the past. The FAL is one of the first modern assault rifles, and after 50 years it's still in production/use in many places around the world today. Just so you know, I do own an M1 - it's a DCM 1942 Springfield, rebarreled and restocked in by the army in 1945. And while I like it, it doesn't even come close to my FALs!!!!!! So if you have to have an M1, go ahead and buy it. But first buy a REAL GUN (like a FAL) and if you have any money left over, then pick up one of those "museum piece" Garands. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 8:34:30 AM EDT
[#15]
If going with the M1 Garand, only consider the CMP.
One thing to remember though, FALS will probably be addressed in future gun legislation. So this might be one of those times to get one "before the ban." But no matter what you decide, eventually you will need both. Just think in terms of "Will this be available NEXT Christmas?" |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 8:48:01 AM EDT
[#16]
Hmmmm, as the owner of 8 FAL's and 6 Garands I'd say go with the FAL...
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Posted: 10/22/2001 8:58:50 AM EDT
[#17]
Go with the FAL
It has detachable magazines and is more likley to get banned. Plus ammo is cheaper and it has that 'evil' look to it. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 9:02:02 AM EDT
[#18]
OK FAL people....which FAL? DSA? AZEX?
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Posted: 10/22/2001 9:02:47 AM EDT
[#19]
FAL all the way. It is a reliable and accurate semi-auto battle rifle. Surplus parts are easy to come buy and cheap. DSA is a good source of top quality USA made parts and surplus parts (www.DSArms.com). 20 rd magazines are cheap and easy to find. The FAL is probally the most common battle rifle in the world next to the AK47/AKM. The Garand is a nice rifle to own for its historical significance to the US, but the FAL has its own history with the rest of the world. DSA currently offers an STG-58 clone built off one of there receivers, useing an Austrian-Steyr parts kit. These rifles are an excellent buy. They cost $1000 MSRP, and $800 at dealer cost.
The Azalin FAL - Right arm of the free world. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 9:18:13 AM EDT
[#20]
Be glad to take that "obsolete" M1 off your hands for say $300.  |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 9:57:40 AM EDT
[#21]
If you were heading for Afghanistan, which would you choose?
I know I'd grab my M1 Garand. That way I could reach out and KNOCK THEM ON THEIR ASSES. Not that I don't appreciate the FN, all it's done and places it's proven itself. I will be getting another one myself some day. (years ago I had an FN) I just think the M1 in 30-06 is the best precision killing-machine, rifleman's-rifle, out there. It may be obsolete to the modern military, but if there were no market for them, Springfield wouldn't be making 10,000 brand new ones. You might take a look into one of those. I haven't seen how much they are going to cost yet, but they are advertising their availablitiy in Shotgun News. And I imagine they'll come with Springfield's lifetime warranty too. They'll fit in that budget of yours. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 9:58:06 AM EDT
[#22]
I've only seen one Danish M-1 and one Danish M-1 kit. The finish and parts were not as well cared for as the service grades I've seen and the wood on both was total crap. European made beech wood. However, the Danish contract barrels are considered to be better than the U.S.G.I. barrels. I got one in a parts kit and it was a very accurate shooter. The Danish CMP M-1 that I saw had a mixture of Danish, Italian and U.S.G.I. parts. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 10:00:54 AM EDT
[#23]
M-1 Garand - It's very American.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 10:04:24 AM EDT
[#24]
Only PRE-BAN Fals may have a legal flash suppressor. Pre-bans cost considerably more than $1,000, IIRC. ANY M1 can mount a Smith Enterprises Vortex flash suppressor.
A Ram-Line synthetic stock from Natchez Shooter's Supply costs about $50. The M1 will accept any clip-on bipod, and Harris bipods can be attached to the M1 with only a little work. IMHO there is little difference in the sustained rate of Aimed fire between the M1 and similar mag-fed weapons. Sure the mag-feds have an edge, but it is not very large. M1 parts are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. The "obsolete" .30-'06 is widely available, more powerful, and longer-ranging than the .308, all things being equal. Besides, you can have a MATCH grade Douglas .308 bbl installed by Champion's Choice that, along with the M1's vastly superior sights, will shoot far more accurately than virtually any FAL. Folding stocks? Again, only for the expensive Pre-Bans, and of limited utility. Pistol grips? We won WWII without them on the M1, and they're needed only on linear-style stocks. The FAL is a fine battle rifle, no question. But the M1 is not nearly as inferior, or as obsolete as some would have you believe. Get an ODCMP M1. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 10:07:43 AM EDT
[#25]
if you get an M1 make sure it's a WW2 production number, that makes it worth it's weight in gold.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 10:18:30 AM EDT
[#26]
I would get one of each. I guess your budget is around $1200-1300. I believe the CMP Garand is about $400 for a service grade, and a DSA FAL is around $800 from the previous post. There you got your cake and it too. I too have heard also that police officers get preferential treatment from the CMP, so why not?
ARe you looking at this purchase as a shooter or collector? As a collector go with the M1, otherwise I personally would get the FAL first because it stands the best chance of gettng banned by the Fienstein/Schumer types. Also it has newer technology. The CMP has tons of Garands. My CMP M1 Garand is in decent shape, the stocks got a few small "beauty marks," bores good. Oh yeah, if you get a M1 Garand from the CMP, be sure to keep the paper work, because it would prove that it is an authentic USGI and not a rebuild, re-import etc. Life's tough when you have to decide which rifle to get, but its part of the game. Have fun! |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 10:27:01 AM EDT
[#27]
I'd go with the DSA they are the best around.... |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 10:30:43 AM EDT
[#28]
I vote Garand.
The Garand already is under proposed legislation to make them in-operable. I'd take a Garand any day. But I just don't seem to like the FAL. Just me I guess. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 10:45:38 AM EDT
[#29]
Not just you. 
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Posted: 10/22/2001 10:50:28 AM EDT
[#30]
DSA-58. 'Nuff said.
 
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:11:58 AM EDT
[#31]
My DCM M1 is a 1942 Springfield, and I paid $165 for it. So does that mean it's gone up in value to like $170 or $180? 
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:16:09 AM EDT
[#32]
Must be a Canadian thing.... I for one would go FAL FAL FAL!! And the M1 was designed by...yes you guessed it A CANADIAN!!!!! The M1 was a nice try at a battle rifle, however the FN49 had it beat and the FNL1A1 went the full distance. Even the M14 was not able to beat it.... FNFNFNFNFNFNFNFNFNFNFNFNFN!! |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:16:36 AM EDT
[#33]
you probably have an imported M1, any import markings?
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:17:58 AM EDT
[#34]
Steel, your M1, depending on condition, and assuming it is fully functional is worth FAR more than $165.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:18:05 AM EDT
[#35]
more than one, get the FAL. HUNTER FROM ARGENTINA OUT. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:20:26 AM EDT
[#36]
IIRC, John C Garand was a Naturalized U.S. citizen.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:22:42 AM EDT
[#37]
Funny, IIRC, the M-14 beat the FN in the last round of COLD WEATHER tests. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:28:24 AM EDT
[#38]
I for one vote for the FAL. I am biased, because I dont own an M1.
However, my FAL is a FUN shooter. I opted for the cheaper STG-58 from Century Arms, VIA Aimsurplus.com It is built on the Imbel receiver. Finish was excellent for a surplus built rifle. Bore is perfect. It was $500 of pure pleasure. Great shooter, I can easily hold 3 MOA with irons and the portugese ammo. I love the sights... way more than AR peeps. Adjustable gas system is pretty cool, but once I set it, have never touched it since. Ammo is cheap! It's more likelt to end up on someone's ban list, because of hicaps and pistol grip. Mags are CHEAP... $10 for new, $5 for used. You can get all sorts of USA aftermarket parts, to do whatever you want. I ended up replacing the trigger with FSE (not based on how my trigger was, based on what others wrote about the reliability of the century trigger) and updated the gas piston to DSA... because the Century gas pistons have a history of bending) All of these problems are not inherent to the rifle, they are caused by it's importing, and cheap replacement parts used... so dont blame the gun for that. I ended up spending $600 total... and am happy. I think if you want a flawless one, that you wont have to do anything with, then DSA is the way to go. Never heard a bad thing about a DSA. FAL, all the way! |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:34:52 AM EDT
[#39]
So what you are saying is that he was.... COME ON YOU CAN SAY IT!! A Canadian who went to work in the USA. I still claim him as a fellow Canuck as well as the game of Baseball and Basketball...not to mention poutine....ok you guys take poutine!! Please! |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:36:45 AM EDT
[#40]
Hmm I seem to remember some folks who backed the M14 playing loosy goosy with the ammo specs on those "tests". FN all the way!!! Not to mention on cold weather we got you beat on that one too. Guess which battle rifel we used? Hmm FN!! |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:37:44 AM EDT
[#41]
I just checked and the waiting list for a Service grade M1 from CMP is 2 years!
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:49:56 AM EDT
[#42]
I'm pretty sure you mean Select grade.I HOPE that is what you mean. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:50:58 AM EDT
[#43]
Westman, recent reports by members of this board state the delivery time on a Service Grade M1 is about a month. Sure you didn't confuse the service Grade with one of the more expensive, and less common grades? Please re-check, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:54:54 AM EDT
[#44]
Well, Stormbringer, we could argue this all day long. Lets agree to disagree, OK?
I have a lot of respect for the FN; It's just that I prefer the M1A. YMMV. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 11:57:40 AM EDT
[#45]
Perhaps you should first ask yourself what you expect of it. If you want a piece of history or a rifle capable of being highly accurate with some modifications, then the M1 is a very good choice. If you want something you don’t have to worry about dropping or getting dirty, and that accepts cheap ammunition, then the FAL is a better choice. If you plan to shoot matches, of course the M1 is the way to go.
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Posted: 10/22/2001 12:05:38 PM EDT
[#46]
No, the United States Army does not apply import stamps.
Yeah, I know. I got it from the DCM (back when it was part of the US Army) just before they raised the price from $165 to $250. And it's a beautiful rifle - worth every penny I paid for it!! Still like FALs better, though. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 12:08:55 PM EDT
[#47]
Just to address that statement... BOTH rifles are a piece of HISTORY. The M1 is a piece of American History... and the FAL is piece of history all over the world. Not saying one has more merit than the other as far as history is concerned... but you stement makes it look like the M1 is some golden ass prize, and the FAL is the dirty little bastard stepchild that you can throw in the mud. I doubt there are a lot of M1 garands in 30.06 shooting matches out there. That's more of the M1A role... which shoots the .308 caliber... same as the FAL. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 12:25:00 PM EDT
[#48]
To clarify, I'm saying if you go out and buy a match grade M1 you sure as hell don't want to be humping around in the field with it. Not because it's delicate (other than the wood), but because it's a hell of an investment and has great value in your collection. OTH, if you buy a kit FAL, you don't need to worry as much because it's not a match rifle and if it gets a little dirty or banged up, who cares? Of course the FAL has a place in history -- no one would dispute that -- but not in American history. Furthermore, the majority of FALs here in the US are kit guns. If you had an original FN, that's a different story. In any case, as an owner of a couple of each I can tell you I am more worried about damaging my M1s than my FALs. |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 12:31:08 PM EDT
[#49]
Quoted:
I was looking at "Select Grade" M1 Garands at Orion 7's website going for about $1200 /quote] Try "Mil-Tech" for a refurbished Garand. I've seen their ads in several gun rags but have never bought from them. FWIW, I paid only $350 for my Garand a few years ago & it now has a Douglas NM barrel on it for less than $200 installed. It can fool the crap out the the boys at the gun ranges. >gg< |
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Posted: 10/22/2001 12:32:49 PM EDT
[#50]
Quoted:
I was looking at "Select Grade" M1 Garands at Orion 7's website going for about $1200 /quote] Try "Mil-Tech" for a refurbished Garand. I've seen their ads in several gun rags but have never bought from them. FWIW, I paid only $350 for my Garand a few years ago & it now has a Douglas NM barrel on it for less than $200 installed. It can fool the crap out the the boys at the gun ranges. >gg< |
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