Quoted:
The only benefit AIM offers is you can have it now instead of waiting for a special grade from CMP.  If you are near Port Clinton, OH or Anniston, AL you can pick one up in the store.  Rebuild, brand new Kreiger barrel, new stock... awesome rifles for $995.  The EE has some nice Garands from Military Gun Supply, but I think they are overpriced... but again, you can have it now... and theirs are $950.  No Kreiger barrels, but the barrels have a throat erosion of less than 2 and a muzzle erosion around .5 and have nice cartouched military stocks.

Quoted:
Does any one know if the refinished M1 Garand from AIM is the same as the one refinished 'Special Grade' Garand from CMP?

Does anyone know if any of those are matching serial numbers?

Over the past 65 years, most M1 rifles have been arsenal rebuilt, refinished, rebarreled or repaired at least once and often several times. Most will show signs of service (often considerable) and replacement of various parts. They are seldom encountered with all original parts and original finish as delivered from the manufacturer. Such "original" rifles, even in well-used condition, are highly prized by collectors.

Each M1 Garand rifle sold by CMP is an authentic U.S. Government rifle that has been inspected, headspaced, repaired if necessary and test fired for function. Each rifle is shipped with safety manual, one eight-round clip and chamber safety flag. Orders are filled on a first-come first serve basis. Rifles of all grades are packed for shipment purely by "luck of the draw". Prices are subject to change. If price has changed after an order has been received, customers will be notified before new prices are charged. Shipping and Handling is $22.95 per rifle (June 2008).

Quoted:
Yea, I know MOST don't match but never realize it is THAT hard to get a all match garand...

B/c AIM have a few Garands that said '100% Springfield' Garand, so I thought that it is all matching numbers...

So...What is the weak side of the Refinished Garand from AIM?

Are they all true GI parts except the Boyd stock and new barrel?

How Original Are those M1 Garands

The vast majority of M1 Garands have undergone refurbishment and upgrading –– and those used for training, frequent repairs and parts replacements –– which left them with few original parts. It is highly unlikely that any M1 Garand that served in the European, Alaskan, North African or Pacific Theaters escaped at least one refurbishment. Battlefields are hard on men and just as hard on weapons. Wood and metal tend to dent, splinter, rust and corrode when exposed to unremitting rain and snow, are carried, dragged, dropped, bumped against any number of obstacles, whether used in combat, stored in racks between guard mounts, carried in vehicles and dropped from aircraft as part of the paratrooper's load or in cargo containers.

Anyone who has experienced basic training will laugh at the idea that an M1 Garand issued in 1942 will retain any of its original parts three years later after having been dragged through the mud, cleaned a thousand times or more, taken apart, parts tossed on a blanket in the squad bay and reassembled, day after day, month after month.

After the liberation of Belgium in the fall of 1944, depots were moved from England whose sole purpose was the refurbishment of battle weapons. Rifles picked up on the battlefield, sent in by unit armorers and those rotated off the line, were shipped to these depots where they were disassembled, cleaned, repaired, parts upgraded, restocked and returned to the line. At the end of the war, a concerted effort was made in both the European and Pacific theaters to refurbish every battle rifle that could be found. Similar activities took place at the Springfield National Armory and in smaller depots around the Continental United States.

So, the M1 Garand that you purchased at your local gun shop or gun show is probably far removed from the rifle that left the factory. In many cases, only the receiver is original and it has probably been refinished at least once. If you are exceptionally lucky, it still retains its original barrel.

Quoted:
So, you think the $950 Garand at AIM, thats got all original GI parts will be more valuable?

Interesting, and it makes sense...

Thank you for all the information.

Yea, I'm a 'noob' too when it comes to M1 Garands...

Hope some experts can help us out on how to pick a Garand

Quoted:
So, okay, I have more question...

Is the Special Grade M1 Garand at CMP about the same as the one at AIM, since they both have new stocks and barrel?

And, Do you guys think the $950 'original' M1 Garand at AIM is worth it? It seems to be not refinished and all original GI