I saw an M1 Garand today. The tag said that it was made by CAI. Who or what is CAI? Are these real Garands or a parts gun? Don't know much about M1's.Thanks guys,45automan
Profile its CIA. It means Century International Arms. They are casting new receivers and building the complete arm with supposedly GI parts. Fulton Armory says they are junk and some are even unsafe to fire. I personally saw one at a gun show recently and have to agree with Fulton Armory, in fact some of the parts were NOT USGI! The comparison between the CIA receiver and one from the Springfield Armory is like comparing a jackass to a thoroughbred. USGI is the way to go!
Nobody that I know of is making a "real" M1 Garand nowadays, but the CMP still has lots of rack grade Garands for $500, and the Danish import ones for $400. If you want a Garand, that's the way to go, don't buy the Century parts gun.
Go with ODCMP (DCM). You're assured of a mil-spec receiver which will have some value. The aftermarkets are strict shooters and have no collectors' value.
