Tell me about Garands

L

Lord Grey Boots

New member
Folks,

I know the best option on a Garand would be one of the CMP Garands,

But, there are also the Israeli made IAI Garands, a Norinco(?) Garand, and the upcoming new Springfield Garand.

While the Springfield Garand should be a big winner, what about the others? What should be avoided? Whats a good deal? What to look for?
 
gebooth,

Although the CMP is a good option, there are several "hoops" that you have to jump through. I avoided that and went with a Garand purchased at a gun show. I'm not sure, but I believe the CMP now requires either annual or semi-annual qualification even AFTER your purchase.

The benefit of selecting one at a show was the fact that I got to "choose" my rifle. Yes I paid a little more than a CMP rifle, but I got to SEE what I was paying for. There is no mixed bag of parts, or re-import stamps, or an
unmodified op rod on my rifle. And yes, I've seen one post about a guy who received a rifle from the CMP with an "uncut" op rod.

Stay away from the CAI built receivers.
These are NOT marked on the rear surface of the receiver. They are junk pure and simple. I've not seen a Norinco Garand, so I can't help you there. The "rumor" has been floating around quite awhile about Springfield Armory building NEW Garand's, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
They would have to "tool up" and produce ALL or most of the rifle's parts. That would be costly, and I would think the NEW rifle would be VERY costly as in their M1A!!

Good luck in your search for a Garand.
There a blast to shoot, and the history behind them is incredible!

*starsfan*
 
CMP is the best way

gebooth, I have heard of neither IAI nor Norinco Garands. Yes, IAI M1 carbines and Chinese M14 clones, but not Garands. I have not seen the latest Springfield Garands; they have been advertising for a few years without showing product. I have seen some really bad CAI rifles. On one, the only thing that looked good was the new receiver; the rest of the rifle was garbage (pitting on the metal, what appeared to be patched termite holes on the wood).

Starsfan, there is no "qualification" required for a CMP Garand (other than US citizenship), either before or after purchase. If you do not fit one of the exemptions, then you are required to show evidence of shooting activity, which has some limits, mostly which are satisfied by shooting in single highpower match, of 50 rounds or more. All you have to do is shoot, there is no "qualification", no minimum score. Your CMP rifle will not be a re-import, although the re-patriated rifles from Denmark did have a trip to Europe, but one of these must be special ordered, and they are cheaper. Oh, an uncut oprod is a good thing to a collector, and likely safe for anyone, as long as you are not launching rifle grenades.

I would stick to either a CMP rifle, or one with a return policy, so I could check the headspace before firing it. I own both a CMP Garand, and a re-import, which is more accurate since it has a 1965 barrel on it, and was not used much since then. Even the CMP rifle shoots about 4" groups at 100 yards with 1960's surplus ammo; not bad for a WWII relic.

Have fun, Lee
 
Lmccrock,

I stand corrected. As I stated, I wasn't sure about the CMP's rules. I was told by several gun shop owners that I would have to join an "offical" gun club, shoot 50 rounds per year (NOT qualify),
and have to shoot 50 rounds per year thereafter in order to keep my membership current. I would advise gebooth to visit the CMP's website for ALL of the proper info on ordering a Garand from them.

I've read Scott Duff's book on the M-1 Garand. He, along with several other "experts", say in NO way should you risk your "body parts" by shooting a Garand with an uncut op rod! I figure after years of shooting and collecting these rifles, these guys KNOW what they're talking about. If there is no problem with an uncut op rod, why does the CMP and any arsenal rebuilt rifle have them replaced?

Shoot safely, *starsfan*
 
You do have to be a member of a CMP club or state assn. to be eligible but this can be done either by mail or on line and CMP has a list of eligible clubs and assn's. on their web site. It costs all of 10 bucks a year to join and remain a member of the Louisiana State Assn..........a small price to pay.
 
Israel arms M1 Garand

I too would like to know if anyone has seen a IAI M1 Garand.
Their M1 carbine got a very good review in the American Shooter magazine, and there is a picture on their web site of their M1 Garand, it says MSRP is in the 800.00 range, I would like to know more.

Lance, in Jackson, Mi.
 
Definitely go with CMP. Help support this gubmint corporation and buy a real forged receiver instead of some casted out-of-spec paperweight. With the exception of one, all my other M1s are from the gubmint.

While it costs more than it use to, back in the old days, you got one - for life! Now it's two a year! :D Uncle Sam wants you to work a little overtime and buy your quota. After all, it's the American thing to do.
 
First, Stay away from some of the newer after market Garands. Go to the Fulton Armory websight and look at the info they have there. Some of the receivers on these rifles have been cut in half and welded back together. Also, the quality of the machining is sloppy. If they were sloppy in the finish machining you have to ask yourself what else did the company skimp on. I can not comment on the ones built by Isreali Military Industries.

Go with the CMP, you will not go wrong. Along with the rifle purchase you become eligable for ammo sales through them. Surplus military M2 30.06 ball for cheap plus shipping. If memory serves me correctly a 280 round can of M2 on clips runs between $40 and $50. When they have it, they offer M72 Match Lake City Arsenal Ammo, which is really good stuff. I wish they would bring back the .308 match.

The way you "quaify" for a CMP rifle is as follows:

1) Must at least 21 and US citizen and not prohbited from firearm ownership.

2) Must be a member of a CMP affiliated club (they have a list of clubs on their web page)Most clubs cost $10 to $25 to join.

3) If you are not a vetern with an Honorable Discharge, an NRA rifle instructor or LEO (active, reserve or retired) you have to attend and participate in a rifle safety and shooting orientation match. (50 rounds, at least a couple need to hit the paper at 200) You are shooting a 200 yard high power match. Timed slow fire from prone, kneeling or sitting and standing. Ditto in rapid fire. Don't be intemidated, it is a piece of cake. These matches can be shot with any centerfire rifle with open iron sights, no scopes.

You can expect to pay over $600 for a real Springfield Armory Garand at a gun show. Slightly to a heck of a lot more for the weirder ones, Winchester or International Harvestor. The cost for a Garand is $400 plus shipping last time I looked. Can't beat that deal with a stick. The rifles are servable and good shooters. They are gone over at the arsenal abd repaired if needed.

Keep the CMP alive, participate and buy from them.
 
gebooth,

Since you appear to live in the states, get someone that is eligible to buy the CMP Garand and buy it from him.
 
You may want to check with your State Attorney General and the INS. If you have resident alien status pending citizenship, and you can legally own a firearm in the States, you may be able to do the CMP thing. Hey, it's an email to CMP to ask.
 
GEBooth. Check out http://assaultweb.net/ubb/Forum12/HTML/201692.html where you will find a Springfield reimported by Blue Sky. I contacted the guy and the gun was bouht way back when FW Woolworth's sold guns. He bought two and put this one away and shot the other one. I would dare say it should be in great condition other than dust. He sent me pic's if interested or contact him directly. $500 isn't a bad price IMHO.

Karsten
 
I would go with the Springfield Armory. They will be making BRAND NEW M1 Garands this fall. The M1 Carbine will be out in 2002. I have heard the price range will be around $900-$1000. If your going to buy, why not buy new, for a US factory?
 
Stasfan, The reason uncut operating rods were modified or replaced in service is that they tended to crack when firing rifle grenades. There is no danger is using one however. If the rod cracked, it would do so on the return stroke. The reason Scott Duff does not recommend using one is because of the value to a collector, not because of any risk. The one so called expert who preached doom and gloom about the uncut op rods is considered wrong on that point by others with a lot of experience with the Garand.
 
I wonder...

...if Springfield Armory would be so foolish as to try to "PC" their Garands and carbines by, say, removing the bayonet lug, or modifying their new M1 Carbine so it'll only take new 10 round magazines, instead of old standard 15 and 30 round ones.

Other place to look is Orion 7 Enterprises.
 
Garand rhymes with "parent." Julian S. Hatcher quoting John C. Garand in Hatcher's Notebook

Betcha din't know dat!:cool:
 
Carbine Kid,

I can say I wouldn't mind having one of those NEW Carbine's myself. But, for that kind of a price, wouldn't you rather have TWO original USGI rifles?

Just a thought.......

*starsfan*
 
For the record....IAI DOES make an M1 Garand. I would like to provide more information but the only thing that I can add is that my dealer can get me one for $605 prior to all the other paper work and stuff. I have the IAI M1 carbine and like it alot. Sorry that I can't be more helpful. DAROGUE1
 
IAI shows a Garand on their web site. They give it a model # (stock #?) of M333 and it has a list price of $852.00. I'd still go with a USGI model though.
 
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