Right now, based on current sales, not even sales from 3-6 months ago, if you pay less than $900 for a garand you are either getting a CMP Rack/Service Grade being resold for a quick profit, a bring home that someone forgot in gramps old stuff or it is an import from a lend lease program. In any event, they are great rifles and even if you buy a dud or one that needs work there are numerous places to get USGI parts and accessories.
I got my M1 Carbine (Blue Sky Imports) for $375 last year (better than CMP Rack or service grade), my M1 Garand for $575 and was a Greek re-import but in really good condition. The 1903/A3 I bought from a dang masonic lodge for $75.00 and rebuilt it from ground up with a Sarco Kit. The 30-40 Krag was a sporter bought at a gun show that ONLY was changed via the stocks and not the gun then I redid it back into a Military weapon for about $250. The P17 I got on Gunbroker in beat condition (rusted and missing parts) and am slowly rebuilding it, I only paid $100 and the parts into it so far is around $125.
There are deals out there you just have to be patient enough to wait. Now if you want a prestine, all matched VINTAGE non-import or non CMP Rack/Service grade Garand, be prepaird to pay upwards to $3000 and even more for the sniper versions.
For me, I am just happy to own working and safe guns from our history. The prices are going up, they will keep going up and when they are gone, they will go nuts like it did for the Johnson Rifle. I remember when Johnsons were sold by Sarco and Numrich for $149. Now try touching one for under $3000.
Heck look at the SKS, not just a few years ago they were sold for $100 from Century and SOG and such, now even those things are being sold for $300 and more.
I think the next big set of imports will be the Mausers and Enfields from South Africa, lord knows what they actually have down there.
If I had to pick just one C&R to buy right now, it would be a decent K31 and the accessories. Those things are gonna go right though the roof when they are totally dried up. They already are rising in price as fewer and fewer are left. I got two, one with walnut and one with birch and they both are just perfect tack drivers out to 150 yards w/o a scope.
SO...get what you can NOW and do not bitch and moan about the price right now, 5 years from now you will pat yourself on the back for getting that $500 - $1000 Garand.
CMP Rack/Service Grade are good guns and I feel much under graded, they always seem better than the pictures and descrioptions. If you can go to the Store in Ohio, it is just an amazing experience. Yes, it can take up to 4 months to get one. Yes, you must pay up front. Yes, you are at the mercy of the luck of the draw. I have yet to be disatisfied with any item I have gotten from CMP. I have however been highly disappointed by guns from Century, J&G, SAMCO, SOG and a few others.
I am still trying to figure out WHY Thompson dewat kits went from $80 to now close to $1000 ever since Private Ryan and Code Talkers came out.
BUY NOW and Laugh to the bank in 2015