M1 Garand Advice sought

[cjlandry]

I hope to have my TSRA membership credentials soon, so I'll be able to buy my first Garand.

Does anyone have any advice to offer on buying from CMP? I want a rifle that I can shoot often, that will also be accurate. Is it a crap shoot as to whether you get a good bore or not? If I get a less than good bore, is it simple to acquire and have installed a new barrel?

Thanks.

[Bushbacker]

Here's a good place to ask your question:

http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/

[KIDCOP]

Put a sticky note in with your order form which states the rifle is to be used for John C. Garand matches. Works 1 time. Then find your self a match, as they are a hoot!

[Rick O'Shay]

In order to get a good bore for certain, you have to order a service grade Garand. The only ones available the last time I check were the Greek return Springfields. Almost all of these are full of cosmoline, but otherwise they are fine. Expect black parkerization, rough wood (probably), or European wood. But you will certainly get an excellent bore and throat.

[OcabJ]

Service grade or higher (correct and collector) will guarantee you a bore with a throat erosion of less than 5 and muzzle wear less than 3. It does not guarantee that you will get an accurate rifle, it does increase the chances significantly.

I'd just get the service grade if you want a gun you can play around with and not have to worry about your barrel for a long time.

If you plan on a project gun, then I'd get a field grade or rack grade.

If you do decide to rebarrel, you'll probably want to have it done by a smith. Garand barrels are indexed so when you thread them on, the barrel splines should line up properly such that the gas cylinder and front sight attach correctly. Thus, barrels are short chambered and will require chamber reaming to headspace the chamber for your bolt. A friend of mine owns a lot of Garands and has one of the PTG pull through hand reamers and does his own rebarrels and from what I understand they work fairly well. The reamer kit runs for about the cost of a basic Garand barrel, so it may not be for the one time garage gunsmith.

Any decent gunsmith will charge a only a small fee for a rebarrel and chamber ream. Your only problem would be finding a reputable gunsmith in your area so you don't have to ship your rifle to a smith.

[cjlandry]

I've just about decided to go with a Field Grade. If I decide to rebarrel later on, there's an excellent Smith a few miles from here who does a lot of competition work. I figure it should be a breeze for him.

[den308]

I have gotten two from the C.M.P., the first was refurbished in '64 and has been a great shooter. In the 2000 Matches at Perry I earned a silver and my bud a bronze. The second one.......... Let's just say I turned it over to a trusted smithy to be converted to National Match. I kept it in .30-06 and On a good day with it I can wring a master score out of it.
Good luck with your purchase, just don't forget the spare parts!<c>b

[Libertas]

Not to hijack this thread, but what is a 'NM' National Match Op Rod worth?

Regards

[den308]

To Libertas: Depending on condition an manufacturer, about $80 to $100. My guess. Check the C.M.P. site or Fulton Armory.

[OcabJ]

Honestly, National Match oprods don't go for much more than a standard oprod. Since National Match parts aren't allowed on JCG legal competitions, no one buys them for JCG comp rifles. As far as collectibility, there aren't really any people trying to 'restore' National Match rifles.

National Match, or NM, marked oprods don't really give an advantage these days anyway since there are gunsmiths who can repair almost any oprod to top notch condition.

[Libertas]

Originally posted by OcabJ
Honestly, National Match oprods don't go for much more than a standard oprod. Since National Match parts aren't allowed on JCG legal competitions, no one buys them for JCG comp rifles. As far as collectibility, there aren't really any people trying to 'restore' National Match rifles.

National Match, or NM, marked oprods don't really give an advantage these days anyway since there are gunsmiths who can repair almost any oprod to top notch condition.

The Service Grade SA M1 came with an NM oprod, I wish it hadn't, because they aren't allowed in the JCG competitions.

[OcabJ]

You can probably call/email the CMP and see if they'll trade oprods with you. If not, put a post on the CMP trader board or another web forum with Garand enthusiasts. I'm sure someone would be willing to trade you straight up. The only thing you need to be weary of is getting a good oprod in return (good piston, tab, lugs, etc).