Garand: Desirable but reasonable Serial Range?

In July, a NEW California law will levy an additional 11% tax, on top of the 8.5% I already pay, meaning I will need to pay 19.5% Tax on any firearm and ammunition I purchase after July.

As such I "Plan" to (talk to the wife) purchase one more Garand before July. Along with all the other things to look for is there a desirable serial number range I should be looking for. Keeping in mind that I'm going to be limited to a $1000.00 to $1200.00 price tag, just because I really can afford more right now.

I'm looking at these right now as far as serial numbers go...
The two Winchesters are in an Auction, so knowing this my bet is they will outrun my price range)

333829 Springfield
450348 Springfield
1321399 Winchester
1617041 Winchester
1968958 Springfield
223165 Springfield
2628740 Springfield
3534936 Springfield
3285268 Springfield
3652534 Springfield
4209850 Springfield
4212305 Springfield
4263912 Springfield
4314607 Springfield
4335657 Springfield
4342675 Springfield
4346931 Springfield
4357265 Springfield
578941 Springfield

IMHO. Springfield made the most and best Garands. Winchester bring a premium because of the name but are not as nicely finished as Springfields. H&R and International Harvester seem to be in the collector arena.

M1's have been rebuilt and repaired in and out of service many times so the receiver serial number is not a gauge of condition or original as-issued correctness. A high serial number may have seen less in service use and repair.

In the end it all boils down to what you are looking for receiver wise- Pre war, WWII or post war production. Post war would be my choice. By then Springfield had many years experience building M1's and the pressure of war production had past. Being newer late production M1s may have seen less use and repair. You will have to evaluate the final selection based on shooting or collector condition and price.

For a shooter I would look for barrel condition, tight butt stock and wood fitment and positive "clicks" on the rear sight elevation knob. Watch out for re-welded receivers and drill rifles turned back into functioning rifles. They are few but they are out there.

Enjoy the quest.

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Originally Posted by Steve762

receiver serial number is not a gauge of condition or original as-issued correctness

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Steve, Thanks for the help. The The serial number wasn't a big issue for me other than information; if it existed from the SRS; I was just curious if there was a preferred Serial Number range as it was one of the variables.

Unlike low numbered 03's M1's do not have a known "bad" or "poor" serial number range. Springfield did work out minor receiver heat treat and machining problems early on. The early op rod had a square radius that was prone to cracking. It was corrected on arsenal production. As late as 1942 early op rods were modified with a relief cut done in the field.

I think your selection will be based on the over all condition of a rifle and not a date range of receiver production. Still think later production is a general guideline to potentially a better rifle since it would be peace time production with possibly less use and repair.

You can see if the rifle went through a formal post war inspection and rebuild program in the 50' and 60's by looking at the outside of the right front receiver leg. In electro pencil will be a depot/arsenal abbreviation and a month year date. All this will tell you is where and when it went through a depot/arsenal rebuild. Non depot/arsenal rebuilds might not be marked. Repairs are not marked.

-- If the barrel needs replacing Criterion offers a new production GI spec barrel.
-- A new production to GI spec op rod spring is a must. Available from Garand Gear.
-- A new clip latch spring is an easy fix to timing problems. Available from Garand Gear
-- A new roll pin in the lower band can tighten up the fit of this often over looked part.
-- Boyd makes replacement stock sets. They need fitting and finishing.

Hope this helps, Steve

There is a certain individuality to the idea of "desirability." When I was out shopping I wanted a low-mileage Springfield Garand with some finish left on it so I looked for a post-Korean War serial and found one. There's also some benefit in that choice because all the performance updates are present in a largely intact late rifle. Now, the stock on my was shot out and loose, so I kept it but ordered a tight, new one to shoot the rifle with. Some people specifically want a WWII weapon. Some want a Korea-era weapon. Some drill down further.

Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder. :madsmile:

Bob

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Originally Posted by usabaker

The serial number wasn't a big issue for me other than if it existed from the SRS;

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I looked in the SRS #1 and no hits on any of them.

Can't go wrong with any of them. I have a post war 1956 Springfield that is absolutely beautiful since it never saw any real service. My WW2 Winchester is a true beater and still needs lots of love since it had more SA parts than Winchester parts. They all have their own stories and I would break it down as mentioned above - pre-war, WW2, Korea, post war and pick which era you would prefer.

Over the years, I have found two WW2 M1 rifles. The first was purchased by a USMC Officer at the end of the war and sold to an enlisted USMC
Seabee who in turn sold it to me. It was rebuilt during the war with a 1940 receiver, Buffalo Arms barrel and SA internal parts, looks like new.
The second rifle was April 1944 completely original but well used (still will print a nice 100 yard target -have photos) came from veterans estate
in remote area Wisconsin woods, only rifle plus a shotgun.
Note operating rods were not modified with the relief until post war rebuilds, checked my Rock island 1943 shop manual and some TM's

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I looked in the SRS #1 and no hits on any of them.

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Jim, Thanks for looking :)

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Originally Posted by Singer B

I would break it down as mentioned above - pre-war, WW2, Korea, post war and pick which era you would prefer.

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Might be right, I have WWII era, perhaps I'll go with a Korea Era just because my Dad served in Korea. I found some from 52' for under $1000.00 just don't know the condition of the bores. But I could always change the barrel like you said. I asked one of my buddies if he had time to run by the CMP and see what they have and if there is a big enough selection that might be worth taking a trip to visit him and the CMP; since I have my Type 3, buying out of state is easier.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I looked in the SRS #1 and no hits on any of them.

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Jim, can I ask you a favor to look up serial 450348 looks like a 1942. The stock has SA GHS stamped in it, but it looks like the at the heal of the stock has water damage, recoverable but still not great, the buttplate is rust city, the rest of the rifle is very good,

Thanks in advance
Attachment 136043Attachment 136044

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Originally Posted by usabaker

450348

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Nothing in SRS #1 even comes close Bill. I know other guys here have later SRS tables...maybe there's something else has come to light?

I did look up all the numbers on your list before...nothing on any of them.

I was just looking at that rifle and from it's pics might be a pile of original parts...might be a good deal.

Right now the CMP does have the Navy Mod 0 and Mod 1 Garands rifles in 7.62 NATO available at 950 and 1600 respectably.

https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/m1-garand/

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Nothing in SRS #1 even comes close Bill.

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Thanks, Jim; the price went beyond what I think its value is. I'm still looking and bidding on others.. July, the 11% Communist tax hits, so I may end up taking what's on the racks. I've noticed I'm not the only one looking here in CA and its driving the prices up locally.

Attachment 136066

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Originally Posted by usabaker

11% Communist tax hits, so I may end up taking what's on the racks

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A CMP rifle might be the best way to go. If I'm not mistaken, since CMP was created by an act of congress, you will not be paying that local (state) sales tax. They still have plenty of field grades and more available in the 2 stores. Plan a trip to Alabama (Atlanta is closest airport) by plane, rent a car, pick out what you want off the shelf. You will have PLENTY to choose from. They will box it up and ship to your door, or you can fly home with it (google TSA rules for flying with a firearm. In spite of what people may think and idiots might say, It is a VERY easy and convenient process to fly with a firearm). Pick out a nice rack grade. It will have all its service history, and with plane ticket and rental car you will likely still be in your price range. Heck, for $20 more you can drive another half hour to the John Garand range at Talledega and zero it out to 600yds in the same day. The store at the range has mostly special and expert grades (new stocks and new barrels).

My last couple garands I did exactly this, although I flew to Huntsville AL on a work trip. A bit further from Anniston than Atlanta, but the 4 hour drive to the store and range was well worth the day off.

Well. after being outbid on six M1 Garands, I think some people just bid for fun because there is NO WAY that some of the rifles I bid on were worth what they went for; I just settled on an M1 Garand that meets my most basic wants. I figured I'd pick this one up, and I could always sell it if I find or win a better one before the July deadline hits. It's on the way to my FFL, so I should have it in a week or so.

It is a Springfield Armory SN 3084640, and all the parts seem to be SA, but I will know better once it's in hand, and I can take her down. The bore gauges at 1.0, so it should shoot well. She is a bit rough, but I like mine with the lived-in feel and look, and I probably paid more than I should have.

Attachment 136127

Congratulations. Any Garand is better than no Garand!

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Originally Posted by oldfoneguy

Congratulations. Any Garand is better than no Garand!

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Ain't that the truth!

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Originally Posted by usabaker

Springfield Armory SN 3084640

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I had SA 3340115 last, I rebarreled it to 7.62. Sounds like you got a good one. Some people decide they have to have something and set their payments to snipe, in the last seconds it's stunning how high things go. You have a good one so have fun...let us know.

A CMP rifle might be the best way to go.

Amen to that. I'm lucky to live 4 hours from the stores. Did the GCA convention in October which included matches at Talladega. I believe they alternate years at Anniston for their site. Along with a group of friends we try to do a couple of trips a year and spend three nights. On our last trip in March two of our friends did the Buddy Maintenance course and built their expert grades. There are great weekly store reports on the CMP forum. You'll always find individuals with expertise to help pick out a rifle.

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Originally Posted by FremansFarm

Did the GCA convention in October which included matches at Talladega. I believe they alternate years at Anniston for their site. Along with a group of friends we try to do a couple of trips a year and spend three nights.

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I need to do this. On my work trip, I booked my return flight from Huntsville a day late so I could take a day off and enjoy the range. I flew with a 1903A4 that I de-sporterized. It had an original A4 receiver. I used a NOS GI barrel and a NOS field replacement scant. It came with an original GI Redfield base, so I only had to find the split top rings, which took some waiting. I used a Hi-Lux replica scope, which did the job just fine. I shot off the bench to minimize the gear I had to fly with. I was getting solid groups in the 10 ring at 600, sans the wind flyers as the wind is normally very strong and very shifty on that range. By late morning, every flag was standing straight out, but all were in different directions. I was lucky to get a few shots off before it shifted, then making a new call it would shift to the complete opposite before you could get the sight settled on target.