Garand: Desirable but reasonable Serial Range?

[usabaker]

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

[Steve762]

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.

[usabaker]

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

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.

[browningautorifle]

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

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

[usabaker]

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

Jim, Thanks for looking

[usabaker]

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

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

[browningautorifle]

450348

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.

[Steve762]

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

[Bob Womack]

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.

Bob

[Singer B]

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.