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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[RCS]

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

[usabaker]

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

Jim, Thanks for looking

[usabaker]

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

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.