Being Offered a M1 Garand

[usabaker]

A person I know is asking if I would like to buy one of his M1 Garand's. It looks fantastic in and out, the bore is crisps. He's asking $900.00 but I don;t really know what these rifles are worth. I was thinking about getting it so I could enter of NRA shoots, pretty much what he used it for. Any advice?

Thanks in Advance

Attachment 109417Attachment 109418Attachment 109419Attachment 109420

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[rcathey]

In person deal for $900...I think that’s a fine price. You wouldn’t be stealing it but you’re not overpaying either.

If you want one, buy it!

[browningautorifle]

I'd say take it too...

[Tommiep54]

Not a bad price depending on geography. The WW2 serial number is a plus. Check the date and manufacturer of the barrel as a bonus. Most likely the barrel has been replaced like most have. The rear sights would have been lock bar style but like most garands were changed to the later t105 style. The stock looks like either an HRA, Overton, or modern stock but I can't tell from the pic exactly. Most garands have been rebuilt at least once and are a mix of parts. The main concern to most is the barrel. Since you probably don't have a guage just make sure the barrel isn't pitted. Hope that helps some.

[AFJon]

Is the butt plate proud of the stock? The first photo makes it look like the stock has been heavily sanded.

[Tommiep54]

Agree, now that you mention it, the butt does look heavily sanded.

[browningautorifle]

The sanded buttstock is of no consequence as it can be replaced without effort. They come up if you keep your eyes open, they were all rebuilt and as long as everything is serviceable it's good for that price. If we were discussing something original the price would be far higher.

[fjruple]

In our area, the M1 you have if the barrel is in great shape would run about $1,200 easy. Most folks are looking for a good shooter but the collector are out there. I had a collection of 6 M-1 Garands come in from a collector. A Winchester, two H&R, one IHC and the rest WWII Springfield Armory. The two H&R and the IHC were like new original. The Winchester and springfield Armory were post WWII rebuilts but in excellent condition. I had a collector come in and purchased all six for $12,000.00 US. They were easily worth that much.

[Tommiep54]

Those must have been some nice rifles, and being a collector he probably knew what he was looking at. A nice WRA barrel alone will cost you $500. Garands are all over the map, but if he knows the rifles and paid on average 2k per rifle they had some value. I wish I could see them. As to the OP, yes a butt stock is an easy replacement if you want one but functionally I think it's just fine to shoot as is.

[AFJon]

The sanded buttstock is of no consequence as it can be replaced without effort. They come up if you keep your eyes open, they were all rebuilt and as long as everything is serviceable it's good for that price. If we were discussing something original the price would be far higher.

Yes easily replaced, at a cost that will drive the rifle over $1000. Since the Op is a US Veteran he could purchase a similar rifle from the CMP for $750 (backlogged now due to COVID) and whatever fees California will levy, or step down a grade and spend $650 on a field grade.

M1 Garand - Civilian Marksmanship Program