A couple questions from a new Garand owner

[Neal Myers]

We all make mistakes buying guns; this was yours. If you can break even, fine, but I'd take whatever I could get for it, & move on.

When you check Gunbroker, look at COMPLETED auctions, not what folks are asking, which may not be realistic. COMPLETED auctions tell you what someone actually bid.

Yes, folks sometimes get $500-600 for a CAI M1 rifle, but only from someone who is new to M1 rifles. Those who know about them will not buy a CAI, at any price.

Twice I assisted shooters at my range who were having trouble with newly purchased CAI's. I field stripped both rifles, so I had a chance to closely examine all parts. Not only were the receivers out of spec, but the parts were well used. I was able to get 1 rifle to function, but it could only be taken apart/assembled with a hammer & drift punches. The other rifle had a bad op rod slot, & required welding/gunsmithing. In both cases, I warned the owners that their rifles were not safe to fire. I didn't do any metallurgical testing, but I don't think anyone should take a chance on a rifle that they know is not made right.

[us019255]

Another possibility:

If you can wait 20 years, keep it and later sell it to a collector who wants to complete his/her collection with an example of a CIA rifle. I have seen examples of this with the Bannerman abortions that are part Krag, part M1903.

[Clash77]

Yes, folks sometimes get $500-600 for a CAI M1 rifle, but only from someone who is new to M1 rifles. Those who know about them will not buy a CAI, at any price.

Well that was me I admit it.

At this point I'm thinking I'll just finish fulfilling the CMP eligibility requirements, go pick out a new rifle, and just deal with this one later.
Perhaps I might gut it for parts later down the road or something, as there are a few nice '41 and '44 SA parts in here.
Or maybe I'll just hang on to it as a wall hanger for a while and do what us019255 says

[browningautorifle]

If that's what you do, eventually you'll stumble across a receiver at a good price. One of the big four I mean. The only thing then is to make sure it's what you need and not some cut and weld or out of spec item. Just hanging an M1 on the wall seems a waste. Mind, as was said, the parts installed COULD be questionable too.

[Clash77]

I think I'll just go down to CMP and pick out a nice Field Grade, and just keep an eye out for receivers at gun shows or pick one up at CMP while I'm there for this one.

I'd feel bad trying to pass this one off to a new Garand user and seeing how little I may actually be able to get for it, it's almost not worth it.

[Clash77]

Sorry for the double post, but I have one last question.

What do you all think a 4-44 SA barrel gauging just under 3 at the muzzle is worth? Unfortunately I don't have a throat gauge so I can't check that.
Thanks for the help everyone!

[the old gringo]

when you jump on the parts gun you have to be carefful. a good thing resale of it should be really good right now. if you can swing the extra 400.00, CMP has some nice rifles 900.00 last time i looked , and no need to worry about rifle the CMP set up rifles are good new Cryterion barrel parts are gauged stocks are new good shooters. i just had my CMP rifle rebuilt ,by a retired armor Charles Maloney and i am more than impressed ! just had to add my 2 cents in enjoy which ever way you go
just rember DO NOT USE RELOADS in m1 you could have reciever break the few issues i have seen and have been warned of no reloads if she ever goes off with the bolt out of battery bad juju

[browningautorifle]

just rember DO NOT USE RELOADS in m1 you could have reciever break the few issues i have seen and have been warned of no reloads if she ever goes off with the bolt out of battery bad juju

Let's not start that part yet. Let's get him holding an M1 that's to taste first. Then we'll start with that. By the way, I've always reloaded for M1 rifle, and had no problems.

[jmoore]

I suppose it might not be a bad idea to decide what if any parts off the CAI receivered assembly you might want to keep before moving it along. Is the intent to make a shooter or build up a collection of correct parts "flying in formatiion"?

[Clash77]

For Garands anyways, my desire falls more into having a nice shooter, though someday it would be nice to have a show piece.
With almost all of my guns though, priorities are shoot-ability first, show-i-ness second.

Off the CAI the "nicest" parts on it are the '44 SA bolt, '44 SA barrel, and '41 SA trigger group, which is set in a BMB housing with a '41 SA trigger guard. As far as I can tell, the rest of the gun is comprised of Breda and Beretta parts. Forward handguards are USGI, stock is Danish (I think), op-rod is unknown as it's unmarked except for a 3-digit number, and gas cylinder is also unmarked.