Garand For Shooting/Reenacting

[Roscoe16]

I am considering ordering an M1 garand from the CMP. I want it to shoot live ammo, but also to shoot blanks and to look the part for WWII reenacting. What suggestions would any of you have for which grade to purchase and any special requests I should make for the rifle. I know it is the luck of the draw but am told they will try to meet specific requests if possible. Thanks.

Roscoe16

Information

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[U.S.G.I.]

I wouldn't go below a service grade rifle. If money isn't in the equation get the correct grade. You will be able to shoot it at the range and shoot blanks to. When you look for a blank firing adapter get the Hollywood style. They are far superior to the straight tube type.


Semper Fi...

[Embalmer]

x2 what USGI said. Get atleast a service grade if you plan to do both live and blank shooting, and a hollywood style adapter. Used mine twice for reenacting, and they work well (not noticable at 10 feet). Mostly is used for live fire, as never got into WWII reenacting as much as civil war...

Havent seen the hollywood type adapters as much lately, might have to look around a bit, but are still around.

[M1 Rifleman]

The "Hollywood" style of Blank Adapter I've found to be very pricey. Usually average about $35.00, to $50.00, and mostly available on eBay. I bought a regular Blank Adapter for about $10.00, several years ago and works quite well. The Standard BA "sticks out" a few inches farther, but in the long run, who'll really notice.

[U.S.G.I.]

The "Hollywood" style of Blank Adapter I've found to be very pricey. Usually average about $35.00, to $50.00, and mostly available on eBay. I bought a regular Blank Adapter for about $10.00, several years ago and works quite well. The Standard BA "sticks out" a few inches farther, but in the long run, who'll really notice.

With the tube type BFA you have to take some precautions not to damage the barrel treads. I'm on a Marine Corps League Honor Guard and we do quite a few burials and the Hollywood type work out much better for us. They go on and off and you don't have to sorry about ruining the threads. With the tube type we have had to replace two barrels due to over tightening and loose adapters. If your going from shooting live ammo to firing blanks on some kind of regular bases I would go with the Hollywood style.

[Roscoe16]

Thanks for the info. The Service Grade fits my budget. It appears they are out of Correct Grade right now anyway. Should I get an SA or HRA? Can I just tell them I want a good shooter that looks the WWII part? Will they understand what that means or do I need to be more specific and ask for parkerized finish (nothing black) and walnut stock and handguards (no birch) so it looks the part?

Roscoe16

[U.S.G.I.]

Thanks for the info. The Service Grade fits my budget. It appears they are out of Correct Grade right now anyway. Should I get an SA or HRA? Can I just tell them I want a good shooter that looks the WWII part? Will they understand what that means or do I need to be more specific and ask for parkerized finish (nothing black) and walnut stock and handguards (no birch) so it looks the part?

Roscoe16

Roscoe do you live close to one of the CMP stores?

[Roscoe16]

Nope. I'm in Minnesota.

Roscoe16

[Sarge]

IF you want to be nit picky specific - get an SA in the 3 Mil or below. The HRA was only made durring the Korean War.
I have seen Very Few problems with the standard BFAs available. I think the expensive one talked about here is the one with the locking colar & BFA made in one piece. A Hollywood type BFA is one that is inserted(screwed) into the bore so it doesn't show.
Sarge

[U.S.G.I.]

Nope. I'm in Minnesota.

Roscoe16

Rosco
As sarge stated if you wanting a WWII rifle 3 mil or earlier you can ask for that. You can put a sticky note with your order and request what you are wanting but that comes with the luck of the draw. They might not have such a rifle without looking or holding an order for awhile. That they will not do, if your wanting a WWII rifle just request it. Now for the wood and metal to be a certain way along with a WWII rifle your chances are getting very very thin now. Not to many older rifles coming out of Anniston anymore. If they do show up they will have a mix of WWII parts and Post War. IMHO

Semper Fi...