Century Arms Garand

[vintage hunter]

Why are they considered junk? Are they unsafe to shoot?

Information

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[LeagleEagle]

Don't know if they are or not, but I couldn't see buying one when excellent condition Service Grade M1s are now selling at CMP for $595

[Skip]

I helped a friend run a few tables at a guns show many years ago and there were two tables of them. At no time did I see anyone pick one up or asked the seller any questions. On further inspections they were real beaters. CMP is your best bet.

[vintage hunter]

I've had several SA Garands over the years including one from CMP and was never impressed by they're accuracy. About 10 years ago I traded a worn out Remington 742 that would'nt shoot over three times without jamming for a C.I.A. Garand, mainly because it was still in the box unfired and had a brand new Danish VAR marked barrel, with the intentions of one day swapping out the receiver for a real one. Well, I still have'nt swapped receivers and most likely won't. This is the slickest, tightest and after a former USMC armourer pal helped accurize it one of the most accurate Garands I've ever shot and it runs great. Never had any kind of problem out of it. Was just wondering if there were any safety issues like the Nat. Ord 1903's have, if not I have a great shooter for less than $150.

[ltcboy]

Why are they considered junk? Are they unsafe to shoot?

These receivers were made from a casting and at many times were made out of spec. There were horror stories about 10 yrs ago and I can remember reading about these rifles being put together haphazzardly. Barrels were still loose, the oprod would not function properly, nor the would bolt cylcle, because the receiver was so out of spec that it prevented the rifle from working properly. CAI was one cast receiver, Lithgow was another. Some will tell you that they had these rifles and never had a problem. Maybe. But with a CMP Garand, you are getting a milled receiver that will outlast you, me, your son and maybe even your great grandson.


If you go to Fulton Armory's website, under their M1 Garand section, they have pics to actually show you the mistakes that were made on the CAI receivers, along with a copy of a service bill and invoice. I never bought a CAI and I never will. Personally, I need another M1 like I need a hole in the head. If I were to buy a CAI, and the price were cheap enough, it would be to cannibalize the other USGI parts and have them as spare parts.

Here is a link to what I am refering to;

http://fulton-armory.com/faqs/M1G-FAQs/Lithgow-TI.htm

Mike

[Seventh Fleet]

Not just their Garands but anything with CAI on it is highly suspect and should be avoided. There an internet witticism that says, the products from Century Arms International are assembled by trained monkeys with hammers.

7th

[emmagee1917]

I bought one from a local gunshop here. Was shooting it from a bench and was VERY accurate , but the gun was not functioning right. Can't recall what it was doing , but the groups were so tight I was hoping it would smooth out with a few more shots. Fired one round and the gun opened way too early. Never did figure how it could do that. Anyway a jet of gas / burning powder shot up out of the reciever , hit the brim of my cap , and deflected into my face. Hurt like ****. My shooting glasses saved my eyes but gas went over the top and into them . When I took them off , I looked like a raccoon . I went straight into the gunshop , threw the rifle on the counter , and demanded a cash refund. One look at the powder marks and he did so and also pulled the ones on his rack and started calling everyone who had bought one. Sent them all back.
More the pity because I was getting close to MOA groups out of Hanson mil-spec ball.
Chris

[Calif-Steve]

Something like a lawsuit must have happened. I remember several years ago Century blew out all of its Garand parts for next to nothing. I bought all I could afford. They then sold off the cast receivers to dealers. I still see them around. Very sudden like event. Something must have happened.