Acquiring a M1 Garand

[szvacek]

I have recently purchased a Ithaca 1911 and a QMC M1 Carbine that were carried by the same soldier in WWII (1st Lt, 20th Armored Div.).

I would like to add to my small collection a M1 Garand, but don't really have experience in purchasing these rifles. I do know the CMP handles the Governments surplus.

Would like some opinions from the group as to the best (an least chance of getting ripped off) way to go about purchasing something is decent shape.

Thanks
Steve Z

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[Zorba]

Buy it from the CMP.

End of discussion.

[rcathey]

I got really lucky (thanks to some bad photos) and snagged mine cheap off gunbroker.
However, if I were to do it again, I’d go through the CMP. I don’t meet all the requirements but getting them all would still make the CMP the cheaper and safer route to go.

[RazorBurn]

Buy it from the CMP.

End of discussion.

This. It really is that simple!

[AFJon]

CMP. Not that hard to do. But the Service grade it'll be money well spent.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

The CMP requirements seem complicated but are really not. Well worth jumping thru a couple of hoops.

[Detroit-1]

I heard alot of the service grades are coming with new non military stocks. For the history get one with a military stock. If you don't care about it having all correct parts there are many nice mix masters at gun shows. But first get a muzzel and throat guage, which you can get from the CMP. Don't EVER buy a M1 without knowing how it guages.

[Sunray]

The advantage of the CMP is that you'll be buying a rifle that you can be 100% certain is safe to shoot. Plus if you have any issues with the rifle, you have the option of sending it back to be fixed.
"... I don’t meet all the requirements..." The only one that's not easily met is the citizenship requirement. All the rest are easy to comply with. Mind you, you should shoot the matches anyway. You'll meet some great people, most of whom will bend over backwards to help a new shooter. Including letting you shoot their rifles.
"...service grades are coming with new non military stocks..." And? Service grades are shooters. Most rifles with "all correct parts" have bee made that way by somebody with too much time and money. Worse if the seller tries to tell you the S/N's match the parts. Numbers on parts have nothing to do with the S/N. They're drawing numbers.
"...carried by the same soldier in WWII..." The troopies were not allowed to keep their issue kit. Officers were supposedly allowed to buy their issue firearm but I've never seen anything that documents that.

[Jonzie]

I purchased an M1 special in 308, very nice rifle I am very happy with it. Its a good thing I dont live close to the CMP.