M1 Garand for re-enactments

[mtudb24]

Hi all. Newbie here. Trying to understand what is best in looking for an M1 to be used for re-enactments. My son who is who is facitnated with WW2 can finally get rid of his Denix M1 garand non-firing copy and I would lke to buy him a real WWII (or at least parts are of it are from WWII0) and convert it to shoot blanks. I have found one on gunbrokers that the barrel is already threaded for the BFA (Blank Firing Adaptor).
Just looking for other's opinons as what to look for and what sites to use. Gunsbroker.com has lots of M1's for sale. The group my son runs with is not so strict that every part of the M1 has to be dated WWII. I lost an auction last night by $25 bucks for a 1944 receiver, trigger, gas rod, etc but barrel was 1951 by $25 bucks. I got sniped and didn't pay attention to when the auction ended this morning. My budget is between $1500 and $2000

Is Gunbroker the place to buy or are there other websites. My local dealer has a few but he has no knowledge of dates of receivers, triggers, barrels etc and is more interested in just selling a gun vs knowing what he has. And I'm not smart enough to know what a good deal is or isn't
Thanks
Todd

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.

[Bob Seijas]

Go to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) and specify a WWII receiver. M1 Garand - Civilian Marksmanship ProgramCivilian Marksmanship Program
The barrel does not have to be threaded for a blank adapter, they fit on in place of the gas cylinder lock and are held in place by the lock screw. You don't have to spend that much money for one that fits your purposes. Attachment 99330

[browningautorifle]

Agreed...you don't need to spend nearly that much. Too, if you just get the BFA like Bob suggests, you could use the rifle on the range as well, he's eventually going to want to.

[rcathey]

I’ll add on to what the others said:
That’s PLENTY of money for a decent Garand, the blank firing adapter, lots of ammo for some range fun, and some re-enactment gear.

Even on GunBroker I think you’d be able to find a nice rifle for $1k or so.

Also, just thought I’d say this is a pretty cool thing you’re doing for your son. Good on ya!

[AFJon]

Keep in mind there it the CMP north store in Port Clinton Ohio. You'll have to meet the eligibility requirements, not hard but you can hand pick the rifle.

NORTH STORE - Civilian Marksmanship ProgramCivilian Marksmanship Program

Also monitor this thread at the CMP forum for store reports

CMP North Store - CMP Forums

[Bob Womack]

The easiest visual external "tell" on an early WWII rifle is the milled trigger group. The early ones looked like this:




That loop on the far left is what identifies it.


Bob