M1, where can I find one?

cremley · 06-12-2009, 02:27 PM

Well I have been interested in the M1 Garand for as long as I can remember. To me, it is like a symbol of freedom. Anyway, where can I attain one? I saw one in my local gun shop months ago but it was sold and I havn't seen one anywhere since, including gun shows. I have checked out the CMP website but I need to be a member of an affiliated organization. I have everything else and a signed letter from a marksmanship clinic. What organization could I join or should I join. The ones listed in my area were a high school ROTC program (Sorry, but I graduated high school), boy scout troop 66 (I earned my eagle scout award from troop 68 and I wouldn't want to pay a one time fee as an adult member and never have the time to show up), and a 4-H club of some sort. I would rather pay a membership to something like the NRA and be a member that way. Is there an affiliated organization like that?

How do I deal with the CMP? do I have to talk to a local FFL to get a Garand shiped to them? are there other ways of attaining one? I no nothing about how to do this. I have bought all my guns locally and have never had anything shipped to my FFL.

Can you guys help me out?

JimBob · 06-12-2009, 02:46 PM

Membership in the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association,the NRA state affiliate or the Garand Collectors Association will qualify you.The CMP ships direct to you,no FFL is required.They currently have an order to ship time of approx.180 days.If you want one best be getting that order in.

gunnerdave · 06-12-2009, 05:32 PM

^+10. Get a Service Grade and a cuople of cans of M2 Ball ammo. While you still can.

cremley · 06-13-2009, 12:11 PM

Ok, a few more questions. I was looking at the M1 Garand, Springfield Special for $995 on the CMP website. How is this one compared to the others? I don't think it has historical significance but it is supposed to be in excellent condition. What is the difference between SA Service Grade and HRA Service Grade? If I can order one, do they process my money right away or do they wait until they decide to ship the firearm?

This is too cool. I hope I can attain one of these!

JimBob · 06-13-2009, 02:08 PM

Go to the bottom of the Garand sales page,there are condition descriptions of the various grades.Read them carefully so you aren"t disapointed with what you receive.It may match the description exactly or it may be better.Grading is based on bore conditions,cosmetics are secondary.SA or HRA is a personal choice,although the HRA rifles seem to be in a little better overall condition and they didn't make as many as SA.They were all made in the 1950s so wouldn't have seen as much use as a lot of the SA rifles.If you send a check or money order they cash it when order is opened,if CC they don't charge it till pretty close to shipping it.Be aware,if you don't have the patience to wait 6 months or longer this isn't for you.Hounding them about a placed order only slows the process down for you and others.It takes as long as it takes.They are just now shipping Feb.orders due to backlog that started about last October(wonder why) and some limited offerings since then.Read very carefully page 1A of the order form so you understand what it is you are buying.It will take about 6 weeks to get an e-mail saying they received your order,then about 180 or 190 days later notice they are processing your order then aprox. 2 weeks later a shipping invoice with a Fed-Ex tracking number and then usually in one or two days the BWT arrives with your long awaited for treasure.

JimBob · 06-13-2009, 05:22 PM

Another choice would be to wait till Oct.16-25 and go to the Western CMP Games at Phoenix,AZ and pick one out. Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches All paperwork requirements are the same and it still will have to be shipped,you can't take it with you,but you get to see what you are buying.

wilbur46 · 06-13-2009, 05:55 PM

Membership in any of the Veterans Service Organizations now qualify.
If I did not have any Garand, I would buy a "special". At $900 you are getting new everything and its assembled by an actual armorer! It won't be collectible (for a long time) but it will be a heck of a shooter and look good too.
When barreled receivers were $100, you could take your chances, but now you would spend a bundle to get one together yourself,AND, you have to know what you are doing!!!!!!!
Just my 2 cents.

Iron_Colonel · 06-13-2009, 08:24 PM

You can always try auction guns and websites. You can get an idea of muzzle wear and throat erosion and the classifications at the CMP's website. If you have your own gauge and are at a gun show or gun shop, then you can check them yourself. But you'd only be able to take a person's word and whatever pictures there are on an auction page if you looked online. CMP is by far the best way to go, but everyone else must know that now too.

gunnerdave · 06-13-2009, 11:31 PM

The wait may be long for a CMP rifle, but in the end, it IS worth it. If you buy an M1 from a vendor, or auction site, you are at the mercy of the seller. The CMP's Customer Service is second to none, and you will surely get more than you pay for. Buy with a credit card with an expiration date of over one year from now to be sure there aren't any last minute snags, and you don't have to part with the money so far in advance of receiving the rifle.

Just my 2-cents.

Dave

.22guy · 06-13-2009, 11:59 PM

Just get the service grade!

twtalbot · 06-14-2009, 02:45 PM

CMP is the way to go. The wait will be long, but the rifle will be worth it. GCA membership is easy and inexpensive to obtain. As far as historical significance is concerned, keep in mind that the Garands being sold now have been on loan to allied countries with the last batch coming from Greece. The rifles will contain replacement parts which may be from different manufacturers than what's original to the rifle. That being considered, as far as US service is concerned, the "Special" isn't much less historical than the other grades unless you expand your historical criterea to include the rifle's "foreign servive" as well. A service grade will be the best "bang for the buck", with a Special being as close as you can get to an "as new" specimen without laying down the extra $500 for a Miltech Garand.

Kemosabe · 06-14-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cremley

Well I have been interested in the M1 Garand for as long as I can remember. To me, it is like a symbol of freedom. Anyway, where can I attain one?

Can you guys help me out?

I PMd you re: my Garand. Let me know if you DIDN'T get the message. THANKS!!

DesertRaider109 · 06-14-2009, 10:30 PM

Join the Garand Collector's Association, it is easy and fast plus you get a cool magazine for free!

cremley · 06-15-2009, 01:07 AM

Thanks for all the help guys, I will keep you posted on what I decide to do.

Pronsias · 06-15-2009, 03:35 AM

The GCA as mentioned by DesertRaider109 is the largest and usually the first stop. Note that their memberships always end on September 1 no matter when you register, so better factor that into your decision. I recently caught the Garand bug, the only thing holding me back is the ship time (not sure about my housing situation in that time).

Sarge · 06-15-2009, 03:48 AM

Check out the gun shows in Sante Fe, Albequrke or where ever. You never know what you will find.
I sell rifles to reenactors and am always on the lookout for something I can make $50-100 on.
I just bought 2 SAs at a Gun/Miitaria show in Kansas City 3 weeks ago.
He had 4 when he set up Fri afternoon and I tried to buy all 4. No deal. On Sunday afternoon he still had 2 and I got them for $500 ea.
Pays to keep your eyes open.
Sarge

cremley · 06-15-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge

Check out the gun shows in Sante Fe, Albequrke or where ever. You never know what you will find.
I sell rifles to reenactors and am always on the lookout for something I can make $50-100 on.
I just bought 2 SAs at a Gun/Miitaria show in Kansas City 3 weeks ago.
He had 4 when he set up Fri afternoon and I tried to buy all 4. No deal. On Sunday afternoon he still had 2 and I got them for $500 ea.
Pays to keep your eyes open.
Sarge

Good finds!

cremley · 06-15-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pronsias

the only thing holding me back is the ship time (not sure about my housing situation in that time).

Same here...

Pronsias · 06-15-2009, 01:06 PM

I sent them an email, I'll let you know what they say when they reply.

cremley · 06-15-2009, 03:13 PM

Dang, you guys are a big help! I am glad i joined this forum when I did and have sent a little money to keep this place going. I would probably have one gun that I knew little about and wouldn't take it to the range much without you guys!

06-12-2009, 02:27 PM	#1
cremley Young Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 2,631	M1, where can I find one? Well I have been interested in the M1 Garand for as long as I can remember. To me, it is like a symbol of freedom. Anyway, where can I attain one? I saw one in my local gun shop months ago but it was sold and I havn't seen one anywhere since, including gun shows. I have checked out the CMP website but I need to be a member of an affiliated organization. I have everything else and a signed letter from a marksmanship clinic. What organization could I join or should I join. The ones listed in my area were a high school ROTC program (Sorry, but I graduated high school), boy scout troop 66 (I earned my eagle scout award from troop 68 and I wouldn't want to pay a one time fee as an adult member and never have the time to show up), and a 4-H club of some sort. I would rather pay a membership to something like the NRA and be a member that way. Is there an affiliated organization like that? How do I deal with the CMP? do I have to talk to a local FFL to get a Garand shiped to them? are there other ways of attaining one? I no nothing about how to do this. I have bought all my guns locally and have never had anything shipped to my FFL. Can you guys help me out? __________________ I wouldn't be so paranoid if everyone wasn't out to get me. NRA MEMBER

06-12-2009, 05:32 PM	#3
gunnerdave Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 653	^+10. Get a Service Grade and a cuople of cans of M2 Ball ammo. While you still can. __________________ Show me where Josef Stalin is buried & I'll show you a communist plot.

06-13-2009, 12:11 PM	#4
cremley Young Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 2,631	Ok, a few more questions. I was looking at the M1 Garand, Springfield Special for $995 on the CMP website. How is this one compared to the others? I don't think it has historical significance but it is supposed to be in excellent condition. What is the difference between SA Service Grade and HRA Service Grade? If I can order one, do they process my money right away or do they wait until they decide to ship the firearm? This is too cool. I hope I can attain one of these! __________________ I wouldn't be so paranoid if everyone wasn't out to get me. NRA MEMBER

06-13-2009, 02:08 PM	#5
JimBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 720	Go to the bottom of the Garand sales page,there are condition descriptions of the various grades.Read them carefully so you aren"t disapointed with what you receive.It may match the description exactly or it may be better.Grading is based on bore conditions,cosmetics are secondary.SA or HRA is a personal choice,although the HRA rifles seem to be in a little better overall condition and they didn't make as many as SA.They were all made in the 1950s so wouldn't have seen as much use as a lot of the SA rifles.If you send a check or money order they cash it when order is opened,if CC they don't charge it till pretty close to shipping it.Be aware,if you don't have the patience to wait 6 months or longer this isn't for you.Hounding them about a placed order only slows the process down for you and others.It takes as long as it takes.They are just now shipping Feb.orders due to backlog that started about last October(wonder why) and some limited offerings since then.Read very carefully page 1A of the order form so you understand what it is you are buying.It will take about 6 weeks to get an e-mail saying they received your order,then about 180 or 190 days later notice they are processing your order then aprox. 2 weeks later a shipping invoice with a Fed-Ex tracking number and then usually in one or two days the BWT arrives with your long awaited for treasure. Last edited by JimBob; 06-13-2009 at 02:15 PM.

06-13-2009, 05:55 PM	#7
wilbur46 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 7	required membership Membership in any of the Veterans Service Organizations now qualify. If I did not have any Garand, I would buy a "special". At $900 you are getting new everything and its assembled by an actual armorer! It won't be collectible (for a long time) but it will be a heck of a shooter and look good too. When barreled receivers were $100, you could take your chances, but now you would spend a bundle to get one together yourself,AND, you have to know what you are doing!!!!!!! Just my 2 cents.

06-12-2009, 02:46 PM	#2
JimBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 720	Membership in the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association,the NRA state affiliate or the Garand Collectors Association will qualify you.The CMP ships direct to you,no FFL is required.They currently have an order to ship time of approx.180 days.If you want one best be getting that order in.

06-13-2009, 05:22 PM	#6
JimBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 720	Another choice would be to wait till Oct.16-25 and go to the Western CMP Games at Phoenix,AZ and pick one out. Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches All paperwork requirements are the same and it still will have to be shipped,you can't take it with you,but you get to see what you are buying.

06-13-2009, 08:24 PM	#8
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,210	You can always try auction guns and websites. You can get an idea of muzzle wear and throat erosion and the classifications at the CMP's website. If you have your own gauge and are at a gun show or gun shop, then you can check them yourself. But you'd only be able to take a person's word and whatever pictures there are on an auction page if you looked online. CMP is by far the best way to go, but everyone else must know that now too. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

06-13-2009, 11:31 PM	#9
gunnerdave Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 653	The wait may be long for a CMP rifle, but in the end, it IS worth it. If you buy an M1 from a vendor, or auction site, you are at the mercy of the seller. The CMP's Customer Service is second to none, and you will surely get more than you pay for. Buy with a credit card with an expiration date of over one year from now to be sure there aren't any last minute snags, and you don't have to part with the money so far in advance of receiving the rifle. Just my 2-cents. Dave __________________ Show me where Josef Stalin is buried & I'll show you a communist plot.

06-13-2009, 11:59 PM	#10
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,200	Just get the service grade! __________________ My first priority will be to reinstate the assault weapons ban as soon as I take office.

06-14-2009, 02:45 PM	#11
twtalbot Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 412	CMP is the way to go. The wait will be long, but the rifle will be worth it. GCA membership is easy and inexpensive to obtain. As far as historical significance is concerned, keep in mind that the Garands being sold now have been on loan to allied countries with the last batch coming from Greece. The rifles will contain replacement parts which may be from different manufacturers than what's original to the rifle. That being considered, as far as US service is concerned, the "Special" isn't much less historical than the other grades unless you expand your historical criterea to include the rifle's "foreign servive" as well. A service grade will be the best "bang for the buck", with a Special being as close as you can get to an "as new" specimen without laying down the extra $500 for a Miltech Garand. __________________ My rifle and pistol are only tools. I am the weapon.

06-14-2009, 10:30 PM	#13
DesertRaider109 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 401 Blog Entries: 1	Join the Garand Collector's Association, it is easy and fast plus you get a cool magazine for free!

06-15-2009, 01:07 AM	#14
cremley Young Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 2,631	Thanks for all the help guys, I will keep you posted on what I decide to do. __________________ I wouldn't be so paranoid if everyone wasn't out to get me. NRA MEMBER

06-15-2009, 03:35 AM	#15
Pronsias Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NV Posts: 147	The GCA as mentioned by DesertRaider109 is the largest and usually the first stop. Note that their memberships always end on September 1 no matter when you register, so better factor that into your decision. I recently caught the Garand bug, the only thing holding me back is the ship time (not sure about my housing situation in that time).

06-15-2009, 03:48 AM	#16
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 388	Check out the gun shows in Sante Fe, Albequrke or where ever. You never know what you will find. I sell rifles to reenactors and am always on the lookout for something I can make $50-100 on. I just bought 2 SAs at a Gun/Miitaria show in Kansas City 3 weeks ago. He had 4 when he set up Fri afternoon and I tried to buy all 4. No deal. On Sunday afternoon he still had 2 and I got them for $500 ea. Pays to keep your eyes open. Sarge __________________ Calling illegal aliens undocumented immigrants is like calling drug dealers unlicensed pharmacists!

06-15-2009, 01:06 PM	#19
Pronsias Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NV Posts: 147	I sent them an email, I'll let you know what they say when they reply.

06-15-2009, 03:13 PM	#20
cremley Young Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 2,631	Dang, you guys are a big help! I am glad i joined this forum when I did and have sent a little money to keep this place going. I would probably have one gun that I knew little about and wouldn't take it to the range much without you guys! __________________ I wouldn't be so paranoid if everyone wasn't out to get me. NRA MEMBER