Years ago,after I saw an article about the Clinton Admin. destroying all the surplus M1 Garands and Carbines, I decided I wanted an M1 Garand, but the prices shot up dramaticly (way out of reach for a Private).
Last Christmas I saw an add in the local paper of a man selling a barrelled M1 Garand reciever for $250. I called and he said he would sell it for $200. When I met him at a local gunsmith's shop and had him look it over (gunsmith said it looked good) the seller said he would sell it for $150 because he wanted money for Christmas gifts. I walked out with it for $150.
I remembered adds in the Shotgun News a few years ago of M1 parts kits (all parts but the barrel and reciever) running about $200. When I bought a recent Shotgun News, the only company selling parts kits was Sarco for $400. I bought one thinking I was still saving $50 over the price of a Service Grade CMP gun. The stock was horrible and had to be replaced, luckly I found a new looking stock at a local gunshop for $40.
I had my local gunsmith check the headspace before I tried to shoot it and it turned out the barrel would not headspace and I had to order a new barrel from the CMP, $187 for the Criterion. It arrived last Friday and my gunsmith called me telling me it was ready to be picked up today. The gunsmithing charge was $110.
So my total is $887 (actually more like $900 including a couple of small parts I bought). I took it out to the range today and sighted it in. I was impressed at the accuracy and smoothness of operation. This one is a keeper, but I'm still kicking myself for not ordering a Service grade from the CMP, even with the long wait. I will be ordering one of their Barvarian M1 Carbines though.
I would'nt worry about it because you know what you've got. Don't give it a 2nd. thought and enjoy your M-1 build kinda.
You may not recieve one from CMP as good as the one you have now and you could possible even spend more money on the CMP like some have here.
We all buy guns and spend additional money on some of them some times, so it's a givin.
Enjoy that M-1 you got because your the one that gave it new life, not CMP so it's special...A.H
I agree that you should not look back one bit! Remember, you now have a new barrel. The service grade M1s will not have new barrels. They may still have a lot of life left in them but they could be gauged at a 3 +/- ME/TE. You got better than that. What you have is a rifle I would consider almost a "special" grade. Those run about what you paid. You can't expect new barrels on the SG M1s from the CMP. Shoot and enjoy!
Shoot and enjoy. I would rather pay top dollar for a good rifle than try to save money and be frustrated.
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Dedicated to the memory of Ronald "Dad" Knutson Sr. 1936-2013
You probably did the right thing. I agree with the rest that you could have saved a little with CMP, but really it is better when you can go to the CMP store and hand pick your new purchase with guages.
I bought an H&R over at Anniston a few months back that was in excellent condition right out of the rack, but I checked the muzzles of a bunch of them.
With all my M1's and M1A's I have spent even more because Hook Boutin has accurized all of them. He didn't bed any of my Garands, but he did the full job on my three M1A's. Now they all shoot like champs.
Enjoy that rifle and shoot it a lot. Now you can try to order your allotment of ammo from CMP, don't shoot commercial ammo unless you get an adjustable gas plug.
LOL Don't feel bad or that you wasted your time and money.I bought one of the CMP woodless Winchesters.I quit looking at the prices after I spent more on the correct parts so far than I gave for the rifle and still don't have everything and am going to use a new barrel.I gave up on some things because of cost or availability.But it's fun doing one from parts,makes it feel a little more yours and not one off the rack.
Luckily I bought nearly 3000 rounds of Greek 30-06 a few years ago really cheap, mainly for my 1903 and 1917. I've got about 24 enbloc clips, but I think I might want more, anybody now a of a good supplier?
Luckily I bought nearly 3000 rounds of Greek 30-06 a few years ago really cheap, mainly for my 1903 and 1917. I've got about 24 enbloc clips, but I think I might want more, anybody now a of a good supplier?
One of the local gun shops here has literally a barrel full of them. Try calling The Sportsman's Den in Carmel, NY and see if you can work out a deal for some.
Made a similar error years ago.Back in the 70''s and early 80's the re-importation of Garands was not allowed,and the DCM allowed ONE rifle in a lifetime and qualification for one was more stringent.Thus the supply of Garands in the U.S. was limited and prices high. When they first allowed the re-importation I got my hands on a Garand that came in from Korea thru an importer. Price was half of what the going price was. Stock was toast, the barrel even worse. Eight shots of 40 hit paper. I had to get a new bbl. a different stock, plus some other small parts. It ended up costing with gunsmith charges,well over what I would have paid for a Garand had I just bought one that was here. Sometimes you think you are getting a bargain, but 'fixing the bargain' could be costly. Now I have learned that paying fair prices could be the best and cheapest way in the long run.
At least new M1 Garand barrels and other parts are available. I believe there are after market barrels, operating rods, and other parts made to some pretty high standards that may exceed those of the original parts. Regardless, an M1 Garand with a "new" barrel at $900 is not a bad deal.
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