I'm desperately wanting to add a Garand to my collection.

Right now, I have a Mosin, K31, new production Thompson, and M1 Carbine.

Would it be better to grab a Service grade ($750) or Special (new parts) grade M1 ($1,050) from CMP or pay the extra for a correct WWII model (around $1000-1300)?

Weird, its like you are in my head! Linky

I'll be happy to share pics when I get my rifles since I did the $750 Spring/H&R service grade route.

Depends if you care about it being a Collector Rifle or a Great Shooter. I have bought both SA and WRA's special grades with new barrels and they are "Tack Drivers" My older SA with barrel from 1944 shoots good, but nothing like the ones with new barrels. Matches are now allowing the new barrels to compete.

You can't go wrong either way.

Good Luck

Yep, pretty much what redlickranch said.

If you want it to be more historical, get an original from the CMP. The Service Grade is the best bang for the buck in this regard.

If it you want it to be the best shooter possible, get a CMP Special rebuild.

If you're after a shooter, I don't think you can do better than a CMP special. I'm extremely pleased with mine. They're pretty much good as new!

You need to look deeper into the meaning of "correct", don't mistake that for "original".

Agree with cas very very few original as first from the factory rifles out there.
Recently a new CMP special is out- Philippines return pitted receivers with new barrels, $650 I think. If I was going to buy yet another 30-06 M1 this would be a great option for a shooter. Most CMP descriptions are conservative and condition is generally better than expected

Service grade is the way to go. The correct models are a significant price increase for little gain. They are still mixed parts guns but just from within the same age range.

Thank you guys for the input. I was mainly concerned Service grade would still be pretty rough. I'll give it a go!

I had given up finding a decent M1 Garand. Last bunch of shows I had been to, as well as private listings were $1200+ in my area. For once though, I was in a (semi) right place at the right time. I walked into a shop I rarely go to, just to check if they had any upcoming gun raffle tickets for sale, and up on the wall was a nicely finished M1. I figured that the stock was refinished, and this shop is well known for being on the high side of high prices, so I wasn't expecting much. Turns out the store armorer had just purchased a Barrett 50 cal. and was selling off some of his guns to offset the cost of the Barrett.

Checked out the receiver, Springfield in the 1.8M range, dated to August of 1943. The bolt was correct as well for the period. The barrel was a later year Springfield, but there was no pitting on any of the metal parts, just some light wear. When they told me the price, I couldn't say yes fast enough. It was several hundred dollars under the dirty and worn or mix master stuff I had seen recently, and really just looked as if it had been cared for pretty well.

One thing led to another and I just ended up getting it last week, but it had been on hold since January. Issues with the store and its FFL. Topic of a completely other thread. But anyway, I have 100 rounds of CMP 30-06 150 grain, but no clips yet. LOL.

Anyway, relative to the OP, I have been to Camp Perry once and I was going to go back there and just buy a Service Grade, hoping for some advice from the staff there if possible. Nice thing is that if they have the time, they are incredibly accommodating and willing to help with the guns on the racks. All of the guns have muzzle and throat erosion markings as well. So if you are looking for a shooter, you should be able to find something that you want. As the selection is really getting short there, the best two options are definitely what the guys here have told you. If you are going to shoot in M1 or Service rifle competitions, and the new barrels are permitted, I would go for the CMP refurb with the Criterion barrel and new stock. If you are more into surplus/issued, then the Service Grade will give you the best shot of getting something nice. I have never been to Anniston, but that depot is supposed to be three or four times larger than Camp Perry. Camp Perry is really a lot smaller than I expected, as far as the CMP store. I had pretty much given up hope, but maybe some good karma finally. Good Luck!!

I just mailed out my order! I ordered a RM1SERVICE. Hopefully, I get a Springfield.

I was lucky enough a few years ago to get 3 refinished receivers from the CMP at a really good price. No pitting and all Springfields. Some day I hope to build 1 or 2 into a nice shooter.

quote:

Originally posted by SIG4EVA:
I just mailed out my order! I ordered a RM1SERVICE. Hopefully, I get a Springfield.

Hopefully this virus stuff calms down and you don't have to wait 6 months to get it. Wait time was about 30 days before things started shutting down. Good time to look for ammo and clips.

I am not a gun collector. But I am very weak when faced with new gun additions to my "Cave". The M-1 Garands are fantastic rifles. May years ago I was a serious Military shooter. When my life moved on I was allowed my two Garands and a 1903A3. The M-1 is amazing at 1,000 Meters on iron.

Found an old ad that had $429 Garands. Well over 10 years ago, but crazy how cheap they were at one time. I got one and the bullet when you would put it into the end of the barrel would touch the brass case. These were shot out.

quote:

Originally posted by redlickranch:
Found an old ad that had $429 Garands. Well over 10 years ago, but crazy how cheap they were at one time. I got one and the bullet when you would put it into the end of the barrel would touch the brass case. These were shot out.

or damaged from cleaning,

lots of the wear on the muzzle is from over aggressive cleaning w/ the steel rods,

I've seen a couple over the years were the muzzle was a bit oval, (worn)

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:

quote:

Originally posted by redlickranch:
Found an old ad that had $429 Garands. Well over 10 years ago, but crazy how cheap they were at one time. I got one and the bullet when you would put it into the end of the barrel would touch the brass case. These were shot out.

or damaged from cleaning,

lots of the wear on the muzzle is from over aggressive cleaning w/ the steel rods,

I've seen a couple over the years were the muzzle was a bit oval, (worn)

I've seen a number of Garand barrels (and '03, 1917 and Carbine) that would swallow my Ted Brown muzzle gauge to the knurled handle without even a hint of contact with the bore. Most were import marked, but not all of them. Tomato stakes all. Mostly with a premium price attached....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: M1Garandy,

quote:

Originally posted by redlickranch:
Found an old ad that had $429 Garands. Well over 10 years ago, but crazy how cheap they were at one time. I got one and the bullet when you would put it into the end of the barrel would touch the brass case. These were shot out.

I remember seeing maybe 50 of them, all standing up in a barrel in a hardware store (that sold fishing equipment, guns, etc. etc.) in Burnesville, NC when I was around 10 years old for $35 a piece.

That is not a CMP ad. Those were likely Blue Sky imports sold commercially.

quote:

Originally posted by redlickranch:
Found an old ad that had $429 Garands. Well over 10 years ago, but crazy how cheap they were at one time. I got one and the bullet when you would put it into the end of the barrel would touch the brass case. These were shot out.

quote:

Originally posted by redlickranch:

quote:

Originally posted by SIG4EVA:
I just mailed out my order! I ordered a RM1SERVICE. Hopefully, I get a Springfield.

Hopefully this virus stuff calms down and you don't have to wait 6 months to get it. Wait time was about 30 days before things started shutting down. Good time to look for ammo and clips.

You're joking right? Ammo is either unavailable or priced like weapons grade plutonium everywhere I've been looking.