I'm considering getting one. have any opinions?

oops, Garand

There is nothing wrong with owning one.
Ammo is plentiful, I even have some in stock in Garand Clips.
I think what you need to justify is the cost.

Ask yourself if you feel you will get your money's worth out of spending $700+ for it.

-Spencer

quote:

Originally posted by heresyourslaw:
I'm considering getting one. have any opinions?

They're a lot of fun to take to the range and just SHOOT. But they're really not any good for anything, unless you're into a lot of infantry operations!!

I used to like to shoot one back when the Army was buying the ammo, but I sold mine several years ago to a guy who just had to have one.... he'd never heard a shot fired in anger!!

I had one for a long time when they were free. It belonged to the club but I had it for a decade or more. The ammo was free too and I shot cans and cans of it.

Besides war the only thing it was ideal for was multiple shot running deer matches and it was very good for that. What with the eight shot magazine which makes it illegal here for hunting and it's weight it remains what it is an historical battle rifle.

The club here has Garand matches. The rifle is very popular with many. I always was proud of our nations superior war rifle.

Thanks for all your input.

If you can get one from the civilian marksmanship program it will bw well worth it.I dont shoot mine much,but enjoy owning it.

http://www.odcmp.com

Join the Civilian Marksmanship Program like Baboon said and you can buy a shooter for as little as $325. It may not be pretty, but it will shoot. Or, you can spend more than $1000 and get a pretty one that's virtually new.

They also have ammo for about $0.25 a round shipped. They sometimes have very desirable .22 target rifles for sale, along with M1903, M1903A3, and M1917 at prices well below gun shows.

You not only get a rifle, but a piece of history. The last person to fire that gun may have been a scared 19 y/o farm boy that had never been away from home. You wonder if it saved his life and he's back at the farm and is now a grandfather, or if he made the extreme sacrifice.

Its hard to call anyone who says the M1 Garand aint worth much, an American...

Who gives a shit about hunting with an M1. It is a military rifle and and a piece of history. And it is never a bad thing to own one yourself... or many.

I shoot thousands of rounds of ammunition thru military rifles every year, including M1's. Military rifles are what I get the most pleasure from. I don't necessarily shoot the M1's the most, but that's because I get the most pleasure from them, so I reserve the right so as not to over do it.

The CMP is a great organization, and as stated above, you can get a shooter for as little as $325. But the $500 Service Grade is really the way to go.

I say, get that M1 and enjoy every second of it, because it earned its place in American and world history. It is always a worthy addition to anyone's possesions.

Hey, Trapdoor!

My son’s the NCOIC of a FIST unit attached to a brigade of the 3rd ID in Iraq. They’re mostly just “playing†grunt since the area they operate in is downtown Baghdad.

Oh how I miss the days of putting steel rain on targets...

All the best to you and your son. I have several friends and fellow FIST'ers by his side.

quote:

Originally posted by Trapdoor:
Its hard to call anyone who says the M1 Garand aint worth much, an American...

Who gives a shit about hunting with an M1. It is a military rifle and and a piece of history. And it is never a bad thing to own one yourself... or many.

The CMP is a great organization, and as stated above, you can get a shooter for as little as $325. But the $500 Service Grade is really the way to go.

I say, get that M1 and enjoy every second of it, because it earned its place in American and world history. It is always a worthy addition to anyone's possesions.

I agree completely with Trapdoor. They are great fun to shoot and tinker with. I had as many as 8 of them at one time. Just have two now, but they still manage to find their way to the range pretty frequently. GO FOR IT!!

Hello;
I own one. Seldom shoot it but it is an interesting piece of history, unnecessarily complicated, built in the old way to last forever and by gosh, it was invented by a Canadian.
Grizz

quote:

Originally posted by Grizzly Adams:
Hello;
I own one. Seldom shoot it but it is an interesting piece of history, unnecessarily complicated, built in the old way to last forever and by gosh, it was invented by a Canadian.
Grizz

Yeah, a Canadian whose parents were smart enough to move to the USA so their 10 year old son could learn a trade and make a living!

Hi Rick;
Yes of course, but that's always been the Canadian Way. If things keep up the way they are, look for more of us. Mabe we can trade disgruntled Canadians for Democrats and we'll all be happy. Give our present political climate, it must be abhorrant to Liberals that a Canadian, even an ex-patriate could design a such a weapon of mass destruction.
Grizz

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:
[QUOTE]
Yeah, a Canadian whose parents were smart enough to move to the USA so their 10 year old son could learn a trade and make a living!

Rick, THAT WAS GREAT!! I'M STILL LAUGHING!!

The Garand is a fine rifle and great piece of history. You need at least one. Get it from CMP. Get the best you can afford. As for usefull, if you get interested in Service Rifle shooting it is the logical first rifle. If you live in New York or Kalifornia it is your only choice for Service rifle competition. Here in Kalifornia you can not buy an AR or M1A. If you did not have one pre ban you are out of luck. If so, put on a Kreiger heavy 308 barrel, a laminate stock, match sights and compete away. You may not win on a national level with such a rifle but you can shoot well enough to make it interesting. You will of course need a GI configuration for the John Garand matches. I guess you need two. While you are at it get one of each manufacture! CMP can fix you up on that.

Useless?? Hardly. If you get down to it we do not need guns. All we really need is food, clothing and shelter. A government can provide all that. What an awful life that would be. Good toys help to make life intersting. Buy a Garand soon. Go to ODCMP.com to find out the details.

quote:

If you live in New York or Kalifornia it is your only choice for Service rifle competition. Here in Kalifornia you can not buy an AR or M1A.

I live in California and I own an M1A, ...and so do allot of my friends. I purchased it about two years ago.

M1's are GREAT RIFLES.

They have seen a resurgence of interest since the movie PVT. RYAN and the Series
BAND OF BROTHERS.

If your undecided I would suggest watching
PVT. RYAN and BAND OF BROTHERS

I just sold one last weekend, good thing I didn't read this earlier!

They are a great rifle I agree, but man would that telephone pole be a pain to carry all over Europe! But you do have to admire that engineering mindset that made stuff to last! Heavy or not, if I had a choice between a Garand or a M16 the extra pounds wouldn't bother me if my bacon was on the line.

I was shooting a lot of HP OTC with a M14(fun switch removed), a M1A, or a 40XB all in 308. A group of us decided to all order DCM M1s at the same time as we heard reports that some nice rifles were being issued. So I pluked down my $165 and sent in my paperwork. When the 8 or so rifles arrived we all got together to unwrap them like Christmas presents not knowing if we were going to get a lump of coal or a real gem.

In general, all the rifles looked really nice, they turned out to be a mix of Springfields, H&Rs, Winchesters, and one really nice looking International Harvester. Mine was one a Springfields with a mid-1956 manufacturing date on the barrel and reciever SN that matched that production date. The parts finishes were not all matching on the small metal pieces and there wasn't a cartouche to be found on the stock. No finish wear marks on the bolt or reciever, and not a ding on the stock. I guessing that it was assembled from parts on hand during the last months of production and placed into storage until it was shipped to me.

I've had it for over 15 years and am happy to look at it in what I belive to be unfired condition.

I still feed my M1 all the Sierra match kings and IMR 4895 it wants. I keep it happy, it keeps me happy.

If "Cool" likes it...stay away. The guy's a major f745K up.

quote:

Originally posted by Mauser96:
If "Cool" likes it...stay away. The guy's a major f745K up.

I would say that your the one thats f745ked up!The vast majority of post say yes to the Garand rifle.No one asked for a reccommendation on Cool.

If you think $700 is too much for an M1 Garand just wait until the CMP runs out of them. I bet $700 will be concidered a real bargain. Buy one now while you can still afford it.

BTW, it is best to shoot ball ammo in an M1. Some factory ammo will bend the op-rod due to high pressure. You can shoot handloads in one if you use data specifically for the M1.

For those who think the garand is not a good hunting rifle, you need to get your head examined. Hunting with surplus rifles is fun and effective.

Get one through the CMP...they have made it easy now...website is http://www.odcmp.com

These rifle shoot very well, easy to handload for, get pulldown components from gibrass.com.

Cosmetics are hit and miss, I've gotten some dogs and some gems...luck of the draw.

IMR 4895 and M2 ball (150 grn M2) and USGI brass are the idea components for the Garand...pressure curve etc.

I use my 3.5MM SA for my clubs service rifle competition...loads of fun.

Alas, the good deals on 22's are all but gone..

Get the Garands while you can!

quote:

Originally posted by iamgene:
Get one through the CMP...they have made it easy now...website is http://www.odcmp.com

These rifle shoot very well, easy to handload for, get pulldown components from gibrass.com.

Cosmetics are hit and miss, I've gotten some dogs and some gems...luck of the draw.

IMR 4895 and M2 ball (150 grn M2) and USGI brass are the idea components for the Garand...pressure curve etc.

I use my 3.5MM SA for my clubs service rifle competition...loads of fun.

Alas, the good deals on 22's are all but gone..

Get the Garands while you can!

Good advice re the ammo for the Garand. I like to stay as close as possible to the GI specs both for the Garand and the Mi carbine.
Also re the mil spec 22's - go ahead and buy a MAS 45. Yes, I know it's a French piece but it was made to the same design and the same specs as the Mauser KKW. I have one "As New" that I don't think was ever fired. And believe me, these rifles will shoot!
Buy the Garand, take it our and shot it - you'll have a piece of history cradled to your shoulder. And remember, George Patton called it "The greatest battle implement ever devised" - youl gonna argue with Georgie Patton?

I love my garands!!!!!! My boss was watching me shoot one after work one day.I set up 8 1 gallon jugs filled with water bout 200 yds away,splayed every one of them in short order.I looked back at my boss and he's staring at me,,,after a couple of seconds of silence he said,,,I'm on your side . I have a dcm service grade,,and,,one I put together in .308,,both are a joy to shoot,Clay

Yep, Garands in 308 are an excellent option.

I rebarreled two using Wilson barrels from Midway.

With the better availabilty of 308/7.62 surplus and components, makes it easier to keep these pieces humming.

quote:

Originally posted by heresyourslaw:
I'm considering getting one. have any opinions?

I forgot to mention, get a real GI rifle, or an Italian one, (Beretta or Breda). Under no circumstances buy one of the ones put together on an after market cast receiver. They are junkie at best and dangerious at worst.

quote:

Originally posted by heresyourslaw:
I'm considering getting one. have any opinions?

Yes, get one. It's just too much fun to pass up.

Heresyourslaw,
The M1 is only one of the finest rifles ever made. Accurate (if not shot out), reliable, lots of ammo and parts... what else could be said? Watch your thumb when loading!

i would buy one youll love it i have one wwII stock and another converted to 308 that is my match rifle if dome right its a great shooter and verry plesent

Buy one, hold it, feel it, load it, when the reciever slams shut, and after you empty it, "just the sounds", if you don't have a woody your a commie!


I wouldn't hesitate one minute to hunt with mine!

quote:

Originally posted by kudu56:
Buy one, hold it, feel it, load it, when the reciever slams shut, and after you empty it, "just the sounds", if you don't have a woody your a commie!

Sounds and feel that only forged and milled parts can produce!

I own two and love them.

Yes!! Join the CMP and buy a Garand!!! I own "too many" Garands and love them all. Really loved hearing the PING of an ejected clip in both Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. Finally someone is getting the Garand right after so many years of movies!

LLS

Everybody should have at least one Garand thumb in thier life If you've spent any time with one you know what I'm talking about,,,OUCH!!!$Hit that hurts!!!!

Like everything else, I went overboard. Here's the one I had restored.

Terry

Terry,

Nice rig....work by DGR?

quote:

Originally posted by Scota4570:
If you live in New York it is your only choice for Service rifle competition.

Incorrect. You can buy as many AR15s as you want in New York. You just can't buy them new with a bayonet lug and flash suppressor. And you can't buy NEW magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. You can, however, buy as many 20 and 30 round mags as you want, as long as they were made before 9/94.