M1

[missoak]

If money was not a factor, which M1 would you buy?
Given the options of a used one, from a private seller,
one from the CMP, or a new one from S.A.
I would really like one. But would appreciate some feed back.
I don't want anything other than a USGI. I know there are SOCOM
& Snipers, etc.

 

[Azimuth315]

I wholeheartedly recommend the CMP. You can't beat nor even match the price, quality, product or service the CMP provides. Especially when the history the rifle brings with it and the provenance that the CMP certificate provides is considered.
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They are ALL used, many are 70 years old. How much support do you expect from a private seller? Springfield Armory Inc. is NOT USGI.
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The $995 CMP special and the $950 svc grd special are like new rifles in USGI receivers. All the rifles and carbines I've bought with the CMP have been service grades (not specials) and I have been MORE that happy with them.
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When you do order your rifle be sure to order clips (25 en-blocks for $25) and ammo ( 200 rnds loose in .30 cal ammo can). Your rifle comes with only 1 clip and you can't beat those prices for clips and ammo anywhere!
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Regards -- Al
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BLAM--BLAM--BLAM--BLAM--BLAM--BLAM--BLAM--BLAM-ping
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gotta luv that rifle

 

[mappow]

I bought my M1 Garand special grade from CMP about a year ago, 30-06. WOW....New stock, completely refurb'd. Ammo to boot. Azi is right about the en-bloc's but I searched around and found some Greek ammo in bulk that came preloaded. I got more bloc's now then I know what to do with. The buy, in my mind and heart, was worth the money and just the pure enjoyment I get from shooting it. Hitting paper at 200 yds is OK by me, especially at my age. I now know why a lot of WWII Vets lost their hearing. Ear plugs and mickey mouse ears HIGHLY recommend. You'll turn heads on the range as soon as you bust off a round. Loudest gun I've ever owned.

 

[JohnD13]

I would buy from the CMP. But I am in NY, where an M1 that is fifty years old or older is not subject to the "Safe Act", while an M1, rifle or carbine of modern manufacture is.

 

[missoak]

Thanks, guys. Will be doing a lot more research before I commit to anything.

 

[Azimuth315]

The CMP only sells retired USGI rifles, none of which are of modern manufacture.
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The "US CARBINE CAL .30 M1" was produced by 10 different suppliers from 1942 to 1945. The "newest" would be 67 years old.
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The "US RIFLE CAL .30 M1" was produced by 2 suppliers for WWII. Springfield Armory of Springfield, Mass. (not Springfield Armory Inc.) produced them from Aug. 1937 to Oct. 1945.
Winchester Repeating Arms produced them from Dec. 1940 to June 1945.
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Post WWII the "US RIFLE CAL .30 M1" was produced by Harington Richardson and International Harvester from 1953 to 1956. Springfield Armory (not Springfield Armory Inc.) produced them from 1952 to 1957. Production of the "US RIFLE CAL .30 M1" was then phased out to be replaced by the M14. The last Garand could have been produced as late as 1959, probably as a National Match Rifle. The "newest" Garand could be no younger than 53 years old, more than likely 56.
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The rifle you receive from the CMP could have been in the hands of a marine on Iwo Jima, Kwajalein, Bougainville, Okinawa - go ahead, you know more. That carbine might have been on Suribachi when the flag was raised. These rifles landed on the beaches of Normandy, were security in frozen foxholes at Bastogne, fought across Europe and liberated a concentration camp. That rifle landed at Oran, fought Rommel in Africa, went on to Sicily and spent the winter of '44 in the "Piney Wood" at Anzio. Then that rifle went to Korea - the "frozen Chosin" - was that your rifle in the picture of those freezing GIs dusted with snow huddled against a "deuce and a half". Carbines also fought in Viet Nam.
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That rifle you receive from the CMP is the one that was in the hands of a HERO when he was "killed in action" while fighting to preserve OUR liberty and our right to "keep and bear" it. That rifle is the one that a brave and terrified young warrior used to neutralize an adversary so he could come home, marry his sweatheart and raise a family in peace.
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Every time I sight across the receiver of one of my rifles or carbines to punch a hole in a piece of paper I'm laying my eye on top of that of a HERO and I am humbled and grateful - sometimes almost to the point of a tear.
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Regards - Al
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"It is foolish and wrong to mourne these men who died. Rather we should thank GOD that such men lived." Gen. G.S. Patton
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"The M1 rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised." Gen. G.S.Patton