To Restore or Not Restore a M1 Garand - VIDEO

[Amsdorf]

I read various discussions about the pros/cons of restoring a WWII era M1 Garand. Some believe it to be a terrible thing to do, in any way, to "improve" upon what the rifle is, since the story of the rifle comes with the way it has come down to us. Others either could care less about the "down side" of restoring, or don't like to do it only because the chances of recovering what you put into the restoration will probably never be returned to the person who paid for it. Still others want a beautiful restoration of the rifle that won WWII in the hands of our brave troops. I count myself in this group on the question of restoration.

In the midst of this, many don't ever get a chance to see a restored Garand, so I thought I would put this video together of the Garand I had restored. The video link is below.

This was my first M1 Garand I purchased, intentionally buying it for the purpose of restoring it. I wanted a WWII era Garand, both receiver and barrel. I found this one and bought it. It had a simply dreadful 50s era stock that was put on it.

of the Garand I had restored by Dean's Gun Restorations.

 

[Stan45]

I think the bottom line is, what ever makes you happy. On My Garand I just cleaned up the stock. Looks nice, shoots good, that is all I want to do to it.

 

[Amsdorf]

Stan, bingo. I have two other Garands that have simply had their stocks cleaned and reoiled and they look great. This particular one had the most hideously looking orangish colored wood I've ever seen. Not that it stopped anyone from buying it when I sold it on Ebay for $150.

: )

I'm surprised how many people do not know that they can still buy a very nice Garand from the CMP for around $600 and how many people get gouged by sellers who are selling basically what the CMP would classify as "field grades" for up to $1,000. I've talked more than a few people down from making that mistake and sent them to CMP.

 

[Stan45]

I'm surprised how many people do not know that they can still buy a very nice Garand from the CMP for around $600

That is where I got mine but of I reall correctly the price was 150.
That was back in the early 80s

 

[RustyNut]

I agree with whatever makes you happy.
But, I left mine the way they are. Except for one that had a real beat up stock, I used an iron to steam some of the dents out and then a coat of BLO. The stock looked better but not perfect, still had that been there look to it.

 

[Stan45]

Jan 9, M1 Garand's Birthady 77 years.
Standardization was approved by the Adjutant General on Jan 9, 1936. Most consider this to be the M1 Garand’s “birthday”.

 

[Andrew49417]

Better wait to see if it's banned first. I wouldn't want to see it get confiscated after you went to all that trouble.

 

[Stan45]

I wouldn't want to see it get confiscated after you went to all that trouble.

That is why you load it.

 

[Amsdorf]

LOL, good one!!!

 

[nontechguy]

Check the CMP website again. Virtually all of them are "out of stock".

If you have a collectable one, it would be worth more unrestored.

Recent gun show prices are $1K and up. Some real beaters too.

 

[mappow]

Great weapon, fun to shoot and probably has the record in take downs over it's history. Mine was fully referb'd with mostly original parts per CMP. WOW, just impressive. Finished the stock my self. Just added (TO ME) the beauty of the wood and the awesomeness of the weapon. WOOD, not plastic. IMHO it makes the difference.

 

[Amsdorf]

Check the CMP website again. Virtually all of them are "out of stock".

There are "Service Grades" for $625, plus $25 shipping and there are "Special" Grades for $925 + $25, take a look here:
Link Removed