Another Garand... this one a WWII vet (maybe)

[rotarymike]

Just got another Garand from CMP. Rack Grade Springfield Armory, 1944 vintage. Initial look-over shows decent metal and good stock, with a few arsenal repairs. Much better condition than I had been expecting. Haven't gauged barrel wear yet but the rifling & park looks nice and crisp, so may be a new barrel. Was considering converting to a tanker or .308 given that I was expecting a beater... but nope.

Bought this one as one of the last available SA makes and one of the very last available rack-grades available - in fact I got an Email from CMP telling me they probably wouldn't be able to fill my order. Other than some edge wear of the park on metal pieces and the used stock, I don't see much difference between this one and my service grade.

I'll have pics up this afternoon if the sun ever comes out. I did figure out Nov. 1944, so maybe there is some interesting history on this rifle, and I can't wait to shoot it.

This one is intended to be resold to help pay for my Service Grade H&R that many of you saw at Shootzenfest. If any of you are interested, make me an offer via PM - bear in mind Gunbroker and gun shows see these go for more than $1K. Or, ask me how to order through CMP - they supposedly have plenty of Korean-era H&Rs like mine left - and I can walk you through the details. Much easier for a Vet or current Military, BTW.

 

[jfeenin]

Sounds excellent. I love Garands!

 

[rotarymike]

I've collected a few milsurps and shot many more. The Garand always is a pleasure, in the way an SVT-40 or G43 is not quite as refined.

I really have to wonder why there never was a civilian version (sporter) - there is certainly a market for a semi-auto deer gun, and it wouldn't have to have the full stock, complicated sights, etc. so it could be perhaps lighter and still functionally the same, without the regulatory issues of the M14/M1A rifles. I guess the actual descendent would be a Mini-14/30, about which I feel a resounding meh.

 

[Midnight Raver]

Perhaps you can be the first to customize one in this fashion? :ugeek:

 

[Tigerstripe]

arent the socom16 and the scout copies of the garand, or m-14?

a springfield m1A is closer than a mini 30, right?

 

[rotarymike]

Socom 16 and Scout are M14 variants. (shortened, tactical stocks, rails etc.)

An M1A is a Mini-14 that is semi-auto only. All M14s are select fire. Like the M16 and AR15, only a few parts differences.

Mini-30 and 14 are similar to the M14/M1A except I remember something about the gas system being simplified.

EDITED: GAH! M1A is NOT a Mini-14. It is an M-14 that is semi-auto only. Rest of line is accurate. Durn Nyquil is sure messing with me.

About the Socom/Scout: I was under the impression that they were select-fire (the versions the USA is getting, anyway). Civilian versions would be M1As, technically. I think it's only the selector and maybe a sear that's different.

 

[11B3XCIB]

Can you tell me a little more about the CMP thing? I've heard of it but not much more than that. I'm assuming rack grade is a higher quality than service-grade. What are the Korean War service and rack grade Garands going for that you mentioned?

 

[rotarymike]

PM sent.

 

[rotarymike]

Also: Rack Grade < Field Grade < Service Grade < Special Grade < Correct Grade < Collector Grade

Racks are supposedly the beaters. CMP inspects them to make them safe to fire, replaces parts if necessary, but otherwise doesn't spend time on cosmetics. Service is better cosmetically - mine was re-parkerized and had a new stock. Special is like Paco's, refurbed to almost new. Correct and Collector grades are basically new, perfect rifles.

 

[jfeenin]

The Specials they are offering now are a great deal for a Garand that has real GI issue parts for the most part but looks new. My Father In Law went to the CMP North store at Camp Perry and picked himself up one a bit back. I did the same with my Collector Grade back in the mid 2000's. When I did I picked up a rack grade for my older son. It shoots fine. It's no target rifle for sure but it's a great working piece of history.

One thing you can always trust when you get a Garand from the CMP. You won't get a rewelded receiver that way.

From SC I would go to the Alabama store if i was to go. I know it's a drive but if you really love Garands it's almost a right of passage you just need to do.

 

[Midnight Raver]

arent the socom16 and the scout copies of the garand, or m-14?

a springfield m1A is closer than a mini 30, right?

The M1A is Springfield's civilian version of the M14. The Scout and SOCOM 16 are derived from the M1A.

Sturm Ruger's Mini 14 and Mini 30 may look similar to the M14 and M1A, but are definitely a different species. I haven't seen what the 6.8 one looks like though.

 

[rotarymike]

The Ruger Mini-6.8 is the Mini-14 with different barrel, bolt, and magazines. I actually have a 6.8 barrel for one, given in trade, if anyone's interested.

So... pics of the new rifle.

Some of the stock scarring and an arsenal repair pin

Odd finish wear on a few parts of the stock - I'm thinking where some GI with greasy or sweaty hands affected the BLO.

Flash makes it look like there is less Park than there actually is, but it's a bit rough around the edges.

Other arsenal repairs.

Still some cosmo in there.

 

[rotarymike]

I noticed by the service tag something interesting: I had posted that they had emailed saying they were out of Rack grades. Well, apparently, they were - this one is marked as Field Grade. Muzzle wear 1, throat wear 3.