I know this topic has been covered but I've got a basic question that I haven't seen addressed by the big dogs here.

buying from the CMP is the way to go, correct? if so, which of these should I go with:

Correct Grade M1 Garand-
1) RM1SACR M1 Garand, SA (Springfield) Correct Grade
Only available in serial # ranges between
5.4 and 5.8 million
$1100


2) RM1HRACR M1 Garand, HRA (Harrington & Richardson)
Correct Grade
$1100


is this just a craps shoot? could I end up with something pretty cool?

TIA

Correct grade means serial matched parts, I believe. Quality should be good, as rifles that are still matched tended be the ones that didn't get heavily used or rebuilt. More collector value, so more cost.

does it matter which manufacturer I go with? What can I assume about the weapon's history based on the available serial numbers listed?

It really won't matter much on the manufacturer. Both are Korean War vintage, if memory serves on the serial numbers for SA. I know H&R was 50's manufacturer only and didn't produce anything during WWII, and I believe the 5 million range isn when SA picked the contract back up post WWII.

Of the two, I'd personally pick an H&R. They didn't make nearly as many as SA did. But that's personal preference, and because I already have a Sprinfield in the safe.

As far as the rifle's history, odds are it was little used with a Correct Grade. 99.9% of the rifles that saw heavy use, whether in actual combat or in training, made a tour or 10 through the armory, which is why most of them are frankensteins when it comes to parts, manufacturers and drawing numbers for those parts. A Correct Grade was, most likely, an arsenal rifle that spent the majority of it's life in a storage crate and saw very little use while it was Army property. They generally are going to be much nicer than any of the Rack, Field or Service grades.

Mines service grade H&R, and shoots great. A correct one will be better.

good info!

should I be more interested in getting a showroom quality weapon or something that saw a hot LZ??

I will shoot this thing (maybe once a year) so I don't want a total piece of s*it. I also really like the history behind the rig...

Quality will be the same on both. Drawing numbers on all parts will indicate the receiver manufacturer.

That being said, unless you want rifle that you are going to stick in your safe and not shoot, go for it. That's what most people do with Correct Grades, since they are close to being unissued/unfired, and they lose value every time you shoot them. Otherwise, I would hold out for the next batch of SG rifles that will be coming along in the spring. Use the money you save to buy ammo in the meantime. Or get ammo and a Field Grade, and get another SG when they hit the market. Field Grades have alot of life left in them, they've just been used, and the stock will probably have a lot of character. Don't let that scare you though, since refinishing the stocks is fairly simple and straightforward; I've even done a writeup on my method that works very well.

[This message has been edited by Log (edited 12/27/2011 5:56p).]

any comments on this deal:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=266157357

is this service grade?

I'd call it a service grade, but Log or PP may say otherwise.

It's a frankenstein like most of them are these days, but without going through it and knowing what the drawing number is on each piece, it's hard to believe that everything but the op rod is SA. Rebarreled in '51. TE and ME at 2 are very good, so it hasn't seen a lot of use since it went through the armory overhaul.

The stock is a SA stock from the 50's based on the eagle under 3 stars cartouche, so it's not original to the gun (which isn't a surprise), but it is a GI stock and not a CMP or other aftermarket.

$850 plus S&H isn't too bad of a price, assuming you can get it for that.

Edit - the stock could be SA, IHC, H&R or WRA as well, but all 50's. I'm not knowledgeable enough to tell by looking at it which is which.

[This message has been edited by schmellba99 (edited 12/28/2011 8:44p).]

Can someone please help me understand the 'Marksmanship or other Firearms Related Activity' requirement??

What the hell is this?? Do I have to get involved in some shooting club?

Easy. I got mine from the shooting test to qualify for my hunter's safety cert, but you can use ROTC rifle training (if you can document), any club shooting event, a range officer certified shooting session, etc. Join TSRA or some club, and then go to the range, and ask the range officer on duty to sign a form your target after you shoot 50 rounds.

what range can I find a TSRA guy?? I used to be a member of Bayou Rifles but that place is un-manned.

I am a current member of TSRA if that helps...

[This message has been edited by Towns03 (edited 2/1/2012 5:00p).]

Springfield > H&R. HTH.

quote:

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Springfield > H&R

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I'd like to see your empirical evidence that supports that.

I'd call them. They should send you a trigger group with the correct drawing numbers on both the hammer and housing.