M14 Forum

Hauptgefreiter · January 12th, 2012, 07:18 PM

Which grade and manufacturer should I get?

blueskies · January 12th, 2012, 07:23 PM

If you can afford a Correct get one. Does not really matter which one. There were less HRA made so some people go after numbers. SA made one of the best looking, as in final machine marks.

If $1150 is too much get a Service Grade. Most likely you will get replacement wood, but over all condition will be really nice.

If this is going to be the last Garand you're going to purchase I would spring for the Correct.

GCBurner · January 12th, 2012, 07:29 PM

The Service Grades are probably the best value as everyday shooters, if you're ordering by mail from the www.odcmp.com website. If you pick up a rifle in person at one of the stores, sometimes you can find a Field Grade that's pretty close to a Service Grade for less money, and may just need some stock work, or the muzzle recrowned. The higher grades are better finished, and may have more "correct" parts that people who are just collectors value. The Winchesters and International Harvester rifles bring a price premium for rarity and demand, but aren't made any better than the Springfields or Harrington & Richardsons. Pretty much all of the rifles, except for specific Collector Grades, are going to show a mix of parts from different makers due to arsenal repairs and rebuilds. The prices just went up after the first of the year, but CMP Garands are still the best value available for shootable M1s.

Albud3 · January 12th, 2012, 10:02 PM

If you are buying this rifle as a shooter instead as a investment piece, get a Springfield Armory Service grade: selling for $625 at present. When you go for the higher grade rifles, you're basically paying for cosmetic differences (reparkerized parts, new wood and/or barrel, parts switched per manufacturer, etc.) that may or may not influence the rifle's accuracy. If you're thinking of it as an investment, get what you can afford; correct or collector grade (collector grades are only available at the stores, not via mail as there are too few found to post on website).

While you more than likely will get a good service grade via mail, your best bet is to drive to one of the stores (Camp Perry, OH or Anniston, AL) and pick one out from the racks. By doing it in person, you can find a good one with good wood, good muzzle and throat wear and be sure of what you're getting versus luck of the draw. You might even get lucky as I did and find a Field Grade as good as a service grade, but for $100 less. My field had a bright and shiny gas cylinder (and associated parts) and bad wood. Muzzle and throat wear was as good as service, but due to the appearance was graded as field. I did have to re-do the GC (BBQ spray paint) and get a new stock set ($118.95 to 149.95), but they are walnut not birch as are the replacement stocks found service grade. BTW, the armorers at both stores will assist you in checking out muzzle and throat wear as well as overall condition of the rifle. And be aware that there are almost always fellow customers there who know almost as much (and some even more) than the armorers that are willing to help a novice get a good rifle.

Whatever you decide to do just be aware that owning just one M-1 is almost an impossibility...just like the potato chip commercial: "Bet you can't eat (get) only one!" It even has a name; "Garanditis"! Good luck and good shooting!

7.62Spark · January 12th, 2012, 11:29 PM

I recently sent in my forms, photocopies of necessary documents, and payment to the CMP, and given that I plan on using this rifle as a shooter and not a "safe queen," I went with a Service Grade rifle from Springfield Armory.

Quote:

Whatever you decide to do just be aware that owning just one M-1 is almost an impossibility...just like the potato chip commercial: "Bet you can't eat (get) only one!" It even has a name; "Garanditis"! Good luck and good shooting!

I am confident that the Springfield Armory Garand I am waiting for will not be the first one, that is for sure. I have a general "disease" with guns, and it is hard to own one of each. Of course, it was easier to get multiple SKS's, AK's, and Mosin-Nagant rifles, given that they sell cheaply. I am going to have to save up for quite some time before I have multiple Garands and M14's (I currently have a Springfield Armory Standard M1A, and I know I would like to get a Springfield Armory Scout Squad and an LRB M25 type rifle).

markp · January 13th, 2012, 01:25 AM

6 months ago, I got 2 service grade HRA's. M.E.=1/2 and T.E.=2/3, new stocks, great metal, they were absolutely stunning. I am rather pleased. Ignore the foot in the picture, it's a tradition from another website.

Orlando · January 13th, 2012, 04:24 AM

For your first Garand I also would go with no less grade than the Service Grade
As far as manufacture its a flip of the coin, one is no better than the other

m1jerm · January 13th, 2012, 10:19 AM

Indeed, the die is cast, I mailed all my goodies in this week looking to get an SA service grade. The only dilemma was whether I should go ahead and try to get 2 rifles. In the end, money and common sense leveled me out.

I hope was early enough, maybe one day I can look to getting an investment piece correct grade, but I know they are never going to get cheaper.

1KPerDay · January 13th, 2012, 10:35 AM

Common sense... feh...

buy them while you can! :D

mercman · January 13th, 2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando

For your first Garand I also would go with no less grade than the Service Grade
As far as manufacture its a flip of the coin, one is no better than the other

Agreed, and if you can afford better go for it!

nf1e@snet.net · January 14th, 2012, 02:49 AM

I have decided in the last year or so to pick Service Grade Specials. Both Spr. and H&R are collector grade metal with new stocks. I usually order one of each when the check book will allow. All have been excellent.

hamourkiller · February 1st, 2012, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hauptgefreiter

Which grade and manufacturer should I get?

I would suggest the Service grade specials, the grade with collector grade metal and a new stock. I ordered two SA models and received essentially 2 new old stock rifles. Neither had any wear that I could see. Both took about 150 rounds for the barrels to break in and groups to shrink.
I am now starting to see small wear marks indicating just how new all of these rifles were when I received them.

Any choice of Service grade or better will be a good choice.

bustedknuckles · February 1st, 2012, 03:08 AM

dont know your location but i drove 4 hrs 1 way to the north store and had a blast with my son, got to watch sum of the nat. match and he got to play on the choppers and tanks! every time i handle that fg sa garand is a reminder of a great roadtrip. well worth the trip

BigBuckeye · February 1st, 2012, 04:32 AM

What do you want? WWII? Best condition? Most desirable? Just a shooter?

bustedknuckles · February 1st, 2012, 05:59 AM

i am happy with that feild grade but i got to go sort through them all, so i think if you cant hand pick it i'd go with a service grade special. they are great shooters and great looking too with new stock and barrel. i went with sa cuz serial #'s 700xxx and it gaged 1's on both ends but hra's looked cleaner/less wear n tear.
Big Buckeye's right on the money tho, try to narrow down what your after.

'