M1 Garand cost and others

[burbguy82]

I have always liked the M1 Garand. It is a gun that I have always wanted, but never bought. An excellent rifle for many conditions, plenty of power, accurate enough is mass, reliable, nice military pedigree etc.

Question is: Why have none of the gun companies like PSA for example, started a program to mass produce NEW M1s?

Sure, manufacture of these is much more complicated than a boring AR15, but should it not be easier than it was in the 30's. We have better steel, better quality control, better machines and so on.

Would you buy a new, modern version? Say with a synthetic stock, muzzle device, pic rail provisions? Would it not be a substantial rifle in non gun friendly areas like CA?

QC would be an issue at first, as with all things.

Seem to me it would. Id pay $1500 max, for a new gun.

Maybe if we get enough people to agree and the right person sees it, it will be made to happen?

 

[DuckRyder]

Springfield armory used to sell them when they were affiliated with brazil (imbel i believe).

IRRC they were more than 1500.00 with any options.

Try CMP, even better if you can actually go to one of the stores.

 

[Astro14]

To forge the receiver, and make the parts, is going to cost far more than $1,500.

Even with a cheaper cast receiver, the M-1A, with a cheaper synthetic stock, is $1,800. A bit over $2,000 with walnut. More if you want a tuned trigger.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/m1a-series-rifles/

It’s a complex set of machining operations, so, whether cast, forged or even just a milled receiver, starting with billet steel, there is a lot of work to make one.

 

[Astro14]

You’re a veteran, you’re eligible for a CMP rifle. Drive over to Anniston, pick one up, and you’ll have both a great rifle and a bit of history.

 

[oldcodger]

Unless you just luck into a seller for a cheap price the CMP is the best source for an M1. The barrels on CMP rifles will all show some level of wear. A lot of buyers purchase the rifle and just buy a new barrel and have it installed. New barrels are available from Criterion.

 

[nwjones18]

You’re a veteran, you’re eligible for a CMP rifle. Drive over to Anniston, pick one up, and you’ll have both a great rifle and a bit of history.

This is the way. They’ve supposedly got Krag’s, 1903’s and 1917’s at the talladega store now too..

I picked up my m-1 and my 1903 from the camp Perry store in 2005

 

[burbguy82]

I am merely speaking of a new rifle. The M1A used to be 12 or so back in the early 2000s, but then was 1500 for 15 years or so. That is where I came up with the 1500 price. The M1A can still be had for $1500:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1055682086

I would just think with modern tech and machines it could be done for a reasonable price. Of course, if there is moeny in the deal I am sure the gun makers would pounce. A modern version would be sweet, but made for the masses, unlike the repro BAR.

Cast VS forged VS billet, yeah, I think properly if done, it all is good, IMO. The FAL largely was cast, all M!As are cast by SA.

@Astro14 figured, you would show up. I really dont plan on buying one, but was jsut a recent conversation on another forum, and figured I would bring it up. I would love a nice one. I have though about the CMP route as you recommended before, and nearly got approval from the boss to go to the class.

 

[Astro14]

Actually, I think I got my M-1A, walnut stock, only a couple years ago for about $1,250. Springfield has their First Line program, for military, vets, and first responders.

You save a bunch, perhaps 30%, off MSRP by going through a First Line Dealer. If you're interested in an M-1A (or a new Echelon*, which I really recommend), see if you can find a First Line dealer.


* https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/range-report-springfield-echelon.378150/

 

[Neely97]

Here is one of my Garands, it happens to be a Nation Math Springfield .
I traded a few deer rifles for thus one .

 

[Astro14]

Here is one of my Garands, it happens to be a Nation Math Springfield .
I traded a few deer rifles for thus one .

View attachment 236440View attachment 236441View attachment 236442

That’s beautiful! Nice figure in the wood. Love the NM rear sight.

 

[burbguy82]

Do any of you think a synthetic stock M1 Garand would be a seller? Really, for a practical, all weather, defensive gun......perhaps for non gun friendly states? It checks all the boxes of a defensive gun.

With a few pic rails for a light.

 

[DuckRyder]

Do any of you think a synthetic stock M1 Garand would be a seller? Really, for a practical, all weather, defensive gun......perhaps for non gun friendly states? It checks all the boxes of a defensive gun.

With a few pic rails for a light.

Remember you asked.

I think and M1 Garand with pic rails and a synthetic stock would be an abomination.

For "non-gun friendly states" Id be looking to change something other than the Garand.

Oh and Fulton Armory might be able to build you one. There also used to be a company DMP or something (search from the grand boards. that would build you one from a receiver.

 

[Astro14]

Do any of you think a synthetic stock M1 Garand would be a seller? Really, for a practical, all weather, defensive gun......perhaps for non gun friendly states? It checks all the boxes of a defensive gun.

With a few pic rails for a light.

I’m not aware of a current, synthetic stock available. There was once a company that made them, but they stopped years ago.

The laminate stocks are weatherproof and readily available. For example:

https://dupagetrading.com/m1-stock-set-nutmeg-laminate/

Not my style, I prefer the walnut, but the laminate is more resistant and you could simply mount your accessories, perhaps even a picatinny rail, with wood screws. Don’t laugh, it’s how they fitted the grenade launcher sights.

Rebarreling is straightforward, if you have both a barrel/action vise and a pull through reamer (a $250 tool). Lap the bolt lugs first before head spacing, which will help with accuracy.

Stop by VB, we can knock that out in an hour or two.

Stocks require fitting. Especially around the trigger housing floor plate. Lock up of the trigger housing/action to the stock is important for accuracy. If it takes pressure to close the trigger guard, your action is still tight. If it’s easy to close the trigger guard, the wood in the stock is compressed, and you can shim the stock to restore the fit (not legal for matches, but we are talking about a shooter, here).

I’m not a fan of the “Tanker” Garand, as too many of them are built by butchers, but if you get Tim Shufflin at Shuff’s Parkerizing to build you one of his “Mini-G” rifles, it’s quicker handling than a full length model. Options include a picatinny rail. Tim is an artist.

https://shuffsparkerizing.com/services/the-mini-g/

 

[burbguy82]

Don’t laugh, it’s how they fitted the grenade launcher sights.

I ran a few missions with electrical tape holding a flashlight on. I am all for low tech.

but we are talking about a shooter, here).

Right. Not a masterpiece. IMO, with modern manufacturing, a prime example could be made for the masses that would be plenty pretty, and accurate. Part of the fitment issues have to do with different maker and year. Pre war stuff was much more nicely tuned that stuff made in 44, and rightfully so.