Became an M1 owner today

[mjustin24]

Received my M1 from the CMP today. Its a service grade with the new walnut stock with rating of 2+ and 2+. I quickly looked up the visible markings and was pleased to find the receiver and the barrel were matching, or at least correct, I can't confirm they truly match but they are SA's from 11/43. The bolt is from much later (HRA). I was wondering what the consensus on here is to whether or not I should acquire a matching bolt. They seem fairly readily available for 70-80 bucks. I'm not on a quest to have a fully correct or matching rifle or anything but thought it may be nice to have the parts with visible markings all match and it may increase the value some. Look forward to learning more about this piece of history and M1's in general in the future. Happy to be here.

[Orlando]

Leave parts alone and enjoy her for what she is.

[jak]

Welcome to the forum. It is possible that your rifle did not head space correctly with a 12SA bolt. (The correct bolt for your rifle's time frame). If a garand does not head space, CMP will try various bolts until the rifle does head space correctly. If you are intent on having a SA bolt and have a knowledgeable friend with extra bolts and head space gauges, you can try to install a SA bolt. If not, just leave it alone and shoot it.

[TJT]

Seconds on leaving her as she is and enjoy her for what she is. It's not really worth trying to get all the "correct" parts for your rifle--much time and beaucoup $$$. You won't see enough monetary reward in it if you ever sell it. A correct set of wood alone can set you back $3-500. If I was starting all over in my M1 quest today, as opposed to 40 years ago, (yes, I'm that old and have been at it that long), I'd just concentrate on getting a very good shooter. Everything else would be a moot point.
Jon

[Smokey]

Another way to look at it is it's in the official US Army configuration except for the new wood. Once you start swapping around things like bolts and barrels you risk headspace problems. There's also no guarantee the "correct" other parts you put into it will work properly. I agree, leave it as is.

[lapriester]

Received my M1 from the CMP today. Its a service grade with the new walnut stock with rating of 2+ and 2+. I quickly looked up the visible markings and was pleased to find the receiver and the barrel were matching, or at least correct, I can't confirm they truly match but they are SA's from 11/43. The bolt is from much later (HRA). I was wondering what the consensus on here is to whether or not I should acquire a matching bolt. They seem fairly readily available for 70-80 bucks. I'm not on a quest to have a fully correct or matching rifle or anything but thought it may be nice to have the parts with visible markings all match and it may increase the value some. Look forward to learning more about this piece of history and M1's in general in the future. Happy to be here.

There's no point in changing the bolt unless you plan on making the entire rifle correct. Right now you have a rifle that passes headspace and is ready to shoot. Changing to a correct bolt could easily cause a negative change in headspace. Maybe not to an unsafe level but you never know. Plus, if you don't have the proper gauges you'll have to find someone with gauges or pay to have someone verify headspace after changing the bolt. Not worth the effort or expense if the rifle is going to stay a mixmaster in every other regard. Shoot it and enjoy it.