Garand question from newbe

[Maddawg46]

i was thinking of buying a Garand CMP i saw at a gun shop. Im in Valifornia, so they want $1800. All i know now is its a +1 condition. The owner is going to give me more info in a couple of days. I know nothing about Garands. I have a M1A.
update: Made 1955. Grade- G3. Muzzle +1. Throat +2
I can get it for $1600 includes 100 rounds of ammo.

[Maddawg46]

I just got the info and updated my post.

[RDS]

Who is the maker? Photos?

[Orlando]

If its just a shooter (not a collector garand)in very good plus condition its $700 or more overpriced

[Eric in Oregon]

As Orlando said, you can get a service grade M1 from CMP for $700 less. I'm a bit new myself, but one made in 1955 should be an International Harvester, right? If so the IHC service grade would be the one to get:

http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/m1-garand/

[Gunrunner]

I agree with Orlando and Eric in Oregon. There are too many unknown variables to be sure if $1600 is a good price. If the dealer is willing to allow you to take a close up picture it would help a lot. Get the manufacturer from the top-rear of the breech along with the serial number (plainly marked). If the stock looks quite new, it's a replacement one. Look on the left of the stock somewhere around the breech. You should see a large, square stamp (known as a cartouche) with letters in it. You will/may see another stamp with cross-cannons. If you don't see these either it will tell you it's a replacment stock. They look nice but personally, I like all original no matter the shape of the stock. So see if you can pics and more info....it will help. Good Luck!!

[TJT]

1955 could be IHC, HRA or SA. Or it could be an older rifle that went through a rebuild and '55 is just the barrel date. Too many unknowns. I agree with the others--if you're just wanting a shooter, go the cmp route.
Jon

[RDS]

Does it have the original CMP paperwork? Anyone can tell you their rifle was a DCM or CMP rifle but the proof is in the paper work.

[Orlando]

Grade is G3 which is service grade. I stand by my previous statement a minimum of $700 overpriced on secondary market

[lapriester]

The price is entirely too high. If you buy it you are getting gouged. I can't put it any plainer than that. The original ptice was not even thinkable, the "discounted" $1600 price approaches almost double the price it should be....no matter what the maker. If it's an SA or HRA it better be fully correct, if an IHC it better have many original parts and be in excellent condition.

The best advice anyone can give you is find someone that knows Garands to go with you to inspect and evaluate the rifle. You said you know nothing about them and that makes you ripe for the picking. Don't worry, it's not going anywhere at that price unless someone really stupid comes along so, you have plenty of time to find someone. Since the seller is trying to sell it for that much don't bother seeking their help. If the seller won't allow disassembly of the rifle to evaluate condition and check for correct parts, walk away......as fast as you can.

If no one can help you, walk away. Any non hands on evaluations you get ftom a Forum aren't going to do squat for you unless you take the rifle apart and post photos of every single part. Without that, it's all speculation.

[TJT]

Madd,
where in Commiefornia are you located? i'm in the OC, about 25 miles south of LA. Where's the lgs at that has the rifle? If it's close I'll look at it with you.
Jon

[Orlando]

Guys, in his post he said the tag read G3. That's a service grade

[RDS]

If your looking for a nice M1 Garand place a want ad on this forum. I am sure there are members here that would sell you an honest nice M1 at a fair price.

[lapriester]

i was thinking of buying a Garand CMP i saw at a gun shop. Im in Valifornia, so they want $1800. All i know now is its a +1 condition. The owner is going to give me more info in a couple of days. I know nothing about Garands. I have a M1A.
update: Made 1955. Grade- G3. Muzzle +1. Throat +2
I can get it for $1600 includes 100 rounds of ammo.

Where are you located in CA? I am going to begin the process of liquidating some of my collection very soon. Rather than get gouged by a LGS that's selling a consignment rifle looking to make some big bucks on nothing but a CMP Service Grade rifle, we possibly could come to an arrangement on a correct post War SA I happen to have. Or maybe something else. PM me.

[Smokey]

I don't know Lapriester personally (other than educating me on cleaning rod damage) but he might be a safer deal than the LGS. You could also investigate the CMP. Right now they have the RM1308SPCLFIELD which would probably a good shooter (new barrel etc) but with external pitting on the receiver (cosmetic but nothing functional) that you could use without worrying too much about it. Those are running $850 or so.