I know very little about Garands, but...

[leadbug]

I want to own at least one beautiful version. Don't have any right now. Can I buy a "newer" Garand like I can buy an M14 clone, or do I want a CMP collector grade?

[Phil McGrath]

I wouldn't go collector grade, service grade is where its at.

[leadbug]

Shows what I know. It's a whole different world compared to M14 clones.

[Jersey Devil]

Shows what I know. It's a whole different world compared to M14 clones.

Yes, entirely different. I like it much better, though. Remember these are all authentic.....not copies on a commercial receiver that will never be the real thing.

[leadbug]

Beretta doesn't make new ones? I would want a real one though.

[Phil McGrath]

Beretta doesn't make new ones? I would want a real one though.

Nope not anymore.

[leadbug]

Nope not anymore.

But from what I remember, they made nice ones?

[Phil McGrath]

Sure they were and very nice ones at that, but I like made in merca better!

[leadbug]

Yeah, me too. I just want it to be nice! I have a need for that. So bolts are new? Headspacing?

[Jersey Devil]

Yeah, me too. I just want it to be nice! I have a need for that. So bolts are new? Headspacing?

There are rifles out there that are basically brand new save for some minor wear.

Several parts can still be found brand new in the wrapper. I have a lot of brand new parts and there are some folks here on this forum that have LOADS of brand new parts.

If I were you, I'd cut my teeth on the M1 with a nice service grade from the CMP. A basic mail order service grade is exactly what you need my friend. You will not have just one. Your second one can be the beauty queen. Get one that you can have fun with and shoot the snot out of first.

Just my 2 cents.

[Phil McGrath]

There are rifles out there that are basically brand new save for some minor wear.

Several parts can still be found brand new in the wrapper. I have a lot of brand new parts and there are some folks here on this forum that have LOADS of brand new parts.

If I were you, I'd cut my teeth on the M1 with a nice service grade from the CMP. A basic mail order service grade is exactly what you need my friend. You will not have just one. Your second one can be the beauty queen. Get one that you can have fun with and shoot the snot out of first.

Just my 2 cents.

That's the way I did it, my fist was pretty ratty looking but it was back in the day with DCM's luck of the draw. Took awhile, and the one I have now is really sweet. CMP grading system is pretty good often better in hand than what there description say's.

[leadbug]

Ugh. This forum is really going to make me want a Garand. I wanted one of course, but now I really want one!

I am thinking of selling a .257 Weatherby so I can get enough money for a Nightforce, but a guy there (another forum) is telling me not to because it was inherited.

[Jersey Devil]

That .257 Weatherby is something that I have to see. Can you post pics of it in the Hunting Rifle forum?

[leadbug]

I will take photos and post tomorrow. Phil has never seen my Les Baer's. The Weatherby Mark V was made in W.Germany in the mid 60's, and has hardly been shot. It is a left-handed model, so even more rare.

[m14brian]

I haven't seen your Les Baers either, interested as I'm a big 1911 guy. I'd like to see the rifle too.

I'm interested to see what you get for a Garand. You sound a bit like me, I like really nice stuff. I'd probably get a shooter like Jersey Devil and Phil said first. I don't have one yet but I've been shopping and haven't found any good deals for the condition locally. I don't know what the market is like in the PNW but I'd guess you can come up with something pretty good unlike down here. I'd like one of those "basically brand new with minor wear" ones that Jersey Devil is talking about myself lol. Like they say though, you will probably end up with more than one though.
m14brian