Where to Start !!!

[Giby]

Yesterday I went to our local gun show. Took my M-1 Garand in hopes of selling at a profit.
Every vendor I showed it to, wanted to buy. I would have made a very good profit on the sell.
I just could not bring myself to sell this great piece of history. So I've decided, to attempt to bring this rifle as close to "correct" as I can.
All the parts are in very good shape.
My receiver is a S.A. SN-22XXXXX. From the Net, I place the date around Nov/Dec 1943.
The bolt is a S.A., SN D28287-2 SA C13, which also from the Net is placed at June to March 1942.
The barrel is a S.A. stamped 7-45.
All three of the above are in very good shape.
My thought is to go Springfield Armory as far as possible.
The paper I got from the first owner after buying from CMP back in "89" says the weapon is graded at 80%.
As the post says, Where do I start with this project..
Thanks for any help.
Giby

[jak]

I guess the first thing would be "How much money do you want to spend" ? You need a barrel in good shape in the 10-43 to 12-43 range and someone to install and head space it.
You need a "12SA " bolt. ( I'm not sure of the heat lot #), a "6SA" uncut op rod, lock bar sights, a "GAW" cartouche stock. These are some of the more expensive parts. They are still out
there but the prices are increasing. You are now getting over $1000.00 and you still have to determine if the rest of the parts are correct.

Are there any rebuild marks on the receiver legs ? The rifles were rebuilt at an armory and are desirable and do not need to be corrected.

The other guys on the forum will will chime in and give you good advice.

[RDS]

Please post photos of your rifle. Photos of right front receiver leg would be helpful.

[TJT]

I'd leave it well enough alone. As previously mentioned it isn't gonna' be cheap. The stock alone will set you back $3-500. A proper barrel in good shape, another $300. It might behoove you sell it and put the proceeds toward a rifle that is already "correct" for the time frame you want. They're out there and plentiful. You just have to look.
Jon

[TJT]

Oh yah, then there are the unmarked parts that only YEARS of study can lead you to the correct ones. Would you know a SA butt plate from an HRA, IHC or Winchester? Not all Winchester's are marked inside. Do you know how to tell a type 2 from a type 3 lock bar? Here's a hint--it isn't by the round or square ends. Clip release? Can't tell by the profile. Gotta' take it out and look at the small end by the thru-hole. And on and on it goes. I've been studying and playing with M1 rifles for over 40 years and I'm still learning. Some thing new comes to light almost weekly. Again, keep your rifle and enjoy it or sell it for one you want.
Jon

[Giby]

Thanks guys. Looks like I will have to think about this.
Giby