[atb1012]

Hello one and all, all today ive been looking up prices and information about the m1 garand and the ma1a1 carbine but i have a few questions about them as a whole:

Garand Q's:
1- where can a buy the stripper clips fpr a m1 garand, because thats not something that is being mass produced now a days like the ar15 magazines(ex-websites)
2-what main qualities should i look for in a garand (Ex. the stock being full wood instead of a wood looking metal)
3-What sites could i go to to find surplus ammo for the garand
4-How long will this gun last me if kept in good maintenece, i know this might be a stupid one but i plan on having this last through my kids and maybe theirs

M1a1 carbine:
1-where could i find magazines for it (Ex- websites)
2-can i buy the ammo for it in surplus or will i have to go out and spend a lot on a small ammount of ammo
3-how much is the difference (price) between the paratrooper version (folding stock) to a regular wooden stock
4-how long will this gun last me

And one question for both guns:
What is the usual cost, i know that is very vague and cant be judged when talking about firearms but if an of you gun nuts ( i know you are all a dime a dozen here) can chime in on how much you bought yours for and when it would greatl help me. Im trying to get as much information on both weapons as possible so i get the most out of my money

 

[miestro_jerry]

The Garand should last you a lifetime and then some. Try Cheaper than Dirt , http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ for most of things you want. I like wooden stocks, but there are some really good competition stocks out there for the Garand, not cheap but good for the range.

The M1 Carbine seems to have a following for that weapon, for me it is a little lighter than I like for rabbit hunting.

If you can find a local gun club that is connect to the Civilian Marksmanship program you can get stuff from them. http://www.thecmp.org/

Because surplus ammo can be corrosive, I don't shoot it in most of my rifles. I have a couple of surplus bolt guns that I shoot surplus amm in, these rifles are in good shape, but the barrels have been thru many thousands of rounds of military ammo and clean to the point that there is muzzle wear.

Good Luck,

Jerry

 

[kdub]

The "clips" for the M1 Garand are enbloc clips, not stripper clips. The 8 rounds are loaded into the clip and the whole shebang is loaded into the magazine.

You should look for the same things in an M1 that you would look for in any rifle - exterior condition, interior condition, bore, muzzle and general wear.

You can buy "M1" ammo anywhere - it's plain jane 30-06 cartridge. Same for the carbine - .30 carbine ammo is sold in most high volume sporting goods stores or online supply houses.

There are so many replicas out there of the carbine that finding a true paratroop model will be very expensive.

Both these firearms, if made for the US military and in good condition will last both you and your offspring your lifetimes.

 

[Combat Diver]

Hello one and all, all today ive been looking up prices and information about the m1 garand and the ma1a1 carbine but i have a few questions about them as a whole:

Garand Q's:
1- where can a buy the stripper clips fpr a m1 garand, because thats not something that is being mass produced now a days like the ar15 magazines(ex-websites)
As kdub mentioned they are "en bloc clips" Look at CMP
2-what main qualities should i look for in a garand (Ex. the stock being full wood instead of a wood looking metal)
kdub covered this
3-What sites could i go to to find surplus ammo for the garand
CMP
4-How long will this gun last me if kept in good maintenece, i know this might be a stupid one but i plan on having this last through my kids and maybe theirs
If not banned then as long as there are spare parts and ammo

M1a1 carbine: (special interest here as my wifes great uncle was David Williams, designer)
1-where could i find magazines for it (Ex- websites)
JG sales has 15 and 30 rd mags
2-can i buy the ammo for it in surplus or will i have to go out and spend a lot on a small ammount of ammo
Most surplus has dried up but new ammo is loaded
3-how much is the difference (price) between the paratrooper version (folding stock) to a regular wooden stock
Agian check CMP, new carbines both fixed and folding are being made by Kahr/Auto Ordanance
4-how long will this gun last me
Forever

And one question for both guns:
What is the usual cost, i know that is very vague and cant be judged when talking about firearms but if an of you gun nuts ( i know you are all a dime a dozen here) can chime in on how much you bought yours for and when it would greatl help me. Im trying to get as much information on both weapons as possible so i get the most out of my money

Sorry, I'm out of touch on current prices.

CD

 

[Oberndorf]

These folks gave good advice

Just a few comments. U.S. G.I. ball ammo made after the Korean War is non-corrosive and OK to shoot in an M1 Garand and then clean the rifle. It is getting harder to find and the prices are going up.

Federal and Winchester makes current ammo for the M1 Garand with mid-rate burning powders and will not damage the operating rod. Some factory ammo may use slower powders which put too much pressure on the operating rod and may damage it. Hope tis helps. Take care...
Oberndorf

 

[atb1012]

Thanks for all the information guys im really eager to go out and get some prices from my two local gun stores, but i will have to wait for tommorow to come to do that since its easter today, but if you still have any more information on these rifles dont hesitate to post here, i always need more info so i can make the best buy

 

[Token]

At the local gun show just the other day [a great big show] I saw good looking Garands selling for anywhere from C$600-1000 or more. I didn't look closely at them but externally they appeared nice.

Enbloc clips aren't hard to find...some people have buckets full of them. I saw some in excellent condition [packaged] 2 for $4. Cruddy old rusty ones [still usable and okay after a cleanup] cost a buck...sort through the bucket for the best ones. As long as they aren't too heavily pitted, they should be okay...just get busy with a wire bush and oil.

Garands are pretty easy to maintain, and there are lots of manuals around for them explaining how. One thing I'd be careful about is not shooting the barrels red hot or causing unnecessary wear with overpowered ammo or overweight bullets. Get ammo that duplicates the original milspec ball loading. Finding a gunsmith who knows Garands is good too. I bought a nice-looking Springfield Garand years ago that turned out to have a ruined barrel [I thought it was just dirty when I bought it ]. I found the right gunsmith who replaced the barrel, turning it into a very nice shooter.

 

[miestro_jerry]

I really like the Garands, they do shoot well, but that was the rifle of my fathers generation, I went thru the military with the M14 before going over seas and being handed an M16.

Currently I own a Springfield Ultra Match M1A, they don't make these any more, the Super Match is suppose to be as good. As that these rifles are still being made, by both Springfield and Fulton, parts are readily available, Plus the M1A has been updated many times over the years, the problem with getting a good high end model of the M1A, is the military is buying them again. Some one told me that they are seeing the standard M1As at gun shows for decent prices.

The SEALs took down those Pirates with M14s/M1As.

You may want to look into buy one of these rifles.

Jerry

 

[stinky]

Also, I'm pretty sure that that all 30 Carbine ammo is non-corrosive.

 

[Jack]

Another source for Garand clips, and other surplus components is: http://www.gibrass.com/index.html

 

[atb1012]

okay thanks for all this info guys, its really been helping me. Please if anyone has any information that you even think will be of use let me know, every little bit helps

 

[ironhead7544]

Also, I'm pretty sure that that all 30 Carbine ammo is non-corrosive.

All the U.S. stuff is non cor but some of the foreign made stuff is corrosive.

 

[miestro_jerry]

Some of the older U.S. is corrosive, mostly late 40s and early 50s 30-06, not all of the ammo produced for the military was corrosive just certain arsenals.

I have 30-06 that has corrosive primers made in 49

Jerry

 

[atb1012]

well i took all the info from this thread and went to my local gun store and asked for a pprice on teh garands they have in stock, they were asking 750 for a springfield armoery that was is bad to almost borken condition and 850 for a slightly better springfield armory. SO i guess supporting the local gun store on this buy is out of the question, so the enxt gun club meeting i can get too ill ask my club president if he can get me a deal with any gun stores or the cmp place because i know for a fact we bought eight garands drom there for our field day that we have twice a year. So hopefully i can get a deal where i wont have to pay for a S&H and membership fee

 

[zb338]

A lot of Garand and M1 Carbine stuff can be found at
local gun shows. As can guys who would be eager to pass
on information about these rifles. There are a lot of
old duffers (like me) who cut their teeth on these rifles
and have learned to love them.

Zeke

 

[miestro_jerry]

Old Duffers ??? There some guys near me, early 30s that found out how good the Garands can be. If I could afford an accurized Garand I would buy it.

Prices are high on these babies, just like all the other firearms out there. Thie CMP has been the best price I have seen on service grade rifles. http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm

When I had the chance probably 30 years ago, I could have picked up a decent Garand from what became the CMP for $160 and shipping.

I have seen a lot of clips and service grade ammo at the gun shows, but those prices are going higher these days. When I was in the Army back in the 60s, my First Sergeant found out that I bought a Winchester M1 carbine, he gave me a lot of mags and ammo for it. He didn't know that I had bought it for my brother. That was really nice of him.

Today I look for quality M14/M1A mags for about $10 each, a buddy gave me a couple of NATO M16 mags, they are a little different from the ones I remember, but they work and they were free.

Just keep looking, If you plan to reload your ammo, M1 garand don't like hot loads or heavy bullets, you can damage the operating rod with the wrong loads.

Just keep on looking, or maybe you should try to go to Camp Perry this summer and buy one while you are there.

Jerry

 

[atb1012]

well it looks like there are no gun shows in RI for about two years, but i have a close family friend who lives in mass who could get the gun and transfer it to us. But for now ill just keep saving up more money for ammo

 

[Trapper1]

You missed a good show in Ct yesterday. Actually, it's still going on today, (Sunday) in windsor.
I saw a few Garands there, bout $900-1100 in what appeared to be very good cond but I didn't really handle any of them

 

[atb1012]

i would go but my dad and i have o take a look at my old beater truck thats on its last leg. but i actually got a question- to buy a gun from a gun show, do you need to be a resident of that state? and do you need to present your blue card?

 

[atb1012]

i guess i really lucked out. Muy grandfather just called me and said one of his old friends is letting me borrow one of his m1 garands that he shortend about 6 inches. He also said that he has a friend who owns three m1 garands, and he might sell me one. SO it looks like i caught a major break