im looking into buying an M1 Garand. Since that was my dad's favorite rifle to shoot, I thik I may want to add one to my collection.  I seem to be OVERWHELMED with all these numbers & info on the M1.  WTF does it all mean?  I want a rifle I can shoot, but I don't want to break the bank either.  I may consider a safe queen afterwards.  HELP!

If you don't mind me asking how much are you looking to spend? You can get various different grade  M1's from the CMP that may fit your price range. Sarco and heritage guild in PA usually have a few in stock as well but will most likely run you around $1000 give or take a few $100. 

order a service grade from CMP...

If you want a shooter and already have other rifles in 308, like a SCAR 17 , you might consider a CMP or Garand Guy gun in 308. I have one from CMP. Awesome shooter.$1000.

i don't think I want it in 308.  budget is $700-$1100.  what do all the #s mean when I read the listings?  what is "corrected" vs not?

http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/m1garand.htm

 

http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/eligibility.htm

 

 

Meet the eligibility requirements and order a service grade from the CMP.  They're the best bang for your buck right now, and these are the "good old days" where you can get a quality M1 for a good price.  Expect prices to shoot up in one or two  years when the CMP runs out of rifles and private sales take over the market.

i don't think I want it in 308.  budget is $700-$1100.  what do all the #s mean when I read the listings?  what is "corrected" vs not?

A "correct" grade Garand is one that has all it's parts, including the stock, made by the same manufacturer or appropriate vendor supplier to that manufacturer AND the parts are correct for the time frame when the was built. So if you were to buy a "correct" SA Garand, it would have the an SA receiver that can be dated by the serial #, a SA barrel from around the same date, the op rod, gas tube, trigger group, etc. made by SA from around the same date and a stock that is correct for an SA rifle from the same date range. Since SA made Garands for over 20 years, and many guns were rearsenaled, many of them were mixed up with parts from other manufacturers or parts from the same maker but from a different time frame, making them not "correct". Some guys go to great lengths to "correct" their Garands, if you just want a shooter you don't need to concern yourself with if it's correct or not.

 

As others have said, just get one from CMP - you can't go wrong.

Special Grade M1 Garand

 

ITEM #

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

RM1SPECIAL

M1 Garand, CMP Special (.30-06)
Allow 60-120 days for delivery.
M1 Garand Springfield Armory receiver. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture.

$995

 

 

is this worth the extra $$ over a service grade?

If you don't care about correct parts and immediate collectibility, and you want the best shooter you can get that is still a Garand, it is worth the money IMO.

order a service grade from CMP...

^^^^^This^^^^^