Help picking out an M1

[garand4life]

I'm going to Camp Perry tomorrow to pick out a Garand and would be interested in some help on understanding how to gauge the quality of the rifle in terms of bore and barrel wear. I don't quite understand how to use the gauges to see how wore out the tolerances are. I'm only looking at getting a field grade, which is what I had before. But are there any hints how to pick out that one rifle that's just a bit better than the others?

[Pathfinder]

Presumably, if the CMP is selling an M1 as field grade, they are already supposed to have conducted the inspections.

As you would with any used rifle, look for obvious wear around the bore, on the ejector, and if the rifling is clean and without pits or marks. Make sure the barrel is straight. Also, the spring and follower in the magazine should be easily replaceable if required, but I am not sure on this one.

[garand4life]

Thanks Path. I know that for the most part they pre measure most things on these. Last time I went I had no clue what I was getting but I could see that most everyone else were checking the chamber and barrel with various tools and I was curious if I was missing something bi lucked out the first time but as of late I don't trust lightning to strike twice in the positive.

[Pathfinder]

Thanks Path. I know that for the most part they pre measure most things on these. Last time I went I had no clue what I was getting but I could see that most everyone else were checking the chamber and barrel with various tools and I was curious if I was missing something bi lucked out the first time but as of late I don't trust lightning to strike twice in the positive.

Seems silly IMHO for field grade. They're probably using go/no-go gauges on the bore and bolt closure to check headspacing, no idea what they may have been measuring on the barrel.

Shoot the dice again, G4L!!   

[garand4life]

I figure for the price I can shoot it and if it doesn't do so well I could put a new barrel and stock and make a really nice rifle outbid it for not too much more money.

[Sponsor]

[Bill Stryker]

Sorry this may be late for you G4L.

The guys behind the counter are a wealth of information at Camp Perry. They will lend you the gauges -- all you need to do is give them your driver's license while you use the gauges. If you look on the tags on the rifles they will tell you the gauge of the barrel and throat but you have to know the meaning of the numbers. Here the guys behind the counter can help you read them.
I found a great M1 carbine that gauged well but was downgraded to field grade for some reason that I could not find nor could the experts.

Going to Perry is great fun. I try to go several times a year. Hope you enjoyed it. Last time I was there there were some really nice Garands in the racks of all grades. I was tempted but I didn't buy another Garand. My interest is the M1 carbine.

[3 gun]

CMP grading seems to be based on the worst feature of each rifle. Last time I went (3yrs ago) I found a 99% correct grade rifle being sold as a Service grade. The ONLY thing that could have earned this rifle that grade was the stock, miss matched and only a proof stamp. Finish on the medal was 90% or better and matched over the entire rifle including the gas cyl. It had a mix of GI parts but all were correct for the serial number, barrel date range. Both TE & MW gauged at 1 or under with clean and sharp rifling and no looseness at the gas cyl. Great shooting rifle that I really doubt had even been rebuilt or refinished since its build date of late 56 early 57.

I don't know how they have it set up now but I searched for 3 hours and handled at least a hundred rifles before settling on this one. I had found several rifles that were better than the grade on the tag but none as nice overall. My buddy picked up a Field grade that was as good a shooter as mine but didn't look as good.

Know what you want, a shooter or a looker. Don't just go by the tags. Don't rush. Use the tools they have out for you to use. When I was there you could find much nicer rifles than what the grade was if you took the time to shop. Have fun