Picked up a 1941 SA M1 Garand. My very first - I’ve wanted one of these for probably 20 years.
Original owner was an older guy in his 80s. Used to shoot it a lot but lost interest and was put in touch with him through a mutual friend.
I got the rifle, a sling, the buttstock cleaning kit, 1,168 rounds of US M2 Surplus ammo on bandoliers and in M1 clips for $800.
I’ve already shot it and zeroed it and banged steel at 300 yards with it. Shoots great. I doubt I’ll ever shoot 500 rounds through this rifle but it’s so beautiful.
If it’s all original, with matching serial numbers and correct parts, instead of a depot rebuild franken-gun, then I don’t think you overpaid at all. it’s a piece of history. Embrace the “ping!” and enjoy.
Every red blooded American male needs a M1 Garand. You got a good deal. You picked up about $500 worth of M2 ammunition at today’s prices. You did not get hurt at all.
Mine - just the rifle - cost me $730, from the CMP. I’ve regularly seen Garands locally and online is worse condition go for more. Much more. And 1000 rounds of S&B cloned M2 ball ammo would run about $800. Almost $700 for 1000 rounds of PPU cloned M2 ball ammo.
And the first time you shot it, you were giggling like a little schoolgirl, right? I sure as hell was when I shot a Garand for the first time. They really are a ton of fun.
You straight stole it. You should go back and give that old man some more money! JK. I’ve been meaning to pick one up from the CMP. I think I would shoot a Garand more than my 2x M1As that are collecting dust!
Rhe old gent passed on a favor to you in the form if a proven Garand and ammo at less than the cost of the rifle from CMP or market. The best return favor you can give us care for it and enjoy shooting it. And maybe some pass it in to appreciative family or another younger shooter at an affordable price.
Thanks guys. I will definitely pay it forward. My subject line was sarcasm, I felt like I got an amazing deal but you never really know, and there’s always someone on the internet that can get xxx gun for $250 in mint condition “all day long”
The first time I got it home I put an empty clip in it, close the bolt, and racked it back.
PING
and yes. I giggled like a little school girl. Then I cleared my house with it pretending like there had to be a Nazi or a Jap around every corner. Amazing rifle. Very very fortunate to own something like this.
I think you did great, and it’s a beauty to boot! I got back into an M1 myself right before Christmas finally after a few years without one. Agree on every American male at least shooting if not owning one. My first center fire rifle experience was my uncles M1, he carried one ashore on Dday and all the way through into Germany. I’ll never let this one go, and good on the ammo too it’s not as easy to snag now versus 5 years ago it seems.
Until Korea, Chesty actually was more fond of the M1 Carbine. And the Marines on Guadalcanal got Garands as quick as they could after landing, often by outright stealing them from the Army.
Y’do have to get an M1905 bayonet for it, though. Gotta have 16 inches of cold steel on the end of your rifle when you’re facing down banzai charges and maintain parity against Arisakas with bayonets fixed.
One day, one freaking day I’m gonna get a Reising or a Trenchgun and me and Euro are gonna go inna Okeefenokee and dress up in HBT fatigues and be all poetic and LARP as the Thin Red Line. Go live amongst the Guinea men, get all emotional, and like yeah
I’ve been meaning to pick one up from the CMP. I think I would shoot a Garand more than my 2x M1As that are collecting dust!