From: hudson@ualr.edu
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: M1 Garand purchase options
Date: 7 Nov 92 00:34:41 GMT
Organization: University of Arkansas at Little Rock

In article <9211030030.AA94885@rsv08.cslab-tgsc.amex-trs.com>, skimmel@amex-trs.com (Steve Kimmel) writes:
# I've been considering purchasing an M1 Garand, as both a way of 
# owning a little piece of history, and to have a semi auto that draws
# less attention than the Evil(tm) Assault Rifle.  There seem to be a 
# number of M1s on the market.  Some are marketed by "blue sky" and

#      New Manufacture.
#      Imports.
#      DCM resales.
#      Actual WWII & Korea era manufacture surplus but not imports.
#         manufacturers (i'm somewhat familiar with the number of makers
#                       (of m1 carbines and would expect something similar
#                       (with the garand.) 
#      Overseas manufacture ?
#      Various models (tanker, ...?)
# 
#      any in different calibers besides 30-06? .308?
# 
# Steve Kimmel   N7ULW           Phoenix, AZ      |                         

A couple of things on the M1, Steve.  To "own a piece of history" I think 
you will want an "actual" US Army M1.  Fortunately, most M1 rifles 
encountered on the market are original US Army (most have been rebuilt a 
few times, but by the US Army).  A tanker version is not as originally 
fitted, as there were no tankers used by the Army or Marines, execpt as 
test models (at test centers).  A Beretta will not be original, in any
case.  Springfield Armory on original rifles refers to the old US Armory at 
Springfield, Mass.  Springfield Armory on a "new" rifle refers to the 
company called Springfield Armory, and I think this usually has a trademark 
or registered marking after it (I can't remember for sure).  The "Blue Sky" 
imports are "real" original US Army M1 rifles, but were given/sold to Korea 
after the Korean War/during the cold war.  They are usually pretty worn, 
but Blue Sky usually has rebuilt them to a "safe" level.

DCM M1 rifles are those that are/were held in reserve in case of war, but 
have now been declared obsolete, except for marksmanship training purposes, 
ie these are given or sold to American Legion Posts (color guard), used by 
drill teams (Marines in Washington that throw 'em around), and sold to 
qualified Highpower Rifle competitors.  These are normally in the best 
shape, and if resold, command the highest price.  Question:  Why not go and 
shoot in a few DCM events and qualify to purchase one that way?  Its fun.  
Does take a while to get one, though.

BTW, all of the M1s are WWII or Korean era, although a (very) few were made 
prior to WWII and a few more after Korea ('till 1957 and the M14).  This 
includes the "imports", as the Korea returns are normally termed, but not
Berettas.

Manufacture of US M1s:

Springfield Armory - some 4 million or so.
Winchester - about 500,000 (WWII only).
International Harverster - a few hundred thousand (Korea era).
Harrington and Richardson - a few hundred thousand (Korea era).

Keith

___________________________________________________________

Keith Hudson		hudson%eivax@ualr.edu	(best)
   N5EEZ		mkhudson@ualr.edu	(secondary)
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          University of Arkansas at Little Rock
      Department of Electronics and Instrumentation
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