Both an M1 Garand and M1 Carbine have been sitting in my basement since i was born (18 years!) neither of them had ever been fired. I finally got the motivation to guy buy a bunch of rounds, clean the rifles and take them to the range. WOW, the M1 is the most fun rifle that i have ever fired. Insanely accurate for open sites (although the peep sites can be confusing). The M1 Garand is in nearly perfect condition and was acquired straight from my grandfather who was in the military, i did not get this from the CMP. It has all original parts and is in perfect working order. I guess i am curious what it would be worth if anybody would have an idea, not that i would EVER sell it.

PS. If anybody had any tips on aiming the M1 or just on the M1 in general, it would be very appreciated, it is very easy to field strip!

Also, i notice that the M1 carbine gets a pretty bad rap, but let me tell you i wouldnt mind it in battle. Not many battles would be over 100 yds, and i have a 30 round banana clip for it (awesome!). I have talked to my grandfather about it. He never used one in battle but he says that ALL the men he served with wanted one, basically because it was so much lighter and still got the job done.

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"When we come to a minefield, our infantry attacks as if it were not there. The losses we get from personnel mines we consider equal to those we would have gotten from machine guns and artillery if the Germans had chosen to defend that particular area." - General Zukhov to Eisenhower

Never fired? Are you serious? Very interesting. My father also preferred the Carbine, lightweight and smaller size. He hammer smashed his thumb once with a Grarand. Only once. I would like to find/purchase a M1 Garand and a 1911.

My dad just acquired a Garand that I will be shooting in a day or two. Quite excited.

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I have a Mosin Nagant, Kar98k, a SKS, and 2 Garands. Wow eh? Yeah and only the Mosin has been shotten before.. and It rocked. Hopefully if I get my grades up my parents will let me shoot them I saved up for ammo/blanks so ^_^

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Time is only enemy you'll never get rid of.

whoa im sorry guys, my mistake. I meant to say that it had never been fired since in our posession. Did some research, according to the serial number it was made in feb of '43. If you guys havent fired one i highly reccomend it, it rocks!

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"When we come to a minefield, our infantry attacks as if it were not there. The losses we get from personnel mines we consider equal to those we would have gotten from machine guns and artillery if the Germans had chosen to defend that particular area." - General Zukhov to Eisenhower

Very envious of your posting, ScreamingEagle.

I have a lovely M1 Carbine which is ( of course ! This is the UK.... ) deactivated. As you say, it was an under-rated weapon. It certainly lacked 'stopping power' but the well-designed stock and light recoil made it a very accurate gun in skilled hands. It was jealously coveted by, among others, British Airborne troops ( one or two M1 carbines were used at Arnhem ) and the Carbine is highly-rated by Capt. C. Shore in his classic book, 'With British Snipers To The Reich'.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Shooting the Garand was very enjoyable indeed. It shot pretty accurately and I had a nice group. I managed not to get my thumb crushed in the action either! It was cool hearing the ping of the empty bandolier as well after seeing it in so many movies.

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yeah, it is very accurate if the sights are used correctly. ammo however is a little expensive for my liking, especially with how quickly you can burn it up with an m1.

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"When we come to a minefield, our infantry attacks as if it were not there. The losses we get from personnel mines we consider equal to those we would have gotten from machine guns and artillery if the Germans had chosen to defend that particular area." - General Zukhov to Eisenhower

ps. martin, your envious of MY posting when YOUR the one standing next to warplanes!

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"When we come to a minefield, our infantry attacks as if it were not there. The losses we get from personnel mines we consider equal to those we would have gotten from machine guns and artillery if the Germans had chosen to defend that particular area." - General Zukhov to Eisenhower

is it just me...or do I WANT TO SEE PICS !!!!

im totally envious of you. I think after i buy my pistol and a new shotgun im going to attempt to purchase a garand. it will probably end up costing over a couple grand unfortunately.

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Texas can make it without the United States...But the United States cant make it without Texas!

you know what Tim, your right. Pics are on the way.

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"When we come to a minefield, our infantry attacks as if it were not there. The losses we get from personnel mines we consider equal to those we would have gotten from machine guns and artillery if the Germans had chosen to defend that particular area." - General Zukhov to Eisenhower

yeah here where i live, they are trying to sell M1 grands, and Kar98, idk how they got the Kar98, but no one is purchasing them. i would love to get one, but i dont really have any time to go and get either of them.

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P-40, P-51, and the Spitfire for my opinion these were the three best allied aircraft.

I think if I were you I would make time to go get a K98 if it is selling at a reasonable price.

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its only selling them for $200.00 each, but the M1 Grand $1299.99

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P-40, P-51, and the Spitfire for my opinion these were the three best allied aircraft.

200!? THAT is a steal! I have been trying to get my hands on one for years. But the closest thing my local gunshops get to them are M-48 Yugos.

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i would get both, but i dont really have the money too. last year they were Selling the Thompson and BAR, but no one was buying them, they always sell different WW2 weapon a year

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P-40, P-51, and the Spitfire for my opinion these were the three best allied aircraft.

Without optics, do you guys know which is the most accurate between the Garand and 1903 Springfield ?

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Police cars carry three agents. The first one can read, the second one can write and the third one keeps watch on those dangerous intellectuals.
Unknown subversive activist - 20th century.

i would say the Spring field 1903, it might be old but its pretty good at hitting anything that moves.

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P-40, P-51, and the Spitfire for my opinion these were the three best allied aircraft.

I've shot both and I had a better luck with the Garand. I don't care for the old-style flip up sites on the '03 but it still shoots well never the less.

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I fired a friend's Carbine about twenty years ago. The two things I distinctly remember about the weapon was (1) its extremely light recoil and (2) its size. While it was a pleasure to fire I mainly remember thinking that for a man of my hieght and build that the thing was just to small and short. I mean, I just thought I might break the damn thing! However, with the addition of a stock extension I would rather have one of those little pups over an M16 or SA80 any day.
My dream rifle to own one day has always been the venerable M14. Probably the best rifle the U.S. military has ever fielded (in my opinion). I wonder how much one goes for these days. I saw a few at a gun show several years ago and they were selling for $1000.00+ USD, way over my budget for a rifle then and now!

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i get what your saying about the m14, but i think its pretty crazy to compare it as the best U.S. rifle ever. Honestly it never saw action like the M1 did, and it was basically the precursor to the M16. If you ask me you have to go with one of the most legendary rifles in U.S. history (M1), or the M16 or M4.

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"When we come to a minefield, our infantry attacks as if it were not there. The losses we get from personnel mines we consider equal to those we would have gotten from machine guns and artillery if the Germans had chosen to defend that particular area." - General Zukhov to Eisenhower

Well, I see what you mean about being "tried in combat." True, the M14 was never fielded in the numbers or employed through any considerable length of time as other firearms in the U.S. inventory. Albeit, I would not include the infamous M16 in any comparison with other weapons in a "best ever category." Notwithstanding the smaller 5.56 round, which replaced the "original" design featured 7.62, the M16 has had few innovations to make it a better rifle. The changes made to the flash suppressor, rear sights, select fire and added forward assist are quite menial when you consider the overall design flaw (specifically the poor coupling of the upper and lower reciever assembly). I got out of the Army in '92, and so do not know what is in the field now; however, my own experience with the 16 is such that it jams frequently enough when cleaned religiously and daily, let alone employed where dust and sand are constantly blowing. Sadly, it can be as effective when gripped from the barrel and used as a club!

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Perhaps it’s time for me to take my 30.06 that I haven’t fired in over 20 years, to a local gun show. Might find a Garand or Carbine to trade toward. I’d prefer the Garand, but price might be higher than budget. My father preferred the Carbine when in the service and at 82 he it would be easier for him to shoot, that is if I can get him to the shooting range.

Saying that the M16 is a bum weapon is BS. The early models had problems, but most were due to the fact that the weapon was designed with a specific ammo in mind, and some bean counter ordered something else to save a few bucks. The original flash was a problem sue to grunts using it as a can opener. This is a weapon that is still in use after forty years. The 5.56 round has faults, but the intent was to get the weight down for better portability and to allow more ammo to be carried.

The M14 has no relationship to the M16 and the M16 was never intended for a 7.62 round. The M14 was an extension of lessons learned in WWII and Korea. It is an excellent long range weapon and is still being used by select personnel. The M16 was designed to combine a grease gun M3 with a rifle. Most combat rifles were rarely anything but single shot weapons. You had crew served and heavy rifle MGs, but the M14 combined the BAR and M1 so that evry soldier could be a machingunner. Problem was that only 2-3 people in a platoon had the automatic version. With the M16, every soldier could put out fire quickly.

IMHO, my big regret was when the took away the M79 and stuck a tube under the M16. I hated that thing. On patrol, the M79 could be loaded with a beehive cannister round for maximum short range cover during an ambush.

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Lord, let me be the person my dog thinks I am.