Tip of the Week: Now is the Time to Buy an M1 Garand

Few guns are as revered as the M1 Garand.

Its distinguished service in World War II and beyond, the iconic “ping” noise it makes after expending its clip, and its pleasant shooting characteristics have made it a highly sought-after rifle.

Although the last Garand rolled off the assembly line in the 50s, surplus M1s have been widely available for a long time.

Instead of having to scour the used market for a Garand, U.S. citizens who meet some easy criteria can purchase Garands directly from the U.S. Government through a program known as the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).

Here are a few reasons to buy a Garand from the CMP

• Prices are typically much cheaper than what you will find on the used market.
• The gun can be shipped directly to your door (with some state exceptions); no FFL is required.
• All CMP rifles are inspected, graded, and, depending on the model, refurbished by expert Garand gunsmiths.
• At the time of writing, you can get original .30-06 models or .308 models (for those who want cheaper ammo)

Sounds great, right? So why doesn’t everyone buy through the CMP? Well, the truth is that most people are too lazy or just don’t know about it. There are a few hoops to jump through, but it is only a couple of hours worth of work at most.

While getting some paperwork prepared and notarized seems annoying, you will likely end up saving anywhere between $250-1500, depending on what kind of Garand you buy.

“Rack Grade” Garands are the lowest-grade M1s you can buy from the CMP. They are currently $700, but people will frequently buy these and then re-sell them for $1,200-1,500.

Seriously, people love to buy these guns from the CMP and then scalp them for exorbitant prices. It is a terrible practice, and you can avoid all of that nastiness by purchasing direct.

Why Buy Now?

This article is less a "tip" and more of a strong recommendation to buy a Garand soon.

After the U.S. Military phased out the M1 Garand, they started sending them to allied countries under a lend-lease agreement. This meant that those countries could use the Garands and were supposed to return them once they replaced them with their own new weaponry.

Long story short, some countries sent them back, and some have refused. But it is the year 2024, and most of the countries that were lent M1s have either returned them or do not plan on doing so.

The last country to return them was the Philippines, which is what most of the current stock at the CMP is comprised of. With supply dwindling and seemingly no new turn-ins in sight, that means when the CMP runs out, they are out.

Used market prices for Garands are already crazy, and if the CMP goes dry, it will get even worse. I’ve been hearing people say they are going to run out every year for the last ten years. But the truth is that it has to happen at some point.

Even if you think the CMP won’t run out anytime soon, there are still a few reasons to buy now.

The first reason is that the prices are going up from the CMP. Just five years ago, Service grade Garands, which are the most popular, were $750. They are now $900. Currently, prices range from $700-$1,350, depending on the grade/model.

Not only are prices rising, but the quality of the Garands is sliding somewhat. As fewer guns come in, they have to mix and match parts from various guns to make working rifles. The grading criteria have become looser, and even the higher-grade guns are starting to have more visible wear.

That being said, you can still get a nice-looking rifle that works well or even a great shooter equipped with a brand-new barrel.

I took the plunge on my Garand about six years ago and have zero regrets. They are fantastic rifles that only appreciate in value. If you have even thought about buying an M1 Garand at all, get one now before it is too late!

Editor’s Note: This is part of a new series where we deliver a weekly “hack” or tip to make your life easier. Let us know if you want us to keep this series up in the comments below.

Do you have a Garand? Let us know in the comments below. To learn more about the Garand, head over to Pew Pew Meter for more stats.