M-1 Garand for apocalypse rifle?

[henschman]

You could do a lot worse than an M1 for a SHTF gun, but then again you could do better, for not much if any more money. In today's market, in which you can put together a real solid AR for a little over $600, a $500 CMP Garand doesn't make as much sense for a 2A purpose rifle. I still think the CMP rifle is one of the best deals going, and anyone who doesn't buy one now will be kicking themselves later when they are all gone... but if you have limited funds and want something suitable for defending liberty, I would get an AR first. Setting up an M1 for SHTF does make a fun thought experiment, though. I'd say throw an Ultimak scout mount on it and co-witness a red dot with the irons. Also maybe a Schuster adjustable gas plug so you could safely shoot any commercial ammo.

 

[MLRyan]

An M1 Garand would make a terrible apocalypse rifle. Good luck finding stripper clips...

 

[been]

An M1 Garand would make a terrible apocalypse rifle. Good luck finding stripper clips...

Stripper clips?

 

[GlockCop]

Im sure he means the 8 round En Bloc clips...yeah good luck finding any in a SHTF scenario.

 

[Perplexed]

Im sure he means the 8 round En Bloc clips...yeah good luck finding any in a SHTF scenario.

As I first said, a M1 Garand - or a M1 Carbine, for that matter - would be poor choices in a SHTF scenario. However, someone who insists on using a M1 Garand presumably will have a supply of loaded en bloc clips, and he can pick up the spent ones afterward and reuse them. If he's able to pick up anything.

 

[udiablo]

Even unloaded the Garand is a "manly" weapon.
Heavy? Yes.
Recoil? Yes.
Requires skill to use effectively? Yes.
Is the .30-06 an effective battle round? Yes.
Ammo availability (milsurp) is not as good as it was 35 or 45 years ago.
You can still get enbloc clips, but you might want to consult with some of the older members about use, care, and feeding of your Garand.
Suggest you do exactly as perplexed says about checking the condition.
When I hear a complaint about the weight of a rifle or the recoil, I think about the little people we gave Garands to who cut off the stocks so they could shoot them, never complaining about the weight or the recoil. So, does that mean you are "light in the loafers" if you complain about the weight of a weapon or the recoil? Let's just say that I've already made up my mind about you.

 

[AKguy1985]

It wouldnt be a good choice for a SHTF rifle. M1 carbine wouldnt be much better even with high cap mags.

 

[WideLoadTimmy]

I don't want one for SHTF but now i have a lot more info than i ever did before and to find out one can be had for around $500 is awesome. Time to start saving pennies.

henschman - You got a link for one of those CMP Garands?

 

[henschman]

http://www.thecmp.org/Sales/m1garand.htm

Looks like they went up a little -- they are $525 now for a Field Grade. If you can spare the extra $100, the Rack Grade are much nicer. I got field grade that is a real shooter -- but if you go Rack Grade you can get one that is a shooter and a looker.

To buy from the CMP you have to have proof of U.S. Citizenship, proof of completion of CMP-approved marksmanship training, and proof of membership in a CMP-affiliated club. Project Appleseed is CMP-affiliated, and can get you the latter 2 requirements. Check out the link in my sig. We don't have any shoots on the schedule yet, but we will have some soon, starting in February 2013. We will show you how to shoot that rifle the way it was meant to be shot!

 

[HackerF15E]

Looks like they went up a little -- they are $525 now for a Field Grade. If you can spare the extra $100, the Rack Grade are much nicer.

I'm sure you mean Service Grade here, right?

Beware: they're addictive!

Here are four CMP SGs and a CG: