Why the heck are M1 Garands so expensive?

[Captain Fear Not]

Would like to pick-up a shooter just for fun, but they are awfully expensive.

 

[Mark75H]

Nostalgia creates demand.

 

[RFBfromDE]

Boomers!

 

[pre64hunter]

They're iconic, historic and don't make them anymore, not even replicas as far as I know.

 

[johnkn]

What do you consider ‘expensive’?


.

 

[Worsley]

Would like to pick-up a shooter just for fun, but they are awfully expensive.

I feel the same about the M1 Carbine. Not sure what’s driving cost.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

Because they're worth it.

 

[Mark75H]

Simple supply and demand economics; sellers pick a price and all of them get sold. That sets it. If sellers set a price and they do not sell, then the price comes down. Right now there are more buyers than there are sellers, so the price is up

 

[ken792]

They’re still cheaper than many other semi autos of WWII and Cold War. Even a new production reputable AR-10 is not that much cheaper.

 

[Batt816]

CMP will be your best way to get a decent priced shooter.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

The worst thing about the M1 Garand these days is the cost of feeding it. While .30-06 isn't difficult to source it is expensive. But...shooting the M is so satisfying.

 

[calicojack]

IDK - I think the CMP Service or Field grade M1's are very reasonable. I have did not already have two, I'd get another.

M1 Garand - Civilian Marksmanship Program

M1 Garand rifles sold by CMP are authentic U.S. Government rifles that have been thoroughly inspected, with a variety of available grades.

thecmp.org

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Because they're worth it.

This is the way.

 

[smdub]

I think the CMP ones are VERY reasonably priced. You couldn't build it today for less. They are less than new M1As and mini-14s.

 

[Doco Overboard]

I think its becuase you can re-barrel/rebuild them so many times before the reciever becomes out of spec.
You dont have to suspend the bolt/working parts in an oil concoction to get them to go into battery and fire a cartridge either.
They are, or happen to be the genuine article for a semi government rifle with the vast majority produced actually in a government arsenal and supported with a ton of parts that actually work resulting in a bunch of not one off or custom rifles.
Not to mention they are probably the strongest and safest rifle action mass produced among other things and.....borne in a time and put out in the hands of the greatest generation and the sons thereof.

 

[T-Man]

In one sense, I agree with you as the number of Garand's made is huge and there is likely no argument for rarity for most of them. But - it's a piece of WW2 history, the rifle that took down Hitler, was there to storm the beaches of Normandy, jump with the 82nd and 101st airborne, and to seize the islands of the pacific. The emotional appeal alone makes me want to pay money I don't have to own a whole rack of them.

 

[calicojack]

I think its becuase you can re-barrel/rebuild them so many times before the reciever becomes out of spec.
You dont have to suspend the bolt/working parts in an oil concoction to get them to go into battery and fire a cartridge either.
They are, or happen to be the genuine article for a semi government rifle with the vast majority produced actually in a government arsenal and supported with a ton of parts that actually work resulting in a bunch of not one off or custom rifles.
Not to mention they are probably the strongest and safest rifle action mass produced among other things and.....borne in a time and put out in the hands of the greatest generation and the sons thereof.

Wow - great write up. Submit that one to CMP.

 

[Doco Overboard]

In one sense, I agree with you as the number of Garand's made is huge and there is likely no argument for rarity for most of them. But - it's a piece of WW2 history, the rifle that took down Hitler, was there to storm the beaches of Normandy, jump with the 82nd and 101st airborne, and to seize the islands of the pacific. The emotional appeal alone makes me want to pay money I don't have to own a whole rack of them.

55 is when they stopped making them I'm pretty sure and then somewhere along the line the Winchester tooling was sold off to the Italians who made some too. Around 6 and a half million of them or there abouts in this country alone.
I think if someone was looking for a shooter one of the later ones would be the one to get. They had all the revisions done to them.
They-re also expensive becuase people buy them and flip them to make a few dollars but most of them dont know what they're looking at for the most part anyway.
And thats just how it is. CMP is the place to get them.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

The emotional appeal alone makes me want to pay money I don't have to own a whole rack of them.

And what’s the problem with owning a whole rack of M1s?

 

[RFBfromDE]

Boomers!

And what’s the problem with owning a whole rack of M1s?

Told you so!