igotta40 wrote:I just bought one on March 9 at the CMP South Store in Anniston Alabama. I drove out there from Pasadena to see them in person. It was worth the drive to me (I was going to Florida anyway). It's a Springfield Armory, made in November 1943.
A quick check of the barrell condition can be done by inserting the correct (30.06) bullet into the end of the muzzle and then gauge how far the brass case is from the muzzle. You should have 1/16" at the minimum. If the bullet slips right in, the barrell may be shot out.
If the front handguard is loose and rattles a bit, it's okay, that's normal.
You can run the serial number through a M1 database and get the month & year of production.
This
When I got my M1, I noticed the loose handguard and shimmed it up tight. After I did so, when I shot it, all the shots were far left. I removed the shims and viola, all the shots were back on. I then took to reading and talking to several of my friends with M1s. I found that the barrel has to be floated. So, as my Garand came with a new CMP stock, I sanded down the stock everywhere it touched metal and really improved my shot group. Garands and other wood and steel military firearms really get me going, love 'em.