Yes, have seen many. . They were for undersized barrels, if you put one on a normal size barrel it will be impossible to remove unless sight screw is loosened first.
OP, do you have a saw cut gas cylinder? If so you need to remove the front sight first. Google "garand saw cut gas cylinder" to see a picture of what I am talking about
Have you completely disassembled the rifle, cleaned and properly greased it as suggested by CMP? If not you need to do so. Its not unusual for this to happen on a dry ungreased garand
Of course they are looking to make a profit, and why shouldnt they?? This is how they fund all their programs. I saw squeeze every single penny they can out of them so they can continue to do what they were organized to do. They were not started so they could supply you with cheap firearms...
To the OP:
Type I NM garand will have the serial number written in the stock channel. Remove the stock and check there, if serial is present its another clue to being a NM
OK guys its very simple. If the only part on the rifle that is NM is the barrel it is no longer a NM rifle, if it ever was. You can wish and hope all day but facts are facts
The bolt drawing number means nothing
For a 6 mil NM the stock may or may not be bedded, gas cylinder stamped NM rear...