You have $1500, pick M14 or M1 Garand? Why?

[pitbull88]

Which would you choose an why? Assume price is not the deciding factor. I am leaning toward the Garand for its history...thoughts?

 

[Fordtough25]

I have the Garand, love it for many many reasons. Nothing wrong with an M1A, I would like one as well. Do you want a box magazine or want to load the M1's En Block clips? Want to round up surplus .30-06 or buy .308? Other than those things they are pretty close in feel, function, and use. For the price difference you can probably get an M1 and a good stock of ammo/clips for the price of the M1A alone. Either rifle is a great choice IMO.

 

[red_zr24x4]

I have both, I love both of them.
Do you reload? Do you plan on to start reloading? Here is why I ask, its getting harder and harder to find surplus 30-06. Your corner gun store doesn't usually carry it. Hornady I believe is loading grand safe ammo, other wise its reload it or buy an adjustable gas plug.
Now there are tons of local gun shops carrying surplus 7.62x51 and almost every Wal-mart has .308.

 

[DragonGunner]

Well a Service Grade M1 Garand can be had for 635.00....I have a WWII SA M1 Garand an love the history of these rifles. You can also have some history if you buy a early M1A/M14, many of the SAI, Armscorp, Federal Ordanace...used all USGI M14 parts except of course the receiver. Those parts were once on the real M14's, those M14's later were given to Isreal, then later returned, stripped down an parts sold to these companys to put on their receivers....so theres some history there also.....just look an find both then you'll be happy. I now am.!!!!!!!!

 

[rimfire_crazed]

I love shooting my Garand - it's a fantastic rifle. However, it doesn't have nearly the accuracy potential of a decent M1A/M14. If I had the need and the $1500, it wouldn't even be a competition - the M1A would be ordered and in the safe.

 

[MrSmitty]

M14(M1A), and some ammo......

 

[Streck-Fu]

If I could have only one, the Garand.

$1500 buys one damned nice Garand as you could buy a nice shooter for half that. So buy the Service grade Garand and use the difference toward a Fulton Armory M-14.
You will need to save some more.

 

[rightwinger]

i would go with the m1a no questions asked

 

[Claddagh]

I have a Springfield Armory (the original one) M1 Garand made in 1943 which was professionally converted to 7.62x51 NATO with a new commercial barrel, completely refurbished and Parkerized. I truly love it and wouldn't care to part with it. I opted for it over one in the original .30-06 for my own convenience and economy, as surplus/milspec ammo was much less expensive and easier to obtain at the time.

But if I came across an extra $1500, I'd get a new M1A in a heartbeat.

 

[femurphy77]

Oh I'd definitely go for the M1A, no doubt in my mind, the Garand doesn't even come close in this race.


Of course I already have 2 Garands and the M1A is next up on the list, but that didn't influence my decision in the least.

 

[dross]

Enlighten me - why can't you run commercial ammo in a Garand?

 

[rimfire_crazed]

Enlighten me - why can't you run commercial ammo in a Garand?

Most commercial 30-06 is loaded with powder that generates too much port pressure. Proper M1 ammo is loaded to around 2700 fps with powder in the burn rate area of H4895-IMR4064.

This is solvable with an adjustable gas plug -but there are many detractors. Op Rods aren't cheap.

 

[hotfarmboy1]

I would love both, and both are on the future list. But if I had the money I'd probably go with the M14/M1a right now. I've already got two 30/06 bolt guns, and the M14 is the only .308 I actually want.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Most commercial 30-06 is loaded with powder that generates too much port pressure. Proper M1 ammo is loaded to around 2700 fps with powder in the burn rate area of H4895-IMR4064.

This is solvable with an adjustable gas plug -but there are many detractors. Op Rods aren't cheap.

Plus without the adj gas plug there is the chance of the bolt cracking the heal of the receiver or worse yet having the bolt sticking out your eye

I will add-
The surplus of Garands from the CMP will not last forever, SAI will be in business for a while. So if you want both I guess I'd go with the Garand first.

 

[Gunaria]

I say get the Garand. M14 mags are not cheap, usually close to $50 a pop.

 

[LPMan59]

i'd much rather have a genuine GI Garand than a M1A.

 

[red_zr24x4]

I say get the Garand. M14 mags are not cheap, usually close to $50 a pop.

??? I've got 5 in the safe I paid $15 apiece, Plus I've seen countless ads in the shotgun news for them for $25.
The ones SAI sells are $50 just because they say SAI

 

[Dirty Steve]

Easy choice for me,....the most pristine WW2 produced, most desireable manufacturer Garand I could find. this is purely for investment and sentimental purposes.


Dirty Steve

 

[Constructionist]

I'd have the M1A for efficiency of mag changes and capacity, assuming you are considering using this rifle not only for sporting purposes but for defense scenarios as well. CMI mags and others are available well below $50/mag and function flawlessly.

 

[meyer4589]

A Service Grade Garand from CMP and then spend the rest on some surplus ball ammo