I would check the CMP web site store for current prices of different grades. I bought another Springfield Armory post-WWII in July and it was $595 plus tax (ought it at Camp Perry).
ODCMP site:
http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/rifles.htm
CMP discussion forums:
http://forums.thecmp.org/index.php
Rack grades are $395 I think, and Field Grade is $495, and SG is $595. Special grades are $895 and $995.
These are prices for Springfield Armory (SA) and Harrington&Richardson (HRA) rifles. Winchesters (WRA) tend to cost a couple of hundred more in each grade.
The most common are SA, about 4-5million of the total 6 million are SA. Winchester and H&R each made approx. half a million each. Winchester only in the first part of WWII and H&R only post-WWII for Korea.
International Harvester (IHC) made some but had a lot of trouble and SA made many of their parts.
If your Dad got it from the CMP then it is a generally sound rifle. Since these are all used conditions vary greatly from shot out to near pristine. Most can use a new op rod spring right off and they are cheap. $8 ea from
http://www.m1garand.com/m1-garand/m1-garand-parts-accessories/
Some things to look for:
- Ideally you want to know the relative throat erosion and muzzle wear, expressed as values from 1 to 5 or more. Under 5 is good, over 5 is getting worn (very generalized). If it came from CMP it should have had a tag or something indicating these. If not, then at least look down the ore to see if the rifling is sharp, pitted, worn, etc. The check the muzzle crown. Many Garands have nice rifling but lots of muzzle wear from endless cleaning rod sessions. You can roughly check this by inserting a .30-06 cartridge tip first into the muzzle. If the bullet jams about 3/4 of the way to the case mouth then the wear is not bad. If it slips in all the way to the case mouth then it is worn. A gunsmith can recrown this kind of wear and if the rifling is goo you are set.
- Pull the bolt back and examine the locking lugs, and bolt face and receiver friction points. Do they look worn and well rounded or dinged up, or fresh and sharp? Most will look OK , but if you see banged up lugs or receiver then a previous owner may have shot hot loads in it or with a weak op rod spring.
- The op rod is another part to examine but is a bit more too explain.
If you can borrow it and log into the CMP forums guys will be happy to help you assess what you have.
- Most of the parts can be replaced and as long as the receiver is in good shape you can rebuild any grade Garand. Op rods are about $90 (I replaced one of mine that was "uncut"), but only NEED replacing is they are bent or out of spec (not often unless abused). Barrels are about $200 and up. Stocks are about $120 and stock metal another $30. Bolts are $60-$100 or more.
Either take it to a gunsmith familiar with the Garand, or ask for help on assessing value of it on the CMP forums. They can help you identify if it has any collector value, what to look for to determine safety and usability, and recommend what to replace if anything. Also how to disassemble, and reassemble.
