M1 Garand Refurbishment Advice

[Oscar Zulu]

Hello all,
I have two M1 Garand rifles, made by Springfield. One has a refinished walnut stock, the other a Birch stock I believe. I bought them fairly cheap about 20 years ago, other than they both will fire I don't know to much about them. I would imagine serious collecter value is minimal.

I would like to have them, not sure of the proper term, given an arsenal rebuild. Proper wood, new springs, barrels gauged or replaced as necessary, reparkerized, etc. The final effect I am looking for will be as an as issued M1.

Who does this kind of work and what (ballpark) should I expect to pay? Anyone to stay away from?

Thanks,
Oscar Zulu

 

[ladder13]

Hello all,
I have two M1 Garand rifles, made by Springfield. One has a refinished walnut stock, the other a Birch stock I believe. I bought them fairly cheap about 20 years ago, other than they both will fire I don't know to much about them. I would imagine serious collecter value is minimal.

I would like to have them, not sure of the proper term, given an arsenal rebuild. Proper wood, new springs, barrels gauged or replaced as necessary, reparkerized, etc. The final effect I am looking for will be as an as issued M1.

Who does this kind of work and what (ballpark) should I expect to pay? Anyone to stay away from?

Thanks,
Oscar Zulu

Sort of out of your way, but there’s one guy on Long Island (Orion?) and another in NJ. Tony the Garland guy?

Will try to find them.


The Garand Guy, he’s straight up.


Purchase Refurbished Rifle And M1 Garand – Garand Guy


Orion7

Orion 7 | Orion7 – the M1 Garand Specialists. Home to M1Garand.com

 

[schutzen-jager]

the CMP at Anniston Arsenal will do anything you want at a reasonable cost , but long waiting times -

 

[Bob L]

There was a gentleman, Roland Beaver, that was one of the gunsmiths for the Marine Corp Rifle Team, who specialized in M1 Garand builds. I always thought about sending an M1 in to him but never got around to it. What I understand is that he is no longer working but his son has taken over the business. Do a web search for Roland Beaver in Balk Knob AR, company name is Old Corps Weaponry. Good Luck.

 

[Wyo]

Dean’s Gun Restorations has done a couple for me. Good prices, very reasonable turnaround and the work is excellent. They specialize in Garands.
DGR Home Page - Dean's Gun Restorations

 

[Culina]

Another option would be to just buy a correct grade (H&R made the nicest Garands) . To do the work you mentioned to one of them will more than likely cost more than what you paid for both of them 20 years ago, possible even double what you paid for both of them.

Another option is: Fulton Armory | M1 Garand

 

[hammer 1]

There are actually several services, depends on how much you want to spend , and what your expectations are. My winchester went to national match armory, expensive, but, it was worth it to me. It easily out shoots me.

 

[minconrevo]

Consider at least twice before you "pretty" up your M-1. You can cut your value way down and well as tamper with decades of history. Some of the various arsenal rebuilds are highly sought after. My advice is outside of lubing it up per sources on the M-1 forums (most use Mobil 1 grease and a quality oil). Next apply a little stock wood nourishment, such as a few rubbed in coats of boiled linseed oil, to the existing wood. Don't start sanding just because you can. Still it's your M-1 to do with what you wish. I have an old Civilian Marksmanship Program M-1 received several decades ago that I sanded the stock; now wish I hadn't. It's now a match rifle with glass bedded stock and many coats of tung oil on the stock. Looks really good and shoots great. No permanent alterations to the metal parts of it though.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Fulton Armory. Chances are if both of your rifles function correctly you would be wasting $$$ having them "rebuilt & refinished". I'd enjoy them as they are. Although there were over 6 million made there ain't gonna be any more........Originals anyway.

 

[Puller]

Dean’s Gun Restorations has done a couple for me. Good prices, very reasonable turnaround and the work is excellent. They specialize in Garands.
DGR Home Page - Dean's Gun Restorations

Another satisfied DGR customer here. I highly recommend them for USGI martial arms refinishing.

Life is too short to shoot an ugly gun. Unless your M1 rifle is a specific rarity, I wouldn't be concerned about the impacting any "history". Fact is, unless it can be documented that Audie Murphy or your grandfather carried it, their is no history to preserve.

 

[Liftrat]

Any of the above mentioned outfits would do you well. I only have personal experience with DGR, and was very happy. They almost all have price lists posted on their websites, but I believe Kurac is right; it won't be cheap. And minconrevo has a good point. The one I sent in was a field grade Greek return, so no loss, but you might see if you can find a local person knowledgeable on M1s to look them over before you change them forever.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Another option would be to just buy a correct grade (H&R made the nicest Garands) . To do the work you mentioned to one of them will more than likely cost more than what you paid for both of them 20 years ago, possible even double what you paid for both of them.

Another option is: Fulton Armory | M1 Garand

Years ago I bought an H&R Garand from the CMP store in Anniston. Rifle was like new and never issued.