Other than my AR-15’s, there are two rifles I’ve always wanted to own.  Well, “always” may be stretching it a bit, but I’d settle for “a long time,” I suppose.

In any case, I’ve enviously eyed ads for the M1 Garand and the British Enfield.  Each of those rifles has a history that I find both interesting and compelling.  Each has provided firepower that has enabled the freedom of many across several continents.  One might argue that in the case of the Enfield there was a degree of subjugation involved, too, and I couldn’t argue against that, but its history nevertheless intrigues me.

Well, I don’t yet own an Enfield — probably never will because I don’t want one made in the US and decent ones are rather pricey — but I do now own an M1 Garand.  I haven’t had one in my hands since 1963.  Actually, it was the carbine I trained with, designed primarily for tankers and paratroopers, but what the heck.
 
I’ll shoot it only a little — it will be mainly one of those “I have one” things, I guess.  Just rounding out the “Bob’s Toys Collection” before I croak.  I don’t expect the boys will have any interest when the time comes.  Too bad the young folks can’t/don’t appreciate some of the old stuff that allowed us to be what we are today as a country.  Other than the 1911 pistol, I can’t think of an individual shooter’s US firearm with more modern military history than the M1.  

The one I selected is a Service Grade rifle made by Harrington & Richardson.  That choice limited me to those manufactured during the Korean War, so there is no historical relationship to World War II, but that’s OK with me.  It’s still a Garand and it has definitely been used in conflict.  

I’m impressed with the rifle and with the selection made by the folks at CMP.  In my opinion it is at the high end of “Service Grade” and I appreciate the condition.  The mechanics of it are in excellent shape, much better than I expected for a service grade rifle of its age.  The wood looks very good but has quite a few unobtrusive dings and dents, exactly what I expect and WANT to see in a rifle of its age.  I wouldn’t want one that had flawless wood.  I want one with character and this one has it.
 
Apart from the anticipated enjoyment of shooting a Garand again, it’s nice to have one that is in really nice condition yet maintains it’s historic “been there — done that” look.  I’m a happy camper. 

CMP’s sales page is here, and it looks like they are rolling through their workload.  The delivery times are less now than I’d seen before and my M1 arrived in less than half the time they were quoting then.