M1 Garand with cut down barrel
dvf2001
Member Posts: 3 ✭
Hi Folks,
I'm new here on the forums but I have been using Gun Broker for many years. I recently received a 1942 M1 Garand from my neighbor who recently passed away and I really have no use for it so I think I will be selling it and I'm wondering what it would be worth. He bought the gun in the early 50's from a soldier that brought it home from WW2. He used the rifle for deer hunting and felt that it was too long for moving around in the woods so he had the barrel cut down by 3" and also added a rubber shoulder pad to the end of the stock. I know this greatly reduces the value of the rifle but I'm wondering if you think someone would be interested in owning this and what price i could ask. The rifle is in good condition and functions perfectly. I'm going to try to attach photos.
Comments
certainly, an interesting conversion. whoever did this did a LOT more the cut the barrel by 3". I'd suggest putting it up for auction with a nominal starting price and NO reserve, let the market determine the value.
I'd be afraid to shoot it, even with low pressure .30-06 loads. No point in tempting fate.
My estimate of value: $0
Neal
The rifle has been EXTENSIVELY MODIFIED TO A SPORTER and evidently by a skilled gunsmith. But who wants a nine pound rifle that is difficult to mount a scope on. I would value it at $200 to 400 for someone who just wants it because it is different. Notice the cheekpiece is for a left handed shooter. Just my opinion. Good luck.
Thanks for the great feedback. I looked on Gunbroker to see what non-modified M1's look like and I now see that there were many modifications done to this rifle as you all said. I didn't even notice the left handed stock until it was mentioned by navc130 and that makes perfect sense because my neighbor was left handed. I guess I'll just hang on to it and take it to the range once in a while and fire off a few rounds in memory of a great 20 year neighbor. He also gave me an old semi-auto rifle at the same time and I think he said it was russian made and he bought it in a department store in New Jersey in the 50's but that's all I remember and there are a few marking but no name or caliber. I'll have to pull it out and get some photos and maybe someone here will be able to identify it.
I was going to say $500 retail until I noticed the left hand also. That's a buzzkill for me. BUT it looks like a skilled smith did the work and still might get the $500.
I think it's kind of dandy myself. A one-off build for sure, and like others have mentioned, the work looks top notch.
First shiny. I'd look under the stock or buttpad to see if there are any info on the mod. I suppose lopping off the barrel may have cut away the muzzle wear. Be kind a interesting build if bought cheap enough.
"I suppose lopping off the barrel may have cut away the muzzle wear. "
AND the gas port.
Definitely different from any M1 grand I have ever seen. I’m curious as, does it still work off a gas principle, or do you have to cock it after each shot. The reason I ask about the gas function is, account of it having a recoil pad. If you take it out and shoot it I would be interested in hearing how it operated. As far as value, anyone’s guess on something like this, but I really wouldn’t expect it to bring that much.
I googled a bit and found a number of other sporterized Garands; one even with a left handed cheekpiece stock. Most retained GI gas handling, but there are some with gas cylinder set back a la M14.
I thought it odd that this one and another I found had the peep sight removed in favor of an open sight out on the barrel. But then I have seen M1s with the aperture filed open into a "crotch" sight. Another had a Lyman peep sight, another had an open sight as BUIS to a side mounted scope.
Although I have not yet fired this rifle, The previous owner used it for deer hunting for many years after it was modified. He also said he had to get a different spring to have the rifle operate properly. Unfortunately, the previous is no longer with us so I can't ask him for further details. I guess I'll have to wait until I can take it to the range to see what it can do. If it functions properly, maybe I'll try to find a left handed deer hunter that is looking for a rifle like this or just hang onto it and take it to the range once in a while.