Will the US M1 Rifle survive as a shooter?

[roysclockgun]

Certainly since the first US M1 Rifles were released through the old DCM program, millions have been used on countless ranges. At this time, interest in the M1 Rifle as a fun and/or competition rifle is waning.
The inexpensive surplus ammo in 30-06 is gone. Prices rapidly rise on M1 Rifles to the point where if one wants to shoot in military shoots, they can get a commercial M14 semi-auto or Mouse Gun for the same money, or less than what is being asked for M1 Rifles today!
I own and shoot a number of M1 Rifles. I hand load and have barrels of cases and many bullets, to last out my lifetime. I love shooting the old M1 Rifle and I like the interest that the M1 always draws at the range from both young and old shooters.
Do you own and shoot an M1 Rifle?
Steven

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I own one and shoot it at the range now and again. There is a M1 shoot at a local club that I would like to try this summer. It consists of 32 shots from 100-300 yards. My wife bought mine for me as a wedding gift. It means a lot to me coming from her and the fact that Grandpa landed on Utah Beach D-Day +2 and came home with 3 Purple Hearts.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I got a numbers matching, unfired HRA from the CMP last year. It is my first M1 and I LOVE it! Super easy to reload for, and a blast to shoot. This one, I will NEVER sell.
Steve

 

[CMBTshooter]

I'm trying to get a couple more. They're so much fun and can be reasonably accurate. I think it will stick around. There's so many I don't understand why they're around $1000 outside of the cmp. I'd rather wait and get something that is what is said, especially now that some are over 70 years old.

 

[roysclockgun]

M1 Rifles at the 2nd and 3rd level of sales are rapidly going up in price simply because available numbers are finite and shrinking all the time. M1 Rifles with all WWII, correct parts are over 2K.
Reasons for the seller's market:
(1) Going into private collections and not coming out until the collector dies.
(2) Locked in foreign countries and not being allowed to be brought back in.
(3) Still being used by Third World countries and trashed.
(4) Not too long ago, M1 Rifles were being altered to fire as a bolt action and with some getting "custom" sporting stocks. These are worth nothing to collectors, save for their original parts value.
(5) CMP has run out in the past and then gets revived by M1 Rifles from places like Denmark and Greece. Those caches are dwindling. Thousands in Korea may never make it here to our shores.
Maybe strong political action could get those rifles over here. But under the current so called leadership, that ain't gonna happen.
Steven

 

[Polaris]

I have an M1 but it is not my favorite shooter. I still like to shoot it, but due to a worn barrel and op rod, accuracy and reliability aren't there. I'm hoping to luck onto the parts for a good price then have it refurbed. It's not matching or collectable as-is but that being said it's still a lot of fun to shoot. I'm hoping to either save for a "CMP special" or trade something for a better one first. But, as above, I'm hoping for an XTC service rifle and an M1A or AR15 are more practical options for the same or slightly more money. Those big powder charges and heavy bullets add up vs. 69 or 75gr .223s.

I think a new generation will discover the M1 as aging collectors start moving more of their shooter grade guns (or their next of kin). I know several who have horded them over the years and have dozens in their safes collecting dust. What a shame. There was a brief window in the early panic when a decent shooter could be had easily in trade for an AK clone or a base model AR 15. 5-600 cash price was the going rate a year ago if you found the right private seller that "needed" a black rifle... now!!! I still see a lot of Garands at the as-issued military shoots at Harris/GRRC (Wisconsinteacher, you listening?, see CMP forums MN section). Handloading or quality new mfg ammo will bring out the best in these fine old rifles. HXP greek ball doesn't do them justice.

 

[Wincheringen]

Polaris, why don't you send it in to the CMP Custom Shop and let them work it over?

 

[Polaris]

Polaris, why don't you send it in to the CMP Custom Shop and let them work it over?

$$$$$ I'm usually pretty good at scrounging parts. Just looking to stumble on a good op rod, then I'll spring for a new barrel. Everything else is GTG. Local gunsmith is very good with military rifles and has done well by me on other projects. Not real high on my priority list right now though. In the CMP matches I shoot, my Swiss and Swedish rifles do just fine. I'd need the Garand if I ever make it to Perry though for JCG and other matches.

 

[RogueRiver]

Yep a wra- 1944, SA-1945, HRA-1953, and a IHC-1954, the are fun to shoot but I really like shooting the '44 m1 inland carbine better- just a fun lil gun.