Should I order an HRA or SA service grade M1 Garand?

[AngryPossum]

I'm ordering my first garand from CMP today. I just wanted some good opions on whether or not I should go with an HRA or SA service grade and WHY?

[Bongos]

HRA since it post WWII and produced years later for the Korean War, technology improved, better metalworks...less years in service if any.... this is why HRA and IHC tend to be excellent condition. SA in this Era was also good but you might get a chance to own a WWII which is more desireable due to history. Only a few million garands were ever produced, a lot of them are at the bottom of the ocean or currently used in third world countries, which if you think about it, they are probably going to run out by the time your child reached adulthood. Sure SA can start manufacturing again but the ones from 1940's-1950's were all forged parts, current production will be cast.. Owning a part of History, you cannot put a price on that!

[cmichini]

Possum

As Bongos stated you have to ask yourself a question of what's more important?
HRA - Later mfg. period with higher probability of less use, more correct parts, etc? Lower production numbers could make it 'less frequently run across' (I wouldn't call the HRA "rare")

or:

SA - Wider mfg period pre-war, wartime, or post-war mfg. (you can request a lower wartime S/N but not guaranteed to get it), so you run the gamut of possibilities.
If you get a pre-war/wartime you have a WWII era rifle - very exciting - but less probability of correct parts, condition, etc.
If you get post-war you have similar characteristics with the HRA (newer, if postwar potentially not as heavily used - probably never saw corrosive ammo, etc.).

If it were me I'd probably tend toward SA, with a request for a wartime S/N range (again not guaranteed). It provides a wider variety of possibilities of time period, condition, etc. I have owned MANY garands in my day (including IHC, HRA, SA) and the only 2 I have kept are SA (one CMP service grade, one CMP receiver built up to 308).

But definitely get one - A true piece of American history. Don't forget to stock up on some M2 ball from CMP as well. The surplus M2 ammo is spec'd to work specifically for the M1 and reduces the odds of doing damage to your operating rod from the higher pressures of commercial ammo.

[mls343]

I already received my SA Service Grade in Januaty. I'll be ordering the HRA this week.

The moral of the story - might as well order one of each!

[InFamous20]

Oh I am definately getting me an M1 garand.. would be nice to own a good old American weapon.

either or man, its your call.

[AngryPossum]

I just sent my papers in for a HRA service grade. They say its a 4-6 month wait on the HRA's. Has anyone ordered an HRA lately? How long did you have to wait?

[Milsurp Collector]

HRA

Rarer than SA, 2nd in rarity to IHC. According to Garand guru Scott Duff:

Harrington & Richardson received its first contract on 3 April 1952 and began delivery in early 1953, ceasing M1 production in early 1956. Ordnance Department records indicate Harrington & Richardson delivered 428,600 M1 rifles. Harrington & Richardson, as a long time manufacturer of firearms, encountered few of the difficulties experienced by International Harvester. Rifles produced by Harrington & Richardson were exceptionally well finished in appearance.

http://www.scott-duff.com/WhoHowManyWhen.htm

I got this HRA Correct Grade from the CMP

[tpf68]

Oh come on guys, you've all missed the obvious answer... One of each! (to start with)

[Ron-Solo]

You can't go wrong with either

[Russ661]

Oh come on guys, you've all missed the obvious answer... One of each! (to start with)

And then one more because, well, it takes 3 to make a stack!

[jamesob]

hra and not because i have one

[hypnoman]

Great info guys . . . every time I read about the Garand I want one even more!