The supplies of M1 Garand rifles are slowly but surely dwindling from the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s shelves. That’s the government-run organization that distributes WWII era firearms to the population, promoting civilian marksmanship through its games as well as its cheap firearms. A stockpile of South Korean M1 Garand rifles have been sitting awaiting approval for U.S. importation. The State Department has finally gotten off its rear end and green-lighted their re-entry into The Land of the Free. The rifles had been in political limbo for decades . . .
Uncle Sam sold most of the M1s to the Korean government to help with the Korean War. Our own G.I.s left some of them behind when we pulled out. Obviously, the M1 Garands are woefully obsolete on the modern battlefield. Korea had been looking to unload these rifles on the U.S. market to pay for a much needed upgrade to their armed forces’ armories.
Unfortunately, the Obama administration blocked their importation, saying they could “potentially be exploited by individuals seeking firearms for illicit purposes.” You could say the same thing about a Blackberry mobile phone but tons of those come in from China every year.
The Korean Times reports that new legislation passed by the U.S. has cleared the way for these guns to be imported into the United States via third party importers such as CAI. And here’s the kicker: they’re going to be sold as low as $220.
The sad part of the story: the 770,000 M1 Carbines also available for sale in Korea are still banned due to their ability to accept “high capacity detachable magazines.” Which is ridiculous; the CMP has been selling those exact same guns and magazines for decades and shipping them directly to U.S. Citizens without an FFL in between. Not even 922(r) should apply. The guns were made in the United States in the first place.
Such is the state of gun laws in the United States. At least we’ll soon see some cheap (well used) M1 Garand rifles on the market. I hope.
Where and when are they supposed to hit the market?
my father is a veteran of the korean war and is intrested in purchasing one.
Man, you guys are awesome about using pictures you don’t own and not attributing it to the owner. At least foghorn didnt drop it on the rocks this time.
Any updated info on this? Thanks.
Please let me know the when they are available for sale. I would like to get some.
Thanks, V/R
Vietnam Combat Veteran
USMC Retired
Maybe she already has.
just because someone puts something on the web doesn’t mean it’s true, especially if the site is called “the truth about guns”. time to put up with some references and facts that can be verified and stop telling people stories just to either get them pissed-off or their hopes up for something that will happen in the year ….
I went to Korea July 17,1950 Was loaded on truck and sent to the front lines,which was on Nacton river.I was 17 1/2 years old.I was with Kco.4th patoon 21inf.reg.24 inf.Division.I was in Korea for 14 months I am one of 35 that was left out of K co total in co.255 from hill 99.at my age I could not drink a Beer but was giving a rifel to fight’So why is it so hard for us to buy the M1and Carbine I think we should be able to get them,
I don’t have any problem or complainta about mine. I would buy another one today!
So, what is the latest on these firearms. Obama still blocking the return of them?
I have been wondering too but I imagine they are still blocked. There would likely be some news filtering down about the importation of M1’s if that was happening. I keep hoping though to finally get one at a reasonable cost.
My dad served in Korean war like own alittle family history and learn more about him as young man in war. drove ammo truck .
So here we go comparing a tank, Machine guns, rockets and artillery too an M1 Garand! simply pathetic, engage mouth and leave brain at home.
compare apples too apples, The Germans made a number of Semi Auto weapons one with a mid range cartridge and one a Standard 8×57, the Russian’s issued a battle rifle that was semi auto, 7.62x54R, I think the french were developing a Semi Auto, the Finns , Swedes, Italians were working on models, M1 Garand was only Rifle with major production and became the battle rifle for all the Troops! Rate of fire was faster than the Bolts, and Held 3 more Cartridges, Heavy rifle, good for a club when dry, reloading just as fast as bolt, accuracy on par with the bolts, recoil too stout in 30-06 then get a .308 {Navy}, being a Vet I used the M1 in training {firing Range} this was a hell of a rifle when first issued as compared to the M16 and all its problems! want oo find out if it is true Go too the CMP website! and find out
we have ourselves to blame for the US gun laws. in this land of the “Free”. right?
If they are under $300 I will have several!!!
Too bad each M-1 will have to be import stamped. Uncle Sam ruins everything that his unconstitutionally employed shiny seated goons touch.
I’m a little late on this thread, but I OWB carry a Sig P226 Enhanced Elite with a Garrett Silent Thunder STX 2.0 and have NO problem with concealment, even with a Polo Shirt. 6′ 4″, 220#, so that could be a consideration. Last holster I will buy for the 226. Holster designed primarily for 4 O’clock carry (which for me I hate), but I carry at 2 O’clock and set to slight rearward cant – still pulls in tight enough to contour to my torso. When I wore a Blackhawk Serpa holster, my wife told me it looked like i had a small loaf of bread under my shirt. I have 2 Crossbreed IWB holsters (Sig P229 and 232) and just don’t like the way they feel – beautiful holsters, very well made, just don’t like IWB.
Good luck finding correct ammo for all those Garands. Modern ammo, without modification of the gun, will damage the operating rod. Surplus 150 grain FMJ ammo is scarce.
There is still some surplus availible. Even then, 30-06 cases and componants are readily availible and can be easiy handloaded with the proper pressures.
Bring these lost children home. I would like to see them run through the CMP where they can be documented and cleaned up.