M1 Garand
 

I really really like the M1 Garand and I am considering buying one eventually. However, I'm not quite sure how to get the best deal/ best quality I can get. There is a gun store near my house and they sell Garands for around 700-1000. I'm not sure if that is a good deal or not.
Also, I live in PA and I'm not quite sure about the hunting laws and such. I've heard conflicting things about the use of semi-auto rifles when hunting in PA.
If anyone can help me out on this it would be greatly appreciated.

See if you can find a rifle club that hosts CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) rifle clinics. You'll get some usefull instruction on how to shoot a Garand, and a certification that allows you to buy a surplus Garand from the CMP program for a lot less money.

In any case, do a LOT of research on this one starting by Googleing for battle rifle sites. There are a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want to buy a used/surplus M1. Things like a bent operating rod, headspace etc.

Don't know much about hunting except that you'll be required to have no more than 5 rounds in the gun if you're allowed to use it at all.

Damn,

mtsgsd beat me to it.

Yes, you can get an M1 through the CMP for 300-500$, depending.

I keep intending to do it myself, I just never get around to it.

You could just get a brand-new one from the Springfield Armory. Goes for about a grand.

well i think garand is a nice gun to look at, but if your going to hunt then you might as well get a more modern gun. things like garands are made to be rugged and are uncomfortable.

Best rifle I've ever shot. I found it entirely comfortable too. Heavy as hell, but comfortable. I sold mine to a history nut friend of mine. Still miss that gun.

The gun is made to be rugged but not uncomfortable. That would be foolish of the designers to give an uncomfortable gun to thier soldiers.
I believe Patton described the Garand as the best war implement ever invented. Its also arguably the best combat rifle ever made. Damn I want one so bad.

My dad owns one. Probably the sweetest shooting large caliber rifle I have ever fired. And the .30-06 round is definatly accurate and able to stop just about anything short of a tank!

From what I read on CMPs website it would seem that the Garands they sell have seen some pretty heavy use. Doesn't sound like a rifle you would want for regular use. But WTH do I know about rifles?

"Genuine U.S. Government rifles manufactured 45 to 60 years ago and condition varies greatly from very good to very well worn. Most have been rebuilt/refinished one or more times while in military service and have seen heavy use by military personnel. That use is exhibited by worn and mixed colors of the Parkerized finish; there may be some minor pitting on the metal parts, especially on the receiver under the wood; wood that is basically sound but may have minor hairline cracks and may be well used with nicks, bruises and gouges; the three wood components may vary in type of wood (walnut and birch) and condition; components may be a combination of various manufacturers and from different time periods; a barrel that is used, but with a gauged throat erosion of less than 5 that is well within U.S. Army standards. These may not be pretty rifles, but each is authentic. Selection above only guarantees the receiver was produced by the manufacturer listed. All other parts may have been produced by other manufacturers. Shipping and Handling $20.95 per rifle.
"

Now on the other hand you could buy an AK-47 for sack of grain or $20, depending on where you shop ;-)

CMP is too much trouble, go for a 700 dollar garand, i got one for 800 and its the best thing in this world