Korean War military rifle

[M.T. Pockets]

My 12 year old son watches the History channel a lot and has developed an interest in military rifles. Both of his grandfathers were enlisted men during the Korean war. Infantry men.

My son is was wondering if we could get a rifle like his grandpas would have carried. Both of these men are still with us, but they really don't like to talk about what they did during their military years and I'd rather not bring it up. I'd like to get him one if I can find one.

Could anyone here tell me what the standard issue would have been for an infantry soldier in the Korean War, and where would you recommend finding one. What would a fair price be?

Thanks.

[Adam Helmer]

M.T. Pockets,

The infantry soldier in Korea carried the M-1 Garand .30-06 rifle. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) in Ohio has "issue" grade Garands for about $500+/-. Better grade and Match M1 Garands are over $1,000.

The CMP has Original Garands and they would be my first choice for finding a Garand. There are many folks advertising in "Shotgun News" and "Gun List" with Garands and many "May" be parts guns assembled for a "ready market" for such desirable arms.

Gil has the CMP link and that would be my first source for a Garand. Korean soldiers may have been issued M1 Carbines, depending on assigned duties, and CMP has those. Perhaps you need to ask the grandpas what THEY carried, so you can be correct in the arms you acquire.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

Adam pretty covered it and the standard U.S. infantry arms were the M1 Garand (.30-06) and the M1 carbine (short .30 round). The CMP is a good place to start and they can be reached at
http://www.odcmp.com.

It may be possible to visit a few gun shops and see what is available. One caution is that many military surplus arms may have been altered or abused and most seem to be overpriced. Look around, ask a lot of questions and good luck. All the best...
Gil

[Jack]

A quick look at the CMP ( Civilian marksmanship Program) link that Gil posted shows M-1's starting at 395$.
For that price, plus shipping, you get an M-1 that is serviceable, and safe to shoot, but not a collectors item.
And they are fun to shoot!

[popplecop]

The M1 was the main Infatry weapon, but the M1 Carbine was also used, as was the 1911A1 45acp. Other firearms used were full autos, grease gun, BAR , M2 Carbine etc.

[M.T. Pockets]

Thanks a lot everyone. I'm pretty sure they would have had the M1 rifle. They were both infantry soldiers. Both mentioned that their rifles were far from new when they got them, I'm guessing they were surplus from WWII. I'll know what to look for when I'm looking at the used rifles at the gun shops.

I wasn't sure if the army used the NATO round, (wasn't that a .308?) in Korea or not.

I'll start looking and asking some questions.

Also, would a bayonet have been a standard issue ?

Thanks for your help.

[Adam Helmer]

M.T.Pockets,

The 7.62x51mm (.308) round was adopted in 1957 with the M14 rifle; that was 4 years after the Korean War ended.

A bayonet was standard issue with the Garand. I recommend you read Bruce Canfield's book, "U.S. Infantry Weapons of WWII" ISBN:0-917218-67-1. Many WWII weapons were used in Korea.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

Appropriate bayonets are available from Cheaper Than Dirt and they have a website at www.cheaperthandirt.com. Take a look for a comparison of costs.

As noted above, the M2 Carbine, M3A1 Grease Gun and BAR were used in Korea, but they are Class 3 weapons and cost many thousands of dollars today. All the best...
Gil

[06shooter]

gentlemen
In order to order M1s from the CMP One must belong to a
CMP scantioned Shooting Club and have fired in at least I
50 rd match. A vet does not have to fire the match if you have a copy of your DD form 214

The CMP has not M1 carbines for years. I found a Rock-ola made carbine last year for $800. Its as cherry as military arm can
be. Was still in the original shipping wrapper from the CMP. Had been in the gun safe for a number of years.

[muledeer]

Another good place to pick up a M1 garand or carbine are gun shows. Sometimes you can negoiate a reasonable price. Usually the last day of a gun show dealers tend to lower their prices (less to pack up for the next show).
muledeer

[Old Scout]

I carried a BAR, most had M-1 rifles, some Carbine ( nobody liked them ), M-3's and 1911's. Saw a couple scoped 03's also.

Old Scout