The Civilian Marksmanshio Program is selling Field Grade M-1 rifles (surplus G.I.) for $375.00.
My previous neighbor obtained one thru this program and it was in great shape. He took me out to a 200-yd range and the M-1 was really nice to shoot. Those sights are great. And at 8-lb, the thing is not going to jump out of your hands.
I've been wasting my time playing a PC-game "Medal of Honor". Someone submitted a question to their website and asked why can't you re-load a half-empty M-1 without firing off all the rounds. You can't.
When loading the M-1, you pressed the entire clip of 8 rounds down into the gun. After the last shot was fired, the clip popped out with a "PING".
However, the guys on the practise range devised a cut-down clip that allowed you to load one or two rounds---for a practise shot. I forget how it worked but it didn't pop out, I remember that.
Just usually info some may find interesting.
Joe, can you send me one? An M-1---not the manual. 
Steve