If you buy a used M-1 at a gun show separate the stock and receiver and then check the inside of the receiver to see if it has been cut and re-welded. There are many of them floating around out there. It will function but the alteration detracts from the collector value.
Many years ago I didn't know about "cut Garands" and bought one from a pawn shop without checking. After learning about them I sold mine to someone else who didn't know.
