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M1 Garand

Equitum

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 3, 2012
157
0
Fort Worth, TX
I've been thinking about picking up a Garand from CMP recently, in the Service grade. Any recommendation when it comes to the manufacturer? Any experiences with CMP I should know about, good or bad?

Related, I joined the TSRA for my CMP related club requirement and I'm waiting for my card. Anyone here know how long it usually takes for those to arrive?
 
Re: M1 Garand

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any experiences with CMP I should know about, good or bad?
</div></div>

I have quite a bit of experience with the CMP and the DCM before that, its all been good, none bad.

Best customer service you'll ever find.

As to make, I don't really care, they are all made to the same specs. Some like Winchester may bring more to a collector but that doesn't matter to me, I'll not sell or trade any of my guns again.

If my kids or grandkids sell then after I'm gone I hope they get screwed. Guns arn't for selling.
 
Re: M1 Garand

+1 CMP, Best customer service you'll ever find.

Springfield Service Grade
SAM1.jpg
 
Re: M1 Garand

Excellent! Pretty much the only thing keeping me from buying the Garand today (besides the eligibility stuff) was not knowing about CMP at all. I'll probably fill out the order form tonight and have it out tomorrow.
(Edit: Or I would if I forgot about one or two of those eligibility requirements... Still need that card and proof of firearms related activity)
 
Re: M1 Garand

I've been toying with the idea of a CMP M1 myself. Anyone have experience buying only the barreled reciever? I've seen a gentleman outta Texas who makes stocks for them that have amazing fit and finish so that'll probably be the route I go as it'll be in my family for a long time to come.
 
Re: M1 Garand

I like the idea of getting a complete rifle, with all parts in the arsenal-issued context.

Upgrading the stock is fine, but I like to have a 'work stock' ready in the wings in case I want to do something with the rifle that might jeopardize a 'work of art' stock.

For instance, once a year I would march in the Memorial Day Parade with my Garand, and fire blank volleys as part of the ceremonies. I feel it's more appropriate to have a more conventional appearing rifle for such activities. Afterward, I'd remove the BFA, clean the rifle thoroughly, and return it to its match rifle stock.

Greg
 
Re: M1 Garand

as mentioned CMP folks are awsome

maker, well that depends on how you look at em and what you want it for and are you into it as a investment or looking for return on money.

springfields- made from before ww2 thru korea, so you have a really broad spectrum of what era might show up on your door, as for collectorness really the only springfields that are "valuable" are early say pre '42 ones with early geeration parts.

winchesters- only made during WW2, alot of collectors want these cause of the name.

HRA- only made during korea, least sought after by collectors after later springfields

IHC- only made during Korea, made the least amount, always sought after and going rate is 1500-2k
 
Re: M1 Garand

Looks like my choices are between Springfield and HRA for the Service grade I'm looking at... Maybe I'll get lucky with a Springfield.
My first priority isn't so much the collector-ness of the rifle as much as shooting a piece of history for myself, but if I get lucky with a WW2 or earlier Springfield, that's an extra bonus.
 
Re: M1 Garand

I just purchased my last Garand. This one will go to the grave with me. I bought it from an auction site but not the most popular one. Its a CMP gun that someone decided to sell. I don't know the grade but it is like new. Every part is the same vintage (1955) and all Springfield. The TE and MW are both below 1.5! The stock was a modern replacement but I was able to score a Type 2 National Match stock set so I'm selling the stock it came with. I haven't shot it yet but hopefully this week I'll get out to the range. It's the best Garand I've ever seen... And I've owned probably 20 Garands in my life.

The CMP guns appear to be very nice lately...

I don't recommend buying one from an auction site unless you know exactly what you're looking at. Too many sellers are pawning off junk. You will get stung more times than not. FWIW...
 
Re: M1 Garand

Unfortunately, Alabama is a little (12 hours of driving) out of the way for me, or else I would absolutely go.
 
Re: M1 Garand

I have been at both the Camp Perry and Anniston facilities in the last couple of months, I can almost certainly tell you that your chances of finding a surprise collectors grade rifle that gets shipped to you unexpectedly are less than your chances of being hit by lightning. You will get a safe and functional rifle assembled out of mixed and matched parts that have been torn down and inspected for function and condition. But it will be built out of many different rifles. There is a team of armorers who do nothing but look at and build M1 Garands all day long.
 
Re: M1 Garand

H&R rifles are usually low milage, this one had a perfect LMR barrel and everything inside was zero wear. Wierd greed park job...
tmpphpKvNwKB.jpg
 
Re: M1 Garand

Ok Ok Greg. You talked me into into it. I guess I'll just have to get an arsenal issued original and a barreled action and be stuck with two pieces of American history....
 
Re: M1 Garand

I'm very glad I could help. I had really only intended to suggest one rifle with an aftermarket stock for swapping back and forth, but your solution has the advantage of being a great excuse for doing a very satisfying thing...

Keep up that excellent work!

Greg
 
Re: M1 Garand

To answer about the the barreled actions the CMP is selling. The ones I looked at last month at the south store were mostly excellent. At least 50% showed no sign of any pitting from rust.
+90% were WWII receivers and all had brand new 1950's SA barrels, mostly 1954 dates. bolt were a mixed lot of -2,-12,-19 and 65xxxx series Korean War ventage. All three parts, receiver, barrel and bolts were refinished to like new. Excellent deal for the home builder that wants to take his time and biuld a real nice shooter with hand picked parts. I bought Five BA's for myself just for the rainy days down the road when all the good stuff is gone. if you buy by mail order I'd say there is a 50% chance for some light pitting on the receiver mainly arround the wood line. None looked like the pitting was very deep and refinihing the receivers should have taken care of any active corrosion. If you can't get to one of the CMP stores see if you can find someone that is going to be there and have them pick out a nice one for you. Post a help wanted message over at the CMP Forums. There are a couple guys that post there that live quite close and help people all the time. They take your paper work to the store with them and leave it as if it's a mail order, except they put a sticky note on it that the items is already pulled and in the store with your name attached. I've done it myself when I'm going to be over in that area.
 
Re: M1 Garand

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don in SC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To answer about the the barreled actions the CMP is selling. The ones I looked at last month at the south store were mostly excellent. At least 50% showed no sign of any pitting from rust.
+90% were WWII receivers and all had brand new 1950's SA barrels, mostly 1954 dates. bolt were a mixed lot of -2,-12,-19 and 65xxxx series Korean War ventage. All three parts, receiver, barrel and bolts were refinished to like new. Excellent deal for the home builder that wants to take his time and biuld a real nice shooter with hand picked parts. I bought Five BA's for myself just for the rainy days down the road when all the good stuff is gone. if you buy by mail order I'd say there is a 50% chance for some light pitting on the receiver mainly arround the wood line. None looked like the pitting was very deep and refinihing the receivers should have taken care of any active corrosion. If you can't get to one of the CMP stores see if you can find someone that is going to be there and have them pick out a nice one for you. Post a help wanted message over at the CMP Forums. There are a couple guys that post there that live quite close and help people all the time. They take your paper work to the store with them and leave it as if it's a mail order, except they put a sticky note on it that the items is already pulled and in the store with your name attached. I've done it myself when I'm going to be over in that area. </div></div>

That's a great idea. I'll look into it!


And, as the order process goes... right now, it's on hold. Still gotta get my card from the TSRA, and some kind of proof of markmanship related activity. I'll either go to the range and have one of the ROs sign that form CMP has on their website or I'll be waiting for my C&R.

Edit: I've looked into someone picking out my Garand a little more, and honestly, from what I've heard of CMP's customer service, if there are any problems with the rifle not being Service grade spec, or anything else wrong, I should be able to talk to them about it. I'm pretty okay with luck of the draw, as long as the rifle I receive is indeed Service grade. If it's Service grade, it'll shoot and it won't be too corroded, ratty, or generally dinged up. Since I don't really have a preference on era, as long as the rifle I get is in good condition, I'm happy.

Looked into the eligibility a little more too - I can use my receipt for payment to the TSRA as proof of membership, so that's one hurdle! The other one... I'd planned on heading out to the range with my Remmy .308 in the next couple of weeks, so I'll just take along that form.
I'll let you guys know when I put in my order, and, eventually, once I know it, i'll relay the serial number - and when I receive my Garand, I'll probably post a few pictures.
 
Re: M1 Garand

Pretty sure if you join the Garand Collectors Assoc. you meet the elegibility for club membership. You also get a great magazine with beaucoup Garand info.
 
Re: M1 Garand

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pmclaine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Pretty sure if you join the Garand Collectors Assoc. you meet the elegibility for club membership. You also get a great magazine with beaucoup Garand info. </div></div>

That is what I did, best $25 bucks spent...
 
Re: M1 Garand

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any experiences with CMP I should know about, good or bad?
</div></div>

I have quite a bit of experience with the CMP and the DCM before that, its all been good, none bad.

Best customer service you'll ever find.

As to make, I don't really care, they are all made to the same specs. Some like Winchester may bring more to a collector but that doesn't matter to me, I'll not sell or trade any of my guns again.

If my kids or grandkids sell then after I'm gone I hope they get screwed. Guns arn't for selling.
</div></div>

100% when I buy a gun it's because I spent time finding the right one for a reason. Guns aren't for selling, and if my kids/grand kids decide to get rid of what I hand down to them I hope they get screwed as well. Very well put.