Posted: 7/1/2011 5:00:22 AM EDT
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What should I look for? What's the best value? I don't want a collector but I do want one that looks good and shoots good.
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| Most will tell you that the CMP over delivers on just about anything they sell...so I'd not spend too much time worrying about what grade you should get. As an example, I bought a "service grade" Garand and whatever the basic version of the M1 carbine was and the guns were in fantastic shape. My Garand is a numbers matching 1953 production rifle. |
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Not as much over-delivery lately, from what I've heard from others. You will certainly get what you order, but are not quite as likely to get a happy surprise as was once common.
You will get some informed opinions here: M1 Forum on Arfcom Actual CMP forum |
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-Get your paperwork done and then you are clear to shop. -I would buy the best you can afford. Service grade is usually only $100 more or so than a rack grade and if you can go to the store and pick it out, do that. Best way to pick a cherry. If you are ordering with out handling it, stick with at least service grade minimum. Just my opinion. -Look at the muzzle crown on any rack grade and compare the TE and ME with service grades. Sometimes what puts one in the Rack grade may be a banged up crown, which can be easily fixed -Overall, go to the store if you can in Alabama or Ohio, or to a CMP event and handle them. They are most helpful to you when you are there. Most of all, have fun looking, learning and shopping. |
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First, you have to buy three so you can properly stack them.
Second, I agree on the Service Grade being the best value. I've got one Rack, one Service and one Special Service grade rifle. The RG rifle had a small problem with the clip ejector spring but that was easily fixed. The wood on the RG rifle was rather poor; the SG rifle was in very good condition. At $600 it is a very good deal. PS I remember when I first qualified to buy a CMP rifle in 1998. Back then the price was $180 per rifle! Of course I procrastinated until 2006 to buy my first rifle, so it ran me around $500. 
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The service grade is a fantastic value. For better accuracy, you can consider getting a "fitted unfinished" stock from DGR. He takes a current production stock and accurizes the fit. Finish it yourself (sand/stain/Tung or BLO) , tilt-test the op-rod, and that will wring about all the accuracy you can get out of a Garand shy of National Match mods.
––Eight_Ring |
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I got my service grade by mail last fall. It was in excellent shape. The new birch replacement stocks leave something to be desired compared to a nice GI walnut, but what the heck can you expect for $600. If you are ordering by mail get a service grade, and I guess it wouldn't hurt to put a "sticky note" on the order for GI wood (may or may not help according to those in the know, but it doesn't hurt to ask).
Order as much Greek ball as you can afford within reason. Nobody is loading this stuff for military use any more and when the surplus stuff runs out I hate to think about what the price will do. Think about ordering the full spring kit from Orion 7 - price is very reasonable I think $20 shipped. |
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Order as much Greek ball as you can afford within reason. Nobody is loading this stuff for military use any more and when the surplus stuff runs out I hate to think about what the price will do. True, and you cannot run commercial grade ammo in a M1 Garand due to concerns with commercial ammo damaging the op rod. CMP still sells Greek HXP so load up! |
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Order as much Greek ball as you can afford within reason. Nobody is loading this stuff for military use any more and when the surplus stuff runs out I hate to think about what the price will do. True, and you cannot run commercial grade ammo in a M1 Garand due to concerns with commercial ammo damaging the op rod. CMP still sells Greek HXP so load up! What is the source behind this? |
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I have many Garands from the CMP, including one of each of the below. IMO, these two Garands are by far the best deal. Basically you are getting a brand new, all original, all correct Garand with the original finish. The only caveat is it comes with an new aftermarket CMP stock set. The metal is basically a brand new gun that looks like it has never been fired. If you found an original stock in excellent condition, you could put it on this gun and it would easily be worth $2000.
RM1HRASSPM1 Garand, Service Grade HRA (Harrington & Richardson) Special. Allow 30-60 days for delivery. HRA collector grade metal in excellent almost new condition. Walnut stocks and handguards and associated hardware are new manufacture. NOT original HRA manufacture. $895 S&H $22.95 per rifle RM1SASSPM1 Garand, Service Grade Springfield Special. allow 30-60 days for delivery. SA collector grade metal in excellent almost new condition. Walnut stocks and handguards and associated hardware are new manufacture. NOT original SA manufacture. $895 S&H $22.95 per rifle Here's a 200 yard target I shot with my HRA Special just like the rifle above. I used Greek surplus ammo. 
Here's a pic of the rifle 
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Order as much Greek ball as you can afford within reason. Nobody is loading this stuff for military use any more and when the surplus stuff runs out I hate to think about what the price will do. True, and you cannot run commercial grade ammo in a M1 Garand due to concerns with commercial ammo damaging the op rod. CMP still sells Greek HXP so load up! What is the source behind this? Armorer's Corner at CMP Website Basically, you should not use commercial ammo in a M1 Garand unless it is specifically designated for use therewith (e.g. Federal American Eagle). Personally I don't see why anyone would buy commercial when the Greek HXP from CMP is much cheaper and compatible with M1 Garand use. |
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so what youre really saying is that you want a vette on a yugo budget.
go find the best looking M1 you can afford and if you dont like the dress, get a new one. you can also, spend time trying to replace parts that dont meet your dress standards. also, the CMP doent allow you to cherry pick off the web when ordering via www. if you go to the stores ,you maybe able to do it. the only other way to cherry pic is that if they have it on the action block, then there will be pics for you to drool over. imo, if you want a pretty gun, buy a pretty gun. you will spend more time & $$$ trying to half ass it. if you cant afford one now, then save your $$$ for it. there is also the option of having the gun repark. that way it will all look the same from a distance. then the only other issue is the dress. again, you can buy new dress for it. again, its only $$$. just to give you an idea on what youre in for. i have an M1 built in 308 from the receiver up. All good/new/used parts. barrel was NIB. Stock NIB. the total was ~1k+ and that was 2 years ago. |
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Order as much Greek ball as you can afford within reason. Nobody is loading this stuff for military use any more and when the surplus stuff runs out I hate to think about what the price will do. True, and you cannot run commercial grade ammo in a M1 Garand due to concerns with commercial ammo damaging the op rod. CMP still sells Greek HXP so load up! What is the source behind this? Armorer's Corner at CMP Website Basically, you should not use commercial ammo in a M1 Garand unless it is specifically designated for use therewith (e.g. Federal American Eagle). Personally I don't see why anyone would buy commercial when the Greek HXP from CMP is much cheaper and compatible with M1 Garand use. That's funny...as a kid I remember banging away happily with a M1 feeding it whatever 30-06 I could lay hands on, from 110 gr to 168 gr stuff. I don't doubt their veracity, but I wonder how much of that is CYA/Best practice versus absolute need. And you are right...might as well shoot/store the Greek stuff, and the reloaded stuff I shoot replicates either M2 or some Gucci match stuff. |
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All but one of my CMP M-1's are Service Grade and I've been very, very happy.
That said, I purchased mine before the current "Special Grade" rifles were available. If I were to only get one, that might be it. I wrote a couple articles about buying a Garand from the CMP you might find useful How to purchase a M-1 Garand from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) A look at the best CMP M-1 Garand choices available And here's an article for all the new Garand owners out there. Tips and tricks for the M-1 Garand |
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That's funny...as a kid I remember banging away happily with a M1 feeding it whatever 30-06 I could lay hands on, from 110 gr to 168 gr stuff. I don't doubt their veracity, but I wonder how much of that is CYA/Best practice versus absolute need. And you are right...might as well shoot/store the Greek stuff, and the reloaded stuff I shoot replicates either M2 or some Gucci match stuff. It may very well be CYA. I didn't buy my first Garand until 2006 but I remember during my CMP rifle class in 1998 they were advising us to use surplus ammo only (or reload using specific loads and military surplus powders). Man, I wish I would have bought a M1 Garand from CMP back in 1998 ... $180 per rifle, and you had a much greater chance of winning the "lottery" as there was only one grade of rifle available! I could have ended up with (what would be considered today as a) Collector Grade rifle ... for $180! Just goes to show –– you snooze, you lose! 
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