Posted: 9/24/2004 12:11:18 PM EDT
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arowneragain's thread reminded me of a question that I have been meaning to ask. I am planning on ordering a CMP M1, after I get my CCW next week (my hearing is Tuesday morning) and I have a couple questions for you guys that have been through the process: 1. Are the USGI or Greek service grade reliable USABLE rifles? I don't want a collector's piece, I want a gun for shootin'! I realize that these are surplus, used and beat to death rifles. I just want one that is still useful as a Homeland Security rifle. 2. Do you have to be a member of a local CMP affiliated organization, or can it be from anywhere? I can't find one locally that will just take my $25 bucks, send me a certificate and leave me alone. That is what I'm looking for. All the ones I have talked to want me to go shoot with them at a scheduled time at someplace that's too far to drive. 3. As you all know, the CMP offers both M1 Garand's and 1903 Springfield's. Can you order the arfcom way (buy both)? |
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Join the Garand Collectors Association. They e-mail your membership to CMP, and you get a great quarterly newsletter. No pressure and the newsletter has some very useful info for shooters as well as collectors. As for the rifles themselves, I ordered a Greek return 1954 production H%R service grade. It is not even close to "beat to death". It has some minor wear to the stock just from honest use, but the metal parts and barrel condition look almost new. Did I mintion that if I do my part, it shoots 1" groups? 
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Yes, they are reliable. Most common malfunctions are usually caused the clip latch spring, or the clip ejector spring. Both of which are easily replaced. Chances are favorable that what you get will be good, if not, then CMP is there to help. My '43 service grade was never issued
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How do you join?
That's what I wanted to hear! I am actually thinking about a Springfield Armory. |
And 'Service Grade' means just that - safe and ready for general use. 'Rack Grade' are the rifles that are shot out. Those you buy to rebarrel / rebuild in .308, or when trying to assemble a parts / manf-matching piece. |
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in motown? you might be closer to camp perry than me (i'm 2 hours + away)...and i drive there every chance i get. hell, just drive down an hand select a couple for yourself. they'll gauge them for you and you can pick a winner with your own eyes. 1. yes, the service grade greeks are good for shooting...so are the rack grades. i got one of each. 2. i drive 45 minutes each direction to two cmp affiliated clubs and love every minute of it. you don't 'have' to shoot to be a club member...but, why not! it's lots of fun! one of the clubs i shoot at (tusco rifle club www.geocities.com/tuscorp/ ) is having a j.c. garand match this sunday. i'll be there and having me some fun! |
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Garand Collectors Association Edit: Guess I should have done a refresh, before posting ;) |
Or $295 for a Greek rack grade. From what I hear, the rackers are mostly fine after you clean the barrel and maybe change out the stock. |
Yes. Rack grade means "good enough that we would issue it to a soldier if we were still issuing M1s." Service grade is one step above that.
Join the Garand Collectors Association. They will send your membership information to CMP electronically as soon as your check clears; it generally takes about two weeks. |
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I received my CMP "SERVICE GRADE" SA yesterday. The receiver and barrel look new. I requested a high serial # and they complied (5,899,XXX). Its a 1955 receiver and barrel. The wood is banged up a bit but I am happy. Oh BTW, Time I sent in the APP to the time I got it was less than a week.
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OK, so here are some pics of my CMP 1903A3......   BUT BE WARNED, THIS IS HOW THEY LOOK WHEN YOU GET THEM......  
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Is Camp PErry open to public for walk in purchases? If so, I may have to make a trip to MI come tax refund time... |
Damn 1shott that cleaned up nicely. I am jealous.
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Steve, I am going there in a couple of weeks. I can show you firsthand on what to look for. Save the $$ and get a rack grade that gages low....believe me they are there. You are more than welcome to join me. I live in Livonia and can get there in 45-55 minutes. I am warning you though, you will get hooked on these Garands. 
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No, there is not a CMP store at CMP south. you can go volunteer for the day and pick out your rifle afterwards, Thats What I did, but you do have to work all day. |
Ohio, not MI and it's open to the public but if you plan to buy make sure all paperwork is done. If I remember right they are closed sunday and monday. Two of the CMP North workers are related to my wife but they will not give me "family discounts". LOL 
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The DCM/CMP guns are the best gun deals in the world. Just stop by your local gunshow and check out the Garands & Carbines they're selling, probably twice the price for half the gun. Can't go wrong with any of the WWII-era guns. Also thank the anti-gunners(Sens Chuck Shumer, Ted Kennedy) for forcing the US Army-run DCM into today's privatized-CMP. In the DCM days, it would take them 1 year to get a M1 Garand to your doorstep after your paperwork was submitted, whereas today that time is measured in weeks. 
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Thanks, I am single, with no life, nothing else to do...... 
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Make sure that if you plan to go to the CMP store at Perry that you have proof of US citizenship, i.e. Birth Certificate or US Passport. No Drivers License or Voter Registration (as in years past). I got a very nice Service Grade H&R and a Springfield in the past year. Each of them shoot great and except for some dings in the stock, each look great. Good muzzle and throat. I picked the Springfield up at Perry during the Nat'l Mathces; walked in and 20 minutes later I had a new rifle. The H&R took two weeks to deliver from Anniston. |
OHIO Doh.... brain fart. Thanks for the reminder. |