[Chris Boyd]

I've read the descriptions for Field, Rack, Service and Special grade on the CMP website, but I'm looking for persons with 1st hand knowledge of what you get for your money.

If you were buying a CMP M1, would you purchase a:

Field Grade for $650

Field Grade for $950 (guaranteed to be IHC receiver)

Service Grade for $750

Special Grade for $1050 (competely refurbished rifle)

Special Rack Grade for $700 (partially refurbished WRA receiver - Heavy Pitting above wood line)

Special Rack Grade for $650 (partially refurbished ??? receiver - Heavy Pitting above wood line)

Also, I'm trying to figure out if higher or lower numbers are better for muzzle and throat erosion.

 

[stewbaby]

The lower the muzzle and throat numbers the better. 0 or 1 on the muzzle if you want a shooter for competitions (though a 2 or so could still be ok).

As for grades, yea its a bit confusing now.

The only 'rack' grades are specials...I'll talk about them below the specials.

If you want a 'collector'...one that is more USGI parts, go for the field grades...but it'll be worn some. Changes are though even the stock will still be government issue. May not be a great muzzle and throat so may not be the best shooters for competition (but probably fine for ringing steel).

A service grade would be in better condition and mostly all USGI but it is going to likely have a new CMP (Dupage) stock). These are usually fine for competition shooting that we do local.

If you want mainly for competition shooting, I'd say get a special so it will have the new criterian barrel on it.

If you just have to have a WRA or an IHC, then you buy those grades that they show. 'Field' now is just going to be a worn USGI receiver mostly...I think everything else is new including the stock.

If you can get to the store, I recommend hand picking of course. If you mail order, order a couple so you can choose the better one. You can usually sell one easily for what you paid.

...sadly, they are closed now and for the foreseeable future with the CV-19 stuff.

 

[HerrZnk]

Stew got it all right. Let me know if I can help Chris.

 

[stewbaby]

A field grade example:

A service grade example:

 

[L Smith]

Absolutely agree with stewbaby. Any of the CMP's are great to have. Overall, I prefer the service grades.

 

[Chris Boyd]

I like the idea of the Service grade but I'm leaning toward the Special Rack Grades. Maybe it's because I'm cheap, but $50-100 bucks LESS for new wood, new barrel, new sling.... Seems like a steal. However, I'm hung up on "remainder of the parts have NOT been refinished" and "heavy pitting above the wood line". Are those statements meant to imply that the "other parts" and "heavy pitting" represent an increased risk of failure, or are they simply statements on cosmetic condition.

 

[stewbaby]

Cosmetic. If for some reason it did look like they did let one slip through, You could post pictures here for Zink and others to evaluate. You’re not too far from Doug Bowser, right? (Not withstanding the current distancing requirements).

If there was any issue with it CMP will make it right

 

[HerrZnk]

Cosmetic. If for some reason it did look like they did let one slip through, You could post pictures here for Zink and others to evaluate. You’re not too far from Doug Bowser, right? (Not withstanding the current distancing requirements).

If there was any issue with it CMP will make it right

The pitting would be strictly a cosmetic issue. More important are the throat & bore wear numbers, whether you wish to compete or just want to be able to hit the target at SWGC 100yd. Not to sound panicky about this but over the past 10 years, the CMP's aggressive advertising program as well as the relaxation on both qualification and limits on purchasers has virtually eroded the remaining stocks of M1 "Garands". So if you want one, the sooner you make a purchase, the better. Your purchase will always hold its value and should you wish to do so, you could resell in a heartbeat. It's a no-lose purchase.

 

[Chris Boyd]

Speaking of bore wear, throat erosion, and muzzle condition, with a Special Rack Grade rifle having a new criterion barrel, wouldn’t those be non issues? I know that sounds either like I’m being snarky or an idiot, but it’s a serious question. I really want an M1, but I’m also REALLY CHEAP. Lol. $50-100 bucks is a big deal for me, if all I have to live with is fugly receiver. I’ve got some other fugly guns that are tack drivers so cosmetics don’t exactly worry me. However, accuracy is important.

 

[shoeshooter]

It depends a lot on your tastes. Personally I don't want new wood, new barrel, re-parked. Some do, and I respect their choice. I have always found one that to my eye was a hidden gem among the rack and field grades at the South Store. This will require a trip to Anniston, but you get the pleasure of picking out "your" rifle.

 

[HerrZnk]

It depends a lot on your tastes. Personally I don't want new wood, new barrel, re-parked. Some do, and I respect their choice. I have always found one that to my eye was a hidden gem among the rack and field grades at the South Store. This will require a trip to Anniston, but you get the pleasure of picking out "your" rifle.

Shoe is right, if you can make the pilgrimage, do it. Otherwise if you just want a shooter, plain and simple, go the way you're leaning. It still won't lose value over the years. They aren't manufacturing these anymore. So you can have a shooter, if it's a new aftermarket barrel no worries about wear, and resale value will be there if and when you want or need to sell it.

 

[Chris Boyd]

Well, after a fair amount of hand wringing and gnashing of teeth, I’ve concluded that I’ll be mail ordering a Service Grade ($750) M1 just as soon as I can get a copy of my birth certificate from vital records (already ordered).

I emailed The CMP to be sure they were still accepting mail and while their answer was “yes”, they would not elaborate as to whether or not they are fulfilling mail orders for rifles during their Covid-19 shutdown. So, my order might sit in the sorting office until they reopen in May. I toyed with the idea of driving to Anniston, but I couldn’t convince the wife and kiddo to make the trip with me in early to mid May. I don’t do long drives alone anymore, as I have a tendency to fall asleep at the wheel.

At any rate, now that my mind is set on what rifle I’m going to order, I’m now turning my attention towards Ammo and reloading supplies. So, what’s a good source for factory loaded surplus M2 ball, repro M2 ball, or it’s equivalent? And how much is too much to pay for factory Ammo?

And secondly, where should I look for empty brass, be it once fired military surplus or mixed head stamp range pickups. Not looking for pre cleaned or processed brass, I can do all that myself. Also, how much is too much for brass? I’ve seen processed stuff selling for as much as $0.40 cents a piece and as little as $0.28, though the cheap stuff was “out of stock”.

 

[RotorheadBen]

are there any cmp groups or clubs in north east ms,near tupelo ben

 

[Chris Boyd]

are there any cmp groups or clubs in north east ms,near tupelo ben

When searching the CMP website for affiliate clubs near Tupelo, the only two results are listed in the attached photo.

 

[shoeshooter]

Well, after a fair amount of hand wringing and gnashing of teeth, I’ve concluded that I’ll be mail ordering a Service Grade ($750) M1 just as soon as I can get a copy of my birth certificate from vital records (already ordered).

I emailed The CMP to be sure they were still accepting mail and while their answer was “yes”, they would not elaborate as to whether or not they are fulfilling mail orders for rifles during their Covid-19 shutdown. So, my order might sit in the sorting office until they reopen in May. I toyed with the idea of driving to Anniston, but I couldn’t convince the wife and kiddo to make the trip with me in early to mid May. I don’t do long drives alone anymore, as I have a tendency to fall asleep at the wheel.

At any rate, now that my mind is set on what rifle I’m going to order, I’m now turning my attention towards Ammo and reloading supplies. So, what’s a good source for factory loaded surplus M2 ball, repro M2 ball, or it’s equivalent? And how much is too much to pay for factory Ammo?

And secondly, where should I look for empty brass, be it once fired military surplus or mixed head stamp range pickups. Not looking for pre cleaned or processed brass, I can do all that myself. Also, how much is too much for brass? I’ve seen processed stuff selling for as much as $0.40 cents a piece and as little as $0.28, though the cheap stuff was “out of stock”.

Until they ran out three or so years ago CMP sold Greek (HXP) ammo. I think it was about $.75/round towards the end.

As for brass, I suggest you place a want ad here. 30-06 ain't rare if you're not picky.
You can also join one or more of the reloading groups on MeWe. I've bought some brass through there before. Gives you a good idea of pricing as well.

You can save considerable money loading your own Garand food.

 

[Chris Boyd]

Until they ran out three or so years ago CMP sold Greek (HXP) ammo. I think it was about $.75/round towards the end.

As for brass, I suggest you place a want ad here. 30-06 ain't rare if you're not picky.
You can also join one or more of the reloading groups on MeWe. I've bought some brass through there before. Gives you a good idea of pricing as well.

You can save considerable money loading your own Garand food.

Loading my own is what I plan to do, ultimately. But in the short term, I was hoping to score some surplus or equivalent factory Ammo just to have a supply of stuff to shoot. That would also help me start a supply of empty brass. I’ll check out MeWe. I joined a black powder group there a few months ago and I’ve scored several cool things from it.

 

[shoeshooter]

Prvi, S & B, and others make Garand specific rounds at around a buck or less each. May take some searching to locate some.

 

[stewbaby]

Buy this. Great shooting and great brass.

500 Round Can - 30-06 Springfield FMJ 150 grain Prvi Partizan M1 Garand Ammo PP3006GMC | SGAmmo.com

 

[stewbaby]

As for reloading:

Bullets, just grab plain old 150 fmj/bt to start. As accurate as a Garand can be out to 300yds or so.

Powder: IMR4895, 4064, Varget, R15, BL-C(2) or similar. Avoid the slower powders.

I don’t worry with a crimp. I load to 3.15 COAL. I also us and find 200 CCI to be plenty strong enough.

 

[stewbaby]

PS: the word on the CMP forum is mail isn’t being accepted yet (fear of CV19 contamination)...maybe by the 4th of May (when they said they’d reevaluate), so I’d be careful about trusting that one phone call. At least just send a credit card number or check and not a money order. Pay for tracking (I always do a USPS flat rate envelope).