[SkyDaver]

The budget for firearms in my household is pretty limited for a number of reasons, but I'd brought up the idea of getting a Garand with SWMBO. Cash flow issues meant that it wasn't possible then. I really want an M-1, as my dad would have at least trained with one when he was in the USMC (probably didn't carry one in Korea, as he was an artillery officer)

Got a call today from a skydiving instructor that has been keeping my rig in his locker (I have not quite 500 jumps, but that's over the last 20 years).

I've got a buyer for my rig. Should be just enough for a service grade M-1 from CMP. :D

I'm off to double check the requirements. I've got an NC CCW permit for the shooting requirement and I'm thinking of Garand Collectors Association.

Any other suggestions?

[jefnvk]

Yeah, don't wait long.

I see they are still available. It won't remain that way for too long.

[Beetle Bailey]

I also used the Garand Collector's Association to qualify when I bought my first one last year. IIRC, I also had to get a photo-copy of my birth certificate and a notarized letter. I also ordered another service grade M1 last week. Good luck with yours! :cool:

[chrisTx]

I really want an M-1, as my dad would have at least trained with one when he was in the USMC (probably didn't carry one in Korea, as he was an artillery officer)



i'm sure he's come to know one quite intimately.

my grandfather was in korea. he was in EOD for a special forces team (before they were called special forces). he loves my M1 so much, he likes to carry it along when we go deer hunting. he's very fond of it and says he spent a lot of time sleeping with one.

i think it's a must have on the rifle list.

[SkyDaver]

Yeah, don't wait long.

I see they are still available. It won't remain that way for too long.

Well, I need to get the cash in hand first. Dropzone closes down Friday until the new year, so it will be January (early, I hope)

Web site says Service Grades 'delivery in 60-90 days', for $500

Greek Field Grades are available now, for $395.
Field Grades are 'delivery in 60-120 days'

Rack grades are $350.

I think the timing will work out well for the Service Grade.

[deacon]

Talked to Mike at the North Store this week and he told me that they are expecting a new shipment to arrive after the first of the year. Don't know how far you are from Port Clinton OH but that may be another option for you. Every time I have been there I had a great time and enjoyed the company of some really fine folks who work there.

[Tom C.]

Voluntarily jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft vs. M-1 Garand? Easy choice. Get the M-1. I have 2 and they are not for sale.

[SkyDaver]

Tom C. "Perfectly good airplanes". Well, these days they're pretty good (the dropzone I went to has all turboprops now) but when I started, the planes were all older than I was, Cessna 182s and Beech D-18s. Also, the planes might be perfectly good, but have you ever met one of the pilots!!:what:

deacon, that's good news ... I'll keep a close watch on the web site.

chrisTx, I'll never know for sure, he passed away in 1981 when he was just shy of 52, and I was only 25. I'm certain he would have used one in basic (he enlisted first), and probably at The Basic School. As an artillery officer, I wonder whether he'd have had a rifle at all, or if it would have been the M-1 carbine. I don't know the TOE for an art'y company of the era.

[Ares]

The GCA is a good club, the journals they put out about the M1 are top notch. Other than that all you need is proof of citizenship (Birth Cert, passport etc) and your CCW.

The North Store is the way to go if you can get there, then you pick what you want but if not then the mail method is fine. The CMP is a great place to get a Garand. Or more accurately a "US Rifle Caliber .30 M1"... :)

[monsternav]

The GCA is great, but don't forget your State Rifle and Pistol Association. They can always use your support.

http://www.ncrpa.org/

[MAUSER88]

Yes, get the service grade. Ask for a late Korean war rifle. The barrel condition will be better.

[chrisTx]

Yes, get the service grade. Ask for a late Korean war rifle. The barrel condition will be better.


i requested a WWII receiver. most of the parts on it are of Korean or post Korean war era. the receiver is WWII though. i got the service grade and the rifling is in pretty decent shape.

mine has different wood for the stock and handguard. i asked my grandfather about it and he said when they were issued garands, the stocks never matched.

[Hacker15E]

I just received an order of 4 Service Grades...

3 of them were 5.8 million SAs, all with 'collector grade' finish. With the exception of some mis-matched and dinged wood, the metal looked pristine.

Definitely the best batch of SGs that I've ever gotten.

[SkyDaver]

It took longer than I hoped, and I had to drop the price (technology marches on, even in skydiving), but I've got someone who has jumped my rig, and we're supposed to close the deal on Monday.

I don't think I have enough for a Correct grade, and, darn it, the only service grades are on a 60-90 day ship date, but it looks like I'll be able to get something, at least.

I think when I place my order, I'll ask for late Korean vintage if possible, as that's when my Dad was over there.

I don't know if he'd been willing to talk about it much, but I sure wish I'd been smart enough to ask him of his experiences back then.

[Dienekes]

Good rifles. I have a "few" and can always find room for more.

Whatever you get you will learn from and enjoy owning. The one I use most was essentially an educational project: a "minus wood" that let me utilize some old wood I had refurbed. Did all the NM mods myself and shot it until the barrel went south. Then got the CMP tools and a CMP barrel and installed that. Should have refinished it along the way but somehow I was always too busy shooting it.

There is an excellent Garand site at www.jouster.com.

Lots of good reference info out there. I like the old "Hatcher's Book Of The Garand" and Kuhnhausen's ".30 Caliber Service Rifles".

Wecome to the club.

[SkyDaver]

Asked for a field grade, as there's no shipping delay (unlike service grade).

Now for the wait. :banghead:

(Impatient? ME?)

[SkyDaver]

Got an email on the 31st that my order was being processed. FedEx door tag when I got home yesterday afternoon. Went to FedEx facility, and picked up a nice long 15lb box!

Greek Field Grade. Stock is a bit beat up, muzzle could probably use a crown job. I've got a little bit of cleaning to do (it's really not bad ... I was expecting something covered in cosmoline)

serial number in the 5,817,000 range, which I think puts it into the 1955-1957 manufacture range. Since I'm in that range myself, that's pretty cool!

I'm really looking forward to shooting it.

[TheEgg]

I'm so sorry that I didn't see your post from last year. Maybe I could have done an intervention, and saved you.

Too late now. You are condemned to be a "Garandaholic" for the rest of your life.


:D :D :D :D :D

Congratulations!!!

I have more fun with my Garands than any other rifle -- just something about them, the way they shoot, the way they work, the way they look. I dunno, but everytime I go to the range, one of these goes with me.

[SkyDaver]

A friend at work says I should have received a clip, a muzzle clear indicator, a sling, and the 'Read Me First' manual. None of those things were in the package.

I would have been very surprised to find a sling, given the price of them on line, but I don't think it outlandish to have them send me one clip, and the M-1 read me first manual.

I'll call them tomorrow, but in the meantime, I thought I'd ask here what others received in their CMP shipments.

[Buckskinner]

Of the three I've rec'd, they included one clip, one sling, one yellow "chamber open" flag, the "Read This First" manual, and a certificate of ownership from the CMP.

The forums at ODCMP.com are a good place to air this out if you don't get immediate satisfaction from the folks who answer the phones there. And I'm sure you'll get 100% satisfaction from the very excellent folks at CMP.

Buck.

[Swampy]

Dave,

You should have gotten a clip, empty chamber flag, and a manual with the rifle.

CMP no longer sends slings with M1's or any other rifle. The supply ran out some time back. An announcement was made.......

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever

[SkyDaver]

Thanks, Swampy, that's what I suspected. I'll call today (right now, in fact.)

I would have been very pleasantly surprised to find a sling as part of the purchase, but thought that one clip, empty chamber indicator and manual should have been there.

[silliman89]

I have a question about that empty chamber flag. I'm guessing that it goes in the chamber (and down the barrel a ways) and the flag part sticks out. This would hold the bolt open a fraction of an inch. Isn't that bad for the spring if you leave it that way for a long time?

[TheEgg]

Isn't that bad for the spring if you leave it that way for a long time?

Nope, won't hurt it a bit.

[SkyDaver]

Called CMP yesterday, told them the stuff was missing, and they volunteered to send it out, and (without asking) to send it FedEx Priority. It should be waiting for me when I get home.

I'd heard that customer service at CMP was fantastic!