[Third_Rail]

I've been poking around on the CMP website and I've gotten a general idea of the prices/process for joining, but I still have one litte question burning at my mind.... are the prices that much better on M1 Garand receivers and 1903 actions that it'll be worth my time to build some rifles?? Or are the prices such that I would be better off buying a "rack grade" M1 and rebarreling?

I'm lost, and I don't want to join until I figure all of this out.


Well, that and I hope to keep enough money to eat. :D

[Sydwaiz]

You better hurry, I just joined and ordered 3 yesterday! From reading the forums over there, I would buy a Greek RG if you are going to rebuild it. Why not get a whole rifle for only a few bucks more? Then you have extra parts. That's what my plans are. I ordered a USGI service grade, a Greek service grade, and a Greek rack grade. It didn't cost me anything to join. I have my 03 FFL and got the forms notarized for free. Oh wait, I take that back. I joined CRPA but I wanted to do that anyway. These will be my first M1s ever!

[George S.]

Check out the Battlerifles Forum. http://www.battlerifles.com./index.php There are a number of post there regarding which way to go with building or buying a good shooting M1.

It looks like the Greek M1's at the CMP now are somewhat suspect in quality. Some people get decent ones some get parts guns. You might consider one of the "less wood" M1' s and buy a Boyd's stock for $80.

Depending on where you live, a trip to the North Store to walk thru the racks and pick one put may be worth it if you want a nice one from the start without worrying about the condition of the wood or the parts. Just bring your paperwork and money!!

Unfortunately all of the Danes are gone. I got mine a couple of months ago and while the stock is pretty sad, I can get sub-3" groups at 100yds with korean milsurp ammo.

[ScottsGT]

But you cannot "join" the CMP, you just purchase from them. If you want to join a great Garand organization, join the Garand Collectors Association. This counts as your required membership in a gun club to purchase. Stay away from the woodless, all the hardware for the stock is missing and it would cost you more to buy all the parts. I would recommend starting out with a Service Grade as your first. Then if your itching to have a nice shooter, buy a rack grade and get it done up right, but keep it JCG match legal. No fancy trigger jobs, military barrel profile, etc. That way down the road as you really become hooked, you can compete with it.
Oh, and as far as stocks go, check out the Wenigs. More of a true military profile and not as thick as the Boyds. And a higher quality of Walnut.

[Jason Demond]

The two USGI SG SA Garands that we bought, lock up very tight. The guns both had new barrels on them, and will shoot 2" groups at 100 yards all day long. I don't think a person could go wrong with a SG M1 from the CMP!

I am a member of the GCA, and the ORPA (Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association).