Bear with me here: CMP Rifle Order Poll

[1KPerDay]

'kay, after months of hemming and hawing I'm finally going to put in my CMP order monday.

Should I get:

one Correct Grade Springfield M1
one Correct Grade H&R M1
one Service Grade H&R M1
one Service Grade Springfield M1
one Rack Grade Springfield M1 AND one Service Grade Carbine
one Rack Grade Carbine AND one Service Grade M1
two Field Grade M1s
A motorcycle
Invest it

Here are my thoughts: I have never had much interest in carbines, but I hear people absolutely love them. I don't have anything against them; I've just never been around them and don't really see the attraction. M1s I love. I have 3 WWII springfields (receivers are WWII, all are rebuilds of various sources). I want to have a garand to give each of my 6 kids when they get old enough. I also understand the carbine is a great rifle for younger shooters.

Are Field Grade M1s typically not good shooters? I realize I'd probably have to rebarrel/re-stock a rack grade, and sending one to DGR to pretty up wouldn't bother me a bit.

What have recent service grades been like? I also realize there are 2342342 threads on "which CMP rifle to get" so I appreciate your patience. I'm just excited and want to make the right choice. Thanks for your input!

 

[sadlsor]

DISCLAIMER: I'm new to THR, as of this week.

From what I've seen, poking around in these forums, most folks already have at least 1 gun. I dare say, most folks have multiple guns. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, in the USA.

So, if I were to dangerously assume, you already have 1 or more trigger-operated weapons at your disposal.

Get a motorcycle. Get to an MSF course (Google is your friend... and if you don't know what the heck MSF is then you need the course.)

Not necessarily in that order.

IMNSHO, firearms in this country are a fine, time-honored symbol of freedom. But that's hard to quantify, and hard to explain, and sometimes even hard to feel.

Two-wheeled motorized objects are another symbol of freedom, even if they do not share the long heritage or history. But the difference is, when you ride a bike, even with ALL the appropriate safety gear covering your vulnerable self, you will most definitely FEEL free. And if you, or we collectively, are not actually free to the extent we'd like, or to the extent we'd like to think we are, perhaps that feeling is as close as we'll come, in this lifetime.

As I stated above, that's MY NSHO. You have the right to your own.

Respectfully,
Mark / aka Sadlsor
Birmingham, AL
Lifetime NRA member
Owner of multiple firearms, including CMP match-grade AR-15
MSF RiderCoach

 

[Chipperman]

two Field Grade M1s

Given your situation, I'd go with two M1's now. That would leave you only short 1 for your goal of one for each child. M1's have been going up in price consistently. Although, I'd probably try to save up the extra $100 each to get Service grade instead of Field grade.

Carbines are going up also, but you only need to get 1 of those later for fun.

 

[1KPerDay]

Get a motorcycle.

I have several. Thanks, though, and welcome to THR.



Those who have selected correct grade Springfield... is there any reason you'd recommend one over H&R? Are they supposed to be in better condition?

 

[Chipperman]

I personally would not select the Correct grade, b/c of your ultimate goal for the guns. You intend to give them to your kids. Which kid gets the "Nice" one, while the other five kids get the "Beat up" ones?

I only have 3 kids, but I'm already getting ulcers thinking about how to pass my guns to them in a fair way.

 

[transformerguru]

Service garand and rack carbine... the Garand is gonna be the tru shooter outta the bunch. I love my service Garand

 

[GRIZ22]

Are Field Grade M1s typically not good shooters? I realize I'd probably have to rebarrel/re-stock a rack grade, and sending one to DGR to pretty up wouldn't bother me a bit.


I picked out a 1942 Springfield FG with a VAR barrel with all walnut wood at the CMP North Store. The finish shows more wear than a SG, the major flaw was the stock had been arsenal which still makes it servicable and the wood cleaned up well. The barrel measures 2 at each end and is my most accurate M1 shooting 1 1/2" at 100 yds. My other SGs shoot 2" even with a 1 and 1 barrel. This is with the Greek ammo CMP sells.

I'd go for the H&R SG. No more than a Springfield and all were made after Korea so the rifle probably never went to war and will be in better shape. I got a SG H&R that basically looks new with a little finish wear on the barrel where guys were holding it. It came in a new Boyd's stock. You can ask for one in your order with a post it on the order form. If they have one in the pile they're selecting from they'll send it to you.

The correct grades are not in a heck of a lot better shape than the SGs and for a shooter the SGs are the best bet.

 

[1KPerDay]

Good advice... thanks.

 

[1KPerDay]

I personally would not select the Correct grade, b/c of your ultimate goal for the guns. You intend to give them to your kids. Which kid gets the "Nice" one, while the other five kids get the "Beat up" ones?

I only have 3 kids, but I'm already getting ulcers thinking about how to pass my guns to them in a fair way.

I don't worry about that... I figure I'll let each choose when old enough. If they whine, I'll keep the gun and sell the kid.

 

[1KPerDay]

Seriously... those who have voted service or correct Springfield over H&R... why?

 

[Threeband]

You left out the correct choice: "All of the above."

Still, I chose "Rack Grade Carbine and Service Grade M1". Those are the two best buys, I think.

Decide if you want a new Boyds/Dupage birch stock on your M1, or if you want GI wood. Put a sticky note on your order politely asking for whichever you prefer. They'll try to accomodate you, but only from the ten or so on the top of the heap.

(In other words, you ask politely, and take what they send you.)

 

[1KPerDay]

never heard of Dupage... is it the same as Boyd's?

 

[Rugerlvr]

those who have voted service or correct Springfield over H&R... why?

For my own case, it was my first Garand, and SA has more "romance" for me than H&R. I came away with a beauty of a rifle.

 

[1KPerDay]

Cool... I want an H&R just... because. I'd like at least one from each mfg eventually.

 

[Threeband]

never heard of Dupage... is it the same as Boyd's?

Dupage Trading sells Garand parts kits and relacement stocks for military rifles.

http://www.dupagetrading.com/riflestks.htm

From what I read on the CMP forum, the CMP stocks are made by Boyds, but re-worked by Dupage,slimming them down somewhat compared to the regular Boyds stocks. I still want to do a little work on my CMP replacement stock

 

[Geno]

Regarding accuracy, one bit of info that I can pass on is that the Apple Seed shoots require that the shooter be able to hit human size targets at 500 yards, using a "rack-grade" rifle.

My intent is to purchase a couple of rack, field or service grade M1 Garands for competitions. Given that the CMP shoots use the Greek ammo, which does attract magnets, I do not plan to buy a "correct" or "collector" grade anytime soon, because I plan to actually use mine.

Just my two cents.

 

[Threeband]

Doc2005, you are definately hitting on all eight cylinders. The Service Grade is the best buy.

Considering the price difference, the Correct Grade doesn't really offer that much more, certainly when compared to the difference between a Field Grade and a Service Grade.

1KPerDay, it occurs to me you need at least SEVEN Garands, if you're going to give six to your kids.

Also, anyone planning to order from CMP: I strongly recommend you start hanging out on the CMP forum and asking questions there. That's where all the inside information is. A lot of that information is not posted on the regular CMP sales page; they don't even mention the replacement stocks, for instance.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, I'd never heard of that. I put a note that says "best GI wood possible, please" and if it's still way bad I'll have DGR install a Wenig or something.

From what I read on the CMP forum, the CMP stocks are made by Boyds, but re-worked by Dupage,slimming them down somewhat compared to the regular Boyds stocks. I still want to do a little work on my CMP replacement stock

Yeah, the CMP stock on my M1 "Special" is still quite proud around the handguards, etc. I prefer the slimmer feel of the WWII profile stock on one of my Springfields. But as long as it looks relatively good and shoots good I guess I'll be happy with whatever I get.

 

[1KPerDay]

Given that the CMP shoots use the Greek ammo, which does attract magnets, I do not plan to buy a "correct" or "collector" grade anytime soon, because I plan to actually use mine.

Are you saying you wouldn't shoot greek through a correct or collector grade? Why not?

 

[Rugerlvr]

I shot some Greek through my correct grade yesterday. It was a blast. These guns are made to be shot. Unless it's a collector grade WWII era rifle, shoot it, shoot it, shoot it.

 

[Geno]

No, not saying I'd not fire any Greek through a correct grade, just not too frequent.

The Greek ammo's projectiles are steel with copper plating. My concern is the possibility of accelerated barrel wear.

Doc2005

 

[1KPerDay]

Fair enough.

 

[1KPerDay]

Well the order is on the way... H&R service grade and National Postal Meter Rack grade.

Now the wait begins. I hear of people checking the progress on the ODCMP order site... but I haven't ordered before and don't have a 'number' yet.

Anyone with input on this?

 

[Rugerlvr]

They will send you your customer number with your "Do not bother us" email, and you can sign up on the website. Good luck!

 

[Geno]

If you ever get the chance to walk into one of the CMPs, it is a blast!! I stopped into the CMP north a few weeks back...getting ready to go back. Since I have a Springfield, I'll probably pick up an H&R service grade too, and a few cases of ammo.