Just ordered Twelve Garands from CMP: What should I expect??

[Jackal]

Well, having lusted after Garands for years and not having one, I finally made the investment and purchased 12 Garands from CMP (12 is the yearly limit). I got 4 field grade H&R's, 4 Service grade Springfields, 3 service grade H&R's and 1 CMP Special.

I here it takes roughly 2-3 months for orders to come in. I am also considering assembling maybe a couple correct (or nearly so) rifles from parts from the others.

My question though is for folks that have been through this before: What do I need to know now? About the rifles, cleaning (I figure Kerosene will be fine for the metal), condition, shipping times, etc? I am very giddy about my purchase and so very eager to get them and cuddle them in my arms...

 

[Jenrick]

Any particular reason you got 12? Rather then say 1 or 2, or maybe 13 or 14?

Man I was proud that I was currently saving up for one of them..

Just curious,

-Jenrick

 

[Jackal]

Any particular reason you got 12? Rather then say 1 or 2, or maybe 13 or 14?

12 is the yearly limit.

 

[viking499]

What should you expect.........A larger than usual credit card bill next month.....

 

[J.R.W.]

Someone to come along and scold you for hoarding Garands.

 

[Grmlin]

All I can say is "12". Hope you get a discount?

 

[auberg]

and 12 rifles that are in good shape and a whole lot of fun.
Did you order ammo too?

 

[joeschmoe]

Carefully inspect each one. Look for bent or broken parts. Send email or return the rifle quickly. They will make it good, but not 5 years from now.
Clean, restore/repair and test fire each one. Store papers in butt stock.

You'll need;
Ammo (cases), clips, bolt tool, tung oil, gun grease, Garand Assembly book, clip belts (bandoliers), bayonets and a 12 gun cabinet with golden rod (they will rust).

 

[Jackal]

A larger than usual credit card bill next month.....

No joke there....

Did you order ammo too?

Yup, 2600 rounds

clips, bolt tool, tung oil, gun grease, Garand Assembly book, clip belts (bandoliers), bayonets and a 12 gun cabinet with golden rod (they will rust)

Ammo is covered, I have 300 enblocs on the way. I'll check into tools/grease/books/bayo's. The storage is the only area I am badly lacking (actually didnt realize that until now). Hmmm...Cant afford a big safe now....:banghead:

 

[joeschmoe]

One of those steel lockers and a golden rod would do fine. Especially if hidden and bolted down.

 

[joeschmoe]

Hmm...that's a little over 200 rds per rifle? (I have ~2600 rds, and 1 Garand)

Should be closer to 1000 each. 400 min. This ammo will only get more expensive. There will be plenty of these gun in 20 years, but no more surplus ammo.

A rifle without ammo is a club. Unless it has a bayonet, then it's a spear!

 

[Mamertine]

I'm curious, what will you do with 12 of the same rifle?

 

[dmazur]

...Unless it has a bayonet, then it's a spear!

No, then it's a scary Assault Weapon.

 

[dmazur]

...what will you do with 12 of the same rifle?

Heavens! Like asking a coin collector what he will do with 12 silver dollars.

The real Garand enthusiast can spend years trying to make each rifle in their collection "correct", scrounging for a trigger here, a bolt there.

I'm not a Garand collector, but I guess it isn't any more evil than collecting coins. (Except for the "hoarding" aspect... )

 

[dwstone1227]

Welcome to the Garand owners. Of all the guns I have ever shot. The M1 Garand is THE most fun. I love hearing that clip go ping. I love blowing through all 8 rounds as fast as I can pull the trigger. I love my Garand. I now just wish I had 11 more to have 12 like you.
You did good.

Look into joining the Garand Collectors Association. They put out a great dvd on the Garand this year.

 

[Double Vision]

All I can say is: I'm very, very jealous.

Good luck and have fun. The Garand is an absolute joy to own.

 

[ball3006]

I use odorless mineral spirits to clean my guns when I receive them from where ever I bought them from. Then I spray/wipe down all metal with LPS2/Breakfree. The CMP rifles usually just needed a wipedown as they had been de cosmolined beforehand. You might inspect the stocks to see if they need linseed oil applied if they appear dry. Enjoy. chris3

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

you might also expect to come under the scrutiny of the "gun police"

 

[joeschmoe]

For those just browsing this thread...

12 military rifles will be MAILED DIRECTLY TO HIS HOME!!!

God bless the CMP!

 

[chris in va]

You guys aren't getting it.

Right now a CMP Garand can be had for about $500. Ten years from now these will be worth $1500. Heck I haven't seen one at a gun show for less than a grand.

It's a smart investment and I'm extremely jealous.

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

Why use Kerosene? I just wipe off the excess grease if there is any. Then oil all of the metal parts. I suggest using pure tung oil or boiled linseed oil on the stocks to clean them. Don't try to refinish USGI wood or it will destroy the collector value.

 

[Welding Rod]

Be sure to shoot each one for a thorough function check very soon after getting them. As a poster noted above, if you have any problems CMP will make it right, but you don't want to delay. With 12 50+ year old guns you will almost certainly have an issue or two.

As long as you buying them for your own use as you certified was the case on the purchase form, I wish you a hearty Congratulations! I wish I had the resources to put together a nice collection of that size. Those should keep you entertained for a long time to come. I hope you make a good find or two. Please let us know. Good shooting!

 

[Jackal]

Just as a note: I could not have had the funds to do this if it wasnt for the recent, insane "scary gun" buying that people have been doing. I was able to sell my "scary" rifles at goofy prices, hi cap (normal capacity) mags at multiple times what I spent for them. I still think its kind of funny that the Garand, a rifle used extensively in the theatre of war, is not considered an "assult rifle"....when a 24" heavy barrel AR15 with 16x scope and 10rd mag is....

Look into joining the Garand Collectors Association.

Will do.

you might also expect to come under the scrutiny of the "gun police"

Haha, I dont mind scrutiny. If they ever show up for any reason, I will invite them in to a hot cup of coffee.

Right now a CMP Garand can be had for about $500. Ten years from now these will be worth $1500.

This. Clean SKS rifles are selling in the $500-$600 region currently....An SKS for $600... My wifes father used to get Garands from the DCM for about $160 for a clean service grade. I am young enough (27) to have these for many years to come and these are one investment that is assured to never lose value.

Why use Kerosene? I just wipe off the excess grease if there is any.

I did not know that they were cleaned prior to shipping (just learned in this thread). I will just clean and oil then. I always used a Kero bath overnight for cosmo'd guns, as it works better than anything else I have ever tried and it does not dry the metal out like mineral spirits (no flash rust after bath).

 

[cfullgraf]

Well, having lusted after Garands for years and not having one, I finally made the investment and purchased 12 Garands from CMP (12 is the yearly limit). I got 4 field grade H&R's, 4 Service grade Springfields, 3 service grade H&R's and 1 CMP Special.

I here it takes roughly 2-3 months for orders to come in. I am also considering assembling maybe a couple correct (or nearly so) rifles from parts from the others.

My question though is for folks that have been through this before: What do I need to know now? About the rifles, cleaning (I figure Kerosene will be fine for the metal), condition, shipping times, etc? I am very giddy about my purchase and so very eager to get them and cuddle them in my arms...

The field grades will probably require some TLC. On the two or three that I have purchased over the years, I replaced all the stocks. The metal showed wear but was serviceable. I replaced a few of the metal parts that were not very attractive either due to worn parkerizing or excessive dings from rough handling..

The service grades will be nice and the CMP Special will be great.

Except for the Special, they will all require a thorough cleaning. They will not be dripping in preservative, but it will be buried in all the nooks and crannies. The stocks will ooze preservative as well, except the rifles with replacement stocks.

The CMP web site says 60-90 days but reports from the CMP Chief operating officer have indicated they are swamped with orders. Expect deliveries will be on the longer side. I do not think it will be as long as back in 2009 when deliveries were four to five months. Once you get your "DBU" e-mail, things will go pretty quick. (DBU stands for "don't bother us")

What a way to get your annual M1 allotment all at once. Enjoy your new rifles.

 

[nfafan]

12/year limit?

Yeah, you'll get a scolding for "hoarding" - at least from me. But that hoarding will only last until you throw them on gunbrokeya.

I don't know *** came over CMP to allow 12 a year now, when it was once 3 a year and a promise that they were meant for personal use.

They certainly have to know that re-selling is going to happen - which is hardly the sprit of the DCM/CMP to advance marksmanship. Now it seems more to advance profiteering.