A visit to CMP North

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1911 guy

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Garrettsville, Oh.
The backstory:
My son (15 yo) is an avid WWII amateur historian and has been seriously hankering for a Garand for some time. Well over a year, which is a long time for a kid. We're going to Port Clinton for a walleye charter in July and our motel is a mere 15 minutes from the CMP store. He's got a bout $600 saved up l'm willing to chip in more to get him a nice rifle.

Which brings me to the question:
They are showing service grade for $750 and "CMP Special" complete refurbished for &1050. Is there a reason to avoid the refurbished rifle? I want him to have something that will last and be serviceable his whole life.
 
CMP North did not stock many Garands when I went there 2 years ago. 1st trip I came back empty handed but an air rifle, 2nd trip I checked CMP North Store Forum knowing they had a new delivery and went. Inventory went fast. I don't recall seeing "Special Grade", not many service grade either.
 
From what I see, they are backlogged due to CV-19 shutdown and it looks like only Field Grade rifles are even listed:
CMP said:
FIELD GRADE: (Fair to Good)
Field Grade Rifles. Most of these rifles have been refinished or rebuilt at least once while in military service and will likely have some parts from other manufacturers. Fair to good condition. Rifle wear will be exhibited by worn and mixed colors of the finish; may have pitting on the metal parts; wood will be basically sound but may be well used with minor hairline cracks, and many dings, scratches and gouges; wood may not match in color, type of wood or condition. These rifles may have some foreign parts and wood may be Walnut, Birch, Beech or other variety. Wood may be new Hackberry wood with no holes drilled for the cleaning kit. Rifles do not have import marks. Bores will be generally good with only minor imperfections; the barrel crown may be nicked, and the muzzle may gauge more than “3” on muzzle gauge. The Throat Erosion will gauge less than 5 – well within US Army standards. Do not expect rifles in mint condition in this grade. May come with new wood.

Manufacturer selection only guarantees the receiver was produced by the manufacturer listed. The barrel and the other parts may have been produced by other manufacturers.
https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/m1-garand/


Might want to contact CMP and see exactly what status will be when you plan to be there to avoid disappointment as Hank, said.
https://thecmp.org/contacts/

Regards,
hps
 
Make sure you follow all of their ridiculous rules for your purchase (belonging to an approved gun club, having “proof” of marksmanship/being able to shoot, etc.). If you are LEO, CCW, or a veteran some of it won’t apply.
 
They are showing service grade for $750 and "CMP Special" complete refurbished for &1050. Is there a reason to avoid the refurbished rifle? I want him to have something that will last and be serviceable his whole life.

Back to original question^^^, the service grade stock may be pretty rough and barrel is "good", as a shooter, I believe I'd go for the CMP Special if available. The new barrel and (aftermarket) replacement stock alone sell for about $350 @ CMP and it looks like they apparently refinish any worn parts on the Special grade. Either grade rifle will not have any special "collector" value so replacement parts would not detract from that standpoint.

The ability to look over the different grades before choosing would be a real plus. Hope it works out for your trip and your son gets a great rifle to enjoy the rest of his life.

Regards,
hps
 
Keep in mind Garands cant digest a steady diet of commercial hunting ammo without damage to the op rod. Shooting commercial ammo requires modifcations to the gas system such as a ported or vented gas plug.
I am aware of that, but thank you for the reminder. I'm looking for both commercially available M2 and handload data. It looks like Privi Partisan and Federal have new M2 loads.
 
According to reports on the new north store, it sounds like they have full racks of garands and other cool stuff.

http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?s=27d0cef9aa2d44f31964edac58578d1f&f=73

I may be missing something????? From link above^^vv
Our rifle inventory is limited at this time due to our log of backorders and the 7 week CMP shutdown due to COVID-19. Our stores were stocked before we left for quarantine and we did not pull the stock back because it would slow all processes. We hope to open up rifle types again once we have restocked our inventory and processed the majority of our backorders.

1911guy said:
I am aware of that, but thank you for the reminder. I'm looking for both commercially available M2 and handload data. It looks like Privi Partisan and Federal have new M2 loads.

I've shot thousands of rounds of 47 grains H4895 behind a 150 gr. SMK very closely duplicates M2 ball and same charge behind 168 gr. SMK closely duplicates M72 Match issued for use in the M1 Garand and perfectly safe port pressure in these two M1's.
40876427273_91b9a061ce_o.jpg
49741401332_f471fd8aea_z.jpg
Top rifle was purchased from DCM when they were $98 before they were selling all the different grades. Standard grade but after accurizing per the NRA bulletin, shoots like the NM I was issued on AMU. It shot these two 5 shot groups after mounting 3x scope w/125 gr. NBT's.
45430694655_ef38c02328.jpg

Top group measured .665" @ 100 yards (off sandbags). Did I mention that I agree w/Gen Patton's evaluation of the M1? :)

Regards,
hps
 
My youngest son was also a student of WWII when he was 15. I ordered two rack grade Garands, one for him and one for me to feed that interest.

The rifles we received were nearly identical: both Springfields, 1952 manufacturing dates for receivers and barrels, no detectable muzzle or throat erosion, pristine parkerizing, and some of the nastiest wood I'd ever seen. His was the younger of the two.

We had a great time together cleaning up and refinishing those stocks, and then shooting the finished rifles. Of course, we shot for scores. His were ever so slightly better than mine, something that made him puff out his chest a bit.

Those were great times!

Enjoy your time together with your son with that special rifle.
 
Which brings me to the question:
They are showing service grade for $750 and "CMP Special" complete refurbished for &1050. Is there a reason to avoid the refurbished rifle? I want him to have something that will last and be serviceable his whole life.

It has been a while since I looked at the rifles that CMP are offering but the field grades can be rough and need a little TLC to make them look good. They should be good shooters.

The couple field grades that I bought a decade ago had stocks that were in fairly poor shape. I did keep the USGI stocks but I ended up buying new stocks for them. Also, there can be a fair amount of wear in the parkerizing.

The Special grade rifles are about as new a Garand as you can get these days but the stock and barrel are current commercial production, not USGI. Some folks do not like that feeling that the Special grades are not "original". But, the Special grades are excellent shooters and look good.

I tend to shoot my Special grade rifle more than the other Garands that I have.

If you can swing the bucks, I'd get the Special grade. If you can be at one of the stores and they have a reasonable inventory of Field grades, you could possibly cherry pick a nice one.

Good luck with your quest and I hope your son enjoys an M1 Garand.
 
@1911 guy

congrats! Celebrate the effort and knowledge.

I have dealt with the CMP and the North Store for a bit. I started at the tail end of the 1917 and 1903’s. I can kick myself for a lot I did not buy. My fault. They are gun people. Follow their rules (a lot are law), they will help. For a shooter, go the special. Unless you will spend auction money for a higher end or correct, buy a piece of history and enjoy.

I have bought five M1. Three various grade (prepare to be disappointed if you read the CMP forum). Nothing I would send back. Two of the five, I had tricked. One to a known gunsmith, for an upgrade to the ultimate Garand match rifle...all legal, but the best it could be. Another done by the CMP smiths to make a “sniper” rifle. The sniper would be a lot more fun if I was right handed :rofl: They are all a piece of history....

Enjoy

Share both the history and time with your son...


upload_2020-6-20_23-21-28.jpeg

upload_2020-6-20_23-22-0.jpeg
 
I may be missing something????? From link above^^vv




I've shot thousands of rounds of 47 grains H4895 behind a 150 gr. SMK very closely duplicates M2 ball and same charge behind 168 gr. SMK closely duplicates M72 Match issued for use in the M1 Garand and perfectly safe port pressure in these two M1's.
View attachment 924521
View attachment 924522
Top rifle was purchased from DCM when they were $98 before they were selling all the different grades. Standard grade but after accurizing per the NRA bulletin, shoots like the NM I was issued on AMU. It shot these two 5 shot groups after mounting 3x scope w/125 gr. NBT's.
View attachment 924523

Top group measured .665" @ 100 yards (off sandbags). Did I mention that I agree w/Gen Patton's evaluation of the M1? :)

Regards,
hps


the link is to a store report from a member of the cmp forums who visited the store on 6/20.

not sure what you missed.
 
index.php


Two rifles acquired from the DCM/CMP many years ago. Both are 1943.
M1903A3 (top) is a Remington. The M1 is Springfield MA refurbished in 1947.
 
the link is to a store report from a member of the cmp forums who visited the store on 6/20.

not sure what you missed.

That's the trouble with the internet, once its posted, its there forever. My search for DCM, (same link as yours) turned up the statement I quoted which indicated very restricted inventory due to CV-19. Also shows all but one grade M1's are sold out (below). Obviously, that is no longer the case based on cmp forum member's post. Thanks for the timely update.:thumbup:

CMP said:
Garand options currently available are listed below.
We will add other manufacturers and options as they become available.

Please Note: Limited Inventory at CMP Stores. If you are looking for a specific rifle, please call ahead or email [email protected] to see what items are currently in stock prior to your visit.

ALL GARANDS OTHER THAN PLUGGED DRILL RIFLES ARE SHIPPED IN A HARD CASE. Free shipping to continental U.S., Alaska & Hawaii. CMP no longer ships to Puerto Rico.

RACK Grade M1 Garand

ITEM # DESCRIPTION PRICE
RM1IHCR
CMP has a very limited amount of M1 Garand, IHC Rack Grade Rifles available. These rifles will be offered mail order, sold as is, with no exchanges. The rifles are rack grade (rough but functional and have been test fired).
SOLD OUT
November 16, 2015


Field Grade M1 Garand
ITEM # DESCRIPTION PRICE
RM1FIELD
M1 Garand, Luck of the draw for Springfield or Harrington & Richardson manufacturer. Orders will be filled with next available field grade rifle. See above for Field Grade description. Rifle shipped in CMP hard rifle case.
$650.00
Free Shipping


Shipping within 6-8 weeks

RM1IHCF
M1 Garand IHC Field Grade. Only part guaranteed to be IHC is the receiver. Some other parts could be IHC but not guaranteed. Please see M1 Field Grade description above.
SOLD OUT
June 1,2020


RM1IHCFLMR M1 Garand IHC Field Grade with IHC receiver and LMR barrel. Some other parts could be IHC but not guaranteed. Please see M1 Field Grade description above.
SOLD OUT
August 18, 2015


RM1WRAF M1 Garand WRA Field Grade, Please see M1 Field Grade description above.
Limit one RM1WRAF per year.
SOLD OUT
August 29, 2017


Service Grade M1 Garand
ITEM # DESCRIPTION PRICE
RM1WRAS
M1 Garand WRA Service Grade. Please see M1 Service Grade description above.
SOLD OUT
January 6, 2018


RM1SERVICE M1 Garand, Luck of the draw for Springfield or Harrington & Richardson manufacturer. Orders will be filled with next available Service grade rifle. See above for Service Grade description. Rifle shipped in CMP hard rifle case.

SOLD OUT
May 2020


RM1SAS6M M1 Garand with 6 million serial number, Springfield manufacturer – Very Limited Quantity. Orders will be filled with next available Service grade rifle. See above for Service Grade description. Rifle shipped in CMP hard rifle case. SOLD OUT
March 29, 2017
RM1IHCS
M1 Garand IHC Service Grade. Only part guaranteed to be IHC is the receiver. Some other parts could be IHC but not guaranteed. Please see M1 Service Grade description above. SOLD OUT
October 11, 2018

M1 Garand IHC Service Grade with IHC receiver and LMR barrel. Some other parts could be IHC but not guaranteed. Please see M1 Service Grade description above. SOLD OUT
March 25, 2015

M1 Service Grade IC with 4 million Gap Letter IHC receiver and LMR barrel. Some other parts could be IHC but not guaranteed. SOLD OUT
March 16, 2015

Special Grade M1 Garand
ITEM #

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

RM1SPECIAL

CMP Special (.30-06) M1 Garand. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield or HRA receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture.
Receiver may have pitting.
SOLD OUT
June 1,2020

RM1SPCLRACKWRA CMP Special Rack Grade (.30-06) M1 Garand. This is a partially refurbished rifle with a refinished M1 WRA receiver, new production criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver is the only part of the rifle that has been refinished. Remainder of the other parts have NOT been refinished.
Receiver will have heavy pitting above the wood line. SOLD OUT
June 1,2020

RM1SPECIALRACK
CMP Special Rack Grade (.30-06) M1 Garand. This is a partially refurbished rifle with a refinished M1 receiver, new production criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver is the only part of the rifle that has been refinished. Remainder of the other parts have NOT been refinished.
Receiver will have heavy pitting above the wood line. SOLD OUT
June 1,2020

RM1SPECIALFIELD


CMP Special FIELD GRADE (.30-06) M1 Garand. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield or HRA receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture.
Receiver will have considerable pitting above the wood line.


SOLD OUT
RM1SPECIALIHC


CMP Special (.30-06) M1 Garand. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand IHC receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture.
Receiver may have pitting.
SOLD OUT

RM1SPECIALWRA

CMP Special (.30-06) M1 Garand. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Winchester receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture.
Receiver may have pitting.

SOLD OUT


RM1308SPECIAL

CMP Special (.308) M1 Garand. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield or HRA receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture. Receiver may have pitting. A .308 spacer block is installed to prevent the loading of a .30-06 round into the chamber. SOLD OUT




RM1308SPCLFIELD

CMP Special FIELD GRADE (.308) M1 Garand. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield or HRA receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture.
Receiver will have considerable pitting above the wood line. A .308 spacer block is installed to prevent the loading of a .30-06 round into the chamber. SOLD OUT
October 1, 2018

RM1308SPCLWRA

CMP Special (.308) M1 Garand. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Winchester receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture.
Receiver will have considerable pitting above the wood line.
A .308 spacer block is installed to prevent the loading of a .30-06 round into the chamber. SOLD OUT




RM1308SPCLIHC

CMP Special (.308) M1 Garand. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand IHC receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture.
Receiver will have considerable pitting above the wood line.
A .308 spacer block is installed to prevent the loading of a .30-06 round into the chamber.

@P5 Guy, that's a beautiful pair of rifles!

Regards,
hps
 
Make sure you follow all of their ridiculous rules for your purchase (belonging to an approved gun club, having “proof” of marksmanship/being able to shoot, etc.). If you are LEO, CCW, or a veteran some of it won’t apply.
Is there a listing for all this? I really want a Garand and if I was ever close enough to a CMP store id want to stop in and hand pick my own.
 
They are showing service grade for $750 and "CMP Special" complete refurbished for &1050. Is there a reason to avoid the refurbished rifle? I want him to have something that will last and be serviceable his whole life.

My opinion on this question is that if you want a shooter get the special, but if you are history oriented, I'd get a service grade. Reason being that the specials have many new parts other than the receiver. A special "should" be made up of actual GI parts and carries the history behind them.

I've gotten both and that's just my opinion. My most recent was a HRA Field grade that carries many scars on the stock and a hand painted rack number. It actually shoots decently and there is no doubt it could tell an interesting story if it could only talk!
 
Building on what @Laphroaig says, if you want old wood - ask. It is not a guarantee, but the staff may be aable to help....

from the CMP site on service grades “Wood may be of new production but may be used and show signs of wear on Service Grade Garands”
 
I've ordered a few and had them shipped to my house, I live about 1hr from the south store but when I ordered mine they were tax free, I like my HRAs they seem to have darker/deeper looking parkerizing, the GI stocks will need to be cleaned dents steamed and re-oiled. They have good prices on enblocs and bayonets
 
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