CMP M-1s - grade question

Are you going to one of the stores, or ordering? I would request a "shooter" service grade.

I've got two Service Grades, and both shoot very well. Muzzle Wear on both was a 2. One had GI walnut, and the other was a brand new CMP birch stock. The Field Grades will most likely have rougher looking stocks, and more barrel wear, but may still be acceptable shooters, for $100 less than the Service Grades.

Get a service grade or better, particularly if you're ordering by mail.

Another vote for a Service Grade!

IMHO the $595.00 Service grades are the "sweet spot" between price and quality. With either GI wood, or a new CMP birch stock they are a great deal.

I ordered through the mail from the Southern store and asked for a "good shooter" Springfield Armory.

Mine had a "0" wear on the muzzle and a 2+ on the throat. With GI wood, barely any exterior wear and all internal parts looked new. Only part not Springfield marked is the bolt.

Here's pictures of mine (and others!) on a thread on Service grade M1s http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=569848&page=13

Dont get anything lower than a Service Grade and you will be more than happy with your rifle

Go with a SG.

Most of the posts on CMP M1s I've seen were for the correct grades.

Click to expand...

Seriously?

Service Grades - I bought two and they both hit steel @ 700 yards iron sights with no problem. Very accurate and beautiful...new commecial stock (birch) and metal is anout 95%

Correct grade rifles are for the picky gun owners that need a rifle better than Mr Jones next door. Service grade rifles are just fine for your needs. Get some ammo, if it is available, while you are at it....The Greek ammo the CMP sells is great ammo....chris3

Nothing wrong with a field grade if by "shooter" you mean "plinker."

My CMP field grade gauged just over 2 at the muzzle and throat. I'm not a long range shooter or competition guy, so its performance suits me perfectly. The stock is worn, but I like the idea of owning a seasoned rifle used by a GI in the early 50's. Never really conducted an accuracy test, but mine shoots 1" groups at 50 yrds. I shoot 3" groups at 100 yrds with my reloads but I've never really tried to do much more than that.

But, unless you can go to a CMP store and gauge every barrel, it might be safer to pony up the extra $ and order a service grade.

Does the CMP still have Rack Grades?
How much shooting is your dad going to do? And how serious is the shooting?
A RG and a fresh stock and new barrel on a RG or woodless rifle is like an almost new rifle.
The best value from the CMP would be a Service Grade or Special Grade (if the CMP still does Specials). The Special Grade is as described new barrel and stock.

Not really. If a WWII receiver is important to you, you can request a WWII era springfield. H&Rs are sometimesconsidered to be the 'best' M1s because the later made ones have all the updates, are well made, etc. But I can't tell the difference between my Springfields and H&Rs. They're all cool.

I've picked out a few real nice field grades in person. By mail order, I'd go with a service grade-it'll be uniformly better condition over all.
Field grades are hit and miss, so if it's luck of the draw, service all the way.

I agree, get a Service Grade or better. The Special grades look good as well.

I wrote an article on what I thought was the best value for CMP rifles. A few people commented that I undersold the Special Grade and I concede they may have a point.

A look at the best CMP M-1 Garand grades available

For a first Garand, get a Service Grade or better.

Field Grades can be great, particularly if you can pick one out at one of the stores, but generally they need a little TLC. It is better if you are familiar with the workings of the M1 when you get a Field Grade.

No Rack Grades available at this time. Have not heard one way or the other if they will be available again.