CMP Field Grade - Disappointed

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carbine85

carbine85

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What are you guys getting when you receive your field grade Garands? I just received one. The bluing is mostly non existent, maybe 50% at best, there is some rust on it and the stock is beat to hell. The stock has someone initials carved in it. I have Koren imports in better shape.
 
Sounds like you got one that matches the grade description. I haven't risked a field grade yet but my service grades have been better than described.

HOWEVER. Stocks are relatively cheap. If you must have a new-looking one. But if you did, you wouldn't have ordered a field grade, right?
 
carbine85 said:
What are you guys getting when you receive your field grade Garands? I just received one. The bluing is mostly non existent, maybe 50% at best, there is some rust on it and the stock is beat to hell. The stock has someone initials carved in it. I have Koren imports in better shape.
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based on the Field Grade description, it seems that you received what would be expected. Is the rifle serviceable would be the primary questions.

Field grades are rough for sure. I have never ordered one without assuming that I would need to replace the stock and handguards.

Don
 
Yep, field grades are better hand picked at a store than taking the chance by mail order. And even then, I have yet to see a field grade at the North Store that I would buy, given the little difference in price between it and the much better condition service grades.

Don
 
If you want to be sure you will get a really nice gun right now the only grade you can order is a Service Grade Special. Even then you may have to fit the handguards or relieve a little wood in the new CMP stock for accuracy.

The field grades I saw in the North Store were pretty darn rough. One had the barreled action freely sliding fore and aft about 3/32 - 1/8".

If the gun doesn't meet the description for the grade, they should take it back.
 
Look to Schuff's Parkerizing, Dean's Gun Restoration, or Fulton Armory to restore your rifle to near original condition. CMP describes its grades fairly and accurately...put some restoration into one of the lower grades and you'll have something to be proud of.

Good luck

FH
 
When I was ordering Field grades about 5 years I was always very pleased, maybe coming to the bottom of the barrel for the M-1s
 
I just got a chance to check this out closer. So far the trigger assembly almost fell out in my hands, the op rod spring feels worn out and both hand guards are cracked, the bore has strong lands but dark. :mad: I should have dropped the extra coin and upgraded. I guess I have to wait for a return phone call.
I ain't feelin the love.
 
Sight unseen, I wouldn't currently order anything less than a service grade from CMP. Anything less than that and I would want to hand pick my prize from one of the stores.

There was a time back when the Greek rifles first appeared at CMP that you could get some like new rack grade rifles. They were being graded that way because the bores were dark. The dark bores turned out to be grease and many of them were in pristine condition. This was a short-lived period, but I ordered as many as I could at $295 each and only ended up with one dud. That one is destined to become a match rifle with new furniture and a new barrel in .308.
 
Sounds like you got one that matches the grade description.
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Yep, that's what it sounds like to me. I'm not really sure what the issue is, to be honest. As long as it operates fine, you got what you ordered - you just didn't get lucky at all. Sorry you aren't happy with your rifle.

I got a fairly nice one a couple years ago - but i handpicked it.
 
Sounds like a typical field grade. If you want something that looks pretty decent, then you should go with the service grade. Also, ALWAYS include a yellow sticky with your CMP package specifying what you want--something that is relatively easy for them to make happen (ie. good stock, good metal finish or good barrel). The yellow sticky has, for me anyway, worked every time.

Lastly, if you expect to find a diamond in the rough, you need to drive to the store and pick it yourself.
 
Last time I was disappointed with an M1 it was 1945 with the original 1945 barrel which was completely shot out. I returned it to the seller. If I could do it again I would take that sucker back in a heart beat and have it re-barreled. Take your rifle and after looking it over for cursory safety reasons, test fire to see if it cycles well, ejects well, and ejects the clips well, after holding them for 8 shots like its supposed to. If all this is a go, simply look to upgrade smaller parts and the stock. You will still end up with a hell of a rifle. M1's are a hell of a gun.
 
I talked to the CMP and they are going to exchange the rifle. I'm dropping the extra coin for a service grade which is what I should have done in the first place. I don't want to use up my spare parts on this one.
 
I have two field grade Dane returns that were really nice
but they were handpicked by me. For a decent field grade
go get the apple from the tree.
 
Mail order purchases are luck of the draw. The only way to make sure of what you are getting is to go to the store.

I bought two field grades and am satisfied. The first had an okay stock with cartouche and metal with features that could be collectable but as of my last attempt at the range I was only able to get about 4" groups--all as advertised. On the other hand the groups may be partly due to my learning curve as a new to rifles shooter.

The second was supposed to be parts for the first. It came with a crappy stock and less collectable parts, but keeps them in about 2" at 100 yards even with this aged eyes novice at the helm.
 
Garands don't have bluing. They are parkerized. That said, I wouldn't purchase a field through the mail. Some have been really nice, others not so much. I would go to the store to pick a field and definitely go service if I had to purchase one through the mail. Understand that they are gauged on a range. There are fields that are a step below service and there are fields that are a step above rack grade. It just depends. You got one on the bottom of that range.
 
I talked to the CMP and they are going to exchange the rifle. I'm dropping the extra coin for a service grade which is what I should have done in the first place. I don't want to use up my spare parts on this one.
Click to expand...

i would bet that since they know you were not too happy, and are upgrading, that they will hand pick your service grade.

i drove to alabama and hand picked my two service grades
 
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