CMP Garand?

[heypete]

My buddy just forwarded me an email from the CMP that stated that USGI-only (i.e. never loaned to another country) Garands are pretty much out of stock and they are not expecting a resupply. Greek HRA rifles are also running low.

They have plenty of Greek Springfield Armory ones, which is a plus. I'm looking at purchasing one of them, but I recently lost my job. No big deal, as I've got another paycheck coming in from the last few weeks of work, I've got some income from a small business I run (see my username + .com), etc. I could afford the Garand now...but it'd be on the plastic, which would take a few weeks to pay off.

Not a huge problem, but I'd rather have a few bucks on the Visa card and a Garand in my safe than missing out on getting a decent one before they're all gone.

Thoughts? Opinions?

For reference, I have all the forms filled out, notarized, etc. They're in a sealed, addressed, and stamped envelope ready to go. All I need to do is stick it in the mail and I'm good to go...

 

[jefnvk]

I seen that e-mail too. There are USGI field and racks left, it is the service grades that are gone. But I wouldn't wait too long on it. The only problem with the Greeks is that they were allowed to 'decorate' their stocks with carvings and tacks But those are in the minority, most of them are just as good as the USGI ones.

Stick with service and field grade for a shooter, you may get lucky with a rack, but most likely not.

 

[30Cal]

The Service Grade USGI rifles are in low supply and they have a long backlog. You can still get Field Grade USGI rifles no problem and they will probably be that way for a while.

 

[heypete]

Hmm. I'm not terribly worried about the Garand being a collectible rifle -- rather, I enjoy shooting my rifles and am not looking for a "safe queen".

A Greek service grade would be perfectly adequate for my needs. I have a friend who recently got one, and the stock looked incredibly ratty. A bit of steaming (he kept the cartouches, but steamed out dents and dings) and some tung oil later, and the rifle looks gorgeous. It, of course, functions perfectly as well, though it was short-stroking on some ammo of questionable quality.

If I get one with a particularly bad stock, I can always buy a new stock from Midway or some other source, finish it properly, and have a rifle that looks brand new.

 

[ocabj]

Heypete:

If you want a rifle to shoot, then get the Service Grade HRA. If you get an order into the CMP in the next couple weeks, you should be able to get one of the last ones.

HRA's are argueably better than SAs as far as manufacture and are rarer. And you also have a good chance of getting an HRA with an LMR barrel (which are considered the best of the military barrels) since a good number of Greek HRA returns are being received with LMR barrels.

Anyway, a Service Grade will give you a rifle with a barrel that will last you several thousand rounds, which is gives you a long time to save up for a rebuild when the time comes.

 

[johnrobe]

IMO, the post-WWII Springfields are every bit the equal of HRA M1's in quality. I have one of each, both in Service Grade. Greek Springfield Service Grades will be around for a while, if you prefer not to go into debt. However, the HRA will be worth more on the collector market and the value will start climbing as soon as the CMP sells out. Be aware though, that once you buy the first M1, coming down with a case of Garanditis is all but assured, and you'll want to buy another, and another, and another.

 

[Commissar Gribb]

I may have garanditis

and AKitis

and FNitis

and AR15itis...