CMP Garands...

[Tim the student]

Doesn't the DD214 cover all requirements with CMP?

No, sorry.

Basically, the live fire portion can be completed by a LEO or a range master observing you, and filling out the form. For vets, the DD214 is that prrof of marksmanship. Usually, a hunter safety class is good too. CCW's are also acceptable, IIRC.

You can join many clubs online. VFW and AL are acceptable, and the GCA - all of which you can join online. The NRA is not acceptable, IIRC.

You also need proof of citizenship, which is not on my DD214, but if it has your citizenship on it (I think the form has changed a few times over the years) then you should be good.

You will also need to have a form notarized - and maybe the copies of your documents (I initially bought at the store).

To buy in the future, you do not need to send everything in again. Just maintain membership in a club, and have your notary paperwork up to date. No need to prove citizenship or marksmanship again.

If you are a veteran all you need to order a Garand from the CMP is a copy of your DD214, CMP Order form, and payment.

It wasn't that way for me whenever I have bought stuff from them. I still had to join a club. For AD I think all they need to do is be a citizen and send in the form and a copy of their ID. Otherwise, I'd love to see a link that says that is all veterans need to do.

Field Grades can be good, or they can be what is described, which is not so good, and a worst case scenario. I have one I am quite pleased with, but I hand picked it. I think you are much more likely to get a rifle you are pleased with by mail order if you get a Service Grade.

 

[Storm]

Sorry Spec Ops Grunt, I meant to direct my comment about being a veteran to the OP, Goon, who is a veteran.

As to field grade as a choice, I own two field grades but was able to check them out with gauges at the CMP in Anniston choosing from many. If I was acquiring them without being able to inspect them in person I would limit myself to service grades and higher.

My best advice is to chose a rifle for the steel and not the wood. A stock can be restored, refinished, or replaced. Personally, I like my stocks to suggest that the rifle had a history even if it is just a compilation of parts.

 

[as37692]

http://www.odcmp.com/faqs.htm

I’m in the U.S. military. Am I still required to belong to another affiliated club to meet the club requirement for the purchase of a rifle from the CMP?
No. The military services are special affiliates. A copy of your current/retiree military ID card serves to prove as membership in a CMP affiliated organization.

It's about half way down the page.

Right below that quote is this

Do I need to participate in another qualifying match?

Your application must include proof of firearms activity UNLESS you are in one the following categories:

Active duty military, Reserves and Retirees – Submit a copy of your military ID card.
Veterans – Submit a copy of your DD214 (discharge papers showing honorable discharge.
Age 60 or older – Submit proof of age.
Handicapped or disabled and cannot participate in a qualifying match - submit a physicians report with application.

I myself am not AD Army, I'm Army National Guard, and that is all I had to do to order.

 

[Tim the student]

Right, but that doesn't say that you don't have to join a club - it just takes care of the marksmanship portion of it. That is the way I read it at least (unless you are retired - then, you don't need to join a club). So if you get out after 3 years, without being retired, you still need to worry about the rest of the requirements.

ETA: So, to clarify, you didn't send in a DD214, since you were actively part of the military?

 

[as37692]

When I ordered my M1 Garand I sent in a copy of my military ID, a copy of my last DD214 (We get one every time we come off deployment in the Guard) as a second form showing service if needed, and then my CMP order paper work with notarized letter, and payment. I never had joined any type of club, or did anything more then what just listed here.


http://www.thecmp.org/eligibility.htm

Membership in CMP Affiliated Organization:
You must provide a copy of your current membership card or other proof of membership. This requirement cannot be waived. The CMP currently has over 2,000 affiliated organizations located in many parts of the country.

Membership in many of these organizations costs $25.00 or less and can be accomplished online. A listing of affiliated organizations can be found by clicking on our Club Search web page at http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/clubSearch.cgi. If you have any difficulty in locating a club, please contact the CMP at 256-835-8455 or by emailing CMP Customer Service. We will find one for you. In addition to shooting clubs, the CMP also has several special affiliates. Membership in these organizations satisfies our requirement for purchase. These special affiliates include: Congressionally chartered veterans' organizations such as the VFW, AL, DAV, MCL, etc. U.S. Military services (active or reserves), National Guard, to include retirees. Professional 501(c)3 law enforcement organizations and associations such as the FOP, NAPO, NSA, etc.

And I do digress, if you are not still in the service or honorably retire from the service then you will have to join a club to order.

 

[Golden-Eagle]

Storm is spot on regarding what to look for in a Garand. I was in Anniston last weekend and bought a Service Grade HRA with a muzzle 1+ and a throat erosion of 2. It came with a SA stock. I could not be happier with my rifle. The supply is much better than I expected. Go to the CMP website for all the correct forms. Good luck. Don't forget to get lots of ammo. It is only going to get harder to find for the M1.