Garand Owners, Mail Order or North Store Visit?

[amprecon]

For those who've bought their Garands from CMP, how many of you have made the trip to the North Store in Port Clinton, OH and was it worth it? For the mail order people was your experience good or do you wish you would've made the trip instead?
Also, which would be the better buy, a US Service grade for $500 or the Greek Service grade for $450?
It'd be about an 11 hour trip for me one way.

 

[Steve in PA]

I got my Garand from the CMP through the mail, and I would do it again. I got a SA/SG, ser #2,728,xxx in great shape.

Actually I will do it again, as I want to get one of the Greek Rack Grades for $295.00 after the first of the year.

I live on the eastern side of PA, so although I would love to make the trip, I don't have the time or want to waste money on gas.......when I can be buying ammo

If, I find myself with a day to burn, I will eventually make the trip.

 

[jefnvk]

I can't speak as a Garand Owner, but I do know that this December, I will be making the trip to the North Store, over Christmas Break. I'll decide what I want when I get there (can never bring myself to buy a milsurp gun I have never seen)

 

[iamkris]

I got my Garand (SA Service Grade) via the mail and was pleasantly surprised. It is SN 19XXX which puts it manf in 1939. The wood is pleanty beat up but the metal is nice. It shoots reasonably well also.

http://home.comcast.net/~krisnkelley/Me_with_Garand.JPG

I stopped by the North Shore store on my way from Chicago to PA this summer and bought an 03A3. After that experience, I highly recommend actaully going there.

**The guys who work there are a treat and will spend a lot of time with you answering technical or historical questions
** They will give you ME guages and let you walk around as long as you want comparing rifles
** It's an experience just seeing THAT MANY Garands, 03's and P17s in one spot

The Garands I saw on the same rack varied from "wow what a deal" to "holy crap, I'm sure she has a nice personality but she is fugly". It's worth the trip IMO.

 

[Sunray]

"...I will be making the trip to the North Store, over Christmas Break..." Check their holiday hours before you go. It'd be really sad if you got there and found them closed for the holidays.

 

[VG]

My experience is that the U.S. Service Grades are always well worth the money and sometimes amazing for the $$. For $50 difference that's what I'd get. I haven't ordered a Greek rifle but some are really nice and some are not as nice. American Birch or Walnut stocks are nicer than any others, and the US rifles take minimal cleanup.

Hunting through the racks can get you a Rack Grade that's better than average, or a particular serial number or manufacturer you might want.

A lot of guys wish it was still luck-of-the-draw (manufacturer), because sometimes you got a rifle that you didn't know you wanted, but was really nice.

 

[Swampy]

amprecon,

Be sure to call the CMP North Store before you go.... as stated earlier, they may be closed part of the holiday season.

ALSO... latest reports say that the CMP North Store's inventory of M1's is way down to minimal levels (i.e. all the nice ones are picked and gone) and they are not expecting a shipment from Anniston until very late in December, if then.

Best to call ahead and see if the selection in the Racks will make it worth your while to do a long trip.

Personally speaking.... I've ordered all my M1's from the CMP "sight unseen" and been very happy with all of them. I live a 15 hour drive from the North Store and don't often have business in Ohio.

Best to all,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[Blackcloud6]

I've done it both ways and have received great guns with all. I live only 2 hours from the North Store so its an easy trip. But it is fun getting to pick your own.

 

[George S.]

For the dollar difference, I would go with the Spirngfield Service Grade or even the H&R. From what I have read, the Greek rifles usually have firewood for stocks even if the metal is in good shape. This may not be a big deal, but the USGI SG rifles typically have good barrels and make excellent shooters.

The North Store does have staff to help you in a selection and the best thing to do is to call ahead and find out what the best time would be to visit. Don't forget to have your paperwork with you!! The North Store has a Notary so that part can be done there.

The North Store keeps supplies of Garands in cases and brings rifles out to refill open holes in the racks so the store "display" is sort of dynamic. But you should be able to expect a nice rifle by mail if you go with a US SG. I was lucky and got a very nice Danish SG with a VAR barrel just before they ran out. The stock is not very good, but the barrel was almost new with measurements at both ends at .5. Best $425 I ever spent!! Well except for the $400 03A3 I just got that is US arsenal refurbished and the park has no wear marks at all in the receiver and the barrel looks brand new.

 

[amprecon]

Think that's what I'll do, mail order a US Service Grade, thanks for the input.

 

[Jason Demond]

I have made three trips to Camp Perry, and attended two shoots including the 2004 John C Garand match. I can say without a doubt, that a trip to Perry is well worth it.

I purchased three M1's at the North store, and they all had new barrels on them. It pays to pick your own. The last time I was down, they had just got in a bunch of the $295.00 Greek Rack Grades.
I run a gauge down the barrel of every single one, and found several that measured less than two.

I didn't buy any though, I bought another Service Grade instead. I am sure some people got real nice RG rifles though.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Agree that a trip to Perry is well worth it. Especially while there are $300 Greeks there. You have dozens to choose from, and the quality is all over the place. I lucked out and got a very nice $300 Garand last summer.

A $500 Service grade through the mail is still a great deal, but you have no control over anything other than TE and muzzle wear. Visiting the store, you can look for the year, wood, serial # range and overall "feel" you want.

And be sure to get at least one meal at the fast-food fish restaurant in Port Clinton -- I think it's called the Jolly Fisherman -- right by the strip of Hotels on the beach. A POUND of walleye for $14 (mmmmmmm walleye).

 

[308win]

Does anyone have the phone number for the North Store? I live a couple of hours away and might get the urge after the first of the year. I still have an itch for a good AK but a Garand might scratch it just as well.

 

[George S.]

It's (419)635-2141 at Camp Perry. They were closed over the Thanksgiving holiday but should be open this coming week.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Virtually all my Garands are CMP and delivered by the USPS. I'm a happy camper.