M1 Buying Advice

[Triumph]

308?

Does anyone have any advice on the RM1308SPECIAL - The 308 Version?

I realize the 30-06 is the traditional round. Just curious.

 

[Fishbed77]

1. Did Fishbed77 receive the RM1SASSP ($950) or very close to it, when he ordered the RM1SAS ($625)? I have having a hard time distinguishing the difference. Please educate me.

No. I ordered a RM1SAS for $625 and that's exactly what I got, albeit one that was in as excellent a condition as I could have hoped for. Note the "G-3" on the armorer's tag that was included with my rifle - that's internal CMP code for Service Grade.

Some Service Grade rifles may come with USGI birch stocks, USGI walnut stocks, new CMP birch stocks, or new CMP walnut. Mine came with new CMP walnut (along with many others in the summer of 2012, though I'm not sure if it's as common now).

If you want something specific, it never hurts to ask. I attached a Post-it to my order form asking for a WW2 receiver and USGI walnut, and added a small donation to the CMP with my order (it never hurts to grease the wheels!). I received a 1944 receiver and beautiful new walnut. As you can imagine, I was very pleased! The photos I posted above are after I cleaned the cosmoline from the rifle and applied about 5 coats of pure tung oil to the stock.

Note that the CMP descriptions are the minimum condition for a rifle in that grade. It's a good chance a rifle received via mail order will be nicer than the minimum description. Expect the worst for that grade and quietly hope for better. You will not be dissapointed!

 

[Triumph]

Quote:
1. Did Fishbed77 receive the RM1SASSP ($950) or very close to it, when he ordered the RM1SAS ($625)? I have having a hard time distinguishing the difference. Please educate me.

Fishbed77 - do you see any advantages of the RM1SASSP over the one
you ordered?

Also, thanks for your idea as I also want a Walnut stock.

 

[Triumph]

Fishbed77 - Also, may be a silly question but you
wanted the WWII receiver for history sake?

 

[Fishbed77]

Fishbed77 - do you see any advantages of the RM1SASSP over the one
you ordered?

I can't say. I've never handled one of the CMP "RM1SASSP" rifles. The description says

"M1 Garand, Service Grade Springfield Special.
allow 30-60 days for delivery.
SA collector grade metal in excellent almost new condition. Walnut stocks and handguards and associated hardware are new manufacture. NOT original SA manufacture."

It sounds like ordering an RM1SASSP rifle is a way of guaranteeing a new stock and an like-new parkerized finish on the steel. I will say the steel on my rifle looks extremely good - probably 97%+, and it is all Springfield. That said the finish isn't all perfectly matching - the parkerization of the reciver is the greenish color used on WWII rifles, while the park of the 1954 barrel is the dark grey color used later on.

Whether the steel on the RM1SASSP is newly refinished or not, or if the steel parts are all original to that rifle, I don't know. I suggest you browse the Garand forum at the CMP website. Those guys will be glad to answer any question you have.

http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=7

Fishbed77 - Also, may be a silly question but you
wanted the WWII receiver for history sake?

I just prefered to have a WWII receiver for its history - some folks prefer those from the Korean War era for their history (and the fact that later rifles are more likely to incorporate all the small product improvements that came during the Garand's service life). I would have been happy with either. Some folks get real exicited about some of the rebuilds that show up from time-to-time (for example the "O-66" USMC rebuilds). There isn't a big value difference between the run-of-the-mill service grade rifles - they are all worth something to someone, and they all have their own history.

 

[Reloadron]

reloadron, when I was buying my replacement stock for my garand, I talked to and bought from dupage trading co. The guy there told me that he supplied stocks to cmp, not boyds. That my be irrelevent, it may be incorrect, but that's what he told me. Either way, it was a nice stock.

No, no, that is great and good to know. I wasn't real sure on that. Whenever I may post bad or suspect dope please do clue me in. All my dealings with CMP were many years ago under the old DCM program so I am far from current beyond what I see members posting.

Thanks
Ron

 

[Litefoot]

This is a great thread with lots of good information. Let me just reassure anyone purchasing a Service Grade that you're getting a good rifle. I even asked specifically for at least a 5XXXXXX (Korean era) Springfield M1 and that's exactly what I got. I did have a small issue with the rifle that could not have been detected without firing it. I called and got a replacement part within 3 days. I've had few gun transactions more exciting than having a M1 Garand delivered to my doorstep in a big brown truck.

 

[Fishbed77]

I did have a small issue with the rifle that could not have been detected without firing it. I called and got a replacement part within 3 days.

CMP cutomer service is the best there is, bar none.

On my CMP Garand, I noticed a small crack or indention on the inside face of the gas plug. The parkerization extended into the crack, meaning it was probably made that way almost 70 years ago and was just fine.

Nonetheless, I shot an e-mail to CMP customer service, received a reply the same day, and 2 days later a new gas plug arrived in the mail.

 

[vtail]

For my first M1, I would rather have a historical rifle as opposed to a pretty rifle, so I've decided to go with a Service Grade rifle.

But which one should I go with, the SA or the HRA? Which one would I be more likely to get a WWII era rifle if I requested that?

 

[USSR]

For my first M1, I would rather have a historical rifle as opposed to a pretty rifle, so I've decided to go with a Service Grade rifle.

But which one should I go with, the SA or the HRA? Which one would I be more likely to get a WWII era rifle if I requested that?

Since HRA did not make Garands during WWII, that eliminates the HRA.

Don

 

[Triumph]

[vtail For my first M1, I would rather have a historical rifle as opposed to a pretty rifle, so I've decided to go with a Service Grade rifle./QUOTE]

Only thing is you will probably get a new Walnut stock. As
I understand it Service Grade original USGI Walnut is gone.

 

[vtail]

[vtail For my first M1, I would rather have a historical rifle as opposed to a pretty rifle, so I've decided to go with a Service Grade rifle./QUOTE]

Only thing is you will probably get a new Walnut stock. As
I understand it Service Grade original USGI Walnut is gone.

Couldn't decide which way to go, so I went with one Service Grade SA and one Service Grade SA Special as I know I'll eventually get one of each anyway.

Now to try to find some ammo that will decent enough to reload. Any ideas?

 

[Triumph]

I don't reload - although I may start.

Sent you a PM

 

[rondog]

Buy one! And buy it soon! Before they're outlawed or the antis get the CMP shut down. Get ammo too, as much as you can.

 

[Triumph]

Vtail - check for PM

 

[cfullgraf]

Does anyone have any advice on the RM1308SPECIAL - The 308 Version?

I realize the 30-06 is the traditional round. Just curious.

I have the 308W Special but have not shot it yet. Looks like a Garand. I want to oil the stock before shooting it and have not gotten around to it.

I expect it to shoot as well as the 30-06 Special that I have.

To reiterate, the CMP Specials are refurbish/reparkerized Garands with new production barrels and Stocks. These could be any vintage but remember, the HRA are only post Korean war era.

The Service Grade Specials are essentially new, unused rifles with new production stocks. These are only post Korean war vintage.

The Service Grades are rifles in good condition as per the description but do show some use. They may have new production stocks on them. They could be any vintage but remember, HRA are only post Korean war era.

 

[cfullgraf]

vtail For my first M1, I would rather have a historical rifle as opposed to a pretty rifle, so I've decided to go with a Service Grade rifle.

Only thing is you will probably get a new Walnut stock. As
I understand it Service Grade original USGI Walnut is gone.

If you want a WWII era Springfield, request a serial number 3.5 million or less as opposed to requesting "a WWII rifle".

You still may not get one as the rifles are chosen by "the luck of the draw", but it is less thought for the folks picking your rifle from the stocks. There may be a WWII next in line to pick.

There is lots of differing opinions on whether "stickies" requesting certain features work or not. I have had good luck, but my one or two requests have been simple. I would have been pleased either way.

 

[Triumph]

Service Grade
-----
RM1SAS
M1 Garand, SA (Springfield) Service Grade
Please allow 60-90 days for delivery
*See above for grade description
$625 Effective 1-3-2012
S&H $24.95 per rifle
-----
RM1HRAS
M1 Garand, HRA (Harrington & Richardson)
Service Grade
Please allow 60-90 days for delivery
*See above for grade description
$625 Effective 1-3-2012
S&H $24.95 per rifle
-----
RM1HRASSP
M1 Garand, Service Grade HRA (Harrington & Richardson) Special.
Allow 30-60 days for delivery.
HRA collector grade metal in excellent almost new condition. Walnut stocks and handguards and associated hardware are new manufacture. NOT original HRA manufacture.
$950 Effective 1-3-2012
S&H $24.95 per rifle
------
RM1SASSP
M1 Garand, Service Grade Springfield Special.
allow 30-60 days for delivery.
SA collector grade metal in excellent almost new condition. Walnut stocks and handguards and associated hardware are new manufacture. NOT original SA manufacture.
$950 Effective 1-3-2012
---------------------------------------

Special Grade M1 Garand

RM1SPECIAL

M1 Garand, CMP Special (.30-06)
Allow 30-60 days for delivery.
M1 Garand Springfield Armory receiver. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture.

$995
S&H $24.95 per rifle
---------
RM1308SPECIAL

M1 Garand, CMP Special (.308)
Allow 30-60 days for delivery.
M1 Garand Springfield Armory receiver. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture. A .308 spacer block is installed to prevent the loading of a .30-06 round into the chamber.

$995
S&H $24.95 per rifle

Unless I am missing something the H & R receivers
are designated by "HRA" in the order number. The others
(above) are all Springfjeld receivers.

Correct?

 

[Reloadron]

Triumph, that would be correct. If you order for example a Service Grade RM1HRAS rifle you will get a Harrington and Richardson receiver which will obviously be post WWII. However, there is also a small caveat in that:

Manufacturer selection only guarantees the receiver was produced by the manufacturer listed. The barrel and the other parts may have been produced by other manufacturers.

So what you have is an H&R receiver, all the remaining parts could be H&R, IHC, or SA.

For the most part this really matters not as most of these rifles are bought as shooters and that is what they do well.

Ron

 

[Triumph]

Got it - Thanks for clarifying.

My CMP paperwork is on the porch in a FedEx envelope waiting to be picked up.

Can't wait!!!

 

[Reloadron]

Got it - Thanks for clarifying.

My CMP paperwork is on the porch in a FedEx envelope waiting to be picked up.

Can't wait!!!

Enjoy your new rifle!

Ron

 

[Triumph]

Thanks - probably the full 90 days right
now. I'm sure they are busy.

 

[vtail]

If you want a WWII era Springfield, request a serial number 3.5 million or less as opposed to requesting "a WWII rifle".

You still may not get one as the rifles are chosen by "the luck of the draw", but it is less thought for the folks picking your rifle from the stocks. There may be a WWII next in line to pick.

There is lots of differing opinions on whether "stickies" requesting certain features work or not. I have had good luck, but my one or two requests have been simple. I would have been pleased either way.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[cfullgraf]

Got it - Thanks for clarifying.

My CMP paperwork is on the porch in a FedEx envelope waiting to be picked up.

Can't wait!!!

Enjoy your rifle.

To add, most Garands have been through at least one arsenal overhaul, particularly WWII era rifles. That is the reason the parts, in general, are not correct for the date of the receiver, and for the statement about the other parts not necessarily matching the manufacturer of the receiver.

One of the games many Garand collectors do is scout around for parts made during the same period as their serial number and create a "correct" Garand from them.

Bruce Canfield's and Scott Duff's books on the Garand make for interesting reading and have lots of information on the different parts and revision numbers associated with the various design changes made throughout the life of the Garand.

 

[cfullgraf]

Unless I am missing something the H & R receivers
are designated by "HRA" in the order number. The others
(above) are all Springfjeld receivers.

Correct?

HRA = Harrington and Richardson.

Also, other Garand manufacturers

SA = Springfield Arsenal
WRA = Winchester Repeating Arms
IHC = International Harvester