New barrel for M1

[litman252]

I'm getting ready to order a M1 from the CMP. I'm considering the rack grade for $350 and the field grade for $395.

I'm wondering if it would be worth saving the $45 and shooting it, for fun no competition then rebarreling it later.

How much does it run for a new surplus barrel and installation???

What is the accuracy of the diffrent grades and one with a new barrell?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Tony

 

[Hawken50]

field vs. service grade debate here. might find it useful. i think most people say it's worth the $45 to upgrade to field grade. it's what i plan to do, but i've been wrong before...once.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=159613&highlight=cmp+grade

 

[DMK]

I say save the money and put it towards a new barrel. I had a Service grade and it didn't shoot well at all so I ended up rebarreling it anyway along with new wood while I was at it. I should have bought the Rack Grade to begin with.

 

[jefnvk]

I'd go field myself. This after looking at hundreds of examples of both, the fields are generally in much better condition (barrelwise) than the racks.

If you plan to rebarrel relatively soon, go for the rack.

 

[Dienekes]

As a general thing a barrel with less muzzle wear is better. Throat erosion isn't nearly as crucial. The better barrel will give you more rounds downrange before you have to rebarrel which stretches out the timeline--like getting more mileage out of a set of tires.

CMP sells Criterion standard barrels for $175 last time I looked. I installed my own but then that's me. Check with Fulton Armory as to their cost for installing it. $150 sounds ball park.

M1s tend to get in your blood, but they cost some money to run. Culver's Shooting Pages over at www.jouster.com is the place to go learn about them and get really good info. CMP sends a nice booklet with the ones they sell.

My favorite M1 was a woodless one for $275 a few years ago. I have nickel-and-dimed it along to where it performs beautifully--I actually prefer shooting it to the M1A most days.

 

[Tom C.]

You may be surprised how well the original barrel shoots. I got my CMP M-1 about 20 yrs. ago. It didn't shoot particularly well until I had it match accurized. Then that original barrel shoot very well in deed.

 

[30Cal]

Lots of variables in M1 accuracy. Condition of the crown and stock fit are huge, but the fit of the oprod, gas cyl and handguards can also be big items. FWIW, I had to rebarrel and M1 a couple years back. The barrel (used service grade USGI) set me back $80, and I had a friend install and headspace it for a case of beer.

Ty