Ordering a Garand from the CMP

[Jmurman]

I have just received the CMP catalog and yesterday got my membership letter from the Garand Collectors ASssoc. I gues that I am ready to start the ordering process for my Garand.

This is my first Garand and I have some questions. First of all, there are two manufacturers listed H&R and Sprinfield. The price difference is $25. Which one to choose? Second, about how long does this take? I am going to the bank next week to get my DD214 and license notarized. Also CMP lists Federal 150 gr ammo for 197 for 500 rounds, is this a good deal or should I buy some surplus ammo on Gunbroker or Ebay?

I definately will get a Garand book, what will I need in regards to cleaning and maintenance?

One other thing. When I got my membership letter from Garand Collectors they also sent me a sheet for the technical measurements on my Garand. Do I send this sheet to CMP when I place my order? I dont understand what this sheet is for.

Thanks!

 

[VG]

You'll really enjoy your Garand. For a first rifle, I'd go with the SA as parts are much more readily available. While my HRA is my best shooter at the moment, trying to "restore" one to all HRA can be expensive.

There is an excellent thread below on Garand ammo. The CMP ammo is their own load, from Federal. But it chronos very much like Federal American Eagle, which can be purchased for less than $8 per box of 20. I've purchased it mail order from Natchezss.

The CMP has an on-line section on Garand assembly/dissaembly that is better than any book. "The book of the Garand" has the best history. Scott Duff's book have the best info on what parts are correct for a particular rifle.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

I think the spec sheet from GCA is something you can fill in with information AFTER you get your rifle, then send the sheet back to GCA for their data collection. In other words, you don't need it to get a rifle.

All you need from GCA to send to CMP is the proof of membership. And GCA can send that for you, if you checked the right box on the membership application.

The only thing that needs notarizing is the Purchaser Agreement and Certification form that you download from the CMP site (or pull from the catalog?). The DD214 can be a simple xerox copy, no notary necessary.

I'd probably spend the $25 and get the H&R, just because they're a little unusual. But, Springfield was the "mother" armory for these things, so that is also a good choice. With all the variables on the rifles' condition, there's no way to tell which will shoot better.

Regards.

 

[FPrice]

My experience with HRA M-1s is that they generally seem to be in better condition and have more of the bigger parts (especially the barrel) being HRA and original. If you get a late serial number HRA they seem to have been shot very little so they still have the original barrel. But this is based on a small number of observations.

Of course my first CMP M-1 was a Springfield Armory with a serial number in the 26,xxx range. THAT is a keeper.

 

[Poodleshooter]

If you're getting a service or rack grade Springfield or HRA, expect a wait from 4-6 weeks. If you're trying to get a Danish rack grade, maybe 2 months. God help you if you're waiting for a Danish service grade. Mine took 5 months.
Personally, I'd just get the Springfield unless you're buying it as a collector.
What's the Garand technical information sheet? I'm an NRA club member so I didn't have to join the GCA.

 

[Steve in PA]

NRA membership doesn't qualify as a CMP Orginization (page 10 from their catalog)

The sheet is for you to keep or copy and send to them. I still have mine sittig on my desk somewhere.

When I ordered and got my SA/SG earlier this year, it took about 2 weeks??? They may be back logged now.

 

[varoadking]

(edited)

 

[4v50 Gary]

The Garand collector data sheet is for the Garand Collectors' Association to build their data base & is not related to the Government (or govt. record keeping). This data base is important to help determine "authenticity" of guns. Don't swap out parts once you get the rifle or if you do, keep the originals so you can restore it to the configuration it was in when received from ODCMP.

By the way, one Garand is never enough.

 

[Jmurman]

so you are saying that I should fill this out to the best of my ability? I mean, I have no way of knowing or measuring the TE or ME...should I send this back to GCA?

 

[larryw]

Steve, you're right, NRA membership doesn't qualify, but membership in an NRA affiliated club does. I think that's what PoodleShooter means.

 

[Steve in PA]

10-4, Roger.....Wilco......

 

[VG]

so you are saying that I should fill this out to the best of my ability? I mean, I have no way of knowing or measuring the TE or ME...should I send this back to GCA?

You can guesstimate the muzzle if you have USGI M2 - stick it in the muzzle and measure the distance to the cartridge.

If you go to any rifle matches, ask around. I always bring my T.E. gage. Muzzle condition is more important for accuracy, but T.E. does impact price. In my experience many of the gun show "bargains" have T.E.'s of 7+ . I've never gotten a CMP rifle with more than a little over 3. After shooting over 1,000 rounds through it, it's still almost the same. One Dane VAR I got was a 1+. But remember, the muzzle is more important and your CMP rifle will be a good shooter.

 

[Poodleshooter]

so you are saying that I should fill this out to the best of my ability? I mean, I have no way of knowing or measuring the TE or ME...should I send this back to GCA?

You shouldn't have to mic it yourself.
Did you get a little manila tag tied to your garand? It should have 'TE' and 'ME' and two numbers on it indicating those values as calculated by the CMP.

 

[Atlas Shrug]

A couple of quick points.

1. An NRA affiliated club membership is not adequate. The club must be CMP affiliated.

2. Many recent rifles from CMP don't have TE or ME on the tag. From my experiences and what I've heard of late, it's usually just the grade.

There's a gent who started making low cost ($45) combo TE/ME gages. I got one and it's good for basic comparisons.

See www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/garand/garand.pl for the full picture. The guys there know their stuff.

 

[Erik Jensen]

wow! I had no idea that all I had to do was join an association! I've been trying to find matches to join to qualify to buy from the CMP. I wasn't really sure how to qualify, and I'm not really comfortable enough with my 91/30 to compete.. well, I know where I'm sending a check to on friday...

 

[another okie]

IPSC qualifies. Join, shoot one match, send in the results, you're good to go.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Beretta,

In addition to joining a club or assn, there is a shooting requirement. You need to shoot a qualifying course or competition. Shooting badly with a Mosin will work. In most competitions, most of the folks are friendly, and they don't care how bad you shoot. Things they care about: 1. Safety, 2. Rhythm (watch a match first to see when to do what, so you don't slow down the process), 3. Target selection (shoot your own paper, not your neighbor's).

You don't need to shoot if you're a veteran (with form DD214) or active service, or a current or former law enforcement officer, or you're above a certain age, I think 65.

The shooting competition is not a big pain, it's actually fun. Some of us do it even when we don't have to.

Regards.

 

[Erik Jensen]

well, I plan on doing it anyway, I just didn't have a rifle until a month ago. I had actually wanted a Garand for my first rifle, but couldn't figure out how to get one. (can't shoot a match without a rifle, but need to shoot a match to qualify to buy one. ) I'll have to look around here. i don't know of any places that have competitions that aren't private clubs.

 

[Poodleshooter]

http://www.odcmp.com/Clubs/List.htm

These are all the eligible clubs.. Some of them may allow you to shoot matches before becoming a member of the club. My club is on the list, but allows non-members to shoot.
So, one route is to find a club that lets you shoot a competition, then join GCA. Probably the cheapest route if you don't need a club to shoot at.

 

[Jmurman]

I did it yesterday

I FINALLY was able to order my Garand from CMP yesterday. I ordered a Springfield Service Grade.

Any idea on how long the process takes? I would like to have this by Christmas.

 

[VG]

well, I plan on doing it anyway, I just didn't have a rifle until a month ago. I had actually wanted a Garand for my first rifle, but couldn't figure out how to get one. (can't shoot a match without a rifle, but need to shoot a match to qualify to buy one

Look at the CMP events list for CMP matches. CMP sends rifles to clubs so that they can provided them to shooters who don't have their own. In most CMP events, as many as half the shooters are using club rifles. They will give you a briefing on how the rifle (AR or Garand) works, and often provide a spotter or coach. You need nothing but a few bucks.

Remember, it's the Civilian Marksmanship Program, They want you to start shooting service rifles. Many clubs charge $15 or $20 - less than the present day cost of the ammo. One club I belong to, Reading Rifle, lets juniors (under 18 or 21, not sure) shoot for free.

I go to CMP matches whenever I can. I love to coach new shooters, especially when they outshoot all the other new shooters! Everyone is really friendly, you'll have a great time!

 

[RustyHammer]

You should have it in plenty of time for Christmas. Maybe Santa will bring you a couple cases of ammo on his way back from Denmark too!

 

[iamkris]

Hey, I ordered a SA SG! That one's mine!

 

[Jmurman]

You should have it in plenty of time for Christmas. Maybe Santa will bring you a couple cases of ammo on his way back from Denmark too!

Only if I'm nice. If I'm naughty I'll have to buy my own!