SOG Out of M1 Carbines

[Keith1863]

So now that SOG has sold out of M1 Carbines and I missed my opportunity to get one of those, can anybody recommend a place (other than CMP) to get a good USGI M1? By good I mean service grade not rack grade.

I am willing to purchase a new barrel and put on it, just don't want something that has pitted metal or rust.

Thanks,
Keith

 

[1KPerDay]

What's wrong with the CMP?

 

[strat81]

I'll bite: what's wrong with the CMP?

 

[41magsnub]

He probably doesn't want to wait until the end of April to make an order.

 

[dmftoy1]

If you don't want to buy from CMP you can go to pretty much any gunshow and pick up a CMP rifle. (of course you'll pay an extra $200 for it.)

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[chestnut ridge]

The rifles from the CMP are a better value. They are not import
marked. Do not be put off by the "rack" grade description.
My rack grades have been most acceptable; with bright, shiny
bores and little wear at the muzzle. Often finish wear seems to
be the grading criterion.
The CMP rifles have a certificate; and I believe will be much easier
to sell than an import marked rifle of uncertain origin.

 

[Eightball]

The CMP is.....kind of liberal in their description of pitting on their rifles. Let me dredge up some links to pictures of my CMP carbine....

EDIT:Aha, found 'em. As you can see.....no pitting, no rust. There's a TON of cosmoline on some parts (near the action), but that was about it. Yes, I'm including close ups of the action for you. This thing was the first Inland batch; "bad looking" ones were less than 10% of what was in the racks at the north store.

 

[Keith1863]

Wow, maybe I will give the CMP carbines a second look. I was scared off by the rack grade description. If I get anything half as good as those pics I will be happier than a pig in...

 

[dmftoy1]

My experience has been that CMP deliberately paints "worst case" scenarios to avoid having people bellyache. The last round of Winchester SG carbines they said were "mixmasters". Well mine came in and had Winchester Receiver, Winchester Barrel, Winchester Bolt, and winchester trigger group. The front and rear sights were inland and the stock was FAT. I was tickled pink. (and I'm not the only one who got that type of rifle . . .not by a long shot) They DO have to give that type of description though so that the guy that gets a Winnie receiver with an Inland barrel and a rockola something else doesn't throw a hissy fit. (If you want to see hissy fits read the carbine forum over at http://www.odcmp.com )

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[41magsnub]

Just know the CMP is a bit of a lottery. Don't come back belly aching if your rack grade meets what one would think a rack grade is. It is total luck of the draw. You hear bad stories as well where the rifle received is rougher looking than expected, even in a service grade. There are also good stories where the person ordered a rack grade and got something that looks like it just came off the assembly line. Not trying to put you off, but it is sort of like buying a used car sight unseen. Hope you get a good one!

If feasible you might try to visit one of the stores and get the gun that way if you are worried, at least you can pick and choose to some extent.