Which CMP Grade Garand?

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InkEd

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I am toying with the idea of getting a Garand later this year. It seems the CMP is the best source for them at somewhat reasonable prices. While reviewing their website I noticed the different grades available. I have decided to buy either a Service grade, Correct grade or CMP Special grade.

The Service grade seems like a "decent" parts-kit type gun that would work pretty well. (However, I would really like as close to a NIB rifle as possible.)

My main questions are about the latter two grades of rifle.

First, I would like to know if the Correct grade is worth the extra money over the Service grade or is it about the same but just with matching serial numbers?

Second, if the Correct grade is significantly better than the Service grade; how about the CMP Special grade over the Correct grade?

What grades do you guys own? Do you wish you paid the extra for a higher grade? Please feel free to describe (or show pics!) of the rifles, so I can better judge the actual condition of the rifles.

Lastly, FWIW I'm not into having to re-finish wood, remove rust or any other reconditioning work on my own. Please keep this in mind before making your suggestion for me. (It doesn't have to be perfect BUT it needs to be pretty darn nice.) Thank you for the help.
 
I bought a Service grade M1 from the CMP in August of last year. It has a Sept 1943 dated Springfield receiver and HRA bolt, op rod, and Jan 1953 barrel. It does have a later Greek replacement stock (from the metal finish, my rifle is clearly a Greek return). The TE is 3 and the ME is 2 which I believe is about on par with most Service grade CMP M1 Garands. So it's not exactly NIB but it's a decent shooter. I'm really happy with the rifle (I love the mix of WW2 history and decent shooting qualities of the later barrel). I can't speak to the qualities of the Special and Correct but maybe one day I'll add one to the collection but it simply wasn't in the budget for me (so I got a Service grade and a mess of ammo for the price of the Special grade). For what it's worth, I haven't found anything lacking in my Service grade, though it's certainly not a museum piece or NIB. I hope that helps a bit and someone else with the other grades can chip in with more information on them.
 
INK, Keep in mind yhese are 60 mplus year old rifles. Getting a new unissued (as in real) one is going to cost about 5K or more. Fire 1 round and it's now used.

Garands do not have serial numbers on the parts but the will have drawing numbers and who made it. Using the drawing number one can figure out about when it was built. I have seen some very nice service grades come out from the CMP. But it is a crap shoot. All of the CMP rifle stocks will have a few dings (remember the 60 year old + thing) The only ones that won't are the Special grades because they put new Boyds stock on them. The CMP is also running low on stocks and the service grade rifle you order might have a new stock already. (I had a Winchester come this way.) The Correct grades and Collector grades are better than the service grades generaly speaking for over all condition. The CMP will make things right if there is a problem with The rifles as they are graded and checked before sending one out. You will notice I did not reccomend any thing below a service grade. The lesser rifles are a good deal if you plan to re-barrel soon. I have a WWII Springer Field grade which is only about 2 parts away from being WWII correct. That was pure luck of the draw on my part when I picked it up from the north store.. I don't get all wrapped up in a few dents and dings on the stock. To me it adds to "if only this rifle could talk" IMHO

You can hand pick your own rifle if you go to the north or south store. IMHO. If you are real worried about the looks of the stock there is always Deans ......www.dgrguns.com
 
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I'm not worried about a few minor scratches BUT the "gives it character" or "if it could talk" mentality isn't my cup of tea. I want one because it was the rifle of WWII but I have my Grandpa's patches and stuff for the history and sentiment. I want a very nice rifle in good condition. Can somebody post close-up pics of their Service grade (or better) rifles.
 
i dont have pics to post but go to the cmp garand forum and there is a stickied picture thread. just google "cmp garand forum"

as for the quality of the rifle, i received my first garand from the cmp last weekend, and its in fantastic shape. i purchased a service grade along with 2 ammo cans full of surplus thirty aught. the muzzle and throat erosion measured at 1 and 2, respectively.

i shot it for the first time yesterday, and man, i've heard ppl talk about falling in love with a gun, but holy crap i now know it isnt just nonsense. i'm in trouble because i need to buy more ammo! its a splendid shooter, very fun to work the action, and your first "PING!" will be a treat.

youll have to detail strip the rifle upon receiving it, to clean off all the oil/cosmoline on the parts (mine barely had any cosmoline, and a new production unfinished stock) and inspect it, but thats all part of learning the dope of your rifle.

ill stop ranting. just go for it, bud
 
I thought the well shooting part was understood. I want it to shoot AND look good too.

What grade is the rifle shown in the pictures?

As of now, I am leaning toward either the Service Grade or CMP Special Grade. Those two choices seem to offer the most for the money.

Also, I noticed it takes 30-60 for orders to be processed. If I go to the Alabama store and pick my own rifle, can I take it home that day? (I am not an Alabama resident.) If not, would it just have to be shipped to my FFL?
 
mine is a correct grade and I am very satisfied. Just about any of em will shoot lights out.
 
its a service grade, and if you go to the alabama store you can take it home that day.

thats what i did with the one in the pics, and one other one too.
 
You can definitely find a service grade that will be a good shooter. They're likely to have a lot of mismatched parts but they'll work great. I'll try to post a picture of mine soon but I don't think I have on this computer. The Greek return rifles (I believe many of the rifles currently available are Greek returns) tend to have a darker finish...so more black metal as opposed to the grey parkerized. If you can make it to one of the stores, I highly recommend it...you'll enjoy it alot and you'll come out with a great rifle.
 
So, I can just take it home that day from the store. That is awesome! Do you have to pay Alabama sales tax?
 
i think service grade is the most popular. it will not have matching parts but will be in good condition for blasting. you dont need a pretty M1 unless you want to decorate your house.
 
In many cases, getting a Service Grade with all the correct parts is as easy as posting a thread on the CMP Forum as to what you have and need. My HRA Service Grade had all the correct parts except for a Springfield bolt, trigger group, and op rod. I found a guy in the same situation with HRA parts on his post-war Springfield, we did a swap, and now both of us have correct rifles.

Don
 
It will be between the Service or the Special grade. I may wait until there's time to make the drive to Alabama and hand pick one. Perhaps, I can get a few friends together and make a roadtrip out of it? (It's about 5.5 hours each way according to Google Maps.)
 
Buy a service grade, at the minimum. Even better, go to the north/south store and pick out one. The staff at these stores are really helpfun. Myself, I have a collector, select, and a service grade M1D. All are fine rifles....chris3
 
InkEd said:
So, I can just take it home that day from the store. That is awesome! Do you have to pay Alabama sales tax?
Click to expand...
If you take delivery there at the CMP store, you'll have to pay the Alabama sales tax, which I believe is about 9.5%. If you buy it there to be shipped FedEx Overnight to your home, it costs $21.95 shipping, and no Alabama sales tax.
 
Since I couldn't hand-pick my Garand, I ordered a Service Grade Springfield Special (RM1SASSP) and LOVE IT!

Recently, I visted the CMP North Store. I did not buy another Garand but if I could have I would have hand-picked a Service Grade. They had some nice ones at that price!

Whatever you decide, good luck!
 
if i was dead set on having one that looked like a new out of box rifle, there is really only 2 ways.

1. order the service grade special
2. go to alabama and pick out a service grade.

congrats on whichever you decide. you will love it.

p.s. i also failed to answer your question about are we happy with the grades we selected. my apoligies.

I AM THRILLED WITH THE GRADES (service grades) I SELECTED!!!!!! i realize its rude to yell, but im yelling with joy, lol.

ive bought lots of firearms, and these are by far my greatest purchasing/selecting achievements.
 
Given your criteria, FlyinBryan was right on with his last post in stating that you should either order the service grade special, or hand-pick a service grade in person.

In the photo below, the SA and IHC are service grades, the HRA is a rack grade, and the WRA was most likely a rack grade. They all shoot great with the exception of the IHC, which I have yet to fire.

Best of luck in whatever you choose!

all4b800stc.jpg
 
If a correct grade is in the budget, go for it. I purchased one a couple of years ago and there is a certain satisfaction in knowing it is factory correct. Over the long haul, the appreciation of a correct grade is likely higher than a service grade. Ten years from now you can have your money back with interest and enjoy the rifle as long as you have it.
 
If you can go to a store, that would be the best, like the others have said. Its really a neat experience, plus you can find that diamond in the rough :)
 
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