Who here has a m1 garand from the CMP?
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loadedround
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I've purchased three M1's over the years thru the CMP program and all have been made by SA. I would consider both to be equal in quality, but bear in mind that all makes of CMP M1's have been rebuilt at least once or possibly more, so neither make will be a true SA or HRA rifle. If I were to visit either store, I would buy the best rifle I could find regardless of make. BTW, our club had at one time DCM/CMP issued Garands and half were HRA's, no one ever noticed any difference in proformance.
UKWildcats
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CMP Garands
I have one and I was just at Camp Perry looking at their rifles.
The brand of the Garand is who makes the receiver -- all the rest of the parts (op rod, barrel, trigger group, sights, etc) are all from a bin when they were repaired or rebuilt. While you might pay a premium for a certain brand receiver (Winchester) the rest of the parts generally are SA.
The H&R I received from CMP however is a late contract -- mid 50's -- it generally has all H&R parts since it never required repair/rebuild. It was not a war weapon and it is in more original condition. I chose H&R when I ordered since they only had a contract to build late in the Garand's life and therefore has all the improvements to the design throughout it life. This is the current belief if you want to shoot at Camp Perry that you get a late rifle from either SA or H&R to build on.
My other Garand is a 43 SA -- with original barrel and other original parts -- I need to take both out and determine if one is a better shooter than the other.
CMP does not grade by brand -- when they grade a rifles condition if does not matter who made it so a Service Grade in SA is generally the same as a Service Grade in Winchester -- however you will pay more for certain brands than others just because one is more desireable.
UK
I have one and I was just at Camp Perry looking at their rifles.
The brand of the Garand is who makes the receiver -- all the rest of the parts (op rod, barrel, trigger group, sights, etc) are all from a bin when they were repaired or rebuilt. While you might pay a premium for a certain brand receiver (Winchester) the rest of the parts generally are SA.
The H&R I received from CMP however is a late contract -- mid 50's -- it generally has all H&R parts since it never required repair/rebuild. It was not a war weapon and it is in more original condition. I chose H&R when I ordered since they only had a contract to build late in the Garand's life and therefore has all the improvements to the design throughout it life. This is the current belief if you want to shoot at Camp Perry that you get a late rifle from either SA or H&R to build on.
My other Garand is a 43 SA -- with original barrel and other original parts -- I need to take both out and determine if one is a better shooter than the other.
CMP does not grade by brand -- when they grade a rifles condition if does not matter who made it so a Service Grade in SA is generally the same as a Service Grade in Winchester -- however you will pay more for certain brands than others just because one is more desireable.
UK
joel.favre
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I have shot two Garands from the CMP, one late model (48 if I recall correctly) SA and one H&R. Both were excellent guns, and the only difference in accuracy between them I really attributed to the fact that one muzzle gauged significantly larger than the other. If you really want a shooter stick with the later models, since they include the most improvements, if you are collecting than that is an entirely different story.
az_imuth
Member
I have purchased several M1's through CMP over the years. The post-war rifles are nearly always more refined than the war-time rifles. Between the SA and HRA, either one should make a great rifle. If you're only getting one then I would make it a SA based soley on the history of Springfield Armory. I have several HRA's and they tend to be a bit inconsistent when it comes to the finish. A lot of them appear to have a "melted" look due to being over buffed/polished. However, I don't think there is a finer M1 made than a well-finished HRA. Unfortunately, you would have to drive to one of the CMP stores and hand select a good one since shipping is luck-of-the-draw.
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mgkdrgn
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Don't worry all that much about the "make", but rather choose the highest "grade" you can afford. The "make" only refers to the receiver ... the rest of the rifle will be a mix-master of parts from all over. (very nice and well working parts mind you)
Rest assured that by far the best "value" you can get in M1 Garands and Carbines is from the CMP.
Rest assured that by far the best "value" you can get in M1 Garands and Carbines is from the CMP.
CMP grades the rifles and "fit and finish" are part of the criteria so I don't think you're going to need to worry about manufacturer's fit and finish.
I have purchased two M1s from the CMP about 30 years apart. The first was before they even graded them, you just took what they sent. What I got was a brand new rifle with one tiny ding on the stock. I very foolishly sold it during a financial crisis.
The second one I got a year ago. Wanted nice more than historic so I bought the late HR as I heard these were in better shape. Well, almost. Mine arrived with very nice metal. About 95% finish. But the wood was horrible. Maybe the worst I have ever seen. I spent three days sanding and ironing out the gazillion dings and it looks better but not good. I am still tempted to buy a replacement stock but I hate to spend an additional $150 on a rifle that I bought as a plinker.
The second one I got a year ago. Wanted nice more than historic so I bought the late HR as I heard these were in better shape. Well, almost. Mine arrived with very nice metal. About 95% finish. But the wood was horrible. Maybe the worst I have ever seen. I spent three days sanding and ironing out the gazillion dings and it looks better but not good. I am still tempted to buy a replacement stock but I hate to spend an additional $150 on a rifle that I bought as a plinker.
Sport45
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Tim the student
Member
Order either. The SA may be a WW2 gun, the HRA will not be. The CMP grade descriptions are what each grade description will be at the minimum. The rifle you order will be at that, or nicer, regardless of the brand.
There were less HRA's made, if you care.
There were less HRA's made, if you care.
I bought mine at CMP at Perry last year. it was a complete rebuild. new this new that, everything but the receiver.
SA around 1943 i think was where the serial number came out to be. steel wooled and boiled linseeded it a half dozen times. Looks pretty nice.
SA around 1943 i think was where the serial number came out to be. steel wooled and boiled linseeded it a half dozen times. Looks pretty nice.
wleoff
Member
These are my three shooter Garands that I got from CMP. I use these at the range. I always bring an extra because of the attention that Garands always receive. The top two are Service Grade HRAs and the bottom one is a Field Grade 1943 SA. I'm about to make a trip to CMP to buy one of the Specials and another Correct Grade if available. I've also got a couple of Correct Grades in storage. Good luck.
The best way to get what you want is to drive to the CMP and pick out what you want.
I just did that, drove 700 miles to Camp Perry North and picked up a HRA Service Grade.
(Shooting Small bore prone at the National Matches was just an excuse to buy rifles!
)
Unless the rifle is correct grade, you will get something that has mixed parts. My rifle has a SA WWII operating rod, SA late production bolt, trigger group and stock. I suspect the HRA parts were switched out on the bench with a beat up but correct SA to keep the rifle from going out with all HRA parts.
If you want to have an all correct service grade rifle for $595, go to the CMP with a couple of buds. Buy rifles and swap out parts in the parking lot.
Stocks are getting rare at the CMP. The Greeks evidentally busted and broke a lot of stocks. That is why the CMP is selling virtually new late model rifles with new wood. You will pay extra for one of those ($895) , but these are the best bet for nice shooting M1 Garand.
The ones I picked up looked wonderful.
CMP ad:
M1 Garand, Service Grade HRA Special. $895
HRA collector grade metal in excellent almost new condition. Walnut stocks and handguards and associated hardware are new manufacture. NOT original HRA manufacture.
I just did that, drove 700 miles to Camp Perry North and picked up a HRA Service Grade.
(Shooting Small bore prone at the National Matches was just an excuse to buy rifles!
)Unless the rifle is correct grade, you will get something that has mixed parts. My rifle has a SA WWII operating rod, SA late production bolt, trigger group and stock. I suspect the HRA parts were switched out on the bench with a beat up but correct SA to keep the rifle from going out with all HRA parts.
If you want to have an all correct service grade rifle for $595, go to the CMP with a couple of buds. Buy rifles and swap out parts in the parking lot.
Stocks are getting rare at the CMP. The Greeks evidentally busted and broke a lot of stocks. That is why the CMP is selling virtually new late model rifles with new wood. You will pay extra for one of those ($895) , but these are the best bet for nice shooting M1 Garand.
The ones I picked up looked wonderful.
CMP ad:
M1 Garand, Service Grade HRA Special. $895
HRA collector grade metal in excellent almost new condition. Walnut stocks and handguards and associated hardware are new manufacture. NOT original HRA manufacture.
Going to one of the stores is out of the question, they are on the other side of the country for me. I was just wondering what would be a better rifle in general. I really cannot afford the $895 one, so service grade is what it will be. I can sand and stain if needed, I just do not want tons of rust or a rifle that does not shoot well.
Slug
Member
Definitely go for the plain ol' Service grade. For the money you won't be disappointed.
Springfield in the back (though its an HRA stock), HRA infront with a new repoduction Greek stock. Both service grades, both out of the box this year and nothing done to them. Other then the 1 coat of pure tung oil on the Springfield, how you see them is how I received them.
SA left, HRA right
SA Service grade (the stock is not 2 colors...the camera flash made it seem that way)
You really can't go wrong with either. If it were me, I'd probably buy another Springfield.
Springfield in the back (though its an HRA stock), HRA infront with a new repoduction Greek stock. Both service grades, both out of the box this year and nothing done to them. Other then the 1 coat of pure tung oil on the Springfield, how you see them is how I received them.
SA left, HRA right
SA Service grade (the stock is not 2 colors...the camera flash made it seem that way)
You really can't go wrong with either. If it were me, I'd probably buy another Springfield.
dirtymike1
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God, every time I see one of these threads it makes me want an M1 more and more. I guess I'll have to choose between getting a can or an M1 for my birthday this year 
iamkris
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Top 3 are CMP Garands. 2 SA Service Grades and 1 Special Grade.
Col. Plink
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Have a CMP hand-picked Rack Grade SA '56 ~6.5mil ser#; shoots like the dickens! Mechanically almost perfect. Drove from Austin to Anniston, AL to get it, too. Worth every mile!
Steve in PA
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I have a SA M1 Garand from CMP, to go along with my 1903A3 and M1 Carbine. My SA Garand was a Service Grade and I love it.
skua44
Member
I have 3. A rack grade SA Dane, field grade HRA and service grade HRA. All mixmasters (the SA, 1944, has a Win. op-rod . The difference between the field grade and service grade was minimal. Maybe the stock on the latter was not quite as dinged. All in all, I am well pleased with the CMP garands.
. The difference between the field grade and service grade was minimal. Maybe the stock on the latter was not quite as dinged. All in all, I am well pleased with the CMP garands.FMJMIKE
Member
Here is a photo of a CMP Springfield Armory 1940 Garand. Metal is excellent...........stock not so great. I treasure it for what it is. A piece of history...............
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