so how good or the CMP Service Grade M1 Garand's
- Thread starter DUDE
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In the old days (less than 10 years ago), they were almost always excellant. Modernly, it's a grab bag and your stocks can be beat up. Metal work remains sharp but on the last couple I bought, one had a huge ding on the muzzle. At 25 yards, it gave me about a 2" group but at 100, it was closer to 1 1/2 feet! The other M1 it came with shot 6". Still, I feel both guns were worth the money ($400 each before the $100 price increase this past June) and I'm not dissatisfied. Heck, I'd rather have a CMP Garand than an aftermarket receiver one anyday. At least I know the receiver is closer to mil-spec (still has to be gauged for wear).
Grab bag hits the nail on the head. But luck is still out there. My last M1 was a SA in the 5,95x,xxx range. Newness all over the place,tight matching stock also. 2" groups @ 100yds. The first was a Winchester 1,35x,xxx range. Smooth action,newer barrel,mismatched wood, good shooter. 3" @100yds. A much better buy than one of the "new" copies with a parts kit thrown on. http://www.odcmp.com/
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Be careful what you ask for..You may get it.
An unloaded pistol is a paperweight.
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Be careful what you ask for..You may get it.
An unloaded pistol is a paperweight.
My last one was built in 3/45 at the Springfield Armory. It had the original barrel (I guess.....it was also made in 3/45). All parts are SA, bore was excellent, TE of 2 and the muzzle was tight as ..errr lets juat say it was tight! Stock was SA and has a lot of oil and finish build up but not any big dings or cracks, the back handguard is same as the stock, the front handguard is new but it is birch. It will go into 2" at 100 yards even with these old eyes and open sights. All in all it was/is worth far more than the $400 I paid for it. It was bought before the $100 price increse, it is a service grade.
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Carlyle Hebert
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Carlyle Hebert
Even with the price increase, I'd say they're worth it, even if you don't get a gem. Mine were both in good to very good condition, with good bores and in great working order. I saw someone else's service grade which was just purchased in 6/00, WWII production with all correct parts except for two, including stock, uncut op rod, still had good finish on the gas cylinder and a great bore. I don't know how it slipped through and didn't go out as a collector grade, but you can still get lucky.
This June, I got 2 dogs! My wife looked at them (she is a non-shooter) and said, "You paid $850 for those!". I sent them to Deans Gun Restoration (http://www.dgrguns.com). Now, they look and shoot like brand new. It was completely worth it. $120 for parkerizing, and $60 for refinishing. Other minor work.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 4V50 Gary:
Metal work remains sharp but on the last couple I bought, one had a huge ding on the muzzle. At 25 yards, it gave me about a 2" group but at 100, it was closer to 1 1/2 feet![/quote]
That's interesting, I had the exact same problem! Since the barrel was also a bit rough from corrosive ammo, I just got a new GI barrel put on it. The other two I've gotten have been excellent, of course one was the "select" model, it should be good!
Metal work remains sharp but on the last couple I bought, one had a huge ding on the muzzle. At 25 yards, it gave me about a 2" group but at 100, it was closer to 1 1/2 feet![/quote]
That's interesting, I had the exact same problem! Since the barrel was also a bit rough from corrosive ammo, I just got a new GI barrel put on it. The other two I've gotten have been excellent, of course one was the "select" model, it should be good!
I got a H&R last year as a Service Grade less wood, $325 delivered. I swear it looks like it's never been fired! Every single part is HRA correct or recognized sub, throat erosion measures zero. I put it in a new walnut stock it looks like a brand new rifle, albeit 45 years old. Shoot like a house on fire.
That's the CMP lottery, not everyone's is that nice. I got a Danish Garand last year, every part was from a different mfgr - VAR barrel, Winchester receiver, Springfield bolt, BM & BR (Italian) parts scattered throughout, European beech stock. Rifle looked like it had been dragged down a rocky road from Schleswig-Holstein to Copenhagen behind a speeding Volvo. But it cleaned up nicely, everything works, and off hand it'll hold every shot inside a 6" black at 100yds. I'll order another Dane before the year is out, most are much better, many have almost new barrels and the Danish VAR is considered one of the best GI Garand barrels ever made. -- Kernel
That's the CMP lottery, not everyone's is that nice. I got a Danish Garand last year, every part was from a different mfgr - VAR barrel, Winchester receiver, Springfield bolt, BM & BR (Italian) parts scattered throughout, European beech stock. Rifle looked like it had been dragged down a rocky road from Schleswig-Holstein to Copenhagen behind a speeding Volvo. But it cleaned up nicely, everything works, and off hand it'll hold every shot inside a 6" black at 100yds. I'll order another Dane before the year is out, most are much better, many have almost new barrels and the Danish VAR is considered one of the best GI Garand barrels ever made. -- Kernel