CMP Garand question

[Scanker19]

The last service grade I received was Outstanding, If it was all SA is would have been a correct grade because the wood and finish was so nice. The park was so fresh it still "creaked" when the op-rod was brought back.

The last field grade I received has a Little, a little, bit of pitting. But was about a 2 on the Muzzle and a 3 on the Throat. Should have been a SG if not for the pitting and ugly wood (which was a EMcF just ugly).

Either way you go You'll be happy, but to spend 900 on a "shooter" sounds wasteful when you can get a SG and 3 cans of ammo for the same price.

[Troublco]

I haven't looked lately at what's available, but when I stopped at the CMP South store in January and picked up my H&R, they had lots of H&R's and Winchesters. I second the advice of getting a service grade. The little bit of extra $$ is worth it; you'll get a better rifle. My service grade is 2/2, with all H&R parts. Most of the lower grades I looked at were much higher numbers. It's worth the small difference to get a better barrel. You don't see the "new, rebuilts" that were coming out as recently as a few years ago, but the service grades that I saw are all good, solid guns even if they have mismatched parts.

One thing...every Winchester I saw was rough. Some VERY...

[colo-pr]

for start a new collection of firearms with history (not for shooting) Service grade is more valuable than field grade?

[Rinodods]

Yes. Your service grade will have a better than average chance of looking like a nearly new rifle these days. They are shipping out some really nice stuff. You won't be sorry if you can get the extra cash.

[losttrail]

Thanks for all the input guys and for making it even harder to make a decision.

I'll keep you posted.

I know it will likely be several month after I place the order before I actually get the rifle.

Oh well, more time to get more AR's built.

[BPTactical]

The one I picked up in a trade was rated SG but it is so damn clean it should be higher.
All 1954 Springfield, less the H&R trigger plate. Barrel is April 54 so I would not be surprised if the barrel is original. All drawing numbers are correct for the timeframe except the trigger guard, it is milled. That's ok, I like the milled better....

[losttrail]

It figures.......
Received my membership packet to GCA yesterday.

Unfortunately, other expenses this past weekend ate into my M1 Garand money.

That and someone hacked into the debit card for my business account. Jackass had the gaul to send me flowers that he/she paid for with my account.

I could really put the Garand to use if only..........

[Sharpienads]

I got the field grade, Korean War era, some dings on the stock but other than that I thought it looked good.

I think the best advice mentioned so far is buy the one you can afford. If you can only afford a field grade, it will still be awesome, just with a little character.

Sorry to hear your purchase has been delayed.

[Cofaler]

I've owned around 15 CMP M1s over the years and have never been disappointed. Condition/grading seems to run in cycles, I ordered 4 field grades at a time once, they were all Greek returns, very rough looking, wood carvings, etc, but they all gauged 2/3 or better and they were all good shooters. I think the sg is worth the money over fg personally, but I wouldn't pay the 'correct' price. I've seen too many service grades that were a part or two from correct to make it worth it to me. Funny, I'm a numbers nut on just about everything, but to me each Garand is an individual rifle and came to be what it is through it's own unique history. Damn, you got me thinking about getting another one. Of course, you will end up with one of each anyway, I would get the service grade first. As was said, opening the box is beyond cool.

[bigun1962]

I have never heard of someone complaining about the grade purchased and the grade sent. You will have to decide what you whant the rifle to do. Shoot or collect. Personally. I buy the best grade that is original. I believe they are correct grade. Havent thought about cmp in a while. Thanks for the refresher. I am checking them out.