The CMP's Advanced Maintenance Class - My review (VERY pic heavy)

[BigJ]

Originally Posted by rdfact

BigJ, does the CMP class recommend any significantly different lubrication procedure than this Garand Gear article?
http://www.garandgear.com/how-to-grease-your-m1-garand

This is a controversial topic. It seems everyone and their grandmother has a different method to lube up their Garands. The guys stressed that there really isn't a wrong way to lube an M1 *EXCEPT* if that lube is applied in excess. See after the pics for more on that.

I've read thru that link now and Garand Gear's recommendations are far more thorough than what we were shown in class, and by extension how the CMP lubes all their rifles.

Here are a few pics of the CMP's owner's manual that comes with the Garand, as well as a few slides shown during class. This should give a good ideas as to what we covered.

In general, they showed us a few areas that need grease, and that was it. The addition of any oil was suggested more as a preservative for the metal, and not necessarily as a lube.











Regarding my excess comment above: Something they drilled in our heads over and over again (that seems to be echoed by the GarandGear link) is that less is more. They see lots of guns with way too much lube, and the problem is when you have too much it doesn't stay put. It always migrates/gets thrown into areas you definitely don't want any lube at all (for example on the hammer lugs, or seer, or trigger). They showed an example where too much lube is thought to have been a contributing factor to an out of battery detonation that destroyed the rifle (the gun's owner was ok, thankfully).

Hope that helps.

[sammass]

Many Thanks for posting. I am in the September '14 class, so I have a bit of an idea on what to expect. Congratulations on your build! :-)

[Jed292]

Outstanding write-up! I am in the Aug. class and even more fired up to go. Thanks for all the time and effort putting this post together.

[BigJ]

And she's home!

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=967118

[Cowboy T]

That Web site got seriously hammered. Kept hitting refresh, trying to get in, couldn't do it, but glad you got in there and got to do this. There's buying an M1 Garand, and then there's building your own and learning what it's about.

If there's a price increase, I hope it isn't too steep.

[ptoguy2002]

Awesome!

[CSACANNONEER]

I just saw this thread for the first time. I'm speechless. You really should be a CMP course salesman.

[farmerjoe]

Easily the single best post I've Come across on CalGun. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[sammass]

Does anyone know what the deal is with Photobucket? Looks like all of OP's photos of the AMC class have either timed out or held hostage for more $$. PITA! Especially on a sticky, it would be grand if the graphics could be retained. Solution, anyone?

[BigJ]

Yeah that's no good. Stoopid photobucket.

Bear with me. I'll figure something else out...

[BigJ]

Ok all pics should be showing again. Sorry about that.

[themood]

I took this class with my dad last weekend. I couldn't possibly write up as well as the OP but I would add one thing that John told us. There's only about two years left worth of garands so if you are thinking about buying a garand, better jump on it. I looked at the bare receivers they had at the store and I couldn't even find one I liked. They have 520 round spam cans of m2 St Louis ball ammo, but only in the store. We also got extremely lucky
and ended up building WW2 springfield receivers and lockbar sights, as is the class next month. They don't expect any more ww2 receivers after that. Really an amazing class.

[texterter]

great info, thank you.

[BigJ]

FYI: CMP Announces the Advanced Maintenance Class Dates for 2015

[G-Man WC]

Very nice report Big-J. I'm thinking a Calguns class would be in order. Would love to spend time in such a class. Thanks again. -g

[Buffalo Dude]

Amazing. Sadly, I missed the registration deadline for the AMC 2015.

I'm trying to decide now if I want another SG or a 308 Special.

[joefrank64k]

I know, super necro bump...I'm excited because I just found out that I won the lottery for one of the 2016 class slots and will be headed to Aniston for the AMC. Very happy about that!

[BigJ]

Originally Posted by joefrank64k

I know, super necro bump...I'm excited because I just found out that I won the lottery for one of the 2016 class slots and will be headed to Aniston for the AMC. Very happy about that!

Congrats! You're going to have a blast. I've talked to a few folks who have gone since this review, and they do nothing but rave about it.

Hey you reminded me, I meant to update this thread to say that I hit a personal goal with the M1 I built in this class. I think it was back in June or July, I scored over 90% at an NRA High Power match with it. Wasn't easy, and it took me lots of practice, but that's because I stink. The gun the CMP folks helped me build is more than capable.

Enjoy and report back after. Would love to hear what you think of the class!

[joefrank64k]

Originally Posted by BigJ

Congrats! You're going to have a blast. I've talked to a few folks who have gone since this review, and they do nothing but rave about it.

Hey you reminded me, I meant to update this thread to say that I hit a personal goal with the M1 I built in this class. I think it was back in June or July, I scored over 90% at an NRA High Power match with it. Wasn't easy, and it took me lots of practice, but that's because I stink. The gun the CMP folks helped me build is more than capable.

Enjoy and report back after. Would love to hear what you think of the class!

Nice shooting!! Congrats to you, too

Your excellent review is what got me interested in attending the AMC. I'm really looking forward to it. I've already been searching for flights and hotels, haha!!

[BigJ]

Originally Posted by joefrank64k

Nice shooting!! Congrats to you, too

Your excellent review is what got me interested in attending the AMC. I'm really looking forward to it. I've already been searching for flights and hotels, haha!!

Right on.

FWIW I stayed at "The Victoria Inn". Its now called "Hotel Finial". Beautiful grounds and it looks like they're almost done with a complete renovation. I'd stay there again in a minute: http://www.hotelfinial.com/

Also, if you're at all interested in local history, don't miss this memorial: https://goo.gl/0AaEBs I stumbled on it while exploring around the Inn.

[emtmark]

I saw the mention of a class where you bring your own Carbine. Any insights to that from the insiders? I'd love to bring mine in


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cowboy T]

Just got back from the class, and that very question, about bringing your own rifle, was brought up. They're hesitant to do it, because they know that what will people with a few Garands or Carbines do? They'll typically bring the junkiest piece of rifle that they can and expect to turn it into a Special Grade. All of us in the class laughed in recognition of the truth of that statement. :-)

However, when they do eventually run out of receivers, then they're considering how they might do that. What they'll have to do is have people first send their rifle for a complete eval, with parts replacement as necessary (paid for by the rifle owner, of course) to get the rifle to proper spec.

[steel30]

Tagged

[Cowboy T]

Similar to the OP, I documented the experience last week with plenty of pictures, albeit from a slightly different point of view.

Here are just a few of those photos (thumbnails *ARE* clickable). Yes, the class is worth it. Big time.


Welcome to the class!


Go get yer stuff.


My receiver and bolt. Yep, you still get to pick.


This is just a hint of all the stuff they've got here.


The finished product...


...with its proud new owner. :-)

[tboyer]

saved for later

[Crazycomic]

Awesome post man! Thanks.

[diverwcw]

I just received an email that I have been moved from the wait list to the class list! So later on this year, I will be headed to Anniston to participate in the training.

This is literally a life long dream of mine. I have always had a fascination for the Garand rifle.

[BigJ]

Awesome diver! Gratz!! Would love to read your review.

[joefrank64k]

Great news diver! I'll be down Anniston way later this year as well.

[diverwcw]

Originally Posted by BigJ

Awesome diver! Gratz!! Would love to read your review.

I don't think my review will even compare to yours, but I surely will post one!

Originally Posted by joefrank64k

Great news diver! I'll be down Anniston way later this year as well.

Be sure to pick up one or two rifles while you are there!

[joefrank64k]

Originally Posted by diverwcw

Be sure to pick up one or two rifles while you are there!

I've got my share of run-of-the-mill CMP rifles...I'm really looking forward to building one more at the class, and then leaving it with them to do the full National Match upgrades.

Definitely not the most cost effective way to get a NM Garand, but it sure sounds like a good time. Hard to put a price on that...at least that's what I'm telling myself, haha!!

I've already got my flight, hotel, and rental car booked.

[userformerlyknownasfitty]

It's unfortunate that this thread no longer has all of those magnificent pictures.

[BigJ]

Pics are up (again). Thanks for the heads up sammass

[BigJ]

Another quick followup, regarding accuracy (noticed I haven't really given any recent updates): I used this M1 to earn an NRA High Power Expert card, then set it aside and moved on to an AR. Since then and over the past couple years, I've improved; I'm now an NRA High Power Master (and am flirting with a High Master card).

I still keep coming back to this M1 from time to time to shoot in memorial or special matches, and wouldn't you know it, it gets better and more accurate every time I pick it up. When the student is ready...

All that is to say, with proper handloads the gun I built thanks to this class, and that the CMP tweaked for accuracy after, is capable of Master scores all day long. I can't think of a better testimonial than that.

[joefrank64k]

Originally Posted by BigJ

Another quick followup, regarding accuracy (noticed I haven't really given any recent updates): I used this M1 to earn an NRA High Power Expert card, then set it aside and moved on to an AR. Since then and over the past couple years, I've improved; I'm now an NRA High Power Master (and am flirting with a High Master card).

I still keep coming back to this M1 from time to time to shoot in memorial or special matches, and wouldn't you know it, it gets better and more accurate every time I pick it up. When the student is ready...

All that is to say, with proper handloads the gun I built thanks to this class, and that the CMP tweaked for accuracy after, is capable of Master scores all day long. I can't think of a better testimonial than that.

Glad to hear that!! I just got my AMC rifle back after having them do the full NM package. Test target they sent looked promising and the workmanship was superb. The AMC was easily one of the highlights of my firearms life!!