Question about GCA membership and CMP ordering

[watt79]

Well the time has finally come for me to add an M1 Garand to my collection. I figure that now that I'm close to graduation, I can justify the expense as a graduation gift to myself. My question is, if I checked the box on the GCA membership form to have them share my info with the CMP, do I still need to wait for the membership card to include in my order packet, or can I just go ahead and submit my order?

[Orlando]

check the box and place your order. The GCA will take care of it. Another cheaper alternative is the M1 Collectors Club. No quarterly mag , just cheap way to fullfill club membership. $14 per year

[mls343]

^^ What Orlano said. And, the quarterly magazine is pretty decent too!

Enjoy your Garand!

[rvr350]

Highly recommend the GCA! The magazine alone is worth the price! Lots of interesting articles to "lure" you into buying more Garands.

[watt79]

Thanks, that's what I thought. Just didn't want to make any mistakes that might delay my order.

[rdfact]

Since the CMP requires you to be affiliated with a club, the GCA seems to be the best option. The quarterly magazine is very nice. They also have the "America's Rifle" DVD that was sent to members. I'm not sure if they still do this - I can't seem to find any mention of it being included in the membership. The DVD has some nice history as well as a video of a full strip and re-assembly of the M1.

[2761377]

if you're in a hurry, you'll be disappointed with your club affiliation. GCA is staffed by unpaid volunteers and I think one person is in charge of memberships. the transfer of your membership info will be delayed.

you can grab the bull by the horns and expedite proceedings like this-

- create and pay for your GCA membership. you will receive an e-mail receipt of your membership dues.

- create your CMP membership, claiming that your club affiliation is GCA. you will receive a CMP customer number.

- e-mail CMP customer service and tell them you are a new GCA/CMP member. include your CMP customer number and a forwarded copy of your GCA membership receipt e-mail.

within a couple days you should receive e-mail confirmation that CMP has validated your club info and you're GTG to order.

otherwise, you're waiting on a guy with a real job and life to forward your info and for CMP to get around to correlate it with CMP membership.

this past fall, I noticed CMP still had not credited my GCA renewal more than a month after I paid it.

hth

[rvr350]

I think you can expect some delay in reaching cmp's cs, due to their increase in paperwork in the recent ihc release, fwiw

[watt79]

Before I drop my order in the mail, does anyone have an opinion on field grade vs service grade? I was going to just order the field grade, but I started reading about people getting rifles that needed a new barrel and had poorly fitted stocks.

[mls343]

I would go service grade vs field grade. Might want to put a yellow sticky asking for a GI stock as well. You will not be disappointed.

[watt79]

Thank you all for the help. I have my packet together and ready to ship out.

[Grendl]

Before I drop my order in the mail, does anyone have an opinion on field grade vs service grade? I was going to just order the field grade, but I started reading about people getting rifles that needed a new barrel and had poorly fitted stocks.

I have three field grades and they all gauge 2 or under and shoot great. BUT, my last order was for a service grade in case they're scrapping the bottom of the barrel.

[Orlando]

I have three field grades and they all gauge 2 or under and shoot great. BUT, my last order was for a service grade in case they're scrapping the bottom of the barrel.

Has absolutly nothing to do with "scraping the bottom " of the barel.
Read the Field Grade description, you can receive a rifle in need of a rebarrel and still be within specs

[watt79]

I decided to go with the service grade. This will probably end up being my only Garand so I'd rather spend the extra $100 to get a decent one.

[rvr350]

Nice choice. The FG lately have been very good in terms of barrel readings. But the rest of the components are still more wear and tear. If you can spare the extra 100, SG is the way to go.