Report on CMP Order and Question on Unfinished CMP Wood

[marksmandowntown]

EDIT (for Calgunners who don't know) : CMP = Civilian Marksmanship Program
The CMP sells M1 Garand rifles that came from the Army at below market value prices and this post describes the specifics of what I received when I ordered some.



I can confirm that checking your order status in the E Store does nothing to speed up the process and pretty much just makes it harder to wait.

This is my last-time-ever order from the CMP, and I am a huge fan of the organization.

This is my second last-time-ever order from CMP, so I'll probably stick to it this time. Come to think of it, with Trump coming in in 50 days we might actually see those 1911s and maybe some of those Korean Garands as well, so maybe there is hope yet to send even more of my money to the CMP.

Anyway...

I ordered two Service Grade M1 Garands back around late September to early October. They came yesterday.

I asked for HRA, Wartime rifles and USGI wood.

(I know HRA didn't make WWII rifles, my requests were listed in a column.)

I got two 7 digit (WWII era) Springfield rifles with new CMP stocks. I was disappointed by the non-USGI stocks until I had a chance to really look at them. Holy Crap are they nice!

The rifle I like the best is essentially a Special Grade Rifle (2/2 Muzzle/Throat) 1942 receiver with a replacement LMR barrel. The parts are all like new and the fancy new stock doesn't have a mark on it.

The one I like second best is a (1/1+ Muzzle/Throat) 1943 receiver with a replacement Winchester 1967 barrel. The parts have the normal amount of Service Grade wear and are all SA made except the trigger which is a Winchester. The stock has a few very light handling marks and looks great.

All I have seen in person up until now was Garands that look like they have been in a war. It is shocking in a good way to have clean, fresh-looking and largely unmarked guns to compare/contrast them with.


So I've got a couple of really nice unfinished walnut CMP stocks that I want to finish. I want to clean the dirt and human oil off first, and being that I am a wood-guy, I'd like the figuring to pop as much as possible while still holding up the pretense of being as original a reproduction stock as possible.

From memory, I think I want citristrip and then flax oil? Any help, ideas or advice would be appreciated.

[phungn]

PICTURES!!!! WE NEED SOME PICTURES OVER HERE!!!

Yes flax seed oil works fine. I did an experiment with a couple kinds of flax and the BLO from home depot. Put a drop of each on a paper towel. To save you the suspense, the earth source gave the most color after a year.

[Orlando]

You need to completey strip the stocks to bare wood first, otherwise you may end up with a blotchy finish.
Those stocks also need some fitting internally for utmost function and accuracy
I have worked on enough of these stocks to know . Its not hard just takes some time

[Sailormilan2]

If the stock is walnut, I agree, that one should use CitriStripper. I would also recommend some wood bleach. That will also help to lighten the stock a bit, but brings the grain out more. It doesn't seem to work well on birch.
If you want your gun to have the dark reddish brown look of USGI guns, then flaxseed oil(which is nothing but food grade Raw Linseed Oil) is what you should use.
One can also use Boiled Linseed Oil, which has driers added. That will slow down the color change a bit, but one will still get the reddish brown color.
If you don't want the color change, then go with Tung Oil or Teak Oil. Tung gives a bit shinier finish than Teak Oil.

[peppermintman]

If the stock is walnut, I agree, that one should use CitriStripper. I would also recommend some wood bleach. That will also help to lighten the stock a bit, but brings the grain out more. It doesn't seem to work well on birch.
If you want your gun to have the dark reddish brown look of USGI guns, then flaxseed oil(which is nothing but food grade Raw Linseed Oil) is what you should use.
One can also use Boiled Linseed Oil, which has driers added. That will slow down the color change a bit, but one will still get the reddish brown color.
If you don't want the color change, then go with Tung Oil or Teak Oil. Tung gives a bit shinier finish than Teak Oil.

I second that on the flaxseed oil. Go to RiteAid and look for that black bottle in the vitamin supplements area. Very nice reddish/brown look over time of course. No combustion worry like the blo

[Orlando]

In my opinion the commercial walnut stocks need some stain before BLO to make them look right. They are to light for my taste otherwise

[2meterB]

Cmp stocks? Every one ive seen has a nasty stain in it. Citristrip doesnt touch it in my experience. Ive been stripping one for a few weeks now.

[Citadelgrad87]

Here's a thread where several, including me, refinished and or finished new walnut stocks, and exactly how they did it.

Good luck and post photos.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=296275&page=2

Edit, link is fixed.

[joefrank64k]

I was just at the CMP for the Advanced Maintenance Class. The guys in the Custom Shop recommended an application of tung oil (the real stuff like they sell at Real Milk Paint, etc) directly on the stained stocks.

YMMV, etc.

[Orlando]

I was just at the CMP for the Advanced Maintenance Class. The guys in the Custom Shop recommended an application of tung oil (the real stuff like they sell at Real Milk Paint, etc) directly on the stained stocks.

YMMV, etc.

If you do you may end up with a blotchy finish,I have seen it happen. You need to completly strip the stock to bare wood for the best results

[Garandimal]

GR

[Bobby Ricigliano]

The OP's post illustrates how random things can be from the CMP. A cross section of random service grade Garands over the years would show a wide discrepancy in condition. I don't place any faith in the post-it notes that people think will be read or accommodated in a huge stack of orders with their own post-it notes and special requests.

It is simply a matter of luck of the draw. My last Garand order is also in the queue at CMP, and frankly if it has acceptable TW/ME and a decent stock, I will be happy and call it a day. Since I asked for new CMP wood, I am sure I will get a USGI stock.

[joefrank64k]

The OP's post illustrates how random things can be from the CMP. A cross section of random service grade Garands over the years would show a wide discrepancy in condition. I don't place any faith in the post-it notes that people think will be read or accommodated in a huge stack of orders with their own post-it notes and special requests.

It is simply a matter of luck of the draw. My last Garand order is also in the queue at CMP, and frankly if it has acceptable TW/ME and a decent stock, I will be happy and call it a day. Since I asked for new CMP wood, I am sure I will get a USGI stock.

It's definitely luck of the draw. When I was at the CMP retail store in Anniston in October, they had FG's, SG's, Specials, and M1-C's all lined up on the wall rack. Condition varied considerably within each grade.

Our class was allowed in one hour before the store opened....after going through the selection, nearly every student bought at least one extra Service Grade...most picked up more than one...along with the limit on HXP.

I was checking out the M1-C's and after seeing the varying condition between samples, I would be wary of buying one sight unseen for the amount of $$ they're charging. Don't get me wrong, all samples were serviceable, but once you see how nice one can be within a category, you'd be disappointed to get a lesser example.

[Garandimal]

If you use BLO, apply it a little heavy, and then leave it out in the Summer sun for a little while.

It will actually get hot enough to percolate into the wood, and caramelize nicely.




GR

[Bobby Ricigliano]

It's definitely luck of the draw. When I was at the CMP retail store in Anniston in October, they had FG's, SG's, Specials, and M1-C's all lined up on the wall rack. Condition varied considerably within each grade.

Our class was allowed in one hour before the store opened....after going through the selection, nearly every student bought at least one extra Service Grade...most picked up more than one...along with the limit on HXP.

I was checking out the M1-C's and after seeing the varying condition between samples, I would be wary of buying one sight unseen for the amount of $$ they're charging. Don't get me wrong, all samples were serviceable, but once you see how nice one can be within a category, you'd be disappointed to get a lesser example.

I will take this testimony as gospel since you were there JF. I would in no way discourage anyone from buying a CMP gun. In short order, any papered CMP gun will become more valuable than what was paid for it. A lot of people. myself included, would even pay more on the secondary market for a papered CMP gun. I am very glad to own an HRA Special grade and 2 CMP M1 carbines, so this last one will bookend the other 3 nicely.