CMP: Which Garand?

[PLINK]

I am getting the forms ready to do the CMP thing. I just finished my shooting requirement on Friday. I am going to join the Garand Collectors Association on Monday. Then get the notary done and send them off. Now I need to decide what to get. I don't know anything about these rifles. I was thinking a Field grade but I am not sure if I should wait for the service grade or the other field grade they seem to be getting in the near future. Should get two? I funds would be tight but...

Goal: To get one while I can and to get something new to take to the range.

Any advice will be appreciated. TIA

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1garand.htm#Field

[NRAhighpowershooter]

If you can afford it.. and they are still available.. get the Service Grade as your first Garand

[EBWhite]

Service all the way. Request a WWII with orig barrel...

i just got one, all other stuff matches too. i scored

[metalhead357]

I'll definitely say get a Service as your first if you can swing the funds!

ONE SMALL request like "WWII barrel please" along with "This is my first CMP Rifle!" oft times produces results Just dont have unrealistic expectations!!!

good luck and post back when ya' get the beast....With pics

[PLINK]

I was checking out the order form and I don't see a comments or request spot. Were do you guys write in the request?

A service Garand is a 90 to 120 day wait. Maybe I should get a Rack or Field grade at the same time so I can have something to play with in the mean time. Or do you think this will mess with my Service Garand request for a WWII barrel?

Has anyone received a current Service Garand or is this a new batch coming in?

[metalhead357]

I was checking out the order form and I don't see a comments or request spot. Were do you guys write in the request?

I used a post-it...litterally...just stuck it in the middle of the form.

[metalhead357]

A service Garand is a 90 to 120 day wait. Maybe I should get a Rack or Field grade at the same time so I can have something to play with in the mean time. Or do you think this will mess with my Service Garand request for a WWII barrel?

If you can do two; do what I did, get a service and a field. the Rackers are truly a toss up and for your first chances are you wont be happy IMO. Place the order with Both rifles at the same time, you'll get the field first probably (maybe, maybe they'll come together...mine did) then the Service.

They *seem* to take/do SIMPLE requests for 1st timers at least best they can; dont get your hopes too high on subsequent runs- just not enough volunteers.

And BTW...DONT call or be a pest, they WILL get to your order, just keep clicking the update status button until your mouse wears out...it'll make the wait go by faster and make you feel better; ask me how I know this

[xrMike]

Another vote for "Service Grade" as your first Garand. You may not get another chance at one.

I also used the Post-It approach -- "Hi. This will be my first (and possibly only) Garand. I'm looking for a "shooter" more than a "WWII" rifle, so if possible, could you please send me a late-issue rifle with the lowest possible erosion numbers? Thank you very much! --Mike"

What did I get? Exactly what I asked for! A 5.4 serial numbered mix-master with original greenish park, all walnut furniture with a few minor dings, shiny bore (that turned into a mirror bore once I pushed a couple patches through it), perfect crown, sharp rifling, don't know the erosion numbers since I don't have a guage, but when I put a bullet in the muzzle a lot of bullet still shows.

No guarantee you'll get what you ask for, but it can't hurt.

[mur]

Service all the way. Request a WWII with orig barrel...

i just got one, all other stuff matches too. i scored

I'm about to purchase one here in a few weeks.
Why is it better to request a WWII barrel?

[metalhead357]

I'm about to purchase one here in a few weeks.
Why is it better to request a WWII barrel?

Good for you Barrel preference is more just for collector & re-sale sake if you're into that. If you want a shooter- go/ask for either clean ends or even decent ends and decent parts/stock....

[mur]

Good for you Barrel preference is more just for collector & re-sale sake if you're into that. If you want a shooter- go/ask for either clean ends or even decent ends and decent parts/stock....

Well I want the History for sure, Then again it's not going to be collecting dust
What difference of TE and MW can I expect?
It will be more of a shooter than than a Collector, but I love the History.

[metalhead357]

Well I want the History for sure, Then again it's not going to be collecting dust
What difference of TE and MW can I expect?
It will be more of a shooter than than a Collector, but I love the History.

Some may differ with thier own experience (more on this later) but if you're going for a shooter then you'll likely want to stay away from the WWII barrels....few seem to have good ends...YMMV. If you've read up on the descriptions of the Service, Field and Rack grades my *belief* is that if you ask for a Shooter then you'll get something with decent ends but *probably* something closer to Field with either the rest of the metal and/or stock. And then the inverse is/seems true~ you ask for decent stock and/or metal and you'll get something that falls within the definition of Service (Say IIRC below 3 and 5) but usually closer to the 'end' of the Service classification for Barrel life.

Now as for "thier own experience". I ~would have~ stuck to my words and bet money on what I've said....then I went to the Reno show. I walked away with two 5.4 mils that MW &TE better than one of my Service rifles (one was 1 & 2, the other was 2 & 1 on thiese "Fields" ), the Finish was better than both of my Service rifles, and the *only* thing that seemed to make them a Field grade is the wood. From the posts of others here and another board I frequent this seems to have been the same (for the Reno show at least)... Dont ask me but I think a crate of service fell in with the rest. Either that or many "just got lucky". Its hard to say as I was litterally waiting in line from about 2 minutes after they opened at 8 and didn't leave until 10am (then onto processing) and went through a LOT of rifles looking/hoping for a good one. I found one, then litterally moments later I had one "passed off" to me by by a guy I thought I recognized (Turned out to be our very own 30 Cal here). He too walked off with some good guns.

As always YMMV. Some are diamonds in the ruff, others are just ruff. But I am a firm beliver in the "post it" philosophy I spouted above; twuz told to me and worked great, have passed it along multiple times and they all report back the same. Just keep the note REAL short and litterally only ONE request.

Good luck

[mur]

Some may differ with thier own experience (more on this later) but if you're going for a shooter then you'll likely want to stay away from the WWII barrels....few seem to have good ends...YMMV. If you've read up on the descriptions of the Service, Field and Rack grades my *belief* is that if you ask for a Shooter then you'll get something with decent ends but *probably* something closer to Field with either the rest of the metal and/or stock. And then the inverse is/seems true~ you ask for decent stock and/or metal and you'll get something that falls within the definition of Service (Say IIRC below 3 and 5) but usually closer to the 'end' of the Service classification for Barrel life.

Now as for "thier own experience". I ~would have~ stuck to my words and bet money on what I've said....then I went to the Reno show. I walked away with two 5.4 mils that MW &TE better than one of my Service rifles (one was 1 & 2, the other was 2 & 1 on thiese "Fields" ), the Finish was better than both of my Service rifles, and the *only* thing that seemed to make them a Field grade is the wood. From the posts of others here and another board I frequent this seems to have been the same (for the Reno show at least)... Dont ask me but I think a crate of service fell in with the rest. Either that or many "just got lucky". Its hard to say as I was litterally waiting in line from about 2 minutes after they opened at 8 and didn't leave until 10am (then onto processing) and went through a LOT of rifles looking/hoping for a good one. I found one, then litterally moments later I had one "passed off" to me by by a guy I thought I recognized (Turned out to be our very own 30 Cal here). He too walked off with some good guns.

As always YMMV. Some are diamonds in the ruff, others are just ruff. But I am a firm beliver in the "post it" philosophy I spouted above; twuz told to me and worked great, have passed it along multiple times and they all report back the same. Just keep the note REAL short and litterally only ONE request.

Good luck

Great info, This helps me out a bunch, will definitely post a short note
Thanks again, I feel a bit more comfortable ordering a rifle I never have seen. Although it's probably still hit and miss, This Helps a lot.

[ATS76]

"Service Grade" is sold out now

[xrMike]

"Service Grade" is sold out now

Well, that didn't last long, did it?