Looking to Make First CMP Purchase

[Lifeon2whls]

Well I'm looking to pick up a M1 from the CMP and had some questions. At the minimum I want a Service Grade rifle but I am wondering how the Service Grade "Special" and Special Grade rifles really differ in value and shootablity down the road.

I really want to own/shoot a piece of history and would want something that goes up in value.

So my debate is get a "Special Grade" that, from my understanding, is going to shoot better...or maybe just one to two Service Grade rifles and enjoy?

Any suggestions?

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Well I'm looking to pick up a M1 from the CMP and had some questions. At the minimum I want a Service Grade rifle but I am wondering how the Service Grade "Special" and Special Grade rifles really differ in value and shootablity down the road.

I really want to own/shoot a piece of history and would want something that goes up in value.

So my debate is get a "Special Grade" that, from my understanding, is going to shoot better...or maybe just one to two Service Grade rifles and enjoy?

Any suggestions?

The Special grade has a new barrel, so it's definitely going to shoot better. That being said, one of the service grades I just received had a muzzle wear of 1+, so that's going to shoot pretty good, as well. It really just depends on what you want and how much you're willing to pay for it.

If you want something that looks a little more 'historic', I'd tell you to opt for a field grade rifle. The Service Grade all have new stocks and almost 100% finish. They look new.

For the record, these rifles never go down in value, so any of your choices will be a good investment. That being said, a Garand with a new, Criterion barrel is going to be obviously unoriginal. It might be harder to move at the price you're going to pay but if you have it for any length of time, it will hold value.

My suggestion: Order a Service Grade for a shooter and an HRA Field Grade for a collector's piece. The price of those two will be similar to the cost of one "special".

[Lifeon2whls]

My suggestion: Order a Service Grade for a shooter and an HRA Field Grade for a collector's piece. The price of those two will be similar to the cost of one "special".

You my friend have a GREAT idea. I'll just have to update this post once the girlfriend sees two boxes arrive at the house instead of one and let everyone know how it goes "Honey...this one is for shooting and this one is an investment"

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I'll just have to update this post once the girlfriend sees two boxes arrive at the house instead of one and let everyone know how it goes "Honey...this one is for shooting and this one is an investment"

Well, the cost difference between the two rifles vs. one Special grade is negligible. However, if she gets pissed, you can usually sell off a CMP rifle for more than you paid CMP for it. Some people are not eligilble, or simply don't want to do the paperwork to order from CMP.

I have never lost money on a firearms sale. Firearms are one of the safest investments out there.

Believe it or not, so is ammunition. For example, how much would someone want to pay me TODAY for the unopened case (2 tins) of Greek 30-06 Armor Piercing ball that I have?

[Capybara]

What CEDaytonaRydr said, spot on.

I bought a Service Special because it will be a shooter and I wanted something that was in good shape so I can shoot the s*** out of it and not worry about stuff breaking and needing a ton of maintenance. But if I was doing it all over again, I would have saved the extra $325.00 and ordered just a Service Grade, the Greek returns I have seen are 90% as nice as my Special. You could buy 600 rounds of HXP with that $325.00, that is a smarter way to go IMHO.

Here are few snaps of what my SS looks like, basically almost like a new rifle.

[aghauler]

Get a SG's in HRA and Springfield, and be happy! You might ask for MW and TE as "low as you can find and/or USGI wood if possible" on a Sticky note on your order. Always got what I requested and was never disappointed. All my CMP Garands are USGI Arsenal rebuilds, some apparently never reissued, some had TE <1.0 and MW 1.0 or less. I learned how to restore USGI stocks on a couple of my Garands. Some there was no need to mess with the wood. I don't care for non USGI wood so I've got a few spares floating around. If you get a couple nice SG's then try for one of the Correct or Collector Grades. We used to get what they now call Correct or Collector Grades as Service Grades until CMP revised their grading system and increased the price schedule. Prior to that any really Collector pieces went on the Auction. The CMP Lottery was a nice benefit also, what thrill it was to be notified you had "won" something via the Lottery. Mine came as a USMC rebuilt 1903 RIA, price......$165!!! Ah yes the good old days!

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Get a SG's in HRA and Springfield, and be happy! You might ask for MW and TE as "low as you can find and/or USGI wood if possible" on a Sticky note on your order... All my CMP Garands are USGI Arsenal rebuilds, some apparently never reissued, some had TE <1.0 and MW 1.0 or less. I learned how to restore USGI stocks on a couple of my Garands.

Of the three Service grades I just ordered, I got the following readings: MW2/TE2, MW2/TE2+, and MW1+/TE3.

Suffice it to say that if you order a service grade, you can expect a 2/2, or close to it. The MW1+ was a welcome surprise but it was offset by the TE of 3. The Special grades should be MW0/TE0, becaue of the new barrel. Even so, you're talking about the difference of .001'-.002", so don't let that sway you. A 2/2 gun is a fine shooter; honestly, even a 4/4 gun is still a decent shooter. Some of the rack grades have readings of 5s and 6s and still shoot okay. Granted, they are not exactly "tack drivers" but they hit paper.

[Lifeon2whls]

What's "TE"?

I'm assuming MW is muzzle wear but as I am new to M1's I know little about the tolerances and more about the fact that I can get that gorgeous rifle I have always wanted from the CMP.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

What's "TE"?

I'm assuming MW is muzzle wear but as I am new to M1's I know little about the tolerances and more about the fact that I can get that gorgeous rifle I have always wanted from the CMP.

Throat erosion...

That's the measurement taken at the other end of the barrel. Same theory, though: the higher the number, the more out of OEM spec it is. "0" is the best case scenario.

[Lifeon2whls]

Ok so I ran the two rifle senario past the GF and she seemed to think you chaps had a good idea...2 rifles for the price (about) of one.

That said I'm going to get a SG and a FG. But any preference of H&R or Springfield? One of each? Looks like I can still pick up a Winchester FG.

[Capybara]

One of each SG. Skip the Winchester as it will probably be a beater that needs some work or a new barrel. The Winchester will be a mixmaster anyway with just a Win receiver, the rest will probably be Springfield. If you can't afford two SGs, then an Springfield if you want earlier and probably more wear and an HRA if you want newer post war and less wear. The HRAs are more rare than the Springfields.

If it were me, I would just order one of each, doesn't really matter which one is the FG and which one is the SG.

[mls343]

My vote would be a standard Service Grade with GI wood. Can't go wrong with this selection.

Just my $0.02

[Capybara]

If you talk to the guys on the CMP boards, a lot of the field grades and virtually all of the rack grades need a new barrel. That's why we recommend a service grade, if you actually want to shoot the thing. The latest service grades are the nicest ones seen in decades, you can see it over and over in the threads over there, these Greek returns are beautiful for the most part.

[gotshotgun?]

I'd say get a service grade and ask for USGI wood. If you want a rifle that you can shoot several thousand rounds through AND have it be collectible still, that is my advice.

The Special grade has a new production barrel and thus is no longer collectable.

The Service grade special has a new production stock and thus would require you to buy a USGI stock to retain the collectability.

[Lifeon2whls]

Thanks everyone. Well I am going to start working on the paperwork and hopefully send in for the rifles in about a month.