A little road trip to the CMP South store.

[rust collector]

If you own 30 turks, you are well versed in cleaning up filthy, hairy, sandy, oil-filled stocks! Thanks for the cleanup lesson. My last turk mauser went to a young guy who was excited to find an old-school military rifle that hadn't been priced like a rare antique.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Nice rifles, but MAN, prices have gone up! My service grades were $675 and $730, bought six months apart, about 4 years ago. What are Service grades going for now?

I built a Cosmo oven but the stuff just kept leaking out. I did the same cleaning method as you, but I used Purple Power. Lightly scrubbed with sponge and hosed off. When dry, a few coats of BLO and I was done.

I’ve had 3 Garands. I only have 2 now. A 1944 Springfield and a 1955 HRA. The HRA looks like it was never even issued, but it did come with new CMP wood. What I would really like is an M1 Carbine. I missed out on the last CMP run.

Purple Power is a great cleaner, but I find it a little strong for wood. For those that use it, just be sure that you don’t leave it on the stock to long and wash it off good.
Here is something to keep in mind when cleaning a stock that is heavily soaked with oil or cosmoline. When cleaning you will only be able to remove the oil and dirt from the surface and oil from just below the surface.
You will need to let the stock dry and relax. After you doa cleaning and the stock dries it will look lighter. But don’t be in a rush to finish and let the stock relax. Go grab a six pack and relax yourself and let your stock sits. Depending on the type of wood it will take a day or two but deep soaked in oil with come to the surface and your stock will get darker. Depending on how much of the oil you want out of the stock is up to you, just repeat the cleaning and relaxing steps until you’re happy.

Here is the good when it comes to cleaning. You will find markings you couldn’t see when it was dirty. The wood grain will show much better.
Here is the bad. You will find damage that you couldn’t see when it was dirty. This can be good because, if the damage is in a critical area the stock could break or come apart while shooting.
Here is what I found on the Winchester stock after the first cleaning. The right topside of the wrist has a pretty bad crack which will need to be repaired before the stock can be used.


The front of the front handguard has two cracks.


An old repair to the other end.


And another crack.


I have some more cleaning to do on the stock and will address the repairs in another topic.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I know. But that was a LONG time ago. $830 for a field grade Winchester is high, IMO. I guess the Winchester name puts it higher priced, but I’d take a $750 Service grade Springfield (the one that started it all) to a Winchester Field Grade.

But glad the OP got a Garand. They ain’t going down in price. My first one was a 1942 Springfield. Bought for $675 about 4.5 years ago. Stupidly sold it for $975. The barrel looked original to the receiver so maybe somebody really wanted it. Barrel and receiver made within a month of each other and both Springfield.

The Service Grade rifles were around $930. They didn’t hav any rack grade rifles.

 

[lemaymiami]

And for those that have expressed an interest in things CMP... Here's their forum site...http://forums.thecmp.org/index.php

Folks there - both from the customer side and the CMP side are very helpful for anyone with an interest in US milsurps - their care, feeding, and the steps needed to be able to make a purchase...

For anyone with an interest in getting really first rate repairs on military rifle stocks.... The best I've seen (with very little looking around...) is a guy named Frank Derrico. He shows up on this site and the folks there can point you towards him if you ask...
http://m1carbineforum.forumco.com/

Like many I came late to the game - long after M1 carbines got valuable.. so I visit the CMP and other sites with my nose to the window... and my hands firmly in my pockets...

 

[GunnyUSMC]

My buddy, Matt, wasn’t going to clean his stock until he saw the dirt coming off of mine, his stock was dirtier.
Here is the stock for the Springfield before we started.


There’s something here. Looks like three words. The bottom one looks like LOVE.


There was some old tape on the side of the stock.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Matt’s stock took about 10 hours to dry good. Matt wanted to keep all the dings and dents and markings on his stock. He asked about the slightly dry look after it was dry. I told him that when wood gets wet the grain will raise a little and all that was needed was to BONE the stock.
If you’re not familiar with BONING it’s pretty simple. You just rub the stock down with a hard wood dowel. I use a section of a pool cue made of Ash. This will compress the surface and give it a smooth finish without sanding.
Here is my BONING dowel.


You can see the color difference in the wood after BONING on the lower edge of the handguard.


I forgot to take pics while BONING the stock but here it is after it was finished.


You can see the markings much better, even the old inspector stamp.


There were a lot of marks where sand had been imbedded in the stock. I had to remove some large grains of sand before BONING.


We only found one small crack in the front handguard.

 

[Homerboy]

Purple Power is a great cleaner, but I find it a little strong for wood. For those that use it, just be sure that you don’t leave it on the stock to long and wash it off good.
Here is something to keep in mind when cleaning a stock that is heavily soaked with oil or cosmoline. When cleaning you will only be able to remove the oil and dirt from the surface and oil from just below the surface.
You will need to let the stock dry and relax. After you doa cleaning and the stock dries it will look lighter. But don’t be in a rush to finish and let the stock relax. Go grab a six pack and relax yourself and let your stock sits. Depending on the type of wood it will take a day or two but deep soaked in oil with come to the surface and your stock will get darker. Depending on how much of the oil you want out of the stock is up to you, just repeat the cleaning and relaxing steps until you’re happy.

Here is the good when it comes to cleaning. You will find markings you couldn’t see when it was dirty. The wood grain will show much better.
Here is the bad. You will find damage that you couldn’t see when it was dirty. This can be good because, if the damage is in a critical area the stock could break or come apart while shooting.
Here is what I found on the Winchester stock after the first cleaning. The right topside of the wrist has a pretty bad crack which will need to be repaired before the stock can be used.
View attachment 784803

The front of the front handguard has two cracks.
View attachment 784804

An old repair to the other end.
View attachment 784805

And another crack.
View attachment 784806

I have some more cleaning to do on the stock and will address the repairs in another topic.

I barely left it on at all. Sprayed it on and watched as the goop ran off. Rubbed with a sponge. Sprayed another quick coat and rubbed with sponge. Hosed off into a big tub and let dry. Didn’t apply any BLO for probably a week.

$930 for a service grade is insane. Guess the CMP is out of the promote marksmanship business. They’re pricing rifles out of the average buyer now. Nearly a grand for a 70 year old rifle is way too high. When the supply dries up, it dries up. No need to raise the price until then.

 

[H&R Glock]

I got my M1 Garand back in the 70's. I had to get fingerprinted, and join a DCM affiliated club. (not to mention the participation in the DCM shoot at my gun club) It was shipped to my home by Anniston Arsenal. I paid $165.00 for it. It is a Springfield. I had to iron up a lot of dents. I refinished the stock. It shoots wonderfully. What happened to the prices???? BTW everyone who participated in the DCM shoot got their M1 as the quota was not filled.

 

[G'dale Mike]

So now you can just drive up to Anniston and buy a garand or a 1911 when they are available? Proof of participation in cmp matches not necessary ?

 

[Garandimal]

Every Red-blooded American should make at least one trip to Garand Mecca.




GR

 

[mdThanatos]

According to the CMP website they have several ways to be considered eligible to purchase from them.

Membership in CMP Affiliated Organization:
You must provide a copy of your current membership card or other proof of membership. This requirement cannot be waived. The CMP currently has over 2,000 affiliated organizations located in many parts of the country. CMP Club Member Certification Form- If your CMP affiliated club does not issue individual membership cards, please have the club fill out the CMP Club Member Certification Form and return it with your order.

Membership in many of these organizations costs $25.00 or less and can be accomplished online. A listing of affiliated organizations can be found by clicking on our Club Search web page at http://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=clubSearch. If you have any difficulty in locating a club, please contact the CMP at 256-835-8455 or by emailing CMP Customer Service. We will find one for you. In addition to shooting clubs, the CMP also has several special affiliates. Membership in these organizations satisfies our requirement for purchase. These special affiliates include: Congressionally chartered veterans' organizations such as the VFW, AL, DAV, MCL, etc. U.S. Military services (active or reserves), National Guard, to include retirees. Professional 501(c)3 law enforcement organizations and associations such as the FOP, NAPO, NSA, etc. The Garand Collector's Association is a CMP Affiliated Club. You can download a Garand Collector's Association Application Form.

Note: Club membership IS required for purchase of rifles, parts, and ammunition.

AND

Marksmanship or other Firearms Related Activity:
You must provide proof of participation in a marksmanship related activity or otherwise show familiarity with the safe handling of firearms and range procedures. Your marksmanship related activity does not have to be with highpower rifles; it can be with smallbore rifles, pistols, air guns or shotguns. Proof of marksmanship participation can be provided by documenting any of the following:

• Current or past military service.
• Current or past law enforcement service
• Participation in a rifle, pistol, air gun or shotgun competition (provide copy of results bulletin).
• Completion of a marksmanship clinic that included live fire training (provide a copy of the certificate of completion or a statement from the instructor). Visit https://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=match&task=search to find an upcoming CMP sanctioned clinic or match.
• Distinguished, Instructor, or Coach status.
• Concealed Carry License.
• Firearms Owner Identification Cards that included live fire training. - FFL or C&R license.
• Completion of a Hunter Safety Course that included live fire training.
• Certification from range or club official or law enforcement officer witnessing shooting activity. Complete the CMP Marksmanship Form to certify your range firing and the required marksmanship related activity for an individual to purchase from the CMP.

No proof of marksmanship required if over age 60. Proof of club membership and citizenship required for all ages. NOTE: Proof of marksmanship activity is not required for purchase of ammunition, parts, publications or memorabilia.

 

[CapnMac]

$930 for a service grade is insane. Guess the CMP is out of the promote marksmanship business. They’re pricing rifles out of the average buyer now. Nearly a grand for a 70 year old rifle is way too high. When the supply dries up, it dries up. No need to raise the price until then.

Check the gun shows. Barely Rack Grade examples, with zero evidence of any sort of gunsmith overview (and definitely without muzzle & throat ersion measurements) are priced at $1500-1800. Cleaned up examples (also without any real documenttion) are being priced around two grand (saw a 50s era IH tagged at $2300 at a recent show).

Actually, there's a pretty big delivery of both Turk and Philippine Garands making their way into the system, somewhere around 5 to 8 thousand per CMP, that will swell the ranks again.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Well, Matt had to take a breat to have a snack. We picked up some local made potato chips made by Zapp’s. He couldn’t stop until the bag was empty.


But I was able to get him back to work on his stock.

 

[CapnMac]

and buy a garand or a 1911

Not a 1911. Those are by online request only. They are going to wait until they have 10,000 requests in hand, and those will be used to lottery out a pool of 6 to 7 thousand 1911s. If selected a NICS check is run. You are contacted if approved to give your recieving FFL info, and you will go through NICS again when you fill out the 4473 at your FFL. IIRC, they are going to be $850-950 each, and on a once-per year maximum policy (and you still have to lottery through into the selection process).

Garands are still easier.

But, you need all your qualifying information on file or in hand for in person sales.

Best reason to go in person is "kid in candy shop"; but mostly so as to not be clobbered by shipping when buying ammo (shipping on a spam can of then bandoliers is about as much as the ammo costs).

 

[Homerboy]

Check the gun shows. Barely Rack Grade examples, with zero evidence of any sort of gunsmith overview (and definitely without muzzle & throat ersion measurements) are priced at $1500-1800. Cleaned up examples (also without any real documenttion) are being priced around two grand (saw a 50s era IH tagged at $2300 at a recent show).

Actually, there's a pretty big delivery of both Turk and Philippine Garands making their way into the system, somewhere around 5 to 8 thousand per CMP, that will swell the ranks again.

I've seen the Garand's at gunshows. People are free to charge what they want if someone is dumb enough to buy.

But the CMP gets these rifles for free. I know they have overhead and they look over the guns, but 30% increase in 4 years is not cool. Especially for an organization that exists to "promote marksmanship"

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I barely left it on at all. Sprayed it on and watched as the goop ran off. Rubbed with a sponge. Sprayed another quick coat and rubbed with sponge. Hosed off into a big tub and let dry. Didn’t apply any BLO for probably a week.

$930 for a service grade is insane. Guess the CMP is out of the promote marksmanship business. They’re pricing rifles out of the average buyer now. Nearly a grand for a 70 year old rifle is way too high. When the supply dries up, it dries up. No need to raise the price until then.

Gunshop and show prices for decent Garands around here is in the $900-1200 range for run of the mill SAs, a bit more for the other makers. On Armslist, I occasionally see local ones for around $700.

I paid a grand for mine, a nice clean Blue Sky Korean reimport a few years ago- and don't feel bad about the deal I got at all.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

My buddy Matt arrived Wednesday from South Dakota. He came down to visit, eat good food and work on some of his rifle stocks.
When I picked him up at the airport we kind of joked about going to the CMP in Anniston Alabama.
Thursday we went to a few gun shops to see what was in the area. I joked about going to CMP to get a M1. Matt asked if I was serious and I said, what the hell, let’s go. So yesterday, Friday, we got up at 3am and hit the road. We only had to drive 448 miles to get. We arrived around noon.
View attachment 784683

They didn’t have a lot of rifles out but I picked out a Winchester manufactured in May of 1944. And Matt got him a Springfield manufactured in September 1943. These are from the batch of rifles that cams from Turkey.
We Met a young man named Nathan that worked at CMP. He told me that he had just built the Winchester and it had a Winchester barrel on it. Nathan was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Here are the rifles. Winchester on bottom.
View attachment 784671 View attachment 784672View attachment 784673 View attachment 784674 View attachment 784675 View attachment 784676 View attachment 784677

Here’s a tidbit of information about the Turks and the M1s..
The Turks were well known for their use of bayonets and hand to hand fighting. The Turks were given M1 during the Korean was. They didn’t care for the short M5 bayonets so, they converted some of their Mauser bayonets to fit the M1s.
View attachment 784678

I think I would prefer the Turkish bayonet in a hand to hand fight.
View attachment 784679


View attachment 784680

All in all we had a great trip and had a lot of fun.

Looks like quite a bit of barrel contact in that one shot Gunny, can't tell if it's your gun or your Bud's. Probably want to do a tilt test to check for op-rod bending. Dupage Trading is a great source for a spare if you need one.I also highly recommend the ported gas plug from Garandgear.com if you plan on running commercial hunting ammo. They have lots of cool helpful Garand tips on their website and a neat chart showing gas port pressures with different brands of ammo measured with a peizo sensor rig. Check it out.

Nice rifles, congrats!

 

[theotherwaldo]

You've got me thinking that I need another Turkish rifle. I've only got three - a Czech 98/22, an 03/38 and an 88/05. Maybe I need an M1 from this source.
It would also give me an excuse to visit my old school, which is just around the corner - Ayers State Technical College.
(Was the CMP store there in the late '80s? I'm sure that I would have noticed it.)

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Looks like quite a bit of barrel contact in that one shot Gunny, can't tell if it's your gun or your Bud's. Probably want to do a tilt test to check for op-rod bending. Dupage Trading is a great source for a spare if you need one.I also highly recommend the ported gas plug from Garandgear.com if you plan on running commercial hunting ammo. They have lots of cool helpful Garand tips on their website and a neat chart showing gas port pressures with different brands of ammo measured with a peizo sensor rig. Check it out.

Nice rifles, congrats!

That was on the Springfield. We took it apart at the CMP and everything was good. They must have replaced the op-rod before they put it out.
I have a bunch of Lake City ammo and will reload when run out.
Still working on the stocks right now.
Here are pics from the second cleaning of the Winchester’s stock.
A few before starting.


It looked pretty clean but once the cleaner was applied the the brown oil started coming out. I’ll get some more pics tomorrow.

 

[CoalTrain49]

When are they going to get the Korean carbines?

Is BHO's executive order still in place?

Why?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

When are they going to get the Korean carbines?

Is BHO's executive order still in place?

Why?

There were also issues with the Korean deal because Century Arms wanted to buy them and import them. The DOD cried foul because the guns are still, technically, US property and not for sale to a 3rd party. I don't know if the CMP has made recent overtures to the Koreans.....

 

[CoalTrain49]

There were also issues with the Korean deal because Century Arms wanted to buy them and import them. The DOD cried foul because the guns are still, technically, US property and not for sale to a 3rd party. I don't know if the CMP has made recent overtures to the Koreans.....

Something odd is going on here. Blue Sky imported a bunch. I know, I had one. How did Blue Sky get US property from S. Korea to import? I think it's all a ruse by the state dept. They don't want them and they don't want to see them back here in the U.S. I think the U.S. still owns them but would rather they just stay in S. Korea. There probably had to be several hundred thousand left there after the war. It really isn't a popular concept these days for the US gov't to be providing SA rifles to be sold to civilians thru the CMP. So.... the S Koreans have a bunch of hardware that an importer can't buy because it technically belongs to the US, but the US doesn't want it and neither do the S. Koreans.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

HEY!!!
Let’s not get to far off topic.
Let’s talk about my guns.

 

[Art Eatman]

In 1940-sized dollars, the Garands cost $94.

The Turks sent an over-sized battalion of 1,000 men to Korea. They had to restrain more than 1,000 additional troops who wanted to go and fight Communists. On arrival, they were told to dig in and camouflage their positions. They did, but erected a large Turkish flag in the middle of their area.

In 1954 I had occasion to go to the hospital in Yong Dong Po. I noticed a rather small, dark-complected man in a blue hospital robe. I asked an orderly about him. The guy was a "left-over" Turkish soldier who was still in rehab after more than a year. He had been found under a pile of bodies, many of whom had been killed via his knife. He had been shot and bayonetted multiple times.

Tough, hard-fighting dude.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Now I know that someone will say that by cleaning the stock I will be removing the patina. But before that person let’s everyone know that they don’t know what they are talking about, just sit back and learn.
Here is the stock. It’s pretty dirty and has a good bit of cosmoline on it. And there was some sand inside the stock.

Gunny – if that little remark was aimed at me… I have never said the cleaning the stock was anything but a compassionate act. Sanding off the bumps and dings is by far another story.