CMP Gets 100,000 M1 Garands from the Philippines and Turkey.

[Swifty Morgan]

Rebarreled, wood replaced, substantial wear...one wonders how much of the gun that left America remains, and how well the existing weapon will shoot.

It may be the real thing (at least some of it), but it's not for me.

 

[theotherwaldo]

My big gripe is that I went to the trade school that is right next door to the Anniston store - and I didn't know that the store was there!

 

[cfullgraf]

From the descriptions, those guns sound like they're beat to death.

Generally, from my experience dealing with the CMP back around 2009-2014, the guns are a bit better than the description but be prepared to be surprised by a better gun, not disappointed by one that meets the spec.

I have no idea on the condition of the Turkish or Filipino Garands.

The following is paraphrasing the specs in my words...

My experience with Field grades is they need some TLC to make them look nice. I usually replaced the stock but the metal still shows some wear. My barrels measured better than the spec and the guns shoot pretty well. But, the barrels can be close to worn out with Field grades.

Service grades are better than field grades and you are pretty much guaranteed to get a barrel with lots of life left in it. Some wear on the metal and dings in the wood.

The Special grades are essentially rebuilt guns. About as close to "new" as you will get these days. They look and shoot great. Metal has been re-parkerized. New production barrels and stocks installed.

These days, just about every Garand that the CMP unpacks has been through at least one arsenal rebuild, usually more. Don't expect to find one with correct parts. As a side note, some find frames with arsenal rebuild marks on the legs a bit more valuable to have than those without. At least you know a little bit of history on that Garand.

As already said several times, the CMP forum is really the best place to find information on what's available, how fast orders are being process, the condition of the rifles being released and just about anything else related to Garands.

Hope this helps.

 

[Swifty Morgan]

Wish I had thought about getting one 35 years ago.

 

[GBExpat]

Just checked my Firearms Index Excel file ...

I acquired all of my CMP firearms during a period of slightly over 3 years, mid-Apr'04 to mid-Aug'07.

I ended up buying 15 M1s. 15 because the Greek rifles became available within a couple of months of my starting CMP membership (a true case of Right Place, Right Time) ...

... and I read about how many folks were receiving Greek RGs that, aside from slight wood or easily-replaceable-part issues, were SG or very-near-SG condition ...

... Hmmmm ...

... and the CMP would deliver the Greek RGs to my door for only $295 + $20.95 shipping; $315.95!

Within ~12 months I bought, IIRC, 10 of those Greek Rackers and got lucky 10 times.

Within half a year of the Greek RGs being sold, the CMP had realized their problem, come up with a solution and announced soon-to-be created Grade of "Field" between Rack and Service ... and those almost-SG Rackers were listed as FGs and sold for substantially more.

During those 3 years I also purchased (from the CMP) a 1903 Mark 1, a 1903A3, an M1917 and, my final two CMP firearms purchases, a pair of M1 Carbines.

With the exception of the M1917, every rifle met or exceeded the listed Grading/Description criteria.

The M1917 failed because, apparently, during inspection, the Inspector suffered an OOPS and forgot to eyeball the bore. <shrug> Sometimes Stuff Happens, even at the CMP. BTW, the CMP handled that situation in its standard stellar fashion.

=================

What my CMP firearms purchasing experiences tell me is that if I read the description detail carefully and judge the rifle that I receive fairly & honestly, I will find that the rifle(s) that they ship to me match or, very often, exceed the listing. When an OOPS does occur, they will make it right.

FWIW.

 

[P5 Guy]

GBExpat, a gun show dealer had all his employees buy their limits and went thru them to 'correct' the parts. Sold them at a premium at gun shows. His tables were groaning under the strain of so many M1s.
My opinion, as long as those rifles got out into the populace no problems.

 

[wojownik]

I would report a generally similar experience with CMP, over the 2000-2005 period, but with a few more bumps

• One select grade m1 ($550) - SA, nice GI wood, TE of 2.
• One service grade M1 ($400) - SA, nice GI wood (better than the SG), listed TE of 3 (but I measured it with a TE of 2). I would rate the service grade as nicer than the select grade across the board.
• One 1903A3 - came with a cracked stock. Followed up with CMP, they shipped a replacement stock. I was a bit taken aback by the replacement which was painted black, covered with grease and grime, and the buttplate was worn to the white. Did a gentle restore on the stock (as gentle as one can in removing black paint) and found a very nice cartouched stock underneath. Replaced the buttplate and screws with minty metal ... good to go!
• One M1917. Jackpot on this one - all matching, excellent condition
• Two M1 carbines - IBM and Standard Products - really happy on these.

Hindsight being 20/20 I should have picked up more SG graded rifles then at $400 each.

My carbines:

Just checked my Firearms Index Excel file ...

I acquired all of my CMP firearms during a period of slightly over 3 years, mid-Apr'04 to mid-Aug'07.

I ended up buying 15 M1s. 15 because the Greek rifles became available within a couple of months of my starting CMP membership (a true case of Right Place, Right Time) ...

... and I read about how many folks were receiving Greek RGs that, aside from slight wood or easily-replaceable-part issues, were SG or very-near-SG condition ...

... Hmmmm ...

... and the CMP would deliver the Greek RGs to my door for only $295 + $20.95 shipping; $315.95!

Within ~12 months I bought, IIRC, 10 of those Greek Rackers and got lucky 10 times.

Within half a year of the Greek RGs being sold, the CMP had realized their problem, come up with a solution and announced soon-to-be created Grade of "Field" between Rack and Service ... and those almost-SG Rackers were listed as FGs and sold for substantially more.

During those 3 years I also purchased (from the CMP) a 1903 Mark 1, a 1903A3, an M1917 and, my final two CMP firearms purchases, a pair of M1 Carbines.

With the exception of the M1917, every rifle met or exceeded the listed Grading/Description criteria.

The M1917 failed because, apparently, during inspection, the Inspector suffered an OOPS and forgot to eyeball the bore. <shrug> Sometimes Stuff Happens, even at the CMP. BTW, the CMP handled that situation in its standard stellar fashion.

=================

What my CMP firearms purchasing experiences tell me is that if I read the description detail carefully and judge the rifle that I receive fairly & honestly, I will find that the rifle(s) that they ship to me match or, very often, exceed the listing. When an OOPS does occur, they will make it right.

FWIW.