Jon,
I got a bunch of email from some folks awhile back relating to the last time the GCA unpacked all those M1's a year or two back. From what I was told (read in emails) a number of folks took correct, top of the line rifles and swapped parts. They then took those rifles to the CMP employees that were grading the guns, got the lowest possible price (because of mismatched parts) and then met up in the parking lot and swapped the parts back. That way they got the better guns for extremely low price.
I was also told of the limit on rifles being tossed out the window and some special folks buying at least 10 of rifles at one time.
You point #2 is moot, those type of people that allegedly did this had zero problems. I wonder if the management of that organization turned a blind eye to this, or they might even be the ones that did a lot of it.
#3 I never said the CMP had a big problem.
Your item #4 sounds like you are trying to justify any unethical actions as ok, since they spent their own money, etc. If you volunteer, do it, don't steal and think it's ok since they are not paying you. These bad volunteers did this not out of the goodness of their heart, but out of greed.
I have no issues with them using volunteers to sort the rifles, and yes those people should be able to buy a rifle like any other customer. However what allegedly happened is abuse, and should not be a normal business practice. What is worse, I think it was done with a wink from OM and the others on his team, at least that was the impression of the person that witnessed all this and related it to me.
Whether or not you believe it, many buy the CMP Garands just to sell. Look at the gun show tables with the boxes and the rifles. Go ahead and try to take a picture, or write the information from the box down and see what the dealer does. Not an easy task to report one, and many folks don't know the rule. If they do, they don't think it's fair, or any of their own business. Yeah, it's a rule, but rarely enforced if at all. How much of that spam can ammo did you see at the shows during the panic? Were they supposed to sell that also? Well they did. People cheat, and that organization does not really pursue enforcement. Try to report one and let me know how it works out for you getting the sellers name, etc.
Any person that goes over to their forums and says the least thing negative or not toeing the company line, they get ostracized and run off. While they have a strong knowledge base, they are one of the most self loving groups I have ever seen.
They are just not as snow white as they portray and are they have a full load of white knights over there that keep their noses well placed close to particular body parts of the CMP management and each other.
Come to think of it, might be time to write a letter to my congressman regarding if they have had an audit in a while and these abuses I have been told about.
JMHO
