parabolate
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2009
- Messages
- 21
I've been looking into purchasing an M1 Garand from the CMP recently and I have a few questions that some of you out there might be able to help with. I actually registered with the official forum on the CMP website a few days ago to ask my questions to the people over there but I have yet to have my account "activated" by one of their administrators. It's not automatic like most forums. I also sent in these questions to the CMP customer service but have yet to receive a response, I'm guessing they are just busy!
Anyway, after browsing through this forum it seems that several folks here on this forum own CMP Garands so I figure this is the next best place to get the info. I'm looking for! Also, it seems that several others on here are interested in picking up an M1 from the CMP so this info. might be valuable to them as well.
CMP M1 Garand Models I am personally considering:
SA Service Grade: $595, muzzle gauge <3, throat gauge < 4, & either a new CMP stock or a slightly banged up GI stock
SA "Springfield Special": $995, new CMP stock, new barrel, USGI receiver/other parts
The questions that I have are as follows:
Serial Numbers
Since this is the creme de la creme U.S. WWII rifle, I think it would be pretty cool to get one manufactured in the WWII era. I mean, talk about owning your own little piece of history! My reading on the net leads me to believe that WWII manufactured serial #'s go up to around 3.8 million.
1)If you request a serial number within that range will they generally grant that request?
2) Under their listing for their "Correct" Grade M1's on the CMP site it says only 5.4-5.8 million serial #'s are available but nothing is specified for the other grades. This makes it unclear if any WWII era rifles are available for the other grades such as field, service, etc. Anyone know if there are WWII serial # rifles available upon request?
3) Anyone have any idea what the serial #'s are on their new SA Springfield Specials? Considering that just about everything is new on that rifle minus the receiver I'm wondering what they choose to stick on these rifles.
Stocks
4) I haven't decided on the SA Service Grade or the Special yet but if you request a particular type of wood (i.e. birch, walnut) OR if you request the new CMP stock do they typically grant that kind of request? I'd probably go with the new CMP stock if I can elect to get that instead of gamble on the GI stock. Just wondering if I would be able to request birch, walnut, new CMP stock etc....
Ammunition
5) OK, I am seeing mixed opinions on this all over the web. Can you use store bought .30-06 ammo in your M1 or do you have to use the stuff CMP sells? Some say store bought is fine others say it will wear on your rifle. If any store bought is fine, what brand?
Your Choice?
6) Considering the information I have posted thus far and the knowledge you all may have on CMP M1 Garands, which would choose if given the option? SA Service or SA Springfield Special?
7) If you were to choose a SA Service Grade would you elect to get a new CMP stock or gamble on the GI stock in terms of wood quality. This is assuming they allow you to actually request one of their new CMP stocks of course.
Thanks for any information and opinions head of time!
Oh and P.S. before anyone tells me to do it, NO I can't drive to one of their locations! I'd love to but I'm a poor college student and I would prefer not to put about 2,000 miles on my car driving from Texas, I just paid off the thing last year and gotta keep that baby running smooth until I graduate in a year or so and get a "real" job....so I can buy more rifles? and other things too.....lol
Anyway, after browsing through this forum it seems that several folks here on this forum own CMP Garands so I figure this is the next best place to get the info. I'm looking for! Also, it seems that several others on here are interested in picking up an M1 from the CMP so this info. might be valuable to them as well.
CMP M1 Garand Models I am personally considering:
SA Service Grade: $595, muzzle gauge <3, throat gauge < 4, & either a new CMP stock or a slightly banged up GI stock
SA "Springfield Special": $995, new CMP stock, new barrel, USGI receiver/other parts
The questions that I have are as follows:
Serial Numbers
Since this is the creme de la creme U.S. WWII rifle, I think it would be pretty cool to get one manufactured in the WWII era. I mean, talk about owning your own little piece of history! My reading on the net leads me to believe that WWII manufactured serial #'s go up to around 3.8 million.
1)If you request a serial number within that range will they generally grant that request?
2) Under their listing for their "Correct" Grade M1's on the CMP site it says only 5.4-5.8 million serial #'s are available but nothing is specified for the other grades. This makes it unclear if any WWII era rifles are available for the other grades such as field, service, etc. Anyone know if there are WWII serial # rifles available upon request?
3) Anyone have any idea what the serial #'s are on their new SA Springfield Specials? Considering that just about everything is new on that rifle minus the receiver I'm wondering what they choose to stick on these rifles.
Stocks
4) I haven't decided on the SA Service Grade or the Special yet but if you request a particular type of wood (i.e. birch, walnut) OR if you request the new CMP stock do they typically grant that kind of request? I'd probably go with the new CMP stock if I can elect to get that instead of gamble on the GI stock. Just wondering if I would be able to request birch, walnut, new CMP stock etc....
Ammunition
5) OK, I am seeing mixed opinions on this all over the web. Can you use store bought .30-06 ammo in your M1 or do you have to use the stuff CMP sells? Some say store bought is fine others say it will wear on your rifle. If any store bought is fine, what brand?
Your Choice?
6) Considering the information I have posted thus far and the knowledge you all may have on CMP M1 Garands, which would choose if given the option? SA Service or SA Springfield Special?
7) If you were to choose a SA Service Grade would you elect to get a new CMP stock or gamble on the GI stock in terms of wood quality. This is assuming they allow you to actually request one of their new CMP stocks of course.
Thanks for any information and opinions head of time!
Oh and P.S. before anyone tells me to do it, NO I can't drive to one of their locations! I'd love to but I'm a poor college student and I would prefer not to put about 2,000 miles on my car driving from Texas, I just paid off the thing last year and gotta keep that baby running smooth until I graduate in a year or so and get a "real" job....so I can buy more rifles? and other things too.....lol