Running some numbers, got the itch to order another M1 in Jan, if I wait until March I can swing 2 field grades. Wondering just how rough the "typical" example is. My service grade is almost as nice as the specials I see people posting(with a GI barrel reading nearly new wear numbers), I think this time around I want something with a bit of wear.

You cannot go by what someone else posts pics of. I have personally handle many hundreds of Field Grades and the range from worn out rifles that need the barrel replaced with cracked stock/handguards with rust to rifles that makes you wonder why they werent graded as Service Grades.
Its all luck of the draw and there is no trend to what "is shipping  lately"

I think there were trends while the Danish and Greek returns were being processed and it's back to predictable rifle conditions as determined by US armorers.  You have to know the standards the US armorers were using to know what to expect.  I think one new trend is a service grade barrel with sub par wood is now getting a new CMP stock and some rack grades are getting rebuilt with new park, wood and barrel so maybe there is another trend of rack grades not being as bad.  I think they have figured out WW2 stuff is worth money so they may be swapping a bit to keep the parts in circulation.

US Armorers? Not sure what you mean but all CMP rifles were and are graded at Anniston in the US.
The OP was asking about Field Grades, I have personally seen many   gage up to a 7 on the muzzle. This was Danish And Greek returns. Its still luck of the draw . Read the grade description and expect to get exactly that

Thanks for the tips, I was assuming there was an "average" for what to expect, guess not. Maybe I'll just get another service grade, haven't seen one that I'd have been disappointed with. That, and one service instead of 2 fields leaves a lot of ammo money.

Spend the extra $$$ on the service grade...eliminates a lot of the "luck of the draw".

The service grades currently shipping have been very nice...

Ten or so years ago, they had people volunteering at the CMP to unbox, inspect and sort rifles and these were USGI rifles that had never been lent out or anything like that.  If you watched the reports on the various forums, volunteers would post the trend of uncrated rifle conditions and time your orders accordingly.  Doing just that, I received two pristine 1965 rebuilds that looked like they came right from the factory with barrels that were basically new and a barreled receiver that was the same.

I was thrilled with this one, based on what people have mentioned receiving on the CMP forum the SG rifles are pretty consistent like this-MW1+, TE2. Would have liked a GI stock but with the condition of the parts I can't complain. That, and it's a great shooter. If I order another one I'm leaning towards doing this again, think I'll pass on field grade if there's no real average.
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