Hey guys, just wondering what you're experience with CMP was. I am really thinking about ordering a service grade Garand from them. But I dont know which receiver..I am leaning toward the Springfield receiver. Any other suggestions?

I am basically looking to build out a WWII collection. Already got a Mosin nagant.

List of my "collection"

Ar-15 with magpul furniture.
Albanian SKS (wood is beat up but she's a good girl)
1938 Tula production Mosin
CZ-82
Polish Mag98

What I would love to get this year
M1 Garand (Next on my list as soon as taxes get back)
Mosin Nagant PU sniper
Mosin Carbine
Nazi Marked K98
Russian/Yugo SKS
VZ.24 Mauser

What Else am i missing to complete this collection?

Several Enfields...

I can't imagine why anyone would not buy a Garand from CMP.  Sure there are some hoops to jump through, but, once CMP runs out your basic clean Garand is going to be $1000 for starters. It is such a neat rifle, with a rich history, and it originated in the US.   I have mine.  I'd like to get a couple more.  Hopefully I can before they sell out.

I took my family to the National Museum of the US Air force in Dayton.  The Thursday before the museum we drove up to Camp Perry and I got my rifle in person.  I accidentally planned our visit during the national matches and the place was packed, but I still got in and out in a reasonable amount of time.  

-Jay

I've bought four Garands, two carbines, a Kimber .22 match rifle, a couple of airguns and a bunch of ammo from CMP. Every order exceeded my expectations. They are a 120 percent first class organization.

Order a service grade. Wait. Receive and enjoy.

alright, I'll order it next paycheck

Given that several of the guns you already have don't really fit into a "WWII collection" I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you're not a stickler for 1941-1945 production. Opinions and preferences vary, so what trips one man's trigger may not do much for the next guy. That said, my list would look a lot different than yours. I've owned a couple of Mosin, SKS, etc. and got rid of them in favor of surplus rifles that exhibit a bit more precision (i.e. Swedes and Swiss). Also, while nearly everybody worships at the alter of the M98 Mauser, I'm not a fan. Sure, they're great actions but I've never really liked shooting the guns that much. The stocks don't fit me and I'm not a huge fan of the 8mm Mauser. Oh well, I guess that's why they make so many flavors of ice cream . . . tastes vary.

Anyway, here's a few you should consider:

• Swedish Mauser -- the Model 96, 96/38 and 38 are all great rifles and the 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser round is wonderful.
• Swiss K31 (or K-11) -- the level of precision in this rifle is amazing. Swiss surplus GP11 is near match-grade ammo.
• U.S. Rifle 1903 or 03A3 -- The American bolt action rifles are simply nice rifles (much more shootable than the big Mausers, IMO), plus they shoot .30-06. The WWI-era 1903 guns are slicker, better made (machined parts), but the WWII-era 03-A3 has more useful sights.
• U.S. Rifle of 1917 -- The "American Enfield" looks clunkly and awkward, but it really isn't. Some folks (read: me) prefer shooting it to the 1903. I have mine set up with a Parker-Hale match rear sight that was originally made for the British P14 (no permanent alterations necessary)
• Finnish M39 -- if you've got to own a Mosin rifle, the Finn is the one to have. There's just a world of difference between one of these and a run-of-the-mill Russian Mosin
• British Enfield -- These are great rifles that saw official service for nearly 100 years (I believe they're still in use in India/Pakistan). Super slick/fast actions. I'm not wild about the round and what I consider to be somewhat sloppy chambers on the guns, but lots of folks love the .303. My preference is for the No. 4 rifles with the peep sight, but the No. 1's are great, too.
• M1 Carbine -- Just a cool handy little semi-auto firearm. If they didn't rival or surpass lower-end AR15s in cost they'd be about perfect as a home defense gun. Neat gun.

Whatever you get, I'd encourage you to favor quality over quantity. Instead of buying up every $200 mil-surp rifle you can find, I think it makes more sense to save  your pennies a bit longer and buy fewer rifles of higher quality. For $400 you could have a Mosin Nagant 91/30, a Steyr M95 and a less desirable Mauser like a Turk or Spainish. You'd have three historic rifles, but none a truly great rifle. For the same $400 you find one NICE Swedish Mauser and have a true classic, a wonderful rifle that you'd be proud to shoot and own. The choice is up to you.

ETA: I actually like the SKS quite a bit. I sort of regret selling my Russian. That said, I don't care for the grenade launcher version of the Yugo (too long).

Yeah and it's a lot of hoops, I've got the paperwork ready just need to go get it notorized

I have never heard of anyone ever having a bad experience with the CMP. If something does get messed up they always make it right. Just be sure to attach a sticky note to your order requesting a low muzzle and throat erosion.

The only difference collectors ever noticed between Springfield and Harrington receivers is that HRAs supposedly have a nice finish. My untrained eye can't tell the difference. Harringtons were only made in the 50s and did not see the use and abuse that some Springfields did. In other words, order a Harrington and there is a good chance your rifle will be in upper end spectrum of service grade condition.

My experience with CMP was a Harrington service grade purchase. It came with a muzzle erosion of <1 and throat under 2. The bore (muzzle specifically) was pitted and this automatically downgraded the rifle to field grade condition. I contacted the CMP and they gave me the option of another service grade rifle or the same rifle back with 100 bucks. They paid the shipping.

The CMP is an amazing and outstanding organization. I received a small scholarship from them my freshman year of college.

Bill

Will do. now to just copy off my birth certificate, new copy of my ffl (Somehow they managed to miss one letter in my name....) and send it! cant wait the 60 days...uugh, oh well i'll have time to pay it off then!

Careful. Garanditus is particularly virulent.


All from the CMP. I also have a couple stripped receivers and about 20 Garand bayos from them. I like that all the money I spend with them goes to funding shooting sports and education.

For a WWII era M1 you want a Springfield under  3.8 ish million or any Winchester rifle.  

The SA will be cheaper by a couple hundred dollars.  To get a WWII receiver attach a sticky note requesting a WWII era receiver with a good barrel.  don't bother asking for an original WW2 matching barrel because you won't get one.  A nice 54-55 era rebarrel or even a 65 era barrel are common and will shoot much better than an original war era barrel that saw extensive field use with corrosive ammo.   A WRA Service grade will also very likely be a rebarrel.  If it has an original barrel it's likely going to the auction site for big dollars.

You might get an original barrel in the field or rack grades but then again they probably won't be in the best of condition by grade alone.

It does not need to be WWII Era, Just collecting the major rifle's that were used during WWII. not necessarily issued during that time. I've spoken to a number of people that say HRA will be a rifle within the service grade which I am looking/can afford.