I've decided to buy my first (I'm not even going to try to kid myself) M1 and I have two questions.

First, it seems everyone here is buying field grade or woodless rifles.  I want a rifle that shoots well without having to rebarrel and doesn't look crappy.  Is there a reason I shouldn't be buying a service grade...?   The wait doesn't bother me.  I guess I'm asking if the extra $$ is worth it.

Second, do these rifles have to be shipped to an FFL?  I don't have a C & R yet, but on their webpage it seems like they will ship directly to me, requiring only an adult signature.

I believe Service grades are gone.

I suppose thats a good reason not to order one.

Quoted: I believe Service grades are gone.

Not gone, just 90-120 delivery time

My own first CMP rifle order arrived. Only 2 weeks! Not my first garands though.
Numbers 242xxxx and 297xxxx.
242 looks has a pretty beat up stock, big chip in the top of the buttstock. Found a new shoelace in the buttstock! :)
Did the bullet test, it stopped just a hair short of the casemouth. I have no way of checking TE. Stamped trigger guard, '47 barrel. Will probably be a DGR candidate if its not a decent shooter, or at least first in line for a trip to DGR if it is. The front handguard seems a little "fat", like a boyds stock.

297 came with a milled guard, bullet showed 3/16" in the muzzle test. Rear handguard had a couple of wedges or whatever they are on the top across a crack to fix it. '52 barrel. Stock dinged up.

Neither stock has cartouches, just serial numbers.

Sorry, no pics at this time.

2 cases of greek arriving tomorrow. :)

John

Go w/ the service grade.  Mine looks beautiful & shoots great.  I got it back when the wait was 6 months & believe me it was worth it.  I'm looking at a field grade so I can convert it to .308 & have the best of both worlds.

Myself and several other guys in my unit over here ordered rifles...one of my peers, being single with no expenses at home, bought two garands, a 1903 and a 1917.  I ordered one field grade, knowing my plan was to rebuild it.  The service grade will be guaranteed better condition being up to spec.  A new stock from Boyds is like 80 dollars, and would be easy to take care of.  If you know you do not want to work on it, I would say the extra $125 is worth it.  I'm still contemplating getting another one...but I'd leave that one be.

Orest has recently stated that they have recently been finding more service grades. They will fill existing orders first and then new orders will be next. If you already plan on getting another one (or five....let's face reality here), I would try and score a field grade and a service grade. That way you will have something to shoot and tinker with during your wait for the service grade!!

Sent out the paperwork for a service grade yesterday.  

You are a VERY BAD man Rockasons------->   (goes to print out more order forms)

Yeah, ain't it great!

I started off in your shoes a few years back. Got a USGI Service Grade for my first garand. Then some rack grades, a few receivers, and an IHC from Scott Duff. I now have six and that is still not enough. It is truly an "-itis" of sorts.

The rifle itself (as far as aesthetics go) does not have too many variations. There are M1D's, M1C's, and Tankers (T-26). But you then want to collect manufacturer's and serial number ranges. You also want a National Match or two....maybe one chambered in .308. Finally, "correct" rifles are another symptom of the disease. Oh yeah, I forgot about the Italian receivers. To sum it up, the Garand IS the greatest battle implement ever devised. You can have numerous variations in the AR15 platform. The Garand is what it is and still has HUGE following.

Anyway, enjoy your new rifles. I guarantee that your wait will be well worth it!