Posted: 4/2/2008 3:29:20 PM EDT
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Heading to CMP Friday to pick up my first Garand. After i call and make sure they have some of course. lol But, my question is, what should i look for? I think i am going to go ahead and get a service grade. Not familiar with what to look for and just wanted some advice before i head out. Thanks in advance. |
I was just out there last Fri., if you'd posted sooner, you could have road with us! Don't bother calling, they have Garands. I bought a Field Grade gun a few weeks ago and a buddy of mine bought a service grade gun last Fri. My buddies gun would have been a Correct Grade except it had an springfield bolt and trigger group instead of RIA like the rest of the gun. After you get inside and sign in, go inside to the counter, fill out your forms and get that process started so your not waiting after you choose your gun. Ask one of the fellows at the counter for a set of guages to check your bore with. By looking, you can find a Field Grade Garand with a Muzzle of less than 2 and a throat thats the same but maybe it won't have the best stock, thats why its not a service grade. I picked a field grade like that, it had excellent readings on the muzzle and throat, but it also has a grenade sight mounting disc screwed to the side of the stock and it was loose. I though it a small price to pay for a gun in such great shape. You can get a really nice gun for $495 if you look. PLEASE check the muzzles, some field grade guns will actually let the muzzle gage drop in and rattle around! It pays to look. It also pays to ask help or advice at the counter if your not sure what your looking at. As you check guns out, you find one with a really nice bore but you might not be thrilled with the stock. Set it aside in a position where you'll find it again. It is overwhelming to look at 30 rifles and try to find the second gun you looked at because you thought you liked it best, that happened to me, and my bud when he went. Also, decide on what you want to spend ahead of time. Service grade guns are $595 and Field grade guns are $495. You already said you want a service grade, but realize a good no. of their service grade guns have new replacement stocks. That was an issue for me (I wanted my gun to look older) so I looked at more of the field grade rifles and got a good one. Other than the sight disk that was loose I can't understand why my rifle wasn't a service grade and when I mentioned it to the guy at the counter last week he just smiled and said it happens. Now my buddies gun looks a lot better, but he got the service grade and his gun was nice enough to be a correct grade. Look at the rear sights, you don't want one that is really loose. Some parts can easily be replaced, I liked a gun my buddy didn't, it had a excellent bore reading on the ME and TE, but the buttplate was cracked, he didn't want to mess with replacing it. If its in your budget, start out looking at service grade guns and take your time. You will need, 1. Drivers license 2. Passport or birth certificate to show proof of citizenship 3. CCW, C&R license, or Your dd214 military paper to show firearms training 4. Proof of club membership, you can join the Garand Collectors Association for $25 right there so don't worry about that. I love my rifle, its a Springfield Armory rifle with all Springfield Armory parts on it. It was born Feb. 1944 and had a new Springfield barrel installed in 1952. By the dark black finish it was given to Greece at some point, most of the rifles there were. Here is a souce for Garand serial no. manufacture dates www.fulton-armory.com/tea/m1serial.htm I'm excited for you. My rifle |
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Thanks for that advice acmech. That was very helpful. I will definitely look at the field grade as well. I'm also glad i read that about what to bring. It's been a while since i looked at that page and had forgotten about the birth certificate or passport part. That would have sucked to go 4 hours and come home empty handed. lmao. Thanks again for the great advice. Very helpful. And when i get home, i will post a pic of what i bring home. Hopefully i can go out Sat and do some shooting. 
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Tell me about it! I had two guys with me last week who kept reminding me that the wife said I was done for if I bought another gun. That all started when I bought my Garand and paid cash using the money I saved up for a G19. Next day I went to the gunshow and fell in love with the S&W M&P and I charged one of those. Any more guns I get I'll have to build. I showed her my Cetme parts kit just so she didn't think I bought another gun when I finish the build. Luckly I had enough money ratholed for a 480 rnds case of 30-06 at the CMP last Friday. Now if I can just get somebody to buy my Tantal parts kit I'll start saving up again so I can try to catch up to LarryG. |
Yeah, i've had that problem before. Luckily i'm single, so no wife to get on me about what i buy. lmao. But, i have come home and had to figure out a way to pay my bills since i spent paycheck money on a gun. lmao. |
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Ask the friendly guys at the counter to borrow a set of throat and muzzle erosion gauges, and ask then to show you how to use them if you've never done so. Every trip I've made to the CMP in Anniston has rewarded me with meeting good folks there -- you'll be glad you made the trip. Take your time and check the wear on each rifle on the racks. You'll be surprised at just how good the condition of some of the barrels will be. Stocks will vary in condition, too, but always choose good metal over a good stock -- changing out an old stock for a brand new one isn't expensive, but getting a new barrel installed is costly. |
  Here's the one i ended up. It has a less then 2 on the throat and less then 2 on the barrel. Had a very helpful customer help me out since the other guys were busy. All were very nice though. I think i am going to be very happy with this one. Wish i had more money though. |
What grade? |
Attachment point for a grenade launcher sight I believe. |
Yup, thats exactly what is is. I initially overlooked the rifle because of it, but they had several service grade rifles with the sight disk on them also. I took it because the stock was in great shape otherwise, and the ME and TE on the gun was pretty low (less than 2). As a buddy of mine who was there pointed out, you don't see those everyday and their part of the guns history. I went to CE with a couple of guys Friday and shot it for the first time. I also shot my M&P 9. It was a lot of fun to shoot, not at all unpleasant for recoil. I think my mausers kick harder. |
I picked up the rifle and a case of ammo on clips for $750 total. It was $200 for a 768 rd case. They do have some not on clips, but i can't remember the price. I needed clips, so i went ahead and bought this case. |
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"You will need, 1. Drivers license 2. Passport or birth certificate to show proof of citizenship 3. CCW, C&R license, or Your dd214 military paper to show firearms training 4. Proof of club membership, you can join the Garand Collectors Association for $25 right there so don't worry about that." So I just want to make sure I have this right. Number 3 is saying that a CCW OR C&R OR dd214. Because that would basically say that all of us with a CCW and a passport are set. We just need to bring it all down to the place and join the association for $25. Right? |
Yes, I think everyone on this site would probably qualify on step 3 step 3 is for "training" or activity proof, you only need one of the given examples, below is a list of examples Per the CMP: Marksmanship or other Firearms Related Activity You must provide proof of participation in a marksmanship related activity or otherwise show familiarity with the safe handling of firearms and range procedures. Your marksmanship related activity does not have to be with highpower rifles; it can be with smallbore rifles, pistols, air guns or shotguns. Proof of marksmanship participation can be provided by documenting any of the following: Current or past military service. Current or past law enforcement service Participation in a rifle, pistol, air gun or shotgun competition (provide copy of results bulletin). Completion of a marksmanship clinic that included live fire training (provide a copy of the certificate of completion or a statement from the instructor). Distinguished, Instructor, or Coach status. Concealed Carry License. Firearms Owner Identification Cards that included live fire training. FFL or C&R license. Completion of a Hunter Safety Course that included live fire training. Certification from range or club official or law enforcement officer witnessing shooting activity. A form for use in completing and certifying your range firing can be downloaded from the CMP web site at http://www.odcmp.com/forms/marksmanship.pdf No proof of marksmanship required if over age 60. proof of club membership and citizenship required for all ages. NOTE: Proof of marksmanship activity is not required for purchase of ammunition, parts, publications or memorabilia www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/eligibility_requirements.htm |
I had my CCW permit, copy of my birth certificate, membership card from GSSA($15 a year) and that was it. GSSA, Georgia Sport Shooting Association, was only $15 a year to join and it's a Ga club. You can join a club there for $25 though. It was said earlier in this post and also was told to me when i got there to get the paper work started when you get there, then look around for what you want. Everyone there was real nice and helpful. They have gauges there to use, all you have to do is ask and they request your DL to hold while you have the gauges. Is was a nice place and i am happy with my purchase. |