CMP M1 Garands

[Chip Monk]

I'm putting together my paperwork to order my M1 Garand from the Civilian Marksmanship Program and I was wondering what I should expect?  There are various grades of rifles listed and I'm less interested in a collector piece and more of a "usable" firearm.  I'm guessing that I should buy some of the surplus ammo that was made to fire with these as opposed to using contemporary 30-06 hunting ammo, but I don't have a lot of experience with these fine historical artifacts and was curious if any forum members here at GRRN have ever purchased one of these?
Thanks!
Chip

[Charlie Foxtrot]

Chip;

Bought a CMP Special Grade Garand several years ago.  The rifle is essentially as issued to a rifleman 60 or so years in the past: new barrel, new stock, new sling, all metal professionally refinished or new. Better, it was reworked by CMP gunsmiths, the best Garand mechanics in the world.

I wanted a shooter, as opposed to a collectable - and boy, does she shoot!  

I heard from many that the classifications you read on the website are the very least you can expect.  Most buyers are very happy with the rifle they receive.  CMP also seems to informally stand behind their product. One guy's Garand wouldn't function reliably.  He was asked to send to CMP.  When he got it back, it had been gone over, several parts replaced, and it functioned perfectly.

Buy the surplus ammo.  Best deal out there.  And you NEVER want to use 165gr or heavier commercial hunting loads for the Garand: too hot. The mechanism, especially the activating rod can be battered and broken by the higher pressures.     

Enjoy!

[NavyBlue99TA]

I got one about 5 years ago.  I honestly don't remember what grade it was, but I also wanted a shooter so it was probably the second from the lowest grade or thereabouts.  I've been very pleased with it and its a decent shooter.  Its not gorgeous, but isn't beat up either. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

[xmunckx]

A buddy of mine gotome through the CMP. He went for the second lowest grade they had to offer.
I have to say, not only does it shoot great but it looks really good as well.
He was very pleased with his purchase.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[Doc Wesson]

You will do good.. 
I have gotten a few from them.  Never had a problem or been disappointed.  Ones I got were Rack and Service Grades... but in my opinion look better than that and shoot like there is no tomorrow....
Fun thing is they ship'em to you at your house.... win win....

[Uninformed Opinion]

About how much do they normally run? Would love to get my hands on one some day.

[Chip Monk]

You will do good.. 
I have gotten a few from them.  Never had a problem or been disappointed.  Ones I got were Rack and Service Grades... but in my opinion look better than that and shoot like there is no tomorrow....
Fun thing is they ship'em to you at your house.... win win....

Thanks for all the input guys.  Now I really can't wait to place my order....
One quick question, Doc.  You said you've gotten a few of them.  Does that mean you can order more than one (I was under the impression there might be a limitation where you could only order one, but I wasn't certain)? 
Chip

[Devereaux]

CF is right - you have to shoot the military load for .30-'06 in the Garand or it will eat itself. It was sprung and designed for a certain amount of recoil, and if you put added stress on it, its weakest point, the op rod, will trash itself.

That said, if you really HAVE to, there are ways to get around this absolute restriction. Certainly one of two rounds will not kill your rifle. But if you want to shoot more, or if you decide you absolutely have to shoot 168 Sierra Match Kings, you can get an adjustable gas plug from Midway. It works by turning it out so that the rifle doesn't function, then slowly turning it back in until it ejects and feeds the next round. This is the same idea as on a FAL, only there it is a permanent item on the rifle. Same kind of plug can be had for an M1A1.

Last little tidbit. You can shoot the usual M1 ammo, but tune the performance of the rifle some by undoing the standard gas plug a 1/4 turn at a time until you find the best group (and the rifle still functions properly). Usually it isn't all that much that you have to adjust the plug. You will then have to keep track of tthe plug to make sure it doesn't take a hike while you are shooting.

Enjoy the rifle - it is a whale of a weapon. I bought one about '74, and it has been an outstanding shooter. I have another, a "new" M1 (by Springfield) that is now the designated "shooter", but the old one is simply gorgeous.

[Doc Wesson]

I bought mine long ago.. and at intervals... not all at once..  once you catch it, there really is no sense in denying yourself...

[haskovez]

Chip I also got one from there.  It was my second firearm I owned.  I bought a service grade and was very happy with it.  Looks like they are sold out of the service grade SA's that I ordered now.  Mine was when the service grades still had original stock's.  I would recommend buying some of the surplus ammo because it is a really good price.  If you want more match grade ammo I would say the CMP sells a hornady load that you could get as well that is loaded for the Garand pressures.  If you are looking for other commercial ammo in any store Federal American Eagle sells a .30-06 M1 Garand load as well, that you can use.  That being said I think my M1 was the best $600 I have spent, it is really a neat rifle.

As for buying more than 1 from the CMP I think the CMP allows you to buy up to 1 Garand per month through that program.  If I had some spare money I would love to buy one of the more collector grades just to hold on to for the history of the thing, but I love my service grade as a shooter.  Plan on detail stripping it to get the cosomoline out of it after you buy it.

[SuperDuty]

I came across this in today's NRA rifleman twitter feed.  The National Match M1.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/national-match-m1/

[Mudcat]

Of the recent "United States Rifle cal .30 Model 1"  I have seen coming out of the CMP have been great! I have had 2 students order them after attending an Appleseed and they both received them within a month of placing their order. They were both beautiful refinished post war rifles that gauged very well for shooters. I recommend when placing your order to put what you are looking for either a shooter or a collector and the staff at the CMP will usually honor your request as best they can.
I made the trip to CMP south last year and picked up my Springfield . I have shot just over 2500 rounds since last July. I am happy to say that it has never been shot off a bench or rest. Only a sling just like it was intended to be shot. This is my favorite rifle, I enjoy taking it to Appleseed shoots and when I give the CMP speech and ask who wants the CMP forms for their rifle. I usually let shooters take a few shots with it. There is nothing like seeing a new shooter be it a man, woman or youth get down and sling up with my United States Rifle and send some 30-06 rounds down range. The smiles are priceless! Do order yours soon if you have not already, the supply is getting low.

The Garand is the only rifle that is designated as the "United States Rifle".