CMP Garand

[CZU]

I know the most sought out are the war time models but what about the post war builds? I should just not stop in at the lgs, they had one that from across the counter looked just about new. When I looked at it yesterday I noticed that the parts that were visible were all SA marked. I had them put it back for me and I looked at it again today a little more carefully. The part numbers were all preceded with a 65 and the number after that was the correct drawing number. The barrel is dated 4 55, the receiver is numbered in the 5.8 million range. the stock is new with a CMP cartouche. It looks like it was rebuilt just yesterday, possibly never fired afterwards, still has grease in the action.

I looked on the CMP website but couldn't figure out what model this was. Anyone here have one of these? Desirability? What did they sell for? I really like the way this one looks. I have a SA that I picked up about 30years ago that is ok but this one really flips the switch.

 

[waffles]

New wood isn't very desirable, but the post-war guns are generally pretty solid. I have a post-Korea Springfield and its an excellent rifle. Depending on the price I'd say go for it as long as it not seeing a conflict isn't a huge deal to you.

Also, a quick note that it takes some time, but ordering a Garand through the CMP isn't all that hard of a process. Usually saves a substantial bit of money too.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

It's pretty hard to find an original factory original M1 Garand (or any GI weapon) as they were routinely rebuilt at different armories. It sounds like this one might be pretty close. You might invest in one of the dedicated M1 Garand books to confirm your possible purchase.

M1s aren't getting any cheaper, so a wise man would probably lay the cash down. If I was there, I could help you out with some gauges to measure the wear on the throat and the bore.

I only have one factory original and unaltered M1 and it's an SA made in 1952 with a 4.2 million serial number. Looks like the one you want dates to the very end of production.

 

[Chubbs103]

My CMP Garand is from '56. Everything appears to be matching. The wood looks like it was drilled with quiet a bit but the bore is exceptionally clean and tight. It is a great shooter.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

The last one I bought from the CMP in Annistion was an H&R with new wood that looked like it had never been fired.......A GREAT rifle. My others are Springfields. Back in the day it was fun to drive down to Anniston and buy Garands and Carbines. Also brought back cases of Greek HXP to feed them. 10-12 years ago the gun room at the CMP would be packed wall to wall with Garands/Carbines/Springfield 03's and .22 target rifle.........Once they cleared you and "buzzed" you into the gun room rifles the smell of cosmoline filled your sensories.

 

[oysterer]

This sounds very desirable to me if the price is right and if the throat and muzzle reading are like 0 or 1, meaning that barrel is from 1955 but not shot out.

The new wood can be dealt with. I got a 5.7 Million H&R I posted here recently with a brand new barrel and new stock. The stock was terrible looking, dry and sandy, but it was a lot of fun sanding, linseeding, baking in the sun and seeing it come together. It will turn red over time with a brand new barrel and not thousands spend either. The main thing is to make sure to sand all of the dry powdery walnut stain off carefully before putting oil on it. A tremendous shooter, not an authentic WW2 piece but a super rifle to own and one I really love taking out to shoot every weekend for now.

What are they asking?

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

The CMP is still the best place to get a quality M1 Garand for the best price.......Not BS from a guy at a gun show table.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

It sounds like the original poster is descrbing one of the CMP special grade guns.

I have a bunch of them they are great. I do not know what the store is asking for the gun mentioned. But you can likely do better directly from the CMP.

 

[austintexas]

It is luck of the draw now with CMP. You might get a great rifle or one with pitting on the receiver, a lot are coming thru with new CMP wood and new criterion barrels. I think it was mentioned on the CMP forum that 65% that came back from the Philippines had bad barrels, also had a termite problem with the wood. Still some buyers are coming up with really nice guns. Best bet is go to Anniston and pick one out on the show room floor.
SWCA 892

 

[Rudi]

A buddy of mine has a Korea era example, mixed parts. Shoots like a champ.

 

[CZU]

This sounds very desirable to me if the price is right and if the throat and muzzle reading are like 0 or 1, meaning that barrel is from 1955 but not shot out.

What are they asking?

Asking is a little under 1K, the bore looks good to me, obviously not new but it isn't a sewer pipe. I can't compare prices as the CMP doesn't have any listed on the website.

As I said earlier the rifle looks new, there is no pitting above or below the woodline nor is there any on the parts. I can't imagine the CMP letting something tat looks this good leaving them with bad TE or ME numbers.

 

[Spurdann]

I really like the way this one looks. I have a SA that I picked up about 30years ago that is ok but this one really flips the switch.

I think you answered your own question. If it is under a grand buy it and enjoy it.

I was at the north store with my oldest many moons ago and he grabbed the ugliest dog on the rack and said this is the one I want. For once I kept my mouth shut and smiled. We spent a lot of hours at the range competing against each other. That ugly dog killed a lot of clay pigeons at 200 yards

 

[skwchock]

I agree that CMP is the BEST place to buy a M1 GARAND. I took the CMP course at Anniston. They walk you through the CMP complex to see the entire strip down to rebuild process. Very Impressive. These are real gunsmith craftsmen. They love their job and are experts. Don't buy a M1 Garand from anyone else but through CMP. No BS-- only quality from them. AND you will save lots of $$$$$$. It is through your purchase of CMP products that CMP can continue to operate and function.

 

[Greyman50]

Last word was CMP has mostly Philippine rebuilds, only new wood and mostly replaced parts, which is normal.
Anyone wanting an “ Original as issued M-1” is dreaming UNLESS they find one “ brought home in a duffle bag”. Even during WWII and Korea M-1s were subject to have parts changed by Ordnance units in the field.

 

[ladder13]

I have a bunch of them, the best being a HRA Collector Grade I bought from Scott Duff some 20 years ago.
The others are CMP, including a Winnie, 5 digit SA (maybe four, haven’t looked in years) and a Tractor gun.

 

[minconrevo]

M-1 Garand's have been in service since as early as 1937. Most held by CMP have been rebuilt, to one extent or another, a few times. Common is a replacement stock and/or a replacement barrel. The M-1 was designed to be rebuilt as necessary. A few are still in their original state; very rare as they were made to be used. The "golden era" of low price/high availability Garands was the early 2000's. While some grades are still available, prices are up and overall condition within grade are down. It's common these days to see "corrected" CMP Garands, which are user reconfigured rifles to original maker marked pieces, to some degree or another. These are not true as-built originals but are as close to that is most will see outside of a few museums. Still a CMP Garand is a great value for a historic rifle that you can take to the range. Mine is a parts "mixmaster" and shoots great!

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

One of mine & a carbine at my playground.

 

[teletech]

Under a grand and it's not yours already? Run, don't walk.
you can't even get a new commercial gun for that.
People get hung up on ME and TE numbers, but I've seen tight guns not shoot that well and well worn gun shoot just fine.
A new commercial barrel isn't a lot of money and wouldn't hurt a '50s gun's value all that much should there be an issue. I'd be more concerned about the condition of the gas block and op-rod honestly, but once again, a complete M1 is always worth over a grand now and if you find one you actually like the look of, so much the better.