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I am considering ordering an M1 garand from the CMP. I want it to shoot live ammo, but also to shoot blanks and to look the part for WWII reenacting. What suggestions would any of you have for which grade to purchase and any special requests I should make for the rifle. I know it is the luck of the draw but am told they will try to meet specific requests if possible. Thanks.
Roscoe16
I wouldn't go below a service grade rifle. If money isn't in the equation get the correct grade. You will be able to shoot it at the range and shoot blanks to. When you look for a blank firing adapter get the Hollywood style. They are far superior to the straight tube type.
Semper Fi...
x2 what USGI said. Get atleast a service grade if you plan to do both live and blank shooting, and a hollywood style adapter. Used mine twice for reenacting, and they work well (not noticable at 10 feet). Mostly is used for live fire, as never got into WWII reenacting as much as civil war...
Havent seen the hollywood type adapters as much lately, might have to look around a bit, but are still around.
The "Hollywood" style of Blank Adapter I've found to be very pricey. Usually average about $35.00, to $50.00, and mostly available on eBay. I bought a regular Blank Adapter for about $10.00, several years ago and works quite well. The Standard BA "sticks out" a few inches farther, but in the long run, who'll really notice.
With the tube type BFA you have to take some precautions not to damage the barrel treads. I'm on a Marine Corps League Honor Guard and we do quite a few burials and the Hollywood type work out much better for us. They go on and off and you don't have to sorry about ruining the threads. With the tube type we have had to replace two barrels due to over tightening and loose adapters. If your going from shooting live ammo to firing blanks on some kind of regular bases I would go with the Hollywood style.Quote:
Originally Posted by M1 Rifleman
Thanks for the info. The Service Grade fits my budget. It appears they are out of Correct Grade right now anyway. Should I get an SA or HRA? Can I just tell them I want a good shooter that looks the WWII part? Will they understand what that means or do I need to be more specific and ask for parkerized finish (nothing black) and walnut stock and handguards (no birch) so it looks the part?
Roscoe16
Roscoe do you live close to one of the CMP stores?Quote:
Originally Posted by Roscoe16
Nope. I'm in Minnesota.
Roscoe16
IF you want to be nit picky specific - get an SA in the 3 Mil or below. The HRA was only made durring the Korean War.
I have seen Very Few problems with the standard BFAs available. I think the expensive one talked about here is the one with the locking colar & BFA made in one piece. A Hollywood type BFA is one that is inserted(screwed) into the bore so it doesn't show.
Sarge
RoscoQuote:
Originally Posted by Roscoe16
As sarge stated if you wanting a WWII rifle 3 mil or earlier you can ask for that. You can put a sticky note with your order and request what you are wanting but that comes with the luck of the draw. They might not have such a rifle without looking or holding an order for awhile. That they will not do, if your wanting a WWII rifle just request it. Now for the wood and metal to be a certain way along with a WWII rifle your chances are getting very very thin now. Not to many older rifles coming out of Anniston anymore. If they do show up they will have a mix of WWII parts and Post War. IMHO
Semper Fi...
BUY the BORE!!!! Put it in the request, less than 2 preferably 1. The later models 5 million plus have all the latest features and upgrades. See the various M1 books for this info.
Pencil thru buying the "Special". Usually a new stock is needed $150-200, a sling $25-50, and a barrel $120-300 including installation. Then you may need additional parts. For the $400 differential your ahead of the game.
Also as suggested above if anyone is going to the North Store have them look.
In purchasing an '03 by mail I needed to replace the stock and barrel $$$$. Going to the south store for an M1 I only had to replace the stock. Keep this in mind on your order as you'll find this is going to be the case.
Start looking for a set of lock bar sights. Just about all of the M1s coming out of the CMP will have the post war style sights.
If the rifle you end up with has a stamped trigger guard, consider changing it to a milled trigger guard. The stamped came out late in the War. If you want to be authentic for all parts of the war you will need a milled trigger guard.
Also check the gas cylinder lock. You need the rounded top version instead of the post war version with the square "hump".
Good Luck
Mark Hubbs (former WWII reenactor)
+1 on what Capt John just said. I picked up an 5.8 mil Springfield even though I wanted a low s/n because I wanted a shooter. Shoots just as good (as far as I can tel) as my 2.26 mil Springfield that has the same erosion measurements on it's VAR replacement barrel (Both are about TE=1.5 and MW=0.5). Point is, you can always buy the "accessories" later, but getting a worn-out or marginal barrel is usually always more than $200, whereas early style parts can be "found" on the gun when purchased at either the North Store or South Store, depending on where you live.Quote:
Originally Posted by CapnJohn
If my interview goes well tomorrow, I will hopefully be back at the North Store this summer. Gotta feed the addiction, man! :D
Mike Doerner
Thanks to everyone for all of the feedback. I may need to clarify what I am looking for here. I realize WWII rifles were Springfield and Winchester, had lockbar sights, etc. I guess what I am after is not necessarily an absolute period rifle, but one that looks period (from a distance) for reenacting, but will make a good shooter also. I don't really want to hunt around for a different stock or other parts. So a 4-6 million Springfield with a parked finish, mixed parts, great bore, and walnut stock would fit the bill. Is this all I would need to ask the CMP for? What more would I ask for? How specific do I need to be?
Thanks, Roscoe16
"So a 4-6 million Springfield with a parked finish, mixed parts, great bore, and walnut stock would fit the bill. Is this all I would need to ask the CMP for? What more would I ask for? How specific do I need to be?"
As I mentioned, it's a crap shoot!! What you ask for and get in what you describe is like the thing you learn in kindergarten, you start the story and by the time it comes back to you it's changed. Be very SPECIFIC and detailed. Most people aren't. Also, pencil through the cost of buying a SPECIAL and see what the CMP sells both a stock and barrel for, and the cost of installing them plus reparking the full rifle with "new" parts!!. Subtract that from a SPECIAL's price to come up with a ball park number.
FROM THE CMP WEBSITE:
M1 Garand, Springfield Special
Due to heavy demand ,please allow 180 days for delivery.
M1 Garand Springfield Armory receiver. New production stock and handguard set with CMP cartouche, a new production barrel and new leather sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture