Rebuilt CMP M1 Garand opinions

I sold all of my Garands except for a collectible Winchester I got as my first rifle when it was DCM. Decided I wanted to get a shooter grade to take to the range. So curious if anyone has purchased one of the CMP rifles built from an original receiver with new barrel and other parts. I was thinking for a shooter this might be the way to go.

How well do they shoot. Are the Criterion barrels pretty good?

How bad is the pitting on these. If I could get a nice one I might let my Winnie go.

Thanks,

Bill R.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reload1

Are the Criterion barrels pretty good?

---

I used a Criterion .308 on an M1 I changed over about five years back. It came short chambered so I had to finish ream and make sure I achieved TDC with the barrel but it was stellar. They have a fantastic reputation for use. It now lives on in another man's collection. I highly recommend them. The rifle shot extremely well after. Remember shooter grade will be exactly that, not a match grade.

I have to agree with Jim. These M1 rifles are just shooter grade. None of the NM techniques have been applied to these rifles that I can see. That does not mean they are not accurate. The Criterion barrels are excellent. On the Springfields, M1 Garands and M1A/M14 that I have installed they clocked in perfectly. The only ones that were problems were the three P14 .303 barrels that I installed. None clocked in just right. The index markings were a bit off. I do not fault the barrels as each of the P14 manufacturers never achieved commonality of components. I had to clock in the barrels with a front and back spirit levels and then check the headspace with the bolt. Two barrels passed the Go Guage even though the barrels were short chambered. One P-14 barrel I had to ream a wee bit with a finish reamer. All three shot rather well with Parker Hale Match rear sights.

--fjruple

I have a Field Grade Special. It shoots better than I do. I'm very happy with it. Being a field grade, there is quite a bit of pitting below the wood line, and some pitting above the wood line as well, but you have to look closely for it. It's a shooter, not a collector's rifle but that's what I wanted.
I did have to do a little work to the new CMP stock. It was pushing the barrel up so I was shooting high at 100 yards with the rear sight bottomed out. It didn't take long to fix.
If you're just looking for a shooter, I think they are a good choice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steve762

Please describe the problem and the adjustment you made to the CMP new production stock to correct the barrel pressure problem.

---

I'm very new at this, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I got my solution from the CMP forum. It worked for me.
The "U" channel at the front of my stock was binding up with the barrel and pushing it up. With my rear sight bottomed out, I was still about 4-6 inches high at 100 yards with a six o'clock hold on a SR-1 target. I relieved the corners of the "U" channel so the barrel was no longer touching the stock in that area. Now with the same target, distance and hold, I'm six clicks up from bottom to hit the "X".
You can tell if there is interference in that area by removing the top hand guard and putting the rifle back together. You should be able to get a piece of paper between the barrel and the stock.
I wish I could send you a picture, but I'm not at home to take one now.

---------- Post added at 02:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steve762

Please describe the problem and the adjustment you made to the CMP new production stock to correct the barrel pressure problem.

---

Here's a link to where I got my information:

How To: Reworking CMP/Dupage/Boyds M1 Garand Stocks - CMP Forums

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steve762

Please describe the problem and the adjustment you made to the CMP new production stock to correct the barrel pressure problem.

---

If you check the how to section on cmp forum it goes into good detail on how to check and fix the boyds stocks shortcomings.

---------- Post added at 07:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:52 PM ----------

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reload1

I sold all of my Garands except for a collectible Winchester I got as my first rifle when it was DCM. Decided I wanted to get a shooter grade to take to the range. So curious if anyone has purchased one of the CMP rifles built from an original receiver with new barrel and other parts. I was thinking for a shooter this might be the way to go.

How well do they shoot. Are the Criterion barrels pretty good?

How bad is the pitting on these. If I could get a nice one I might let my Winnie go.

Thanks,

Bill R.

---

I think the cmp specials are a good deal for shooters.
Hard to beat a refinished, New barrel ,New stock M1 for $830 for the cmp field special or $1030 for the cmp special with less pitting.
Try refinishing and barreling a M1 and see what you spend?.

If you read this thread, this issue, and others regarding fitting the stock and handguards are covered with photos of each step.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....highlight=make

Does it make a difference in how well the rifle shoots? John C. Garand said so in Hatcher's Book of the Garand.

I think so too. :D
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../9L9HPlj-1.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by no4mk1t

If you read this thread, this issue, and others regarding fitting the stock and handguards are covered with photos of each step.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....highlight=make

Does it make a difference in how well the rifle shoots? John C. Garand said so in Hatcher's Book of the Garand.

I think so too. :D
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../9L9HPlj-1.jpg

---

Great link and very good pictures.
If you can handle cell phone videos I recently did a little "M1 accuracy tune up" post on another forum.
Here are some of my videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...7aHDllHfnfJbKC