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.

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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)

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+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.

If my interview goes well tomorrow, I will hopefully be back at the North Store this summer. Gotta feed the addiction, man!

Mike Doerner

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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

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"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

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