Considering a CMP purchase. Guidance please.

[MeatMarket]

I own several milsurps, but none are US weapons. I figured it's time to get a Garand. I'm not looking for mint quality museum pieces or match grade weapons. I like my weapons to be war veterans and I use them for hunting and fun target practice (I do not sporterize my milsurps), but I prefer WWII era or earlier. If I were to get a CMP Field Grade or Service Grade Springfield M1, would it be likely that I get a WWII or earlier production model with most original parts? Would it be suitable as a shooter? Would any of the serials match? I don't want a post-war production rifle or new parts on it.

When I say new parts, I mean new new. I understand that they're somewhat refurbished. Do they use original parts or new production parts?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Sarge1998]

MeatMarket

After completing the Eligibility Requirements ( Eligibility Requirements ) you need to familiarize yourself with the Sales Forms ( Sales Form Index ). When it comes time to fill out your Sales Order Form you must decide if you want a Field or Service Grade, I'd choose the latter but it's not my money. Simply put a note attached to the form when you mail it in requesting a WWII era receiver, whomever fills your order generally does a good job to please you. The staff is not expected to sort through dozens of rifles to satisfy a complicated request (i.e. WWII receiver, WWII stock, visible cartouche, lock-bar rear sights, matching barrel, etc.). The only way I'm aware to get more of what you want is to visit either the North or South Store and on a given day you still may not find your gem. All the Field/SG rifles have been rebuilt, but the metal will almost certainly be GI. As for a suitable shooter, you should expect a battle rifle and not a competition tack driver, nothing wrong with either, but you get what you pay for, and a SG is a great first Garand, almost certainly will exceed your expectations.

[MeatMarket]

Thank you, that was an informative reply. Part of my question originated from using the serial number index tool in the forum for springfields. The numbers in the index indicated that they only exist for 1945 and prior, which is what I want. The CMP does have the option for specifically selecting a Springfield model, and I wanted to be sure I had the right idea that it would certainly be 1945 or earlier. As for quality, a beat up battle rifle is what I prefer too. I just like shooting at bowling pins on the range. Bowling with bullets is what I call it haha.

[twh]

In follow up to what was posted earlier your only real choice via mail order is SA, WRA or HRA. Of those three options the only way to guarantee a WWII rifle is the WRA option. The only chance of getting mostly correct parts is a post war SA or and HRA. Service grades will give you the best condition but recently most have come with CMP stocks not originals. I would second the suggestion that what you should consider is a trip to one of the stores to handpick a rifle to meet your criterea. Assuming you want to apply a moderate amount of effort you can probably find a field grade that would make you happy.

[MeatMarket]

I think I will take that advice and go see them in person. Thanks.

[Neal Myers]

Well, technically, the Korean War is considered a "police action", but most of the folks there thought it was a war. Any USGI rifle built after WW2 was built during (or slightly after) the Korean War, so most can be considered "war veterans". CMP advises that all current offerings were rebuilt at least once. M1 rifles have the serial number only on the receiver, but originality can be determined by looking at the drawing number on many parts & consulting a reference book.

As far as I know, barrels & wood are the only modern production parts used. (No one can afford to make new forged small parts today.)

[LeagleEagle]

I think most of the recent Service Grade rifles have been 1954-55 vintage, at least mine was.

[TDH]

If you sort through the rack at the North Store (Camp Perry, Ohio) in the Field grade you may just find a service grade rifle. From what I seen most of the wood was in rough shape with the exception of the CMP stocks. The last 2 M1's I bought both had new CMP wood and was nice and tight. Rack grade rifles were real rough though there were a few in the rack grade that were field grade rifles.
I have heard others that ordered riles say on most occassions that an ordered rack grade would proply be a field grade or better and field grades were often at least service grade or better. The CMP tries it's best to get the best rifle possible.

[Joe W]

For what I think you want, I really think you will need to look for a private sale. To try and find a true "war veteran", meaning a rifle of WW2 vintage that still retains it "original" parts will be about impossible, and if found very, very, costly. Your best bet would be a 'restored" WW2 rifle or one that has parts manufactured during or prior to WW2, but maybe not all correct for the date of the rifles manufacture. I would not buy from an auction site unless you really are familier with the rifle. There are a few dealers that advertise in the GCA Journal that you can trust to supply you the rifle you are interested in.
You could buy a correct barrel and receiver or go to one of the two CMP stores and look for a rifle with the correct barrel and receiver. You could then restore that riflle or build a rifle from a barreled receiver. But as most will tell you, it will cost you more to restore or build up a rifle from a barrel and receiver then buying a restoration that someone else has already done. Good luck in the hunt.

[jeep]

Good luck all rack,field and service grade as of now are sold out. You can get a service grade special for $950 which will be a a post war Garand with really like new correct metal and new CMP stock. And they have the Special with new barrel &wood for $995 and refinished mix of parts.