GCA - what's going on?

[Joe W]

I find this very interesting. Why does the GCA get special privilege to pick over CMP rifles? What do other shooting organizations need to do in order to get this privilege?

I will try and answer your question staying within the guidelines set by BADGER.

GCA members are not getting any " special privilege". They will be opening crates and sorting rifles. If they come across a rifle they would like to buy they would first have to have CMP grade the rifle. If it a rifle that would normally go to auction, that is where that rifle will go. If it is determined to be a field, rack or service grade, then it MAY (note MAY) be able to be purchased. I don't even know for sure that we will have that opportunity, I have only heard of that possability through the "grapevine". If so, what's the big deal, more than enough to go around. You could take a trip to either the North or South store and pick out a rifle.

As far as "what do other shooting organizations need in order to get this privilege", well the simple answer would be "ASK". I don't know of any other "shooting organization" like the GCA which is devoted solely to the study and collection of the U.S. Rifle Cal. 30 M1. I do know of many other shooting organizations that most likly would have very little interest in having there National Convention at CMP Headquarters, Anniston Al. I am pretty sure if another National organization such as the N.R.A. or The Carbine Collectors Asso. wished to hold a convention at CMP they would be accommodated, but we will not know unless they ask.

I have only decide to write this as your questions had not been answered.

These are my last comments on this subject. Joe

[Bob Seijas]

There's nothing "going on." In most cases, the candidate recommended by the Nominating Committee has a particular skill or asset that will be valuable in the next four years. For example, GCA wants to strengthen and improve the web site ... if you read Bill Ricca's bio, you will see that, among other qualifications, he is particularly strong on web sites. GCA also wants to strengthen Journal coverage of shooting in response to a big increase in members who are most interested in that part of the hobby. Andrew Hall is an avid shooter, smart, and a tireless worker, as we saw first hand when we examined all those M1C's at CMP. A great deal of work and thought went into the recommendations, we should thank the Committee.

[HRA466]

2ballcane, you need to do some homework before you take this one on. After you get up to speed, I will be glad to talk to you about it. You are OK until you get to the part where you state, "I don't think the board can do this without the consent of the members." When you educate yourself, call the GCA office, leave your phone number and I will give you a call if you like.

BTW, are you an NRA member??????? That might help.

Regards,

Steve Rutledge, GCA

[bearbadge]

Well, you could start by whining. Complain about how unfair everything is. Come up with some pathetic, lazy excuse about how the GCA members "always!" get special treatment. Ah, and it wouldn't do any harm to actually join the GCA. That way you TOO could all of the special things that we get. Must sign off now. Got a M1C that I cherry picked last weekend at the CMP South Store [$500] that I need to look at.
Point being that the same lazy slugs complain every time the GCA meets, no matter where it meets, and those slugs aren't even members. Pathetic sods that need to get a life.

I am a member of the GCA and have been for 5 years. Thanks for your help.

[bearbadge]

I will try and answer your question staying within the guidelines set by BADGER.

GCA members are not getting any " special privilege". They will be opening crates and sorting rifles. If they come across a rifle they would like to buy they would first have to have CMP grade the rifle. If it a rifle that would normally go to auction, that is where that rifle will go. If it is determined to be a field, rack or service grade, then it MAY (note MAY) be able to be purchased. I don't even know for sure that we will have that opportunity, I have only heard of that possability through the "grapevine". If so, what's the big deal, more than enough to go around. You could take a trip to either the North or South store and pick out a rifle.

As far as "what do other shooting organizations need in order to get this privilege", well the simple answer would be "ASK". I don't know of any other "shooting organization" like the GCA which is devoted solely to the study and collection of the U.S. Rifle Cal. 30 M1. I do know of many other shooting organizations that most likly would have very little interest in having there National Convention at CMP Headquarters, Anniston Al. I am pretty sure if another National organization such as the N.R.A. or The Carbine Collectors Asso. wished to hold a convention at CMP they would be accommodated, but we will not know unless they ask.

I have only decide to write this as your questions had not been answered.

These are my last comments on this subject. Joe

Pretty good answer. My concern is how my club is perceived. As a GCA member I do not want the perception that our club is cherry picking rifles. I believe that the perception is both valid and worth addressing. Perhaps the NRA isn't doing the same because they do not want to wear this perception? If I were a board member of the GCA I'd run very far from the idea that a small group of members were getting a pick at extra special rifles from the CMP. If I were Orest Michaels I'd run just as far from granting clubs special impromptu crate opening events. When you own the keys to the kingdom you need to go above and beyond any appearance of special favors. This type of thing does the opposite and I find it to be in poor judgment.

[Ramboueille]

Pretty good answer. My concern is how my club is perceived. As a GCA member I do not want the perception that our club is cherry picking rifles. I believe that the perception is both valid and worth addressing. Perhaps the NRA isn't doing the same because they do not want to wear this perception? If I were a board member of the GCA I'd run very far from the idea that a small group of members were getting a pick at extra special rifles from the CMP. If I were Orest Michaels I'd run just as far from granting clubs special impromptu crate opening events. When you own the keys to the kingdom you need to go above and beyond any appearance of special favors. This type of thing does the opposite and I find it to be in poor judgment.

Bearbadge,

For your information, we were invited, no one asked and all the activities were offered, no one asked for anything.

Orest Michaels, as Chief Operating Officer of the CMP, obviously wanted to show off his facilities and organization personally which is First Class along with a staff that is second to none. It would have been an insult to decline the invitation regardless of anyone's perception.

If you were going to the convention your tone would be much different.

[mack]

I believe what was asked concerned the wisdom of letting groups go through cases of rifles and select ones for purchase. That smacks of favoritism and that is the one thing that no organization open to the public wants to stand accused of.

I think Orest Michaels is an outstanding administrator of the CMP, but such a convention perhaps never should have been held. The "cherrypicking" that was so rampant some years back is well known. I have talked with some folks there at the time and I saw the cherrypicking wars on the old Jouster forum. Those were brutal and long lasting affairs. People are now bitter enemies as a result and much of the information needed by the less experienced collectors was never discussed as informed posters left the site rather than be accused of various misdeeds. There was even a time when some posters attempted to only discuss collector information by PM's so the general public couldn't access the details of fakes, markings and details. Duff's informational texts help immensely, but there is new information almost daily. Still, there are some who want to keep these new bits to themselves. You can see this if you look around.

The only real way to have this convention is to restrict the sale of these rifles and that's exactly what the CMP doesn't want to do. These rifles need to be moved along into private hands, but some perceptions will be the result of having a convention that allows some to have access while denying it to others.

[bearbadge]

I believe what was asked concerned the wisdom of letting groups go through cases of rifles and select ones for purchase. That smacks of favoritism and that is the one thing that no organization open to the public wants to stand accused of.

I think Orest Michaels is an outstanding administrator of the CMP, but such a convention perhaps never should have been held. The "cherrypicking" that was so rampant some years back is well known. I have talked with some folks there at the time and I saw the cherrypicking wars on the old Jouster forum. Those were brutal and long lasting affairs. People are now bitter enemies as a result and much of the information needed by the less experienced collectors was never discussed as informed posters left the site rather than be accused of various misdeeds. There was even a time when some posters attempted to only discuss collector information by PM's so the general public couldn't access the details of fakes, markings and details. Duff's informational texts help immensely, but there is new information almost daily. Still, there are some who want to keep these new bits to themselves. You can see this if you look around.

The only real way to have this convention is to restrict the sale of these rifles and that's exactly what the CMP doesn't want to do. These rifles need to be moved along into private hands, but some perceptions will be the result of having a convention that allows some to have access while denying it to others.

Exactly. Orest has said repeatedly that he does not collect M1 Garands or any of the rifles the CMP sells, smart. The CMP extends an invitation to the GCA for a special Crate opening and the GCA accepts? No sirs, the GCA should have been lilly white and declined. Image accounts for too much.

[M1Riflenut]

This event was open to ANY GCA member that wanted to go. Granted,there were a limited number of spaces available but ANYONE could have sent in there reservation and hoped for the best,same as when you send in an order to CMP after a rifle release(like WRA garands,the different brands of carbines etc). Not everyone will make it so oh well,cry as you must. It would'nt matter if every member is allowed to go or just a limited number. Either way there would still be some folks whining about something. You can't please everyone. I don't always agree with some of the stuff NRA does or backs,but that does'nt mean I go and whine about them. Its an organization I'm proud to belong to,same as the GCA.
And who gives a sh!t if someone spends a day cleaning slimey greasey rifles and gets to pick one out if they like it? It's no different than picking one out of the racks at either of the stores except that they will get all smelly and stinky doing it. What do you think is going to happen? Do you honestly think some folks are going to "cherrypick" themselves a nice 3 or four digit serial number,or a gas trap rifle,or an M1C or D,or maybe an original NM rifle? Or better yet,a mint original IHC? You should know by now that anything of interest to collectors that is even remotely "rare" will be auctioned.


And as far as the "cherrypicking" thing goes,let it go already.

[snapperm1c]

C'mon, M1Riflenut,

I tried to get a ticket as soon as the announcement came out... TOO Late! HA! no wonder... and please, don't tell us about the smelly garands...

Very bad appearance of conflict of interest for the GCA, IMO. I bet my favorite gun club can't get a private "cleaning session" with the CMP...

But hey, there are something like 1,000 to 1,500 M1Cs repatriated from Greece according to the Summer 2008 Journal. Now, how many of those show up on a CMP auction site... we shall see.

Besides, didn't the volunteer program get cancelled because of "liability issues"? Now we have 200 "volunteers" ...

have fun, and please let us know how it goes...