Surplus Garands on the Way!!

[ramit]

I've been following this on the CMP forum.
The CMP COO Orest stated that the CMP is not involved in this. And added, CMP isn't an importer and couldn't bring them back into the USA.

Seems one of the commercial importers is getting them, and will resell them.

[Pattern14]

...Seems one of the commercial importers is getting them, and will resell them.

Wanna bet it won't be for the price CMP would charge!

[limpetmine]

While it is easy to knock Blue Sky rifles now, remember the times then if you could. DCM/CMP still had the one rifle per lifetime rule. There were few, very few, M-1's in the market. When the Blue Sky rifles came in, they were the FIRST batch of rifles in quantity that the US had seen. Around the same time Arlington Ord. brought in some M-1's of higher quality, (Israeli?) but they were expensive and snapped up quickly. So remember the days-Blue Sky's were good stuff, at the time.

[ramit]

I wouldn't bet against ya!

Look at the crap Big5 is selling for $800 - $1K.
Rumors were that some of these are from lots / deals CMP wouldn't touch cause they were garbage.

[togor]

...
To me, that translates as new contracts for Chinese-made barrels and spare parts will be coming along. Maybe the surplus of these parts runs will provide some shooter parts for stateside Garands, but more than likely a parts nightmare as new spares are mixed with older parts. Difficulty of operation may be the result.

I do believe that the M1 is on the ATF list of rifles for which barrel importation is a no-no. Even re-importation of spare USGI barrels is verboten. So this would be a boon for the domestic barrel mfgrs. You could be right about crappy cast replacements for small parts coming in, though.

[mack]

I did not realize that ATF had banned import of barrels for the M1. Thanks for the info.

I suppose that would explain the disappearance of spare original barrels for the M1 in recent years. It will be a boon for local makers for sure.

I don't shoot original barrels any more since they are essentially a rare item. I stick to the very fine quality Wilson barrels and am saving any USGI-made barrels from the mid-50's back to the start of manufacture.

I have thought this through some more since writing the other day. I could see the guys in Genesco buying this lot and selling them off in grades and making a handsome profit. More power to 'em as long as the laws are met and the rifles get to customers who want them. Maybe some will get rebuilt and there will be some competition with CMP for nicely done rebuilts. They would have to go some ways to beat the CMP rifles and prices, as far as I am concerned.

I do hope there are some "canned" rifles and that these will come to the general public for sale. No doubt they will fetch a high price, but, remember, the CMP always has fine rifles too, so don't overpay if they come our way.

[Charlie59]

People need to recall the Blue Sky import of 10(?) years ago. Almost of the Garands had bad barrels. Many rifles had chu wood stocks. This will be a boon for Midway USA and Boyd's Wood. New barrels and wood will set you back around $350.00. Guys have to factor that into the purchase price. Again, "Let the Buyer Beware".

Well, say the rifles sell for $350., with $350. in wood/barrel, and repark yourself, you have a CMP Special for $300 less than CMP charges for one. One could then add some extras like match sights, glass bedding, etc, and end up with a match grade Garand for around 1K or so.

[ramit]

I've heard rumors for years of canned rifles in Korea.
I guess we'll now find out.

CMP is not for profit, so they will always be cheaper than the commercial sales.

But the commercial sales have their place, due to the down side of the CMP program; the wait and the luck of the draw (if you don't have the luxury of being able to visit one of the CMP stores).

It drove me to buy commercial, but I was real careful about it, just didn't buy something from a gun store cause it looked nice.
It would have cost me a whole lot more to drive to one of the CMP stores to pick one out. But I'm also lucky enough to live near Orion 7.

I just saw one guy get screwed from a commercial sale from a gun store.
Great looking Garand. $1,000 for a welded receiver and shot out barrel Garand with a WWII s/n receiver.

Another gent bought a nearly finished Garand, most of the work done by another smith, and he had it finished by the smith he knew and trusted, and said knew Garands... after 90 rnds, it basically blew up in his face slam/out of battery fire.

So, the CMP and the battle rifle specialty shops (like Orion7) have their place (the only places I'll trust). And unfortunately the basic gun shops that are looking to just move rifles do to, but we know they are .

[ltcboy]

"I do believe that the M1 is on the ATF list of rifles for which barrel importation is a no-no. Even re-importation of spare USGI barrels is verboten. So this would be a boon for the domestic barrel mfgrs. You could be right about crappy cast replacements for small parts coming in, though."

If that is the case then, how is the CMP able to procure and bring into the US all of the Greek returns?

Mike

[Calif-Steve]

The Greek returns were brought back by the US Army. They, in tun, provide them to the CMP. These Korean Garands were sold on the open market. I'll bet the deal is the Koreans MUST purchase American made equipment with the money. That was the Blue Sky deal. But understand, the wholesale cost is around $230.00, so do not expect $350.00 Garands. "Big 5" has beater Garands for $1000.00 right now. So, help yourself to those beaters.