New H&R and Winchester M1

[Capt.RJM]

Stopped at the North Store last week to look the inventory over and walked out with three new additions for the collection. I had stopped to look the field grade Winchesters over and flagged these two H&R also. All three came in with 1 and 1.5 for erosion so they should all be good at the range. The wood on the Winchester is being replaced as we speak with a new set from CMP. There were enough H&R parts to fill one out with all H&R stamp parts, so that came as a surprise.
Sorry to see the old board go,but glad to see the group found a new home so fast.

Capt.RJM

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[mparsons]

They look great I always leave the North store with more than I plan on. Even took the wife once and still came home with more than I planned on buying. She was not as happy as I was when we left the store.

[Homer03]

Heres how it went for me. Arrive to shop and spend the night at the Commador Perry planning on spending $400 on a Springfield 03. Obtain said 03 and retire for dinner and drinks. 800 Hrs the next morning Im scrambling around the motel internet access trying to see if I can get into the North Store for a H&R Collector grade that id seen before we have to head out. -930 Hrs-wheels up--headed home--$1200 lighter than planned. I just had to have it.

[slamfire1]

All three came in with 1 and 1.5 for erosion so they should all be good at the range. There were enough H&R parts to fill one out with all H&R stamp parts, so that came as a surprise.

It is highly likely that your HRA's were all matching until the CMP switched the parts around. You did not mention if your measurements were TE or ME. A TE around 1 to 1.5 can be expected on a new factory installed barrel.

Your pictures do not show the breech end of the barrel. Factory new barrels are bright. Rebuilds where the barrels were good enough to leave on, the breech ends were parkerized attached to the receiver.

The CMP has tons of all correct HRA’s and SA's. They vary from excellent like new condition, to well used. In between there are a thousands that have lots of shipping and handling wear, but were never issued. These are late model rifles that were sent to Greece.

They also have ton's of Arsenal rebuilds.

The best of the all correct best are sold as Collector Grade. They have the most finish, least dings. And they are sold with all correct parts.

All correct rifles sold as a lesser grade have the parts mixed around. This is done when the rifles are disassembled for inspection. The guy at the bench is under direction to ensure than no lesser grade rifle leaves with all matching parts. The CMP swaps out the marked parts: bolts, operating rods, stocks, trigger guards. The amount of swapping depends. It is usually a minimum of two parts, but it can be all of the parts, in any random selection.

Really excellent condition SA/HRA stocks are laid aside, and fitted to rifles with really excellent metal finish, and sold for the premium Collector Grade.

If a rifle has a rare stock, that is laid aside. IHC, WWII correct stocks, etc. The CMP has a shortage of stocks, and is using Boyd’s stocks to finish out lesser grade rifles. Those rifles look good.

Now, some are going to ask, why does the CMP do this?:

It maintains the high prices they can charge for the Collector Grade, and it ensures that no one who paid for a Collector Grade rifle can complain about having paid $350.00 more, but they don’t think it was worth it after they examined a friends all correct “Standard Grade” or "Field Grade"

CMP deigns this, but I know people who worked there and they told me what was going on. Then of course there is the evidence of those Standard Grade and Rack Grade rifles, rifles that from the finish wear have not been fired since the factory, have the correct receiver and barrel, and yet, somehow two or all of the marked parts are missing.

Ask around, since the Volunteers were kicked out, how many all correct standard grade, or field grade rifles have you examined?

[GFH]

It is highly likely that your HRA's were all matching until the CMP switched the parts around.

All correct rifles sold as a lesser grade have the parts mixed around. This is done when the rifles are disassembled for inspection. The guy at the bench is under direction to ensure than no lesser grade rifle leaves with all matching parts. The CMP swaps out the marked parts: bolts, operating rods, stocks, trigger guards. The amount of swapping depends. It is usually a minimum of two parts, but it can be all of the parts, in any random selection.

CMP deigns this, but I know people who may have worked there and they told me what was going on.

Unless you have seen this happen first hand, It is just hearsay and makes a good story. I would tend to believe CMP's statements on this subject before that of a friend of a friend who worked there long ago.

[Dan Shapiro]

If I lived anywhere near either store, I'd be more broke than I am now. Some truth in the old adage, "With distance, there is safety". Now if I can just find my credit card and that web site address....................

[AL in MN]

Slamfire,

Who told you the best stocks are saved and put on COLLECTOR grades?

There have been none of these for a couple of years and Orest has repeatedly stated that CORRECT grades may have parts replaced but COLLECTOR grades do not.

Lots of stuff has happened in the past that has no bearing on where we are today.

[Capt.RJM]

The breech was in the white and the stock was nothing special,just beat to hell and back. Going to redo the wood as I have had some luck lately with a little sanding and lots of BLO. Already have the stock sanded down and steamed the dents out, should look good. The Barrel was stamped 1-55 H&R and looks new. The rest of the H&R parts are in the same condition, just got lucky with picking up two to make one complete. Bet I could not do that again ! Hope to be out later this week if the weather holds.

Capt.RJM

[Dan Wilson]

Orest came on the old board and CONFIRMED they swap parts around to make lesser grade rifles available.

Dan

[slamfire1]

Slamfire,
There have been none of these for a couple of years and Orest has repeatedly stated that CORRECT grades may have parts replaced but COLLECTOR grades do not.

I am getting the terms "Collector" grade and "Correct Grade" mixed up. Sorry.

However I will tell you that Orest's statement about Collector Grade rifles is, lets say it nicely, incorrectly stated.

The Collector Grade rifles were correct according to the opinion of one man at the CMP. When I worked as a volunteer, I saw that man, Jerry, a number of times going through trigger groups and replacing parts with what he "thought" were the correct parts from his small parts drawer storage cabinets. He had the little parts divided by tray. The Collector grade rifles went out the door “all correct” according to Jerry’s judgment. I have heard other collector’s comment on whether Jerry’s judgment was correct, or not.

But I am sure you know all this. I am certain you spent more time at CMP south than I.