Service/Rack Grade, CMP

[INLAND44]

To me, rack grade means a weapon on a rack in an armory, meeting every standard for use and completely serviceable in every way, ready to be issued for deployment. Service grade really has no meaning to me, as a rack grade will be receiving wear/damage as soon as it is issued. Thanks for the definitions, though. I'm not going to buy anything from them, I was just curious where they were coming from with those terms. Now that I know they're just as backwards as everything else over there, I'm totally not surprised.

[Comrade Mike]

I got a service grade m1 last winter and the thing was a total lemon. Barrel was on the bleeding edge between service/field, groups at about 4 -6 inches depending on ammo. Good enough for someone maybe but not for me. ill end up having to sink another 250 into the rifle on a new criterion barrel just to get it to shoot well which I don't have the money for right now. Oh well, at least it's nice to look at for now and it's one less rifle to feed.

[INLAND44]

At least I now know that my Inland is 'service grade', or 'ready to be issued'. So it is making sense!

[emmagee1917]

Well , because no one has spoke up , I'll explain it the way I was told 30-40 years ago .
Rack grade . This rifle is serviceable , but is really waiting to be sent in for a rebuild. It is to stay in the RACK and not be issued except as an emergency.
Field grade . This rifle has a good bit of life left and will be issued to units in the FIELD . If it is in the zone of the interior , it will stay there except in an emergency .
Service grade . This rifle has a lot of life left , so it can serve anywhere in the world . No need to worry about shipping it to a far corner of the world only to have to ship it back for rebuild in a short time due to it being worn out . It is also the grade you'd stake your life , or others , on . It is ready to SERVE .
HTH , Chris

[Patrick Chadwick]

Finally a plausible explanation! Thanks!