Winchester Grousing (longish)

[DJG]

Maybe off base here, but looks like several folks are not particularly happy with their Win SG's - and for the very reason that they are SG's: That they may have new CMP stocks, been refinished (I have to agree that the finish put on by the Greeks is not the most attractive), have newer barrels, etc. Do some of these look/sound like they have been "upgraded" by the CMP to meet the SG criteria? Yes, but don't blame CMP: They very accurately described the SG rifle that they were going to send out, and no one should/could have expected/hoped to get a "diamond in the rough". For that, I think the buyer should have ordered the RG - at most a FG - to maximize the odds of getting an original finish receiver with interesting, at least authentic, wood. In the final analysis, it depends on what the buyer wanted - a solid shooter with newer parts but less authenticity, then the SG was the best choice. However, if the buyer wanted a rifle that (maybe) had some potential for "restoration" (whatever that means) then definitely not the SG. Ask yourself whether you would rather have - say - a prewar Win receiver that had been refinished black by the Greeks and a CMP stock, or the same prewar receiver with original finish and "authentic" wood - the other major difference would be a MW of 2+ or 3 on the RG compared to a 1+ for the SG. If none of this makes any difference, then the SG was the right rifle for you. If you now wish that you had the original finish receiver, then you should have ordered the RG and kept your fingers crossed for something interesting/unique. JMHO. dg

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[K. Johnson]

That's why they call it "luck of the draw".

[azimuth]

I agree that they sound as though they were pretty much as described. The only thing that surprised me were the reports of some with HRA barrels. This was the first time I'd heard of that combination. Were these barrels possibly installed by CMP?
BTW, I already had a WRA so I sat this one out, or otherwise I would have ordered the SG and been happy with what I received. The way I see it is like this:

1. How does it shoot?
2. How does it look?
3. How correct is it?

I must admit I would have crossed my fingers and hoped not to get the Greek finish.

[goo]

CMP on winchesters,
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omichaels


USA
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Posted - 12/07/2008 : 11:15:31
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As part of our process in handling thousands of orders received in one day (or a few days), we get a crew in to open the envelopes, remove staples, sort all the papers in the sequence we use for processing, and insert a checklist for our customer service and sales to use (and auditors to verify later that we did everything the way we should). This work is only the first step in getting the orders to the customer service folks who will initiate or update customer accounts and send the "dbu" emails.

Over this past weekend, we have conducted this process for the orders received on 1 Dec. An estimated 50%-75% of the orders had notes (for both carbines and Garands) with special requests. Except for changing a few words here and there, the requests basically read:

"If possible, please make my Winchester Garand and/or my Winchester carbine with a matching receiver and barrel with original finish and with matching walnut wood in the best overall condition you can find. This is for my collection, not for resale."

Folks, you will be disappointed. There is a reason for our grading system. Out of a hundred rifles, there "may" be one that fits the description above, or even just the part about the WRA barrel.

If we have rifles / carbines that meet the description of the request above - they will be sold on our auction site. That is how rare they are. Sorry."

[twh]

No the HRA barrells weren't put on by the CMP. Remember that HRA had a spare barrell contract before they had a rifle contract. I bought a Winchester from the CMP when they were offered in 2005 and it had an HRA barrell that dated from the replacement contract. Just a standard post WWII pre Korean War rebuilt Garand ,albeit with a Winchester receiver.

[slamfire1]

I never cared for Winchester anything. And I am such an idiot, because the Winchesters I turned down have doubled and tripled in prices.

Winchester rifles and carbines look like they were chewed out of bar stock by angry beavers. I always preferred the fine metal finishes of late model Springfields.

God, how can I be so stupid? Everyone wants the Winchesters.

[Vos Parate]

My Winnie has the black repark and a new CMP stock. It does not appear to have been used since the rebuild. I essentially have a CMP special with a new '52 SA barrel for $100 less than a SA CMP special.

[Bill Hollinger]

DJG, I did order a FG and did get an original finish. That was what I was thinking when I ordered it. I'm very happy!

[Redleg]

I am sure that you can still restore one. Beginning a quest is a noble thing to do.
I started with a great winchester stock that I took off a blue sky import back in '88.
Years later, after I got a like new win bbl, an original finish part was purchased and then another and another and by 2006, thanks to the CMP mixmaster guns that were turned into parts by Ebay sellers, a period correct June '43 Winchester restoration appeared. How much did I spend? Not that much, maybe $1500. Is it real? Looks good and I like it and shoots well.
By the way, many thanks to those E bay sellers, indubitably many have posted here on the CSP forum over the years. You guys are princes.
When it finally appeared, it was kind of like chisling away stone and finding the sculpture underneath.
It is a hobby like auto racing and mtn climbing. You are happy you survived the experience and still have something to show for it.

[M1Riflenut]

I ordered two SG's and did'nt make the cut,was sent two FG's instead and I'm kind of glad. The finish is dark and worn and although I doubt it's the original finish it does not look like the greek black either. Receiver stampings are decent and not sandblasted away,had USGI wood but not he greatest,I've swapped that out already with some leftovers I've been sitting on. Barrels measure 2+2 and 3+3. They look darn nice for what they are. I'll be selling them as soon as my buddy at work decides if he wants one or not. As luck of the draw would have it, I got sent serial numbers that are very close to others I already have so I decided to clean these up,put on some better wood,replace the oprod springs with new Orion7 springs and sell them.
And yes,I will be selling them for cost.