Soooo.... about these "CMP Garand" thingies...

[GroundPounder]

After taking posession of an '03-A3 the other day (and pending a possible :spit: unfavorable election, I've decided to go after a CMP Garand. My only question is this:

Can somebody who has handled both give me an idea of the practical differences between "Field" and "Service" grade? I've read the descriptions on the site, but I'm hoping for an idea of what you actually get for your money.

[clyde621]

From all that I have heard is to buy the most you can afford. The difference is the throat erosion between the two. If you shoot alot you will have to replace the barrel sooner than on the other. Just my $.02 from what little I know. I have to dig up my money and get one also.

[Aegis]

CMP is very conservative in their descriptions. If it says "slight dings in the wood" it means "very, very slight usage markings." Pretty much every other thing I've read will echo that.

If you've never seen one before, it will likely be more than a bit better than what you expect.

[eocoolj]

Besides the minor cosmetic issues others have mentioned, I believe the main thing that puts a rifle into the field or service (or rack) grade is the condition of the barrel. A few hours spent refinishing the stock will do wonders for the cosmetic appearance of a rifle, but there isn't too much that can be done for a shot out barrel, aside from replacing it. I have only handled a service grade, but for a first or only garand, i would say just go for the service grade. I would rather spend the extra $100 now than more later and decide to buy another, or have to rebarrel it.

On the other side of the coin, though, I think alot of new shooters get caught up in worrying about muzzle wear and that kind of thing, when in fact the weak link in the whole setup is the shooter himself. I know my service grade is already more accurate than I am, so there would be little point for me in going to a new barrel. Just something to think about

[eocoolj]

ohh, and if you are purchasing in anticipation of a poor election result, you might want to go with something a bit scarier. I'd go AK or AR. You have a much greater chance of losing them to politics than you do the garand, in my opinion.

[blackeagle603]

just to be contrary...

I've got one CMP Garand already -- still sitting in Cosmo. I really need to get around to that.

I'm thinking about buying another cheapest intending to do full on upgrade of wood and barrel.

[cu74]

If you've never seen one before, it will likely be more than a bit better than what you expect.

IMHO, only if you start with low expectations.

My first CMP Garand was a Field Grade - my second, and third, and fourth are Service Grades. I'm sure there are some really nice Field Grades out there - I see and hear about the great "finds" from time to time. However, I don't see another Field Grade in my future. If asked, I will recommend a Service Grade. (I will NOT pay the extra bucks for a higher grade, however - I'm not a collector.)

Comparing my Field Grade to the Service Grades, the metal on the Field Grade is substantially worn. There is a lot of "in the white" metal on the barrel, front sight, receiver and trigger housing on the Field Grade - very little, to none, on the Service Grades. The internal parts on the Field Grade exhibit noticeably more wear. The operating rod spring was in two pieces.

The difference in the condition of the stock and handguards was even more substantial. The Service Grade wood had nicks and dings but, after cleaning, steaming and applying BLO the furniture looks good. The Field Grade looked like it had been dragged down forty miles of gravel road and stored in a barrel of used motor oil. Moreover the butt-stock appeared to have been used as the duty tent-peg mallet on every bivouac for the past twenty years. I tried to "improve" the furniture on the Field Grade, but ended up replacing it. Did I mention the large crack in the upper handguard?

GroundPounder - whichever you decide to get, don't forget to order several cases of ammo. Quickest delivery is to order on-line from the CMP e-store.

[Wrenchbender1]

I'd say that if at all possible try to go to the CMP store in person. I went to the north store and spent about an hour looking through all their rack grade stuff which was pretty well worn. I started talking to one of the customers who was in turn talking to one of the guys behind the counter and all of a sudden the guy behind the counter left and came back with a cart of rifles that looked like they just been redone at the arsenal. Was it luck? You betcha.



A larger pic can be found here

[clyde621]

Very nice

[eocoolj]

I'd say that if at all possible try to go to the CMP store in person. I went to the north store and spent about an hour looking through all their rack grade stuff which was pretty well worn. I started talking to one of the customers who was in turn talking to one of the guys behind the counter and all of a sudden the guy behind the counter left and came back with a cart of rifles that looked like they just been redone at the arsenal. Was it luck? You betcha.

Are those the new stocks CMP has been putting on some of the Garands, or are those original?

Also, i was looking at some of the other pics on your photobucket, and came across this pic of the battleship Missouri in coast guard colors. I'm assuming thats a shop. Any history on that?