CMP - No More Rifles???

[MountainBear]

Cover becomes concealment, especially with the several hundred rounds of surplus black tip I have laying around...

 

[Medic!]

It had a beautiful walnut stock. I think it was a Boyd's or CMP, but it had no cartouche. It split in half at the wrist. The sacrilege stock was the only thing I had to replace it. At the time I couldn't justify spending what little money I had to replace a functional stock. So there it remains. And I still have at least 15 rifles that need stocks before this one gets replaced...

Hey. If your stock split on the grain. And you still have it. I can fix it for you and you will never know it was broken.
Wood is kinda my thing?

 

[MountainBear]

That was years ago, it did split on the grain, and I have it to a friend who needed a stock. It was repaired and stuck on his gun.

 

[etrain16]

Me being a yute, and firmly part of gun culture 2.0, why should I care about the Garand? I don't mean this question disrespectfully or flippantly, but I do wonder what could possibly be the interest. You have to be careful what loads you feed it, it is limited to 8 rounds, it is heavy as a lead brick, and optics are off-limits. I must admit, I'm just not a collector and definitely prefer polymer over wood. Am I just missing the gene for the love of historical awesomeness?

Some great points already made by other folks, but since I started this thread, I'll give you my thoughts on it too.

I've long wanted one, primarily because in my mind it's one of the most iconic battle rifles, certainly one of the most important in American history. For that alone, I wanted one. But I also want one because it's a reliable, accurate and proven rifle that shoots a helluva powerful cartridge that's been around for a long time and likely will continue to be around for a long time.

Since I finally got to fire one for the first time this weekend, I can now say that my desire to own one is firmly cemented. If you have the chance, I would strongly recommend you try shooting one. Either through the Service Rifle (CMP) programs around the area, or maybe someone that owns one would be kind enough to introduce you to it. Either way, if you never choose to own one, I think you're missing out if you don't get a chance to shoot one some day.

I'll add this offer - once I get a Garand, you are certainly welcome to try it out some time.

 

[etrain16]

Oh, I'm going to add one more point. At the Service Rifle match yesterday, there were scoped AR's in the competition, but about half the rifles were open sight M1 Garands (along with 1 M1A and a 1903 Springfield). The Garands, with open sights, held their own in the match against the scoped AR's. And considering that's iron sights and a .30-06 round (and associated recoil ), I'd say that's pretty darn impressive.

 

[MountainBear]

Several gunsmiths over the years have fit Garands to use BAR 20 round magazines. No one does it currently, but I would love to have a magazine fed Garand. Schuff makes a conversion to .308 and mag fed, but not a .30-06 mag fed conversion.

http://shuffsparkerizing.com/

This is probably the most modern twist on the old warhorse. Someday I will have a scout scoped mini-G, just for bubblegums and grins...

 

[Ura-Ki]

I love it when I hear all the complaints about the M-1! It's too big, its too heavy, its slow to reload, it doesn't hold enough rounds, it cant be reloaded until empty! Shesh...........What a bunch of pansies! No G.I. that was issued an M-1 ever complained about any of these things. They were well balanced, they were easy to shoot, had awesome sights, and a very powerful cartridge, they were easy to load and easy to keep running. Very rarely needed in field servicing, could take one hell of a beating, could run when frozen, soaking wet, full of sand of mud or snow, and all you needed to clean one was a boot lace and warm pizz! I have packed one around for days and never felt it to be heavy or burdensome, and having that kind of power in your hands makes you the ultimate predator in that area! All right guys, Show your M-1 Thumbs!

 

[Ura-Ki]

BTW, If you think you need more then 8 rounds of .30/06 at a time and complain that you need more mag capacity,or its too slow or inconvenient, you need to go back to day one of rifle training!

 

[MountainBear]

I just like the look and concept. No complaints about the capacity or load time.
And I only had m1 thumb one time. One of my instructors in Colorado was an old Camp Perry shooter who demonstrated M1 thumb with a pencil. I am always very careful, but there is always one time...

 

[Ura-Ki]

M-1 thumb is a right of passage, membership into a club, a emblem of man hood!

 

[ron]

It was a good day for the match not too hot. It's great to see new shooters.
Next DRRC SR match is 200-300-600 yards. " Across the Course" July 16
http://www.ossa.org/uploads/2/5/3/2/25326702/2015_highpower_schedule_-_v3a.pdf
For info on the CMP check out the "Forum". Lots of good info.
http://forums.thecmp.org/
Check out the "Man Porn" CMP M-1 picture thread.
194 pages http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=259:D

 

[etrain16]

It was a good day for the match not too hot. It's great to see new shooters.
Next DRRC SR match is 200-300-600 yards. " Across the Course" July 16
http://www.ossa.org/uploads/2/5/3/2/25326702/2015_highpower_schedule_-_v3a.pdf
For info on the CMP check out the "Forum". Lots of good info.
http://forums.thecmp.org/
Check out the "Man Porn" CMP M-1 picture thread.
194 pages http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=259:D

It was good chatting with you on Saturday Ron. I've not yet decided if I want to sign up for July yet or not. I'll think about it - maybe I'll see you there.

 

[ron]

It was good chatting with you on Saturday Ron. I've not yet decided if I want to sign up for July yet or not. I'll think about it - maybe I'll see you there.

Oh no!! The across the course matches are twice as much fun. Pulling
targets in the pits with bullets flying over your head. Laying down on your
belly at 600 yards. What could be more fun than that??
Have to try it just once???

 

[etrain16]

Oh no!! The across the course matches are twice as much fun. Pulling
targets in the pits with bullets flying over your head. Laying down on your
belly at 600 yards. What could be more fun than that??
Have to try it just once???

I will give it some serious thought - if only to shoot a Garand again

How does that match work? Is everything at 600 yards prone? 300 yard sitting? And 200 yards off-hand?

 

[Ura-Ki]

See Etrain16, you got the bug! HAHAHA! Careful, its an addiction!

 

[ron]

1 relay is on the line and the other relay is in the pits pulling targets.
You have 2 slow fire sighters at each stage. 200 yard slow fire off
hand (standing). 200 yard rapid fire sitting. 300 yard rapid fire
prone. 600 yard slow fire prone. The size of the target increases
as the distance increases. The size of the black center of the target
appears the same to the shooter regardless of the distance.
http://www.ossa.org/highpower.html

 

[ron]

DRRC in the pits pulling targets.
600 yard line.

 

[Powderman]

Me being a yute, and firmly part of gun culture 2.0, why should I care about the Garand? I don't mean this question disrespectfully or flippantly, but I do wonder what could possibly be the interest. You have to be careful what loads you feed it, it is limited to 8 rounds, it is heavy as a lead brick, and optics are off-limits. I must admit, I'm just not a collector and definitely prefer polymer over wood. Am I just missing the gene for the love of historical awesomeness?

Well, a couple of things...

First, a Garand, loaded, weighs just a hair over 9 lb. A Colt M4 with optic, BUIS, and two fully loaded magazines (one in the weapon and one on the stock) weighs almost as much.

Pick the rifle up. You'll note the fine balance, right where it should be.

Go prone; use that leather sling like it was meant to be used. Get that cuff up good and tight, and lock it in. One quarter turn of the sling, then your support hand will naturally be cradled under the front of the stock, right against that sling swivel. If you have it mounted correctly, the rifle seems to weld itself into your shoulder.

Pull the op rod back until it locks. Align one 8 round clip, and make sure you put the heel of your hand against the op rod's handle. Push the clip in until it locks, then rotate your hand smartly out of the way. You may need to tap the handle with the heel of your hand--but if you have some well-broken in clips, the bolt will slide home smartly and chamber one round of good .30-06 ammunition.

Now, achieve a proper cheek weld. You'll notice that your eye naturally lines up with the rear aperture, and that front sight just centers itself really nicely. Find the steel full silhouette at 600 yards, release your breath naturally and hold it out just for a second. Now, your finger rolls the trigger straight back...

You hear a CRACK as a 150 grain full metal jacket bullet runs downrange at almost 2900 feet per second, and smacks that steel with AUTHORITY. You will see that target SWING violently--and it weighs a good 80 lbs! And the sound--not a "Clang" or a ringing of steel--but a solid "WHUMP!" If you do this at dusk, you might even see a flash of sparks at the target.

Since you have slung in tight, the rifle does NOT move--not even an inch. You roll that trigger as fast as you can, seeing the fireworks downrange at high speed bullets meet steel. Then, that telltale "Ping!" as the clip ejects and the action stands open, ready for another clip to be inserted. You also note that the action and chamber are clean and shiny--all the gas was vented way up front of the rifle.

And you know that you can repeat the same performance out to a thousand yards, and that your rounds will arrive with killing force.

Best of all--you are holding good American steel--yes, designed by a Canadian inventor, but 100% American iron--still just as powerful and potent as it was during World War II, Korea and in some cases, Vietnam.

I like the AR family. I build them, and I work on them. I just recently built myself a .308 AR.

But that Garand is one of the rifles that will go with me if I have to carry one.

Try a Garand out. Go ahead. I guarantee you will get one for yourself.

 

[DunRanull]

Lusted after a golly gee REAL M1 rifle since I was a boy- uncles home from Korea- everyone's Dad had been in ww2.. a few guys had M1 rifles especially after the M14 came online... Eventually I did pick up a used one from somewhere- been so many years and so many guns down the pike I can't recall from whence it came. I cleaned up the stock, which appeared to have been on the rifle for a long time (the rifle itself was I think 1943) and started in with the boiled linseed oil. The whole rifle ended up lookin pretty good.
I learned the ropes of loading and firing- the clips took a bit getting used to and I did not escape M1 Thumb, which was rather painful and lost part of a thumbnail.. Only happened the one time tho.
Finally I let a Korean War vet I worked with buy it off me.
Kinda wish I hadnt done that...
Any kind of M1, even a fixer upper will cost me more than I got for that rifle.. But he was happy and it wasnt a part of my "Must Have" rifles... considering prices, short of some Cosmic Luck, that's all she wrote about me and M1 rifles...

 

[0GRE]

I attended my first Service Rifle (CMP) class and match yesterday. Got to shoot my first M1 Garand and participate in my first shooting match of any kind. I had a blast and really enjoyed shooting the Garand.

Now, part of the reason I took the class was also to get the certification I need to buy directly from CMP. But some of the discussion yesterday centered around the fact that the CMP is out of Garands (save for a few specialized and very expensive models), and apparently won't be getting any more in. I was bummed to hear this because I really wanted to get a CMP Garand. I don't have the money set aside yet, but wanted to start planning for the purchase eventually. Looking on their site, I found that they are out of stock and I saw no indication that any more will be coming. Looks like they're also out of M1 Carbines and M1903's as well.

So, does anyone out there know if the option to buy a Garand through the CMP is effectively over now? I'm sure some folks will still be selling them used, but if the CMP is out, will that now drive the price on lower to mid grade models well over $1K?

I had a trade deal going with a guy about two years ago to trade for a nice Garand for a nice piston AR - values were the same. We had the deal almost worked out, but some other folks saw the ad and told him to keep it - which he did. I had no hard feelings because I wouldn't have parted with it either. But I do wish that deal would have gone through - I could always replace the AR later.

So, am I SOL on ever getting a decent-priced Garand from the CMP?? And, will my CMP certificate mean anything moving forward? I know they're supposed to get 1911's eventually, but could this be the beginning of the end of the CMP??

Just curious what you folks think.

If we can get a Republican president into office, then we run the chance of repatriating the Garands sitting in storage in South Korea.

http://trib.com/opinion/editorial/o...cle_bb2fd74d-03f1-5f06-9911-0d2daf9332d8.html

I too am hoping to participate in the Service Rifle program at Douglas Ridge and would like a Garand of my own. I think staying patient may be the best course of action in the hunt for such a rifle.