So I sent in my Order to the CMP... M1 Garand.

[Dimner]

Well... I finally did it. I have been wanting one for many many years. Always seemed out of reach for me, I don't know why I thought that way. But yesterday I sent in my paperwork and payment for one of the CMP M1 Garand Rack specials.

This is a 100% shooter M1. Will have a new criterion barrel and new CMP wood. I'm not a collector. I will be using the snot out of this rifle. For the CMP - High Power season at my local club as well as a deer rifle this season. (Hunting deer a season is kind of a requirement for nearly all the rifles I own).

The description is as follows from the CMP site:

CMP Special Rack Grade (.30-06) M1 Garand. This is a partially refurbished rifle with a refinished M1 receiver, new production criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver is the only part of the rifle that has been refinished. Remainder of the other parts have NOT been refinished.
Receiver will have heavy pitting above the wood line.

I put a sticky for minimal pitting if possible.

So with all that said....

What do I do when I get it. I will do a detail strip and cleaning of course. However, I have never owned a M1 and I am not currently familiar with the gas system inner workings. I am only familiar with the basic functionality of the Garand the dozen or so times I have shot one. What parts to I need to inspect and or possibly replace with one of these rifles? I do plan to get the adjustable gas screw plugs from midway.

In a perfect world Id like to use PC cast bullets during the High Power season and then regular J words for hunting this first season. I realize that PC may be a pipe dream. I have done a bunch of research on load development, so I have a plan on how I will proceed with that. Just need some help planning on what I need to look for, replace and or test before I go into load development.

I realize I could go over the the CMP forums and ask these questions, but I will be honest. The gang here are a lot more practical where over there the have a large number of collectors and perfectionists. That's not a bad thing at all. But I have a hard time filtering the suggestions and opinions of the collectors from everything else, since I am brand new to the Garand. I want to stick to the practical and not jump down some rabbit hole (yet) when working with this rifle.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Congratulations! Hope you get a good one!

[ShooterAZ]

Yes, congrats! Brownell's has a whole series of videos on the M1 Garand, might check them out.

[country gent]

While apart for cleaning Inspect the basic parts and op rod spring. ( I believe I would replace it just because). Five it a food cleaning and lube job remember plasti lube on the cam op rod joint. Pay attention to fit in stock and other areas, When latching the trigger guard pay attention to the tension it cams in with. Te forged guard will lock in tighter than the stamped one. Make sure the op rod moves freely and dosnt rub or bind.

[Leoparddog]

Congratulations. I've always wanted one but just couldn't justify it as it would just be a once in a while range toy. I would have liked to have gotten one of the CMP 1911's though. I goofed off and missed that window. Please post photos when you get it!

[TNsailorman]

Since you are in S.E. Michigan you should have driven to Port Clinton/Camp Perry and picked out your rifle in person. That is what I did some years ago and the folks there were very helpful. You will get a much better rifle by picking thru the stock they have on hand. My buddy and I drove up there all he way from Tennessee just to see what we were getting. We ended up with better rifles that way. james

[Der Gebirgsjager]

The rifle you receive should be fully functional, and it shouldn't be necessary to replace any parts. But, as you intend to "use the snot out of this rifle" parts replacement may become necessary in the future, but not initially.

There is nothing mysterious about the gas system. It basically just consists of the gas cylinder, 1 part, the gas plug, 1 part, the operating rod, 1 part. Since these parts do wear with the firing of thousands of rounds you may eventually have to replace them, but initially they should have passed inspection and be within acceptable specifications.

I have several of these wonderful rifles and have fired them extensively over the years. I did have to replace one operating rod because the tip, which runs back and forward inside the gas cylinder became undersized; and one gas cylinder which became oversized from the op rod tip running back and forth inside of it. But--not on the same rifle! Well, these parts have become quite expensive and not always as easy to find as they used to be, so my advice would be to lay in a spare of each. Replacement op rod tips are available and not too expensive, but replacing them on the rod is usually beyond the skills of the average shooter and is more of a gunsmith job. The gas cylinders can be relined, but it's not so easy to find someone to do it. One other answer is oversize tips for use in worn cylinders. But, honestly, if you're starting with good parts it will take lots of shooting to get to the point of these replacements/repairs being needed.

The remainder of the gun is relatively trouble free, and if any of the small parts are needed they are still readily available.

There are several good instructional books about the care, maintenance, and feeding of the M1 available. Even the original Army tech manuals (or reprints) can be purchased. For just assembly/disassembly instructions I recommend J.B. Woods book "Firearms Assembly/Disassembly, Part IV, Centerfire Rifles", a softback Gun Digest-type book, Krause Publications. You might find a used one on e-bay.

[rmcc]

I bought one years ago, problem is you can't stop at one! Up to 3 now!! Enjoy, you made a GREAT decision!!

[Texas by God]

I had a Century Arms “mixmaster” of US, Danish, and Beretta parts that had function problems but I still loved it. I only desire one 30-06 at my age and a CMP Garand is it.

[Sig556r]

Don't keep your hopes high on pitting, you will get pitting even above wood, but if you're looking for a shooter, the new CBI barrel & new walnut furniture is already worth the $650 with a sling & hard case + free shipping. I shot PC on mine & another FG with 3031 & 4064.
Download the orig tech manual in pdf available online. It'll help you in assy/disassy & maintenance even trouble shooting. CMP armorers do a fine job in restoring these 80-yr olds.

[DukeConnors]

Grease is your friend.

[Barman54]

I had Twelve at one time, now I'm at 5, two Matched out 30.06, and .308 both in Fajen Stocks, the other three are as Issued.
Have one from each Maker, Springfield has two.
Bought my first one in 1986 a Blue Sky with a Shotgun for a Barrel, rifling was GONE, made it into my 30.06 Match.
Bought my 1st DCM in 1994, then it became the CMP, had to do the Finger Print back then.

I would watch the adjustable gas plug, used in on my Matched .308, broke the Pin in two, holding the Catch and Guide in.
Was shooting 175 w/ 4064 at 600 Yards, Got it fixed, have not used it Since.

Also, I do not remove the Trigger groups when not in use, some do.

Reload, using IMR 4895, 4064, using 135 (Disc), 168, and 175's.

Have other Tips I do when Cleaning, will Post later
Good Luck with your New Rifle

Barman54
Out

[country gent]

On my bedded match grade m1s and m1as I dont remove the trigger group but I do unlatch the trigger guard and relieve the tension when they are to be stored for awhile. This will help extend he life of the bedding some. It may also help with a tightly bedded rack grades bedding even more since the wood is softer.

[gunauthor]

Got my M1 in the late 80s (it was called the DCM then). It is a Springfield armory made late in WW2. I think it's all original as the barrel is labeled SA-1 45. Great gun, I'm sure you'll enjoy it a bunch.

[Wag]

Congrats!

The first thing I was told when I bought my first was, don't shoot modern factory ammo in the rifle. It's too powerful and will damage it.

--Wag--

[trapper9260]

Here is a video you might like to watch also. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebmGLDG1g5M

[Dimner]

Since you are in S.E. Michigan you should have driven to Port Clinton/Camp Perry and picked out your rifle in person. That is what I did some years ago and the folks there were very helpful. You will get a much better rifle by picking thru the stock they have on hand. My buddy and I drove up there all he way from Tennessee just to see what we were getting. We ended up with better rifles that way. james
I considered going to the north store, but I have been watching the reports on the CMP site about the selection of rifles at the store. They have been very slim. And by all reports the current stock is not in the price range and accuracy (throat/muzzle score) that I was looking for. I thought about it a bunch. If I were going for a collector version, I would have done it in a heartbeat. The sad thing is, the north store is no where as near as stocked as the south. Speculation is that may change after the north store moves to the main building where people sign in for natonal matches.

I guess also, I didn't want to take a 1/2 day off work, pay for a tank and a half of gas, and then sales tax on top of it if I were just going to end up with the same rifle as mail order.

And yes, im fast learning this will not be my only M1 :)

[Silvercreek Farmer]

An update?

[Dimner]

Nothing yet... I keep checking my CC to see if they have run it, and they have not :(

[roverboy]

Well hope it arrives soon. And it looks good too.

[samari46]

I had two at one time. Springfield armory that came back from Korea Blue Sky on the bbl. Dealer had bought 250 of them and it looked like mice going through the boxes. Stock wasn;t the best but barrel was in VG to EXC condition and came with a Rem NM op rod. The H&R had led a rough life,barrel looked like 10 miles of bad roads. Wouldn't shoot the 150's for beans, Ap almost shot as well as match ammo. That one went down the road. Still have the Blue Sky barrel is a little more worn now though. Replaced the wood when midway had a sale for all the wood for $120 some years back. Last time I shot it some of the young shooters have never seen one. No problem getting someone who wanted to shoot one. I loaded the 8 round en block in the rifle showing which parts are used to load the clip into the rifle (M1 thumb don't you know) Told them very painful if the bolt slammed into your thumb smashes your thumb. The one that surprised me was the girl friend of one of the shooters. Picked the rifle up loaded the clip and hit the op rod handle like she'd been doing it all her life. Shot pretty well as well. Told me her dad was a retired marine and he had one. I told her it's time for her to get one of her own. Frank

[Adam Helmer]

Dimner,

What are the going prices for Rack Garands these days?

Adam

[muta4warrior]

Got my M1 in the late 80s (it was called the DCM then). It is a Springfield armory made late in WW2. I think it's all original as the barrel is labeled SA-1 45. Great gun, I'm sure you'll enjoy it a bunch.

I got mine in the mid 90's from the DCM.. IHC with LMR barrel, correct stock with date code in channel and IHC OP rod. Still have it to this day plus a nice early war SA with lockbar sights to keep the IHC company in the safe.:grin:

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Sent my order in last week, hoping Corona doesn't delay things too much!

[NuJudge]

The pitting will probably be barely noticeable above the woodline. The ones that I have purchased with new wood and a new barrel shot exceedingly well, sometimes better than Match conditioned guns. Caution: the rifle's trigger guard will be really tight, as will be the wood on the receiver: this is a good thing. The more you take the barreled receiver out of the stock, the more wear you put on the camming pins in the trigger guard, and on the wood. Take it apart once, then leave it alone until you need to change the Op Rod Spring.

The place for info on the Garand was the old Culver's Shooting Page, which shut down, then revived:
http://www.jouster2.com/forums/forum.php
Another place which has a lot of Garand info is this forum:
https://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=108&

[Dimner]

NuJudge,

Thank you. Very useful info. I'm still waiting, but hoping it will come soon.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Found a pic of your rifle...:violin:

[Texas by God]

Found a pic of your rifle...:violin:" slight pitting ABOVE the wood".....

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Drm50]

Unless you are a stand hunter a M1 is miserable to drag around the woods. I did it once when I was a teen in eastern WVa mountains. That cured me and I was only 15 or 16 at the time.

[Adam Helmer]

Dimner,

WHAT IS the going price of a CMP Garand?

Have a nice day.

Adam

[Dimner]

Unless you are a stand hunter a M1 is miserable to drag around the woods. I did it once when I was a teen in eastern WVa mountains. That cured me and I was only 15 or 16 at the time.

I took out my 1903a4 once, wasn't so bad. I'm not all that adverse to the weight to be able to hunt with such a classic rifle. But then again. Michigan is very flat. Easy terrain unless you are in a cedar swamp

[Dimner]

Dimner,

WHAT IS the going price of a CMP Garand? Forget my question. I will Google CMP and get my answer.

Have a nice day. Whatever......

Adam
:holysheep

Are forums new technology for you? Sometimes things get overlooked.

https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/m1-garand/

[missionary5155]

Good afternoon Dimner
Bought our CMP Springfield some years ago. It was all it was advertised to be and actually more. We have no regrets investing in that rifle.
Mike in LLama Land

[roverboy]

[QUOTE=Silvercreek Farmer;4852308]Found a pic of your rifle...:violin:[/QUOTE


Dang, did they pull that up from a ship wreck?

[buckshotshoey]

I got to CMP Special same as you. It is a beautiful piece of machinery! If you use the adjustable gas plug, you will be able to shoot about all factory ammo, with proper adjustment. But you wont be able to participate in "as issued" matches. You will have to shoot in the "unlimited" class.

I left mine "as issued", but I reload to specs. I did shoot some of the Winchester M1 Garand tribute ammo through it, but its made to the M1 pressure curve specs.

It is a good shooter. Only competed twice so far but I shot 264-0X at Camp Perry, and a 264-2x at a local match with it. At least I'm consistent!

[Silvercreek Farmer]

[QUOTE=Silvercreek Farmer;4852308]Found a pic of your rifle...:violin:[/QUOTE


Dang, did they pull that up from a ship wreck?


Lol, not sure, just found it on google images when I was trying to find some pics of what to expect on mine.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Looks like it is going to be a while...

https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/m1-garand/

[Tripplebeards]

I’ve always wanted one and that’s a definitely on my bucket list.

[Tripplebeards]

Found a pic of your rifle...:violin:

That one spent a few decades under the water.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

CMP to reopen on May 14th. Fingers crossed!

[tominboise]

When it arrives, it will come with an owners manual that is pretty comprehensive. You should read the manual and make sure the bore is clean, etc. Then find some of the correct ammo and go have some fun. You will need to find some en bloc clips somewhere. I'd buy as many as you think you might ever need, as no telling when that supply might dry up.

[Stewbaby]

The CMP on ammo (most anything reasonably common):
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/536a34b75f7a7dd780e5e3302dfef4cb.jpg


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/1f6de39ab57120ce7509cbd103d9aaad.jpg


With M2 ball roughly

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200513/e10b50fd53154ec625d1d80cdf20c630.jpg

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Got my order receipt email, the wheels are starting to turn!

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Dimner, you get yours? Mine is supposed to come today!

[IHuntDragons]

Definitely pull it apart and inspect/clean. I wouldn't imagine it will need a lot of cleaning, as it will have been broken down recently anyway if it's a refinished receiver. I've heard some horror stories about op rod springs falling out in pieces, etc. Personally I've never had any issues, and over the years I've done at least a dozen mail order and/or store pickups. Good luck and have fun with it.

[IHuntDragons]

I considered going to the north store, but I have been watching the reports on the CMP site about the selection of rifles at the store. They have been very slim. And by all reports the current stock is not in the price range and accuracy (throat/muzzle score) that I was looking for. I thought about it a bunch. If I were going for a collector version, I would have done it in a heartbeat. The sad thing is, the north store is no where as near as stocked as the south. Speculation is that may change after the north store moves to the main building where people sign in for natonal matches.

I guess also, I didn't want to take a 1/2 day off work, pay for a tank and a half of gas, and then sales tax on top of it if I were just going to end up with the same rifle as mail order.

And yes, im fast learning this will not be my only M1 :)

The last several years it's definitely hit or miss bigtime at the North Store. They were also closed anyway when you sent your paperwork in as they were moving locations. About the time they were scheduled to reopen in the new location I think was close to the time they probably got shut down with the Covid stuff. I haven't really kept up with the North store since I moved out of VA.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Got it! Haven't really given it the full look over yet, but the receiver is in great shape, no pits that I can see. Rear sight has a bit of rust staining, and the gas cylinder looks like it was worked over pretty well to clean it up and has little finish. I bought it as a shooter, so no worries! Stock and barrel are new, so it should be good in that department. Normally new acquisitions are picked up while my wife is at work, but she is home due to corona, so when it arrived I referred to it as a corona miracle!

[shooterg]

Got hooked on High Power at a clinic at the Fairfax Rod & Gun Club in about 1990 . Old Col. Deneke and crew had government owned and match conditioned Garands for us to use. Never got over it ! You could only get one, period, then, and it cost $168 from the DCM. Now it has 12 brothers and sisters, latest one of the CMP deals with a new barrel and wood . Got Pops from his estate 2 years back(Asian theater WWII Marine - he'd always said they were the best gun ever). Have seen the M1 thumb bring large men to their knees , turn pale, and dang near pass out . Ouch. Everybody should have one !!

[fcvan]

I have seen M1s in gun racks and have always admired them. As popular as they are they could do a new production run and name their price. After all, Prettiest one I ever saw was owned by a former co-worker. He got a pristine rifle and took it to the extreme. He hand rubbed the furniture with many layers of linseed oil until it looked like glass. He said it was his favorite thing to do while watching football. Then he showed me his Mini 14 that received the same treatment stating 'I did the Mini first.' I told him they were too pretty to shoot. I was promptly informed "I don't own safe queens, I shoot every gun I own."

[Dimner]

Dimner, you get yours? Mine is supposed to come today!

I got mine!

Arrived friday. The new (to me) CMP cases are slick. My garand looks pretty good. However, there is heavy pitting above the wood on the receiver. Stamp is very faint. Which is a bummer, because I really wanted a deep stamp. That's what I asked for on the yellow sticky. The pitting is only concerning because all the reports I have read say the pitting isn't that bad. But all of that is top of mind because I have not been able to shoot mine yet. I am waiting on the adjustable gas plug from midway. I'm not going to chance it with factory ammo and/or handloads when I can wait a week or less and be safe with the plug.

I sill need to take it apart and clean it. Hopefully the pitting isn't any worse under the wood.

262850
262851

[Wag]

Nice looking rifle! You're gonna love shooting it.

--Wag--

[missionary5155]

"PING"! That is one sound I will never forget and sure want to hear again ! Hopefully this year....

[elmacgyver0]

Unless you are a stand hunter a M1 is miserable to drag around the woods. I did it once when I was a teen in eastern WVa mountains. That cured me and I was only 15 or 16 at the time.

GIs drug these things all over Europe and they seemed to have a pretty high opinion of them.

[RedlegEd]

GIs drug these things all over Europe and they seemed to have a pretty high opinion of them.

As did Marines and Soldiers in the Pacific theater, as well as Korea.
Ed

[Silvercreek Farmer]

I got mine!

Arrived friday. The new (to me) CMP cases are slick. My garand looks pretty good. However, there is heavy pitting above the wood on the receiver. Stamp is very faint. Which is a bummer, because I really wanted a deep stamp. That's what I asked for on the yellow sticky. The pitting is only concerning because all the reports I have read say the pitting isn't that bad. But all of that is top of mind because I have not been able to shoot mine yet. I am waiting on the adjustable gas plug from midway. I'm not going to chance it with factory ammo and/or handloads when I can wait a week or less and be safe with the plug.

I sill need to take it apart and clean it. Hopefully the pitting isn't any worse under the wood.

262850
262851

No worries, my reciever ('44) looks pretty good, but my stock is a little discolored, the floor plate has some significant active rust I need to take care of. My gas cylinder looks like it was left in a trench for some time. But boy does it shoot! I loaded up some 200gr boolits over 2400. Obviously it wouldn't cycle with that load, but it put them all in a tidy little lead smear on my steel plate at 50 yards, offhand. When I went back and looked at the grades again and saw it'd would have been an extra $400 for refinished parts, I got used to it real quick!

[IHuntDragons]

When I went back and looked at the grades again and saw it'd would have been an extra $400 for refinished parts, I got used to it real quick!

I prefer the been there, done that look over the new refinished parts anyway. You made the right choice.

[Wolverine19D]

I prefer the been there, done that look over the new refinished parts anyway. You made the right choice.

Same for me, I have always wanted an M1 and back when I was buying surplus guns years ago for $50-100 the $500-800 price point always kept me away since I could buy nearly a dozen Mosins, Mausers, K31's etc for the same price. But now that all milsurps are expensive the M1 isn't a bad deal in comparison.

What I would like to have in one is a nice patina finish preferably without pitting or only slight pitting but with a well worn finish and a nice well beat up walnut stock with that beautiful dark reddish tint they get over time. I believe you can apply the same finish color to most new ones using leather dye for finish but I haven't ever tried it. I know it's near impossible to get that finish using regular wood stains. But I'd really like to get one that's a good shooter that gauges under 2 on the throat/muzzle wear.

[gwozdz]

I have used Feibing Dark Brown leather dye on all of my Garands and other stocks. Just get rid of any old finish, apply the stain to your liking with thin coats, wipe off and let dry several days, wiping each day. The rub in a few coats of tung oil. After it appear to have soaked in, rub hard with a cloth and let dry for a day or so, wiping each day. On the last coat rub in a thin coat until your hands get hot. It's a slow process, but you'll get a great finish.

[JerryCan]

I bought a Garand years ago, sometime in the '90s. It's a 1943 Springfield armory.
Beautiful gun, near perfect, but I'll admit I never shoot it. I need to put it up for sale someday.