First M1 - Do I want Expert Grade or Service Grade?

Brachydios

Brachydios

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I am either going to go to the Anniston, AL CMP location and pick out a Service Grade rifle or mail order an expert grade.
I know the Expert grade has a new stock and barrel, and this is something I want for a mix of historical/mechanical significance and as a shooter. Are service grade rifles safe for a few range trips a year, or should I just get an expert grade if I want to shoot it?
 
Service Grade if you want US issued.
Expert if you want a solid shooter.

The Service Grade will be worth more in the long run.
 
Service grade would be my pick. As said before original barrel and stock more desirable in the long run.
Also while M1’s CAN be fantastic rifles there is a lot of “magic” that needs to take place to make them more than average shooters even with new barrels and stocks.
 
keepcalmandcarryon said:
Service grade would be my pick. As said before original barrel and stock more desirable in the long run.
Also while M1’s CAN be fantastic rifles there is a lot of “magic” that needs to take place to make them more than average shooters even with new barrels and stocks.
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My heart has been saying service grade. I only wish I could mail order, as the CMP south store is quite a drive from SC
 
You won't really know what kind of rifle you have til you shoot it. My field grade '53 with a 2/3 barrel is a FAR better shooter than my '42 service grade with a 1/1 barrel that's in one of the new production CMP (Boyds?) stocks. Personally I'd get the most original rifle you can. I passed up on a 5-digit serial rifle the last time I was there and got the '42 instead. Don't obsess over the muzzle/throat readings.

Personally I'd go down to Alabama and pick one out. You get 2 free hours on the range with your purchase anyway, and it's really a beautiful facility. Get a cheap hotel and make an overnight trip out of it.
 
Sigogglin said:
You won't really know what kind of rifle you have til you shoot it. My field grade '53 with a 2/3 barrel is a FAR better shooter than my '42 service grade with a 1/1 barrel that's in one of the new production CMP (Boyds?) stocks. Personally I'd get the most original rifle you can. I passed up on a 5-digit serial rifle the last time I was there and got the '42 instead. Don't obsess over the muzzle/throat readings.

Personally I'd go down to Alabama and pick one out. You get 2 free hours on the range with your purchase anyway, and it's really a beautiful facility. Get a cheap hotel and make an overnight trip out of it.
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Unfortunately I think I'm going to have to make it a day trip. I'm a dad of a toddler, and I don't think mom would appreciate me being gone a whole day lol.

But good advice I will definitely shoot it before I come home.
 
Get the service grade. A buddy that shoots with me at Butner every year got an "expert grade" for shooting Garand matches and it shot like complete crap. And by crap, I mean an average of 8"-10" groups at 100 yards using Creedmoor Sports Lapua 167gn match ammo. CMP refused to accept it for return (they are sold as "no returns"), but still blamed it on being assembled by a "junior armorer" who did not know what he was doing. He spent quite a few dollars getting the stock and both handguards fitted correctly by an old WW2 Marine Corps armorer (which fitting is supposed to be done by CMP) and it was a little better, but still shot 6" groups at best at 100. He eventually ended up having to swap out several parts (gas cylinder, gas cylinder lock, entire rear sight assembly and some other internal part) to get it down to a 3-4 inch group at 100 yards with match ammo. Personally, I think somebody was being lazy and sent him a "rack special" instead of an "expert".

That said, buying a service grade does not guarantee you will get a rifle that shoots good groups. Nor does buying an "expert" guarantee that you will get a lemon. But at least with the service grade, you know you are not massively overpaying for a rack grade rifle with an unfitted stock and worn out parts. I've personally always gotten good luck and service from CMP, but I would not take the risk on an "expert". YMMV.
 
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I dont know what grade it was at the time or if they graded them then but my bud's CMP program rilfe, where you had to go to a Garand clinic and get a certificate, came with a new Criterion bbl and new furniture and it was a tack driver. That was 15-20 years ago.
 
To me, the service grade is a good value, maybe under valued. I've got three-

1- Springfield with a 1944 Springfield barrel
2- Winchester with a 1964 Springfield barrel
3- IHC with a 1965 a Springfield barrel

They all shoot better than I do. I'm missing the HRA to complete the set. I'll have one someday soon.

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jimmyjames8 said:
I dont know what grade it was at the time or if they graded them then but my bud's CMP program rilfe, where you had to go to a Garand clinic and get a certificate, came with a new Criterion bbl and new furniture and it was a tack driver. That was 15-20 years ago.
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That sounds like he took the advanced maintenance class. As part of the class, you build your own rifle from parts they supply. The resulting rifle really isn't any grade, it is just as good as you build it. But it is probably most akin to what the "expert grade" is supposed to be - assuming you paid attention in the class.
 
East of Here said:
Get the service grade. A buddy that shoots with me at Butner every year got an "expert grade" for shooting Garand matches and it shot like complete crap. And by crap, I mean an average of 8"-10" groups at 100 yards using Creedmoor Sports Lapua 167gn match ammo. CMP refused to accept it for return (they are sold as "no returns"), but still blamed it on being assembled by a "junior armorer" who did not know what he was doing. He spent quite a few dollars getting the stock and both handguards fitted correctly by an old WW2 Marine Corps armorer (which fitting is supposed to be done by CMP) and it was a little better, but still shot 6" groups at best at 100. He eventually ended up having to swap out several parts (gas cylinder, gas cylinder lock, entire rear sight assembly and some other internal part) to get it down to a 3-4 inch group at 100 yards with match ammo. Personally, I think somebody was being lazy and sent him a "rack special" instead of an "expert".

That said, buying a service grade does not guarantee you will get a rifle that shoots good groups. Nor does buying an "expert" guarantee that you will get a lemon. But at least with the service grade, you know you are not massively overpaying for a rack grade rifle with an unfitted stock and worn out parts. I've personally always gotten good luck and service from CMP, but I would not take the risk on an "expert". YMMV.
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Not the first time I've heard of this happening
 
CountrySide Gunsmithing said:
Not the first time I've heard of this happening
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I've mentioned your business to him for referral if he wants/needs it. He wants a trigger group that breaks at about 4.75lbs, and is trying to do the work himself to lighten his own. But he keeps overdoing it to where it is either below 4.5lbs or has slop. That's not an optimal job to do yourself without experience.
 
East of Here said:
I've mentioned your business to him for referral if he wants/needs it. He wants a trigger group that breaks at about 4.75lbs, and is trying to do the work himself to lighten his own. But he keeps overdoing it to where it is either below 4.5lbs or has slop. That's not an optimal job to do yourself without experience.
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Shuff's did a trigger job on one of mine, I'm happy with it.


https://shuffsparkerizing.com/services/m1-garand/

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Seriouslynotatwork said:
What are Service grades going for at the South store now? Are the requirements to buy in the store the same as buying online/over the phone?
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Mine was 900 before tax, and I brought in forms 1a 2a and 3a with a copy of my birth certificate and cwp, plus a screenshot of my membership with the garand collectors association

It was an easy process and they were awesome
 
Brachydios said:
Mine was 900 before tax, and I brought in forms 1a 2a and 3a with a copy of my birth certificate and cwp, plus a screenshot of my membership with the garand collectors association

It was an easy process and they were awesome
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So you made the trip and the purchase is done? We need details and pics.

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