Step #5 in getting my CMP Garand

[Richard Simmons]

Called today to check status. Ammo shipment is pending since they are switching from Ohio to Alabama for ammo shipments. Rifle has been assigned and invoiced and they are waiting for the arsenal to ship so should be any day now I hope. Serial # 953,xxx indicates a Springfield Armory rifle made in early November 1942. Hope it's decent. :D

[Schuetzenman]

I just looked up your SR# and it says October 1942 on my chart. November SR#'s start at 1,008,899. Source is Poyer. In any event it's an early one to be sure. Just remember, one can always replace or refinish a stock. The important thing is you are getting a genuine M1 Garand rifle. There is a feeling you get when you hold one. . . . it's hard to explain.

They are also very satisfying to shoot. I let a bro-in-law and his son shoot many of my rifles, AK's, AR's, M1A and Garand. The one they picked as their favorit was the Garand! When I asked them why out of the 8 rifles I brought to the range they picked the Garand, they shurgged their sholders and said, "It just feels right"!

[Richard Simmons]

I was surprised I guess that it was so low all things being relative. I used this table from Jouster http://www.jouster.com/serial/Springfield.html

Any opinions on quality of manufacture during this time period? Not quite a year from Pearl Harbor. I was hoping for an SA overa Winchester. I've always associated the M1 with SA first, at least in my mind.

[Schuetzenman]

:o Oops, I was reading the chart as the numbers being the first number in the range, not the last. Given that it is the last number in the range my chart agrees with your chart on Jouster.

As far as quality goes they are pretty consistent. Springfield is the most common of all the Garands. Winchester, International Harvester and Harrington & Richardson are the minority builders. I think International was the contractor that made the least, but H&R supposedly built the nicest finished rifles. Almost sporting arm quality . . . almost. It's kind of a toss up on which one is most valuable, people go bonkers over Winchesters, but H&R's have a pretty strong following and value in the market.

My first CMP Garand was in 97 when you could get only one. I hoped for a Winchester and that's what I got. Well, the receiver is Winchester, the rest is pure SA rebuild parts. Has a 1965 vintage Springfield Armory barrel. Evidently this rifle was rebuilt for shippment to Vietnam, but thankfully never went.

Since then I've picked up a Springfield and an H&R Garand from CMP. Now if I can just get an International someday, I'll have all the contractors of Garands in the collection. :cool: