CMP M1 Garand or Fulton Armory M1 Garand

[gladiator8us]

I'm contemplating purchasing a CMP M1Garand. Anyone ever buy one of these? If I do take the plunge, what should I be looking out for? The Criterion barrel, how accurate are they? Whats the twist rate?

The description reads as follows: "M1 Garand, CMP Special (.30-06) Allow 30-60 days for delivery. M1 Garand Springfield Armory receiver. This is a completely refurbished rifle consisting of an original M1 Garand Springfield receiver, new production Criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling. Receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture."

OR, would you recommend to just spend the extra $$$ and go with a Springfield Armory M1Garand? There's a lot of options out there and can be confusing at times. What do they mean by stating John C. Garand Match Legal vs. not John C. Garand Match Legal? I don't ever intend on shooting matches, just for the fun of it.

 

[kraigWY]

I'd go with the CMP rifles in a heart beat. The Criterion barrels are excellent, 1:10 like all Garand's that I know of.

Garand legal means the are legal per CMP GSM Rules for the Garand Match, meaning "as issued". All the Garand's put our by the CMP are legal per the rules, (the exception they make and sell Match Grade and 308 Garand's) They can be fired in the modern military or modified Garand matches, but its not the same thing in my opinion.

The CMP Special is meets the rules, they are excellent shooters and if something isn't right, they'll fix it for you, you wont find any better customer service then the CMP.

I think you might change your mind about not shooting CMP matches. Even if you don't, the Garand's are a heck of a lot of fun to shoot. You should consider attending a Garand Clinic put on by CMP GSM Master Instructors. Even if you never shoot a match, you'll learn a lot about the Garand.

PLUS, and this is a big Plus for me, all proceeds from the sales at the CMP go to support their marksmanship programs mainly geared toward the juniors.

WARNING: Garand's lead to other US Military Surplus Rifles, M1917, Krags, Springfields, Carbines..............then of course you'll start adding bayonets to your collection.....it's never ending but at least if gives your kids and grandkids something to fight over when you pass on.

 

[no1special]

i have a fulton garand match legal. i bought it several years ago before the cmp special was created. today i would buy the special with the caveat of sending the trigger group to fulton to do their magic.

 

[M1Amen]

You are sort of comparing apples and oranges. It really depends on what type of CMP Garand you are looking at and what type of parts the Fulton Armory Garand will be made from. The CMP Specials and the CMP Collector grades are going to be the best bet for likelihood of getting a good rifle by mail from them. I have seen them and they are a real beauty. Usually unshot except for test firing, amazing bores and barrells, and all matching part numbers.

Right now, I can tell you the shelves have been empty for months over there unless you are looking in the expensive range (900-1000 Frauderal Reserve Notes). If it were me, I would take the Collector grade if they have any in stock. Call over to the CMP in Anniston and ask to speak to Leon. He's the one who will help you and let you know what they've got.

The Fulton Armory stuff is also going to be high end, and their actions are USGI, so they are also hammer forged. Not sure about matching part numbers and such though.

 

[USMC mustang]

I'd go with the CMP and I've been a customer of both the CMP and Fulton Armory over the years. Fulton Armory is a great company putting out great products but the basic M1 that Fulton sells is $700 more dollars than the CMP Special. A $700 difference between two comparable rifles? And the proceeds from the more affordable rifle goes to fund junior shooting programs? Seems like an easy decision to me. If you still live in GA you are within easy driving distance of the south store in Anniston, AL; as of a week-and-a-half ago there was chatter on the CMP forums that they had CMP Specials in the store.

I too would recommend trying a Garand match. They are fun, low stress ways to try competitive shooting and you will learn a lot about yourself and your rifle. There are plenty in GA.

 

[Orlando]

Many of Fultons Garands parts are commercial reproductions
Personally I would go with a CMP Garand any day

 

[aard3]

Like others said, it depends what you want it for... I wanted a Garand just to add one to the collection, and for the occasional match... so I picked up a CMP. I'm pretty sure they are sold out of all but the highest grades, but when I was getting one I was looking for as much original equipment from the same manufacturer as possible. (Stock, Receiver, etc.). Each one is graded in several categories (muzzle, crown, etc)... if I recall the lower the number the better.

 

[samnev]

I would go with the higher grade CMP Garand from CMP. You will spend less money than an equivalent Fulton M1

 

[itwillis]

As a huge CMP geek with not enough money I'd say CMP every time. Service grade will usually get you a shooter, but the CMP "specials" are made to be shot and you will love the new criterion barrel. I've seen one new FA and it was a nice rifle but you can get the same quality from the CMP for a bit less and their proceeds go to an excellent cause.

 

[Shoots 700's]

I bought one from CPM early last year, it was a Springfield correct grade and it shoots pretty good. I took it and shot it during the Texas Multi Gun match last year. I shoot WWII class.

 

[jbarn_1999]

Let me put another thought in your mind - CMP Special grades run a little over 1K. Fultons will put you back 1700. I have not seen a Springfield Armory M1 on the market for some time but I think they would be somewhere in the middle. The CMP Service Grade HR's run about 700.

The barrel on my CMP SA Service Grade is as good as I have seen. You probably will not have to replace the barrel - even if you want to, you would have between 300-900 to do it with. Chances are the barrel, stock hardware will be just fine for even competition. You could (in theory) save money for something else to compete in other matches ie: 1903/M1A.

Let me explain where I am coming from - I have bought 2x Garands from CMP (one Service Grade SA and one M1D). I have NO experience with the Criterion barrels (I actually want one for re-barreling my Krag). I have no doubt that the criterion are just fine, but then again - so are the barrels with the Service Grades.

Now if you could get past the fact that the receiver says Harrington and Richardson and not Springfield, you could have 2 for 1!

Just my 2 cents - best of luck.

 

[303_enfield]

Your in Georgia? Take the drive to the South Store and pick out your own F#ing rifle. Or buy the 12 your allowed a year
Look here:
CMP Stores

Wish I lived closer to the Store!