CMP South Store (Anniston AL) Open Again

[AndyLate]

The store was closed for a couple of years due to Covid and I assume other reasons but its been open for a couple of weeks now.

I ran down today and picked up a Service Grade Dec.1943 Remington 1903A3 and a Service Grade Nov. 1943 SA Garand (with a 12/51 SA Barrel).

The prices have not gone down over the years, to be sure. I would also argue that the grading has suffered over time as well. My Dad's rack grade Garand he bought years ago is not too far off the condition and correctness of my new-to-me SG (except for throat/muzzle readings).

The 1903A3 pricing, especially, has really climbed, but they are not making any more of them.

I didn't count them, but they had about twenty 03A3s - most 1943 Remingtons, although I did see at least one one Smith-Corona. Most had throat/muzzle readings of 2 or better.

Andy

[Straight Shooter]

Whats the Garand situation Andy?

[AndyLate]

Whats the Garand situation Andy?

This is a list posted this morning on another site:

"There were a fair number of cartouche stocks present, SA JLG, SA GAW and DAS. Also a few matching receivers and barrels, most had replacement barrel. Overall the rifles were very nice. Numerous 6 digits present, a few with original finish.

SA/HRA SG 48/ FG 36/ RG zero/ RG plus zero.

IHC RG 4

WRA RG 19/ RG Plus 2

M1C SG 4

M1D SG 2/ RG 3

1903a3 SG 10/ RG 2"

Andy

[Straight Shooter]

Thanks man. Im gonna make a trip this spring, and also hit that range they have there for a day.

[HKGuns]

I picked up 2 Garands (Winchester / SA) and one carbine, a couple Garand barrels and a number of bayonets back in the day.

My Bavarian IBM carbine was like $400 bucks at the time.

I’m interested in the 1911 Pistols, but the whoops they make you jump through are fairly onerous, so I’m a pass on them at this point.

[czgunner]

I'd really like a carbine. I bought a Special several years back. They were a pretty sweet deal. I think around $700. I'm not an "all original" person, so it works for me.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[m1a_scoutguy]

The store was closed for a couple of years due to Covid and I assume other reasons but its been open for a couple of weeks now.

I ran down today and picked up a Service Grade Dec.1943 Remington 1903A3 and a Service Grade Nov. 1943 SA Garand (with a 12/51 SA Barrel).

The prices have not gone down over the years, to be sure. I would also argue that the grading has suffered over time as well. My Dad's rack grade Garand he bought years ago is not too far off the condition and correctness of my new-to-me SG (except for throat/muzzle readings).

The 1903A3 pricing, especially, has really climbed, but they are not making any more of them.

I didn't count them, but they had about twenty 03A3s - most 1943 Remingtons, although I did see at least one one Smith-Corona. Most had throat/muzzle readings of 2 or better.

Andy


This is a list posted this morning on another site:

"There were a fair number of cartouche stocks present, SA JLG, SA GAW and DAS. Also a few matching receivers and barrels, most had replacement barrel. Overall the rifles were very nice. Numerous 6 digits present, a few with original finish.

SA/HRA SG 48/ FG 36/ RG zero/ RG plus zero.

IHC RG 4

WRA RG 19/ RG Plus 2

M1C SG 4

M1D SG 2/ RG 3

1903a3 SG 10/ RG 2"

Andy

Well, I "OFFICIALLY" hate YOU Andy (But in a fun-loving kind of way, LOL) That's awesome and cool that they opened back up, especially for lucky guys like you that kind of live close by. In the grand scheme of things, it's probably a good thing that I don't live close to places like that, even the Ohio Store is at least 8 hours away for me, I have always wanted to go but just never made the trip. I would be interested in what they were asking for the 1903A3 rifles, I just bought a 43 Remington last Spring and paid around $1200ish with Tax @ A local shop, it's very nice for sure but just curious about CMP average prices. Anyways enjoy your new toys, I'm sure they will be awesome.

[AndyLate]

My service grade 1903A3 was $970 plus 10% sales tax because the south store is inside Anniston city limits. Rack grade 1903A3s should have been priced at $750 but I don't remember seeing any rack grades yesterday.

I honestly struggled with the price. I don't think they are getting cheaper though.

The barrel date on the rifle I picked matches that of the receiver, most of the parts' metal finishes are correct, the stock seems correct (although a bit salty), most parts are "R" stamped, and the throat/muzzle are 1/1+.

The bad - I think the trigger guard is incorrect and know the rear band is wrong. Neither is prohibitively expensive and I will pick up the right parts because it will bug me. The stock and handguard are both a bit beat up.

It should be a decent shooter, I assume it is a 2 groove barrel but am not smart enough to tell looking down the bore :).

Andy

[m1a_scoutguy]

My service grade 1903A3 was $970 plus 10% sales tax because the south store is inside Anniston city limits. Rack grade 1903A3s should have been priced at $750 but I don't remember seeing any rack grades yesterday.

I honestly struggled with the price. I don't think they are getting cheaper though.

The barrel date on the rifle I picked matches that of the receiver, most of the parts' metal finishes are correct, the stock seems correct (although a bit salty), most parts are "R" stamped, and the throat/muzzle are 1/1+.

The bad - I think the trigger guard is incorrect and know the rear band is wrong. Neither is prohibitively expensive and I will pick up the right parts because it will bug me. The stock and handguard are both a bit beat up.

It should be a decent shooter, I assume it is a 2 groove barrel but am not smart enough to tell by looking down the bore :).

Andy

That doesn't sound terrible Andy I guess for today's standards, I guess I can't count my 1st rack grade that was sent to my house for $275, but yea prices have changed!!!! It sounds like a decent rifle also and the correct parts should be easy to find. I know my rifle was pretty decent, I'm not informed enough to know if it's 100% correct but the BBL is a 43 like the receiver and mine is a 4 groove bbl and it shoots pretty dam good. I turned mine into an A4 and it performs very nicely for a 80 year old rifle. Well have fun with it and post a pic when ya finally get out to the range, congrats for sure.

[Straight Shooter]

My service grade 1903A3 was $970 plus 10% sales tax because the south store is inside Anniston city limits. Rack grade 1903A3s should have been priced at $750 but I don't remember seeing any rack grades yesterday.

I honestly struggled with the price. I don't think they are getting cheaper though.

The barrel date on the rifle I picked matches that of the receiver, most of the parts' metal finishes are correct, the stock seems correct (although a bit salty), most parts are "R" stamped, and the throat/muzzle are 1/1+.

The bad - I think the trigger guard is incorrect and know the rear band is wrong. Neither is prohibitively expensive and I will pick up the right parts because it will bug me. The stock and handguard are both a bit beat up.

It should be a decent shooter, I assume it is a 2 groove barrel but am not smart enough to tell looking down the bore :).

Andy

Are they putting on Criterion barrels on either the Garands or 03's for an additional charge?

[AndyLate]

Are they putting on Criterion barrels on either the Garands or 03's for an additional charge?

They do gunsmithing, yes. https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/custom-gunsmithing/

They sell Garands with Criterion barrels as well.

Andy

[m1a_scoutguy]

Are they putting on Criterion barrels on either the Garands or 03's for an additional charge?


They gunsmithing, yes. https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/custom-gunsmithing/

They sell Garands with Criterion barrels as well.

Andy

Yes, they have been putting Criterion BBLs on M1s for a while now. I don't think they have enough 1903A3s to bother plus I don't think the majority of 1903A3s saw the action that the M1s did and they didn't get as worn out, I could be wrong. I think the M1s with the Criterion BBLs are the Specials and have new wood and other newer maybe even commercial parts. Yes the CMP Store has been selling Criterion BBLs for a while now, both M1 and 1903 & 1903A3, they are good BBLs for sure.

[Straight Shooter]

They do gunsmithing, yes. https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/custom-gunsmithing/

They sell Garands with Criterion barrels as well.

Andy


Yes, they have been putting Criterion BBLs on M1s for a while now. I don't think they have enough 1903A3s to bother plus I don't think the majority of 1903A3s saw the action that the M1s did and they didn't get as worn out, I could be wrong. I think the M1s with the Criterion BBLs are the Specials and have new wood and other newer maybe even commercial parts. Yes the CMP Store has been selling Criterion BBLs for a while now, both M1 and 1903 & 1903A3, they are good BBLs for sure.

Thank you both!

[AndyLate]

Yes, they have been putting Criterion BBLs on M1s for a while now. I don't think they have enough 1903A3s to bother plus I don't think the majority of 1903A3s saw the action that the M1s did and they didn't get as worn out, I could be wrong. I think the M1s with the Criterion BBLs are the Specials and have new wood and other newer maybe even commercial parts. Yes the CMP Store has been selling Criterion BBLs for a while now, both M1 and 1903 & 1903A3, they are good BBLs for sure.

CMP kind of gives me a headache with their grading.

The Rack Grade Special M1s had new Criterion barrels and CMP stocks and refinished receivers. Most recievers had some pitting and some were sandblasted enough to have light heel stamps.

Now CMP lists:
* Expert grade with new Criterion barrel and stock - metal is service grade $1150
* Special grade with new barrel and stock,receiver and most other parts are refinished USGI, but some parts may be new manufacture. Receiver will have pitting. No price on CMP's sales page.

My 1st M1 was a $650 H&R Rack Grade Special which has very little receiver pitting but a light heel stamp and parts are a mix of H&R and SA. Most parts were refinished or had a nice original finish. I replaced the lower band with a reparked one and the saw-cut gas cylinder with a nicely finished one. The rifle looks outstanding and seems like a bargain now.

Andy