From CMP of all places!

I wish CMP success with this. I hope that these just don't become "boutique" rifles, that only a few will purchase, mainly due to uniqueness and price.

IMHO, the bigger rock to push is getting new shooters interested in marksmanship events and training.

I think this is cool to see. But at the same time I like the history of Garands, not their place amongst modern rifles. If the cost is the same as an historical example why would one buy this?

$1900 each today is about the same cost/value as sold to the U.S. Government in the '40s.

My guess as to "why" one might buy new that they can shoot a ton through without much concern, than doing so with an historical article.

Why use up the life of an original when you can wear out one of these.

I have a very rare NM and each round though it subtracts its life.

PSA has their H&R series vintage M16 rifles that are an outstanding success, I hope these are just as outstanding.

I'm glad they're doing this, and I hope it's successful. Actually, I hope it's successful enough that they branch out into reproductions of other stuff like 1903s and M1 Carbines.

I do have my concerns, though, that as long as surplus rifles are still available for less, this isn't going to be very successful, especially not at $1900 apiece. Springfield Armory tried it before (albeit IIRC with cast receivers, whereas these are milled) and it flopped. At some point when there are no more surplus rifles in the inventory it will be necessary, but I'm not sure we're there yet.

I think the market for originals is always going to be different from the market for repros. If anything, this will clarify those two things. There were always going to be guys who were going to buy a Fulton for a hell of a lot more than they would spend on an original USGI piece, and my experience is that guy is the same guy who would pick up an original and immediately send it off to some smith to parts swap and refinish everything just to have it in premium condition whether it needs it or not. That guy doesn't care about the history, he just wants the gun. Auto Ordnance has already done that with their M1 carbine repros and it hasn't tanked the values on originals any, they're still going up. Why? Because they haven't been made since 1945.

I was thinking seriously about buying one of the Tisas 1911A1's in 9mm to have a version of my '43 Remington-Rand that I'd actually go shoot until I realized I don't particularly enjoy shooting it - it hammer bites the crap out of me every time and there's no reason to suspect the Tisas would fare any different. To make it enjoyable to shoot would involve changing out enough of what makes it what it is that it isn't an historical piece anymore, and that satisfied the urge for me right there. Now, would I ever buy a new CMP M1 or Auto Ordnance carbine to keep from putting wear and tear on my originals? No. I don't shoot them enough that I'm concerned about it. I bought them for the history, not to put a lot of rounds downrange with them. I am a steward of some pieces of history that aren't particularly valuable except for their historical significance. That, to me, is the joy in their ownership, not the ability to take them to the range and crank off a case of ammo and not worry about destroying them. I don't think those are mutually exclusive mindsets, but I think shooters generally tend to fall into one camp or the other.

I think it's great that the CMP is making these, and I have suspected for a long time that they'd eventually start producing all-new ones at some point. Who else would we trust more with such a venture?

The main thing I enjoy when shooting my Garand is looking down at the receiver and reading the 1943 date engraved into it.I always wonder where this rifle has been and who carried it.I find this more fulfilling than any other aspect of shooting it.
I don't mind shooting it because almost anything that could break can be replaced/fixed.

A new production Garand, no thanks. If I want a heavy hitter I will take the Scar 17S to the range.If I wanted a new production rifle that fills that Garand itch I would probably just buy a M1A/M14.
The Garand I own might be the last rifle I would give up. Only because of that 1943 date and its history.

I would have to dig for it on YouTube, but one fellow in the Anniston, AL area had some info on the new production models. And I want to say that they *may* be looking at bringing back some of the 1903 drill rifles as functional arms IIRC.

I wouldn't mind if someone also began making new production C-rations to mil-spec. That box of Beefsteak rations on his desk shelf...ah, the memories!

ETA:The Readiness Review YT is more current/recent than the one I saw earlier.

I wonder if a fair percentage of those interested, buyers, will age out. Of course there will always be a few with interest.

I have an H&R M1 dated to the 50’s, no war history, but very good condition.

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:
I would have to dig for it on YouTube, but one fellow in the Anniston, AL area had some info on the new production models. And I want to say that they *may* be looking at bringing back some of the 1903 drill rifles as functional arms IIRC.

I wouldn't mind if someone also began making new production C-rations to mil-spec. That box of Beefsteak rations on his desk shelf...ah, the memories!

ETA:The Readiness Review YT is more current/recent than the one I saw earlier.

Update: Let's see what develops soon.

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:
And I want to say that they *may* be looking at bringing back some of the 1903 drill rifles as functional arms IIRC.

Not "may"... They are. It was in the May CMP newsletter.

See https://thecmp.org/the-cmp-drill-rifle-initiative/

^^Good news to hear, Rogue. It was Battlefield Curator's earlier video on the CMP that said "may"
(recorded I think before the newsletter announcement). I would like an '03, or an '03A3.

Yep... 03A3 for me too. My gun club has a vintage military shoot and I would love to do it with an 03A3.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Yep... 03A3 for me too. My gun club has a vintage military shoot and I would love to do it with an 03A3.

I bought a 03-A3 Smith Corona from 1943 that was traded into the store earlier this year. Wasn’t a drill rifle, not sporterized, best I can tell it’s the original barrel. Couldn’t pass it up, it goes well with my CMP Garand.

The mil-surps we get in usually fall into three classifications, sporterized, Gunbroker material (National Match, extremely pristine) or to another dealer. There is not a lot of interest at our store for these. I do have a regular that collects mil-surps and I give him a call when we get anything in that might interest him though.