Looking to order my first Garand, but I am conflicted on getting a Service or Special Grade rifle. My main concern is potential pitting on the receiver in Hawaii's environment. Does anyone know if the CMP Special receivers are of a better quality, or are the improvements just in the new stock and barell? Long term plan is to make it into a .308 rifle, but I am open to using .30-06 in the beginning if the Service Grade rifles are the route to initially build upon.

Thank you in advance.

The special grades aren't any more resistant to pitting than the other grades, just in better shape.  They have the same finish as the originals, albeit more recently applied.

From what I understand the receiver is reparked and theycan be one for you in .308

Looking to order my first Garand, but I am conflicted on getting a Service or Special Grade rifle. My main concern is potential pitting on the receiver in Hawaii's environment. Does anyone know if the CMP Special receivers are of a better quality, or are the improvements just in the new stock and barell? Long term plan is to make it into a .308 rifle, but I am open to using .30-06 in the beginning if the Service Grade rifles are the route to initially build upon.

Thank you in advance.

The CMP sells a .308 Garand.  http://www.thecmp.org/Sales/m1garand.htm.  As long as you keep it maintained and oiled, I don't think there would be a difference as far as pitting.

The CMP sells a .308 Garand.  http://www.thecmp.org/Sales/m1garand.htm.  As long as you keep it maintained and oiled, I don't think there would be a difference as far as pitting.

I did initially see the .308 available, I was just wondering if the extra 1/3 of the cost of a Service grade was just found in the new barrel and stock.

I have seen all the different grades at CMP North Store at Camp Perry.The Service grades are pretty good, but you are taking a chance that you will get a lemon.

The Special grades are completely rebuilt with new barrels and wood.

If you are looking to do serious shooting, then go for the Special.

If you want a nostalgic plinker, go for the Service

My service grade HRA had a throat gauge and bore gauge of "2", and the wood looked good, just a few small nicks, nothing major.

I have seen all the different grades at CMP North Store at Camp Perry.The Service grades are pretty good, but you are taking a chance that you will get a lemon.

The Special grades are completely rebuilt with new barrels and wood.

If you are looking to do serious shooting, then go for the Special.

If you want a nostalgic plinker, go for the Service

I am begining to lean towards the Special in .308 with an adjustable gas plug. I would prefer a totally rebuilt rifle with a standardized round that I can buy/reload across other firearm platforms.

Worse comes to worse, I can buy a Service grade .30-06 later on.

I just order my special in .30-06 along with two cans of the Greek ball ammo.

I just order my special in .30-06 along with two cans of the Greek ball ammo.

Great, but how long will that supply last?

Great, but how long will that supply last?

Supposedly CMP will start selling sealed spam cans of Greek HXP M2 once the loose stuff is sold out.  HXP brass is excellent for reloading.

I bought 2 spam cans earlier this year. They sold out quickly.

Supposedly CMP will start selling sealed spam cans of Greek HXP M2 once the loose stuff is sold out.  HXP brass is excellent for reloading.

Anyone offering classes on how to reload? lol

Anyone offering classes on how to reload? lol

Maybe X-Ring? https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=16543.0

Maybe X-Ring? https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=16543.0

I would love to learn how to reload for this rifle and my 54R.

My m1 CMP special is on it way. I'm getting it monday. I'm actually surprised how quickly my order was processed. They got my order Wednesday processed on Thursday and shipped today.

I saw spam cans for sale on the CMP Estore.

be careful when choosing powder and charge weight.
The Garand's oprod can bend if the burning rate of the powder is too slow or fast

The spam cans are listed in estore for 150.00 plus 30.00 shipping to hawaii.

be careful when choosing powder and charge weight.
The Garand's oprod can bend if the burning rate of the powder is too slow or fast

Very true for both cartridges. A gas plug might be the best fall back safety measure.

I am noticing that more re-loadable .30-06 brass seems to be available online now than .308. Possibly because the .30-06 is now more of a "hunting" round, while the .308 is being bought up by the AR-10 community?

A few spam cans of re-loadable Greek .30-06 seems like a good deal now.