I just wanted to share a few notes on my experience with going to the CMP store in Anniston. I left early Friday morning and got there around noon. There was almost no one there shopping.
Tips:
Bring a passport or other proof of citizenship in addition to your driver's license. A driver's license is NOT proof of citizenship. I almost didn't bring my passport but thank goodness I did. That would have been a long trip for nothing.
In my opinion, unless you are going to refinish the rifle and change the stock go right for the Service grade rifles. The field/rack are $495 but the service are $595 and are much nicer. The wood on the stocks match, the barrel gauges better and most of the bluing/blackening is still there. It also cuts down your shopping time since they have about 100 rack/field but only a half dozen service grades.
They have correct grade rifles which look great and have collector value but they run $1,100. Special grades have refinished metal and new CMP walnut stocks. They look nice but are a cool grand. Personally I wanted something with character that didn't look like it was just refinished. They have match grades for $1,500+ and HRA and WRA in various grades for more than a Springfield. They didn't have any 1903's in stock but they had plenty of M1 carbines. I just can't get excited about that diminutive rifle. The condition wasn't very good on those that I saw.
Have one of the employees check out the rifle you choose. Make sure you gauged it right and ask their opinion of the rifle. Sometimes they can point out a big flaw you didn't notice or even knew to look for.
Get your paperwork in early. You can shop for other things while they run the background check and whatever else they do in the back.
Look through their catalog and the items in the glass case. You can find neat items you might not think to pick up. I got a coffee mug for $3.50, a nice CMP fabric rifle case for $25, a new sling for $8 and of course don't forget ammo. Ask if they have any tracers available since they don't seem to ship those. There were none when I was there.
Here's a pic of mine all cleaned up with the CMP fabric case and new sling.
Tips:
Bring a passport or other proof of citizenship in addition to your driver's license. A driver's license is NOT proof of citizenship. I almost didn't bring my passport but thank goodness I did. That would have been a long trip for nothing.
In my opinion, unless you are going to refinish the rifle and change the stock go right for the Service grade rifles. The field/rack are $495 but the service are $595 and are much nicer. The wood on the stocks match, the barrel gauges better and most of the bluing/blackening is still there. It also cuts down your shopping time since they have about 100 rack/field but only a half dozen service grades.
They have correct grade rifles which look great and have collector value but they run $1,100. Special grades have refinished metal and new CMP walnut stocks. They look nice but are a cool grand. Personally I wanted something with character that didn't look like it was just refinished. They have match grades for $1,500+ and HRA and WRA in various grades for more than a Springfield. They didn't have any 1903's in stock but they had plenty of M1 carbines. I just can't get excited about that diminutive rifle. The condition wasn't very good on those that I saw.
Have one of the employees check out the rifle you choose. Make sure you gauged it right and ask their opinion of the rifle. Sometimes they can point out a big flaw you didn't notice or even knew to look for.
Get your paperwork in early. You can shop for other things while they run the background check and whatever else they do in the back.
Look through their catalog and the items in the glass case. You can find neat items you might not think to pick up. I got a coffee mug for $3.50, a nice CMP fabric rifle case for $25, a new sling for $8 and of course don't forget ammo. Ask if they have any tracers available since they don't seem to ship those. There were none when I was there.
Here's a pic of mine all cleaned up with the CMP fabric case and new sling.
