Quote:
Originally Posted by
Huntsman 
This is true. I've been to the CMP store at Camp Perry a few times, and its pretty sweet. However, you do need to satisfy certain requirements to purchase -- have had some training, participate in shooting, etc. They have a new shipment so its probably a great time to buy from the CMP. They have .30 M1 Carbines also!
I'll second the above. I have a service grade M1 and a rack grade M1, both were Greek return guns purchased from the CMP. There isn't a better deal for an authentic M1 Garand on the market today (notice I said authentic, I'm not talking about the frankenguns like the ones offered by Springfield Armory, which are not totally built on USGI parts).
The CMP temporarily "ran out" of M1 Garands earlier this year but they're now back in stock -- and at higher prices. When I first qualified to buy a Garand through the DCM (not a typo), you could get a M1 for $185. Of course I procrastinated and waited until 2006 to purchase my first Garand, when the price for a service grade gun had gone up to $500!

You snooze, you lose ... so if anybody wants a M1 they should get one while they are still in stock.
PS the Greek (HXP headstamp) .30-06 ammo that CMP sells is great stuff. With M193 (5.56 NATO) going for over $400/k I'm shooting a lot more .30-06 these days.