CMP Camp Perry Marksmanship Center

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After a long day of talking about HR software with a customer in Ohio I swung by CMP’s Marksmanship Center at Camp Perry. It’s open for public shooting Tuesday and Thursday 5:30 to 8:00 check CMP’s website for current hours.

A rifle, lane and 500 pellets was $12.00 it was lots of fun and a great way to unwind after work.

It’s set up so that it’s nice and easy to do. The marksmanship center is to the east of Petrarca Range. Turn right at the flagpole and left at the end of the road park below the water tower if you drive into the lake you went too far.

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Walk in go to the desk in the middle of the room, you’ll sign an affidavit, and pick a rifle. I went with the “free” rifle but they have some nice MAR177 rifles you can use for a little extra (I have got to get one of those MAR177 uppers!)

Watch a quick video to remind you of the 5 rules.

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Then it’s time to shoot!

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You can raise or lower the target for off hand, sitting, or prone shooting.

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They have a really slick electronic scoring system that scores each shot automatically. Think how much easier national matches would be if they had something like this at Viale, I better buy some more Garands to fund this!

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There were several younger people their repeatedly cleaning their targets, as you can see I have some air gun work to do!

If you happen to be the area I would strongly recommend stopping in for some shooting.

CMP Winchester Field Grade Initial review.

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As I mentioned in my last post I had a chance to pick out a Field Grade Winchester at the CMP North Store. For now just some pictures full report later. It has a nice LMR barrel with ME<1 and Springfield Armory rebuild markings from the 60s. Other "features" include a "glass bedded" stock, NM op rod and a Lead pot annealed receiver. 20130618-211517.jpg

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CMP North Store Report 6.13.13

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I found myself in the Sandusky area for work so i braved the bad weather and swung by the CMP north store today. It was nice and dry inside with plenty of coffee and a surprisingly nice selection of rifles.

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First and most importantly the 1917 “twins” are still there.

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There was a nice selection of barreled receivers, M44s, chromed 1917s, Garands, and “bad” krags. Except for one of them the Krags were in pretty bad shape one was rusted shut. They were only $50 I seriously considered taking the nicest one home but searching for all the parts would probably be annoying.

HRA service grades, service grade specials, and field grades were plentiful. There were no service grade Springfields but there was a nice selection of field grades all had ME>2.

There was a full rack of “rusty” Kimbers I don’t know much about these rifles but they all appeared nice I didn’t see a spot of rust on the couple I handled.

What drew my attention was a rack of about 30 Service and Field Grade Winchesters. The service grades were in great shape, one had a matching WRA barrel.

I left with a beautiful field grade Winchester with an LMR barrel ME<1 TE=2 and an NM marked op rod. I realize it post war maybe even 60's rebuild but I couldn't put it down. Full report later in the week when it shows up. In the meantime here are some slightly blurry pictures. 20130613-194739.jpg

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M1 Garand SLED

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I have been using the “SLED” for a almost two years now, it’s a very handy device.

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It is a simple modified clip that allows the a shooter to single load by inserting the round into the Garand’s internal magazine instead of inserting the round into the chamber.

There are two major benefits of using this contraption. First, feeding from the magazine reduces the risk of slam fire. Frankly I’ve never seen or heard of is happening to anyone at a match but it is a valid concern. Why I use a SLED is because it makes loading, especially one handed while in the prone position, much easier. Using the SLED can also allow the shooter to keep the rifle shouldered while reloading which can help keep a consistent position.

Once installed it is easy to use just push the round down into the magazine, then pull back on the charging handle. It’s important not to put pressure in the charging handle while inserting the round, else you give yourself a case of Garand Thumb.

I painted my SLED orange to help me notice when it is still in the chamber.

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It’s important to remember to remove the SLED before the rapid prone stage. I keep a flat head screw driver in the front pocket of my shooting stool so when I forget, it’s not so hard to pop out.

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Here is a quick video of how to insert and load the SLED.

And how to remove it.

If you are handy you can build your own see ray-vin for instructions. http://www.foundry.ray-vin.com/m1sled/m1sled.htm

CMP HRA Service Grade Range Report

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Back in February I ordered (ie panic bought) a HRA service grade from CMP. About 90 days later it showed up at my door.

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I asked for a “good shooter regardless of wood or appearance” they must not have read it because not only did it have great numbers, ME=1 TE=2, it also was sporting a very nice USGI stock!

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It was very greasy so I took it apart and cleaned it up. I stripped the stock down, steamed out the dents, gave it 2 coats of raw linseed, and 2 coats of toms one third.

After stripping and steaming.

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After two coats of raw linseed oil and two coats of Tom’s One third.

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I re-crowned the barrel as it was nicked a bit. See how here: http://garandthumb.com/re-crowning-an-m1-garand/

And peened the trigger guard. http://garandthumb.com/repairing-a-garand-trigger-guard-for-stock-fit/

After all of that I took it to the range. It performed well however, it required 19 clicks for a 100 yard 0 with a 6:00 hold. I took it out again with the lead sled just to make sure it wasn’t my goofy trigger jerking.

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If only I could shoot this well during the match.

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