CMP HRA Service Grade Range Report

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Finch

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

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!

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.

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

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.

If only I could shoot this well during the match.

May CMP Match With My US M1917

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Finch

The Sunday after my first High Power match I took my 1917 to a vintage rifle match. I was having some trouble with it last season that I had rectified with a Flex Hone but I hadn’t taken it to a match yet to give it a full work out.

I was worried about rapid fire but it turned out the time I had spent practicing paid off. I finished in plenty of time even before some of the Garands. I’ve gotten the hang of keeping the rifle on my shoulder as I work the bolt which makes rapid a lot more consistent. Next time I’ll take a bit more time on each shot.

I struggled a bit in off hand per normal but all and all it was a good match. I beat my personal best for this rifle which is great, with a little luck and practice I should be in better shape by Camp Perry.

First NRA Highpower Service Rifle match

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Finch

I’ve been shooting CMP games matches for some time now and I finally worked up the courage to shoot a NRA Highpower match with my White Oak AR15A2

It was a great day for shooting mid-60s and sunny, a little windy but the berms kept that from being an issue at 100 yards.

It was a 4 stage 60 round 100 yard reduced walk and paste match with 2 sighters in each position.

1. Slow fire off hand 2 minutes for 2 sighters in the “lower” target 20 minutes for 10 in the right and 10 in the left targets

Walk… Score… Paste

2. Rapid sitting 2 minutes for 2 sighters single feed then 60 seconds for 10 rounds loaded 2 and 83

3. Rapid Prone 2 minutes for 2 sighters single feed then 60 seconds for 10 rounds loaded 2 and 83

Walk… Score… Paste

4. Slow fire prone 2 minutes for 2 sighters in the “lower” target 20 minutes for 10 in the right and 10 in the left targets.

I did “ok” for a first match, 71% but most importantly, I learned a few important things. Having preloaded magazines was very helpful next time I will be more constant with where I place them so when I grab one the bullets are froward when I try to change mags.

I really struggle with single loading prone, I am going to try on of those “bob sled” mags next time. I got in a nice rhythm after the first 10 rounds by keeping the rifle in my shoulder and just rocking to the left to drop the round in the chamber. I also reached through the carry handle instead of trying to reach over it per the advice of another shooter.

For off hand I had dry fire practiced, with the mag resting in the palm of my support hand. This turned out to be horrible, because it messed with the bolt locking to the rear and I had to charge it every time. After awhile I switched to my hand to on the D-ring which tool some shift in position but worked better in the long run. Also my 30 cal shell holder for my shooting jacket is a pain for .223 it’s hard for my fat fingers to fish the little rounds out.

I will definitely be back again, at least as long I can scrounge up ammo!

Springfield Armory National Historic Site

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Finch

A couple weeks ago I went to visit a friend in Connecticut we took a trip up to the Springfield Armory museum. It is a decent sized two story building on the campus of a (run down) community college that was once the grounds of the armory.

The first floor is half rifles and weapons the other half is about the production methods. We spent about an hour there including a bit driving around to see the building where Garands were produced. That building is now a warehouse and business of some sort.

The second floor is the archives and is only available to tour with special permission to do research. Maybe next time Garand Thumb Blog can get a press pass.

There wasn’t a lot of people there so we spent some time talking to the ranger. One thing he pointed out was back in the day SA was like NASA i.e. government funded research to spur private development. Hence why there are so many gun manufactures in the valley, Colt, S&W, Remington, and once upon a time HRA. At least, according to him.

Below are some pictures from the trip.

Springfield Armory National Historic Site

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Finch

The second floor is the archives and is only available to tour with special permission to do research. Maybe next time Garand Thumb Blog can get a press pass.

Below are some pictures from the trip.

Garand Thumb Blog

Distinguished Rifleman #2451: My experiences trying to become a better marksmen.

Category Archives: Equipment

CMP HRA Service Grade Range Report

May CMP Match With My US M1917

First NRA Highpower Service Rifle match

Springfield Armory National Historic Site

Springfield Armory National Historic Site

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