My 1st CMP M1 has arrived...

spclark

...& I admit to a strong desire to just go out & shoot it.

Acknowledging though that this rifle is older than I am - its SA barrel has the same month & year stamp as my birth certificate - is it likely to be unsafe to shoot as received?

Service-grade Danish SA. I've cleaned all the cosmolene off (right down to the trigger spring), oiled everything back up (grease for the bolt lugs). Barrel looks to be almost unfired. Disconnect works like I've heard it should, bolt face clean & unscarred, firing pin's unpitted, op-rod's unbent.

How many CMP-issue shooters have proven unsafe when received by their new owners? Does everyone go out & have their M1's checked by a 'smith before they load up?

Anyone suggest a reliable 'smith - with the right gauges & know-how (in northeastern Illinois or southeastern Wisconsin) - who I could pay to look this one over & check out properly?

Der Gebirgsjager

Really a thrill, wasn't it--waiting for that long box to arrive and opening it! Your rifle should be perfectly safe to shoot once you thoroughly clean it. Be especially sure to remove any and all grease from the chamber and bore. These rifles, including the Danish returns, came from their respective Country's war reserve and were stored away ready to re-issue. I know that CMP is currently checking the headspace on the M1903s they have for sale, and believe they do the same for the M1s as part of their grading process (Service Grade, Rack Grade). The specimens I've acquired over the years were ready to shoot. Enjoy. Wonderful piece of history, and still a respectable weapon.