I got this notice from the CMP
LIMITED INVENTORY AT CMP STORES
(March 2013):
RIFLES: The CMP currently has over 12,000 unfilled orders for rifles, ammo and other items. We also still have thousands of M1 Garands. These rifles all require inspection and repair and grading before being put up for sale. At times the customer demand exceeds the amount that our staff can make ready for sale. This is the case now with the field and service grade M1 Garand rifles. As the CMP armory produces the rifles, they are all being used to fill existing mail orders, some from as far back as the beginning of January. Until we catch up on mail orders, there will not be any field or service grade rifles in the stores at Anniston or Camp Perry. For now, we only have the M1 Service Grade Special ($950), M1 CMP Special ($995), M1C, M1D, M1NM, and Kimber model .82 (.22LR) in stock at both stores. We expect this to continue until late June.
AMMO: The CMP does not have any caliber .223, .22LR, or .30 carbine ammo for sale at either store. We are sold out and expect to receive shipments of these calibers in 3-6 months. We continue to accept orders for these calibers and will fill those orders when we receive the replenishment shipments from the manufacturers. We do have caliber .30-06 ammo at both stores, but a 10 can purchase limit per year per customer applies. We also still have the Atomic caliber .308, but expect to run out in the next 60 days.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
The e-mail sounds about right from what I saw. The Ohio store had about 2/3 the racks full, so a trip there will not be fruitless. There were about 50-60 of the CMP Specials and most of them were Springfields. Ammo in 30-06 is definitely available in loose cans. A number of the 308 variety were available , too. They have the Daisy air rifle, which is really a great deal; $100 for a $300 rifle. This was as of 3/8/13. There were also very few shopping; when I've been there before, there were at least 3-4 times the number of customers.
The Service Specials and Specials are well worth the money. Collector grade matched metal and new cmp stamped stocks for the Service Specials. And new barrels and stocks for the Specials. Such M1's run over $1,800 at gun shows, if you can find them. I have one Springfield Service Special and hope to get a Special in .308 as well.
If you get he .308 Fred has bandoleers and cardboards for the .308.
I bought 4 of the refurbed air rifles for the kids and they are great guns.
I was waiting for the Ohio IBC to venture out that way. I may just have to look for a shoot at Gibsonburg.