So, how did we make out with the Berthiers????????

That Berthier that I saw at a gun shop was a complete bubba job so I passed on it. I did see two more Berthiers at a recent gun show but they were terribly beat up and still priced too high. I did more reading and I realized that I didnt want to spend another $500 or more on gunbroker on a good berthier as funds are a bit limited...so I broke open the gun fund piggy bank and ordered another M1 Garand from the CMP instead. Ah well, like you said, you cant have too many M1 Garands.

Pics of the Garand?
The Berthier will be found in rough shape most of the time, they were used in the French colonys all over the world, and during the Great War in France. When things got tight in France after Verdun they used damaged rifles to part together whatever rifles they could, so many times serial numbers will be totaly mixed on guns that were never refurbed, it's just a part of their history. To think that at one time people would sell them for next to nothing

I will definately post some pics when the Garand arrives. The CMP site says 15-30 days so I have a bit of a wait left. I ordered a service grade and I am interested to see what condition the rifle is in. The CMP description of what passes for a service grade rifle has been downgraded considerably since the last time I ordered from them. I am not surprised really, after all supplies arent limitless and someday the M1 Garands will run out. I still think that for $600 its still the best deal in town. You cant touch an M1 Garand for much less than $1000 at gunshows and online gun shops and forget about gunbroker...you will end up paying $1500 or more by the time you are done.

As for the Berthier, it wasnt an easy decision but I had to let it go. I started this milsurp addiction late in the game and there are some rifles that I just wont be able to add to the gun safe as prices skyrocket and quality declines. I have to be more selective as I go due to the fact that the rifles on my short list are almost as much as a mortgage payment. Ah well, I consider myself lucky to have gotten the rifles that I have.

Speaking of that, remember that CZ82 I was asking about? Well I was about to order one from Aim Surplus when I noticed that the Walther P1 was C&R eligable as well. After spending a couple of weeks reading everything I could find about the P1 I decided to get one. The pistol is beautiful and has such a unique look to it and the original design has a nice bit of military history to it. The P1 is the aluminum frame cousin of the WWII era P38 so its a bit lighter but still retains the same look and design. I love the classic German pistol look. I read the pro's and con's for the Walther P1 but in the end I decided to get one before they are all gone. This is my first 9mm and I cant wait to take it to the range.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/dmcatz/100_6812.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh320/dmcatz/100_6813.jpg

In 1992 I bought a nice Blue Sky import stamped M1 Garand for $175, many Blue Sky's were worn out relics, but this one was one of the better ones. From there I bought many more of course, but it's all over now many years, thousand bucks for a Garand is too rich for me, not when I already have a pile of them anyway

I know a guy how bought a blue sky import for around $900 recently. It had a bent op-rod among other things and needed to spend some time at a gunsmiths before he could fire it. I have heard not so good reviews about the blue sky imports and prefer to go through the CMP.

I know another guy who bought two M1 Garands a long, long time ago for $150 each. They are still in great condition to this day. Every time he see's me he always says with a smirk, "so, how much did you say you paid for your rifle?"

I can only imagine what they will be going for 10 years from now when they are all gone.

From what I hear the Service grades coming out of the CMP these days are all CMP rebuilds with new production stocks. It doesnt matter as this one will be the range gun that I dont have to worry about firing the heck out of. I just got an email from them stating that I can expect shipping in the next 30 to 60 days.