View Full Version : Buying CMP M1. 30-06 vs 7.62?

January 2, 2013, 06:54 PM
I'm considering buying a CMP M1. I note there are a limited number converted to 7.62, I believe formerly USN issue.

I would prefer 30-06, as this is historically the rifle my father used and that won WW2 and Korea, but the 7.62 offers logistical advantages in a national calamity.

As a retired National Guardsman and member of the Retired Reserve it would be my moral duty to immediately report to our nearby state HQ in event of a great catastrophe, like a nuclear attack, etc. Presumably I would be issued new uniforms, TA50 and a M4 or M16, but if supplies were short, it would seem wise to report with what uniforms and gear I had left and with a compatible weapon. 7.62 would be the obvious choice. Likewise, if the government became tyranical, 7.62 could be more easliy obtained than an obsolete caliber.

Then again, how does the 30-06 compare to the 7.62 in competion? Also, don't these 7.62 conversions have reliability issues? If it had been that easy to turn M1's into 7.62's, as Beretta did, the M14 would never have existed.

January 2, 2013, 08:24 PM



January 4, 2013, 07:55 PM
FALphil- any idea if the special grade .308 will handle full power loads or should it be reduced pressure loads like the 30-06?

January 4, 2013, 08:24 PM
I don't know. The 308 doesn't have the gas volume that the '06 does, so the pressure curve is different. If no one else chimes in, this may be a question for the ODCMP forum or jouster.com.

January 4, 2013, 08:26 PM
That's kinda what I was thinking with the pressure diffences. A little bit of a Resident Evil fan? lol

January 4, 2013, 09:22 PM
FAL phil, CMP is listing surplus barreled Navy actions and sell just about any part you would need to get them up and running. the special grades are indeed criterion barrels with mostly new parts. if the rifles indeed function properly I would say that they would be a great bargain over an M1a or norinko M14 knockoff.

however I would say that retired members, no matter whether they have been recalled or volunteered, would be placed in support roles, not combat roles. you would be the ones manning the mess halls, sitting behind desks and and supply tasks that could be handled by LLD personell. also in the event that there was crippling shortages of weapons to issue, a 308 would probably be pretty hard to feed for most bases, I know on my carrier we had M14s for drilling, shark watches, and anything that 5.56 couldn't handle but 50 cal was overkill for but we had very limited supplies of ammo for them. an AR15 or other evil black rifle would be much more practical to supplement existing stores as you would use the same ammo as everyone else and if your rifle broke USGI parts are interchangeable, if the trigger group broke then you will have hit the jackpot(three round burst, here we come :D)

EDIT: thank you for your service!

Bart B.
January 5, 2013, 08:09 AM




Here's the straight scoop on CMP's sales of 7.62 versions:


