I just ordered a Service grade… probably get it within the next month or so. Hopefully will be happy with it.
Depending on the Service grade, I may pick up a Rack grade to do a Mini-G with… unless I find a suitable rifle for cheap. Something about a 16” .30-06 just seems cool to me.
I saw the Specials, but I also have a Century build with like new Danish VAR barrel (got it cheap enough that if the receiver was trash, still made out ok with the barrel/parts). Sent to Shuff’s, who confirmed it is good to go and did a refinish/new wood. That’s my “Special” in my eyes… just wanted one to be “correct.”
I think as the surplus starts drying up, you’ll see a variation of the Special… where CMP has someone do new receivers and they build it up. Just look at the Tisas partnership. Unfortunately, the Garand was the last rifle that really could be surplused… since M14s and forward are “machine guns.” Only other thing I could see… M16 and M4 uppers with CMP built lowers.