December 6th, 2013

CMP Custom Shop Launch is a Great Success

Report based on story by Ashley Brugnone, for The First Shot CMP Online Magazine
After a month of business, the CMP Custom Shop is already stacked to the ceiling with rifles needing customization and repair. With nearly 200 rifles already shipped to the Shop, the gunsmiths running the operation only anticipate more to come in the future. “Things are going great,” said John McLean, CMP Custom Shop manager. “We’re learning how to do everything we need to do in order to get things done as quickly for customers as we can, as well as do a good job.”

CMP Custom Shop Anniston, AL

The Custom Shop opened its doors on October 1, 2013, offering upgrades, customization, refinishing, and other types of repair for U.S. Military-type rifles. The shop specializes in such rifles as the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, 1903 and 1903A3 Springfield, the 1917 Enfield and the Krag. CMP will NOT be working on shotguns, pistols, revolvers, M14/M1A, AR15-style rifles or other commercially-produced modern rifles.

A M1917 U.S. Enfield was the first gun to pass through the doors of the custom shop. It was sent to be refinished by a contractor, spending nearly a month being restored. The rifle was then repaired by McLean and his crew and is just about ready to be returned to its owner. McClean explains: “The amount of time we work on pieces varies very widely. It could be five minutes worth of work to a couple days worth of work, depending on what the customer wants.”

John McLean works on a M1917 U.S. Enfield — the first of many rifles to arrive at the shop for repair.
CMP Custom Shop Anniston Alabama

Rifles needing repair can be shipped to the CMP Shop in Anniston, Alabama from anywhere in the country. Then, once repaired, these rifles are shipped back out to the owners. Shelves of rifles to be serviced are presently stacked to the ceiling of the Custom Shop, representing about 90 days’ worth of scheduled work for the CMP gunsmiths.

CMP Custom Shop Anniston, AL

CMP Custom Shop Also Offers Training Classes
The space where the rifles are repaired, though meant as a machine shop, was also designed as a classroom. Benches facing a projection screen hanging on the wall to display slides and other instructional materials seat a class of about 20 people. Recently, the shop held its first CMP Advanced Maintenance Class (AMC), which involved both hands-on training. Students raved about this class: “Fantastic course. Can’t say enough good about it. Instructors were phenomenal”; “This was by far the very best firearms class I have ever taken.” The CMP Custom Shop will hold six more classes in 2014, However, registration is already full for all sessions.

CMP Custom Shop Anniston, AL

For a list of services the shop provides, visit the CMP Custom Shop web page. For detailed CMP Custom Shop information, or specific questions, please contact John or Chris at customshop@thecmp.org or call (256) 835-8455, ext. 1113.

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