Yep, the CMP is a good deal. It's a better deal if you can actually visit either the Camp Perry or Anniston locations and hand pick what you want. Luck of the draw has been pretty darn good to me though.
Here's my tutorial on how to purchase from the CMP
http://www.garanditis.com/CMP.html
Might as well order a couple of them. Go ahead and order a complete rifle, then get one of the stripped barreled receivers for $100 and find the rest of the parts. You'll learn a lot about Garands while you are at it. I'm in the process of thinning out some of my shooter Garands to hopefully get one of the auction M1A1 carbines before they're all gone.
Good prices on ammo from the CMP as well.
hth, aw