Inherited a M3 - is there a danger in not doing a CLA?

It is my most used camera. Since I have a 6 month old, the M3 viewfinder is what I need since I often use a 50mm lens (35mm would make baby too small) and it also me to focus correctly in low light.

I tend to use a VCII meter. I have the MR4 meter, but it needs to be repaired.

Nokton 50/1.5:
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Summicron 50/2 DR
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The grease they used in the m3 will be no good after so many years of just sitting there. Assuming they put grease in there for a reason, a cla will be a wise thing to do. It will be fine for now, won't do any harm either, but if you value this camera and intend to use it, you shouldn't cheap out. Brighter viewfinder, smoother action, improved reliability, are good things in my book. Loved what a little tlc did for my m6 and m2, which weren't even as old as your m3.
 
Do a test roll to test shutter speeds and for light leaks. Without a shutter tester, use 1/1000 @ f2.0, 1/500@2.8, 1/250@4.0 and work your way to F16 1/15 or if the M3 has the old shutters speeds like 1/10 and 1/25, compensate with an intermediate stop. All the exposures should look the same.

The rangefinder is calibrated for infinity, star, and 1 meter, 39", from the film plane mark.
Your lens has a 1 meter marking.

Now if everything operates smoothly and all the above tests are passed, just use the camera.
 
Much Myth around CLA

Much Myth around CLA

For a detailed account of the inadequacy of generic CLA's please read here:

http://www.zeisscamera.com/services_cla.shtml

If you want a mechanical device to last and perform, it needs periodic expert care.

There is an ideological "my un-CLA'ed went through Vietnam with me and every dent is a part of my soul", but I remain unconvinced that this has anything to do with the proper functioning of a mechanical device in need of adequate lubrication and subject to more or less wear and tear depending on how carefully the parts are adjusted to their intended tolerances.

Imagine an analogy to a car that you found in a Garage after decades. If the advice was to drive it until the motor falls out of the chassis, I think you might find that suspect.

No matter what I hope you enjoy your camera and if you can find a copy of Osterloh's "Leica M", it is a good place to start.
 
My M2 was fully CLAed in 2006 after I had owned it for almost thirty years. It has a pencilled date inside the base plate: 27-1-65, suggesting some service event then. The 1 s shutter speed was holding up and the 1/15s was screechy. After the service by a Leitz trained German it was better than I have ever known it. Furthermore, if it isn't used so much in the next twenty years the modern lubricants in it now are likely to age better than the 50s version and it might not need servicing again till around 2040 or so. Why rely on the wonderful M3 working at 70% of its intended smoothness, quietness etc, and the risk of it seizing up at your niece's wedding or whatever. Let someone good service it.
 
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