Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP): Good thing or curse?

[Faulkner]

I ask the question is the CMP a good thing or a curse kind of tongue in check. I recently received a Round 3 Service Grade M1911A1 from the CMP and they come with a "Certificate of Authenticity", so I was filing it away in a CMP file I have. This is not the first firearm I've acquired through the CMP although it has been a while.

As I thumbed through the file I was reminded that the first firearm I acquired was a M1 Rifle (Garand) in 1999. Since that time I have purchased a total of three M1 rifles, three M1903 rifles, six M44US Mossberg .22LR Training rifles, and one M1911A1. Although I am an avid M1 carbine collector, I never did purchase any carbines from the CMP.

Although a CMP customer can select the grade they wish to purchase, the firearm is otherwise luck-of-the-draw. I have been fortunate in that I have been pleased with every firearm I've ever received, most were in much, much better condition than the "grading" description.

In my opinion, the best bargain of the bunch were the M44US Mossberg .22LR Training Rifles for $75.00 each. All six that I received were extremely nice, four fresh from arsenal refinish and two looked unused with their original blue finish. I gave five of the six away, one each to my sons and two more to my nephews, and kept one for myself.

Although the CMP has been a curse on my wallet from time to time, overall I think it's an excellent program that some folks are missing out on.

Here's a picture of a few of my CMP purchases.

 

[pmanton]

I remember when it was DCM and the 1911s were in the $19.00 range.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is part of a long history of promoting marksmanship among the general population.

The first major step was a Congressional charter creating the National Rifle Association in 1871. This came about because of concerns raised by Civil War officers about a general lack of musketry and riflery skills demonstrated by conscripts and enlistees during the US Civil War. The stated purpose was to promote basic skills to improve the readiness of the general population in the event of need for mobilization of the militia at times of war or national emergencies.

CMP followed with a general mission of supporting civilian marksmanship through approved training in the public schools, colleges, and universities (including some National Guard and ROTC formations). Rifles, ammunition, accessory items, and training programs have been operating for decades. CMP also conducts regional and national competitions, including the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.

For many years CMP worked hand-in-glove with NRA, however that has diminished greatly over the past 50 years or so. CMP functions now largely support youth training and competitions (nearly all of the revenues from sales, including surplus firearms, is committed to such activities). The influences of public opinion and debate over gun control have influenced CMP significantly.

So, in my opinion, CMP (and NRA) started out as very positive efforts for public safety and national defense, but have evolved as societal pressures have become more divisive in nature.

 

[JohnRippert]

I have purchased several Garands, a couple 1903's, a M1 Carbine and loads of Garand bayonets from them. Never been disappointed in anything I have received and all have been well within the descriptions for grading. I have to laugh when I hear people talking about having to jump through hoops to purchase from the CMP.

 

[Golddollar]

I remember when it was DCM and the 1911s were in the $19.00 range.

I remember that too, and I inherited the one my dad bought.

 

[Puller]

I'm disappointed that I missed out on those M44US Mossberg Training Rifles. I've seen a few at gun shows for sale in the $300-$400 range.

 

[sigp220.45]

I love the CMP, and I’m glad the harrumphers refuse to “jump through hoops”!

I’ve gotten a 1911A1, a Garand for myself and each of my sons, a scant stock 1903, and a Remington 40X .22 target rifle.

I got caught up in the Remington frenzy and when I realized I bought a ten pound single-shot .22 rifle with no sights I traded it off. I still have all the rest.

If they give me another bite at the 1911 apple I’ll chomp again.

Some day in the not-too distant future people won’t believe you could once get an M-1 rifle direct from the Army to your front door.

 

[tominboise]

I just sent in my packet for round 3 of the 1911 sale. Excited to see what turns up. And today I shot one of the Garands I have bought from them over the years. Looking back at the sales programs they had on the various 22's, 1903's, etc times were pretty darn good.

 

[JohnRippert]

I always like to toss these pics out there when the CMP is discussed. Only have one of them left but I have enough parts to build a couple more in my projects stash.

 

[Faulkner]

{snip}

If they give me another bite at the 1911 apple I’ll chomp again.

{snip}

Rumors are that may be a possibility next year and I'd be mighty tempted too.

 

[Nick B]

Patiently waiting for some USMC returned 1941 Johnson’s to come up for sale . ��

 

[Echo40]

All I know is that their prices are too rich for my blood... If I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on a 1911, then it's going to be a brand new Custom 1911.

Yes, it's really cool and definitely special to own an authentic G.I. 1911, but I feel like the prices that the CMP is charging for them is highway robbery and that they're cashing in on their historical significance. Charging thousands of dollars for what is essentially a beater gun is completely absurd. I'm fairly confident that with enough digging I could find an old 1911 that a Veteran Soldier used as a truck gun for substantially less money.

 

[Puller]

All I know is that their prices are too rich for my blood... If I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on a 1911, then it's going to be a brand new Custom 1911.

Yes, it's really cool and definitely special to own an authentic G.I. 1911, but I feel like the prices that the CMP is charging for them is highway robbery and that they're cashing in on their historical significance. Charging thousands of dollars for what is essentially a beater gun is completely absurd. I'm fairly confident that with enough digging I could find an old 1911 that a Veteran Soldier used as a truck gun for substantially less money.

I'd beg to disagree. First, the CMP is not charging "thousands" of dollars. Prices range from $1050 to $1250 depending on grade requested.

Second, the CMP's price range is below market value. Lots and lots of people are reselling their "beaters" on line and at gun shows for a substantial profit.

Third, if you peruse the the many pictures on line of the CMP 1911's being distributed through the program you'll see that they are not "beaters".

Just because purchasing through the program may be out of some people's price range doesn't make it bad program, it just means some people can't afford it.

 

[waffles]

All I know is that their prices are too rich for my blood... If I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on a 1911, then it's going to be a brand new Custom 1911.

Yes, it's really cool and definitely special to own an authentic G.I. 1911, but I feel like the prices that the CMP is charging for them is highway robbery and that they're cashing in on their historical significance. Charging thousands of dollars for what is essentially a beater gun is completely absurd. I'm fairly confident that with enough digging I could find an old 1911 that a Veteran Soldier used as a truck gun for substantially less money.

The CMP's mission is to finance marksmanship activities, which they do in part through selling garands and 1911s given to them for this purpose. Maximizing the price they can get for them is part of this, regardless of what the people that think a cheap garand or 1911 is a birthright would like. Even with the price increases, they're still significantly under market value, and if you see similar guns for less buy them before I do.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Your post reminds me of our trips to the CMP in Anniston, Alabama. Once you got buzzed(cleared) to enter the gun room it was fantastic!!!!! The cosmoline and oil scents permeated the air like perfume as you walked among the the rows of Garands, Carbines, 03's and .22 trainers.
We always came home smiling with the trunk loaded down with ammo(.22 & 30/06 Greek HXP), slings, bayonets, barreled actions, Garand's, carbines, 03's and .22 trainer rifles. Sadly due to now not many rifles or ammo being returned to them. They "glory days"ppear to about be over.

 

[Puller]

Your post reminds me of our trips to the CMP in Anniston, Alabama. Once you got buzzed(cleared) to enter the gun room it was fantastic!!!!! The cosmoline and oil scents permeated the air like perfume as you walked among the the rows of Garands, Carbines, 03's and .22 trainers.
We always came home smiling with the trunk loaded down with ammo(.22 & 30/06 Greek HXP), slings, bayonets, barreled actions, Garand's, carbines, 03's and .22 trainer rifles. Sadly due to now not many rifles or ammo being returned to them. They "glory days"ppear to about be over.

Has the CMP opened their showrooms back up post COVID?

 

[Echo40]

If I recall correctly, a couple years ago, I saw a CMP Listing for 1911s online in which the cheapest option was for an otherwise nonfunctional piece for $1500, whereas "Shooter Grade" options were upwards of $2000, and the highest grades were $3000+.

Granted, that was during the height of the COVID-19 Gunbuying Panic, so prices were inflated across the board, but such were the prices I was referring to when I said that CMP charged "thousands" for their 1911s, although in hindsight it's possible that I was looking at their prices on M1s.

$1200-$1500 for an authentic G.I. 1911 is absolutely reasonable, especially if they're all good to go and aren't gunsmith specials or paperweights.