CMP 1911 news

[inspcalahan]

I predict the CMP won't be selling any guns in another 10-15 years at most. Unless they keep bringing back guns we loaned/transferred out of the US at some point, like the beachwood stocked carbines filtering back through, there won't be any other USGI guns to be released. They won't be offering Beretta M9s and Colt M4s to the public. If you want a true USGI gun, these are them.

The prices are ok, considering many flip them right afterward (against the purchase rules...) for a couple hundred or more over what they paid.

 

[AJ]

I predict the CMP won't be selling any guns in another 10-15 years at most. Unless they keep bringing back guns we loaned/transferred out of the US at some point, like the beachwood stocked carbines filtering back through, there won't be any other USGI guns to be released. They won't be offering Beretta M9s and Colt M4s to the public. If you want a true USGI gun, these are them.

The prices are ok, considering many flip them right afterward (against the purchase rules...) for a couple hundred or more over what they paid.

I do not know if they will last that long. Their prices are lower than the open market. Dealers been buying from them for years and reselling them at a nice profit for the amount of work required.

 

[Glynn863]

I got one in Round 2, a Rack Grade Remington Rand with matching slide, that appeared to be almost completely original, except for a worn finish. It still had a very good condition WW2-era High Standard barrel. The only parts I changed were the grips (put on WW2-era Keyes) and the slide stop, since the one that came with it was a WW1 Colt Slide stop.

I plan on submitting a Round 4 packet and rolling the dice on another Rack Grade, if available. Hopefully I'll get something else besides a RR, since I have the CMP RR M1911A1 and a RR M1911A1 I got from Bass Pro Used Guns Library before the CMP offered these. I paid about $350 more than for that one, but it did come with a Ciener .22LR Conversion kit as an accessory.

Just waiting on a new DL to come in so I can make a photocopy; I moved and had to change it recently. All of the other paperwork is ready.

Sure, newer and cheaper 1911s are out there, but these are historical (FOIA results), which makes them worth it IMHO.

 

[ladder13]

What does a FOIIA request on these give you?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Good luck on getting nice 1911's to all here. I like my 1911 collection and just cannot justify more, but the chance at a WWII 1911 is always tempting.

 

[Chubbs103]

What does a FOIIA request on these give you?

Realistically, you get the date and location of first delivery.

That's how I know mine was delivered to the San Antonio Armory in June of '45.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

I personally like the fact CMP has allowed us to purchase 8 Garands per calendar year.

It is capitalism. And he who dies with the most toys wins.

 

[Grayfox]

I've decided to go for it. I figure that when I get the call, I can ask if I can get one of the rebuilt guns. If not, I can always just say no. But regardless, I probably won't turn down another one. The price is fair for what it is and will only increase in the future.

 

[waffles]

Iirc you can ask for a refund if you don't like the pistol, though reselling it will always (even the worst I've seen come out of the CMP) yield a couple hundo at least for your trouble.

 

[AJ]

I've decided to go for it. I figure that when I get the call, I can ask if I can get one of the rebuilt guns. If not, I can always just say no. But regardless, I probably won't turn down another one. The price is fair for what it is and will only increase in the future.

They are all rebuilt. It is just a question of when and by whom. That information they will not know. I don't know if the Army reparked theirs, I know the Marines & Navy did so at NWS Crane, Indiana.

 

[pmanton]

What percentage of applicants will get a pistol?

 

[Grayfox]

What percentage of applicants will get a pistol?

Pretty much all of them as long as the paperwork is right.
Sales haven't been as brisk as was expected.
Only us old guys want the old warhorse. Many folks just don't get the nostalgia of owning a piece of history when they can buy brand new for less than half the price. Younger shooters seem much more interested in plastic.

They are all rebuilt. It is just a question of when and by whom. That information they will not know. I don't know if the Army reparked theirs, I know the Marines & Navy did so at NWS Crane, Indiana.

There are different levels of repair. Almost all these guns are mix-masters that have had parts changed over the years. Some may have been done on company or direct support level and then there are full arsenal rebuilds. The arsenal guns were re-finished and made as much like new as possible. That's what I'm hoping to get this time.

 

[pmanton]

In 1959 when I turned 21 I got a 1911 shipped direct from Benicia Arsenal for $19.00 or so. The 03A3s were about the same price. If I remember correctly they had M-1s but the price was over $100 which was too much for me back then.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I'm still debating this. I got a pretty well used gun in the first round. I already had one G.I. issue pistol. So that makes two I already have.
If I knew for sure I'd get one of the fresh arsenal rebuilds this time, I'd go for it. But you don't get a choice. Just not sure if I wanna take the chance.

People trade those you know.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I'm torn. Ever since I read you could get a second pistol, I have been contemplating it. I should probably be happy with the one I have.

In the second round, My paperwork was damaged at an indecent there. Once they were pretty far past my RGN, I started calling. They told me what happened, and I had to resubmit my paperwork (complete with a trip to the notary).

Once my paper work was resubmitted, the woman handling my order said they would make up for the inconvenience. I received a matching (and by everything I can tell correct) Ithaca. What little remains of the finish looks original. There are no indications it has ever been through an arsenal for a rebuild. It is more accurate than it should be considering the sights.

The only possible downside is that is was a summer 1945 manufacture, so it is unlikely to have WWII history.

Long story short, I couldn't be happier with my Field Grade. A second one would probably bring disappointment.

Weirder things have happened. My number came up when the pandemic hit. CMP ran the BC but they closed up before they got the proceed. I knew my number was coming up as I was watching the CMP forum. Then no contact. So I called and was told I'm out of luck because they never run a BC twice. The fed doesn't keep a record of it either. I had to beg them because it wasn't my fault and assured them that I passed the BC. So 5 minutes with a supervisor and they said they would run it again. I got my gun a few weeks later. Good folks there at CMP.

That's the first time I've heard of someone running a BC on both ends.

 

[MSD2343]

Three years ago, my response to all the CMP 1911 excitement was to buy a new Colt Classic 1911 for $800. I've been very happy with the pistol, but I'm still tempted to jump-in for this round.

 

[31FordA]

What does a FOIIA request on these give you?

From the FOIA results I've seen on the CMP Forum the oldest information goes back to 1975. Some pistols must have been in storage the whole time, others the FOIA shows the units the pistol was assigned to until ending up at CMP. A FOIA to Redstone Arsenal gets you the Army records. If that indicates the pistol entered Army records from NWS Crane then a separate FOIA to the Navy can yield its time in the Navy since around 1975. I don't think I've seen a FOIA return from the USMC, although I know people have submitted them on the OB marked pistols.

I keep meaning to send in a FOIA on my CMP 1939 Colt and my brothers CMP 1945 Rem-Rand. His pistol has "U S Coast Guard" elecropenciled on the frame, so a FOIA to the Coast Guard would probably be worth doing also.

I'm putting in for a second pistol, as is my brother, to see what we get. The first pistols were CMP Auction guns, we'll see what the lottery gives us this time. I think I'll go for Field grade if it's available when they call, but I'll be happy with whatever shows up.

 

[ladder13]

Apparently sales haven't been as expected, they're letting folks have another bite at the Apple. OR, they found many more than they expected?

 

[SF VET]

I was just out this am shooting my TRP and my recently acquired CMP Service Grade 1911. I decided to repalce the recoil spring and put in a stout Wolf firing pin spring, after a thorough cleaning. Mine is a 1945 RR frame and a '80S replacement fully hardened slide. The slide stop, and the slide release look unworn, so probably mine was rebuilt back in the early '80's and placed in storage, although there was plenty of carbon I cleaned oiut of the perfect appearing barrel. I guess when they rebuilt them, they didn't take the time to clean the barrels.

My trigger is nice but 6.5 pounds. I was surprised at how perfeclty accurate it is, if I do my part, it was just as accurate as my tuned, TRP, which has aftermarket sights.

for those who wonder why some of us have a desire to own a "real" ex-military 1911 when "modern" pistols can be cheaper and perhaps better, I can only say that having carried one in an issue flap holster in Vietnam and Desert Storm, fortunately never having to use my issue pistols in combat, getting one similar to the two I had in those conflicts is important to me.

No modern 1911 can ever mean as much as one similar to those two handguns. Thanks to CMP for making it possible for me.

SF VET