The Civilian Marksmanship Program, or CMP, has announced a second batch of U.S. military surplus M1911 pistols for sale in 2021. These highly anticipated pistols will no doubt all sell, so the CMP will use a lottery system to lucky collectors.
“In 2018, the National Defense Authorization Act granted the first transfer of 1911s to the CMP for sale and distribution,” the program said in the announcement. “Arguably one of the most iconic handguns ever produced, the M1911 served as the standard issue handgun for the U.S. Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985. The single-action, semi-automatic pistol uses .45 ACP rounds and is comprised of a comfortable, basic design.”
The CMP will accept submissions from potential buyers between January 4 and March 4, 2021 via mail only. Any submissions postmarked prior to or after the ordering window will be discarded.
All of the information on how to apply for a chance to buy one of these Model 1911 pistols is available on the CMP 1911 Round 2 Order Form page.
There are some catches. Anyone who has already purchased an M1911 through the CMP along with anyone who has already drawn a number to purchase a pistol will not be eligible to buy another handgun during Round 2. And only one submission per customer, per envelope may be submitted.
The CMP will organize the pistols into four grades, Service Grade, Field Grade, Rack Grade and Auction Grade. Buyers will be able to choose from the first three grades; the CMP will hold on to the Auction Grade pistols for special auction separate from the Round 2 sales.
See Also: CMP Reports Demand for M1911s Outstrips Supply by More than Double
Service Grade is the best grade, although the pistol may show signs of use and maintenance including minor pitting and rust, and may have some commercial repair parts. Field Grade pistols may show more use but both Service and Field Grade pistols remain in “issuable condition.”
Rack Grade pistols have the most wear and may need minor repairs to function as reliably as Service and Field Grade handguns.
The CMP is reserving specific handguns for their Auction Grade. These pistols may be in any condition but typically are either in excellent shape or have historically significant provenance based on who it was issued to, when and where it was used and any other important findings the CMP can link to these select handguns. And as mentioned, they will be auctioned separately.
Pricing starts at $850 for the Rack Grade and go up $100 to $950 for Field Grade and $1,050 for Service Grade. When all is said and done those are very reasonable prices for some of the most iconic and collectible handguns in American history.
I would like to have one just to remember the men who didn’t have the option!!!! VIET NAN vet 25th infantry 1967-1968. I can see what most of you young people never will. I HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lol.
I think you are mistaken. They moved those 300 yard targets out to 400 the day before. You’re better than you think you are.
I said it once and I’ll say it again. These guns were bought and paid for by the American taxpayer. So someone is making a 100% profit by milking the American citizen AGAIN for what he/she already paid for. You can take these gun and stick them where the sun don’t shine.
I felt I won the lottery, when CMP informed me my RGN# had come about. The FFL local check took a week. Got the weapon – a good club!
The next quest was to get the ammo. My A1 was an “old lady” – it took me months to find appropriate ammo. I found 39 yo match ammo; selling for $45/50 rd box – what a deal? (6 mos ago it was $30).
Long story short; put 12 rounds through her and she was spot-on @ 50yds.
My question is why can’t we buy ammo? CMP/DOD/DLA has it; but are not releasing it … Why?
Error: This is December 2020 and you say applications begin in January 2020 and end in March 2020, so therefore nobody can purchase one of these 1911s.
Seems like a penny auction trickster wrote this article.
The men who carried these in war are the man who taught me to shoot. I understand the historical significance of these pistols. But I don’t understand have the CMP has lost their way. It’s a shame.
Guys are paying a premium for these highly re-built pistols because they have the fantasy that the one they get was carried at the Bulge or Que Sahn. These arn’t war time bring backs. Your pistol you get likely spent 50 years guarding the entrance at Leavenworth. So much for the history.
I have the top grade Kimber that I bought 18 years ago for less than they want for these loosy goosey worn out relics. When you shake the Kimber there is no rattle and shake. Having the 1911 in the early fiftys USMC turned me into a revolver man until I discovered the Kimber. If they sold a proper junk price for these old ones I would buy for collector interest.
When I was in the Corps in the ’50’s I bought a ’03A3 from a similar program for $50. Was told it would be sent without firing pin but it was intact, with cleaning kit in the stock, and “like new” barrel that had been replaced in ’44. Cleaned it up and put it into storage. Ten years ago I took it to a Smith and had him check it out, test fire it and zero the sights. The range I go to is only 300 yds, but I can still get 3 out of 5 in 10″ off hand. I have been offered a lot of money for it. But it will go to one of my boys when I go. One of these colts would make a nice companion and go to my other son.
I came here to see comments from all the people complaining about prices, procedures, how they already paid for one with their tax dollars, how a new commercial gun is cheaper/better, not having a clue what the CMP is or how it operates, etc. I was not disappointed!!!!
Different people buy guns for different reasons, and that’s okay! If you want a shooter, buy a new gun cheaper. If you want a collectible, buy one of these. I don’t think the people buying a CMP gun think they are getting a cheap price on a superior shooting gun!
Since we veterans have already paid for these relics with our taxes and our blood.
How bout a veteran only GIVE AWAY !!
We’ve certainly earned the privilege.
Semper Fi
.
Would love to have one of these for historical value. When I was in the Corps in the 50’s I often carried one on patrol and when I pulled MP duty in San Diego and Honolulu. But I always had to turn it back in to the Armory.
I received mine after a long wait. Couldn’t be happier. Rebuilt, regutted, refinished in a new hard case with new mag. Shot well. Shot straight, to the sights, and reliably after the first mag. Glad I purchased a pistol from CMP. I tried to buy my issue 1911 with no luck. These are pretty awesome.
Way over priced for a 1911 shot out. I carried.one in nam and it was worn out then. That was 68-69.
Me too, 70-71… didn’t shoot so well, but nobody I had to guard ever wanted to test it…
Now if I could find a Leather Holster like we had… I’d buy that in a second… Just for the collection…
“Your comment is awaiting moderation” is greatly akin to censorship.
I was not aware I was corresponding with the Chinese Communist Party (CPP).
I once commented on one of Dean Winegarten’s columns and he took over three weeks to clear my comment. If it takes so long to “clear” someone’s comment, what is the point?
It shouldn’t take that long. We have to screen due to spam and Chinese bots that seek to take down our whole website.
I own a 1911 (A1?) built Oct 1918, by SN. My grandpa bought it for me from DCM c1962 for less than $20. Still looks almost new.
I carried the 1911A1 as a topside sentry both in-port and underway on the surface during the ship’s maneuvering watch while entering and leaving port.
Although these are historic pistols, the price being asked by the CMP is way too expensive for my financial situation. Back in the 1980’s the CMP used to offer reasonable deals on surplus Garands and Springfields; what happened? Back then, the idea was to attract new young shooters and also to offer an opportunity for former service members to affordably purchase a firearm that either they used or a family relative may have carried in either WWI, WWII, Korea, or Vietnam; has the CMP lost their way?
Why not purchase a brand-new Colt 1911A1 and have a brand-new pistol instead of a high priced armory relic?
Just my $0.02 contribution.
Supply and demand
I’ll take a Kimber or Springfield for those prices. Garage sale condition deserve garage sale prices. No thanks.
That must be the new Biden democrat pricing. Oh that’s right , Biden did say to expect 60% increase on all taxes.
Iam a Navy vet. Vietnam era . If I was a rich person you guys would probably give me a one of a kind perfect 1911! Free! But us smucks are easy pickings! Making a profit! Why? Gov gave this to your very shady org.!The NRA. I see is giving away big bucks to there higher ups.is this why you are so very overpriced. At least give the smucks a break.
The CMP is not related to the NRA! They don’t even get along very well with each other. The money the CMP gets goes into marksmanship programs with a focus on youth, like the NRA should be doing.
If the government really wanted to do something good, they would “issue” these weapons to prior service conservative veterans in preparation for what’s coming! Wishful thinking or a brain fart!
Holy cow! From the amount of complaining on this site you would think it was a hemorrhoids blog and you guys are the leadership committee. Enough, nobody needs you to participate. I am happy most of you won’t. I can get a US 45 for the price I have to pay on auction sites anyway.,
You are entitled to your opinion however most of us do not have 850 lying around to spare.
I agree with all those saying that 1k is way to much for a shot out 1911. If they do sell, guess I was wrong.
Among the other excessive costs is the requirement that you join the NRA as part of the CMP — I am not giving that SOB La Pierre one dime for the privilege of having my name on a list of people for the feds to come knocking when they want to come confiscate my firearms. If I’m giving to anybody’s personal piggybank, it will be *my* personal piggybank — my first rule of charity is to not give to people doing better than me — that’s tribute, not “charity”.
If the government wants to know exactly what you have all they have to do is start pulling Form 4473 from FFL holders.
While that is true, Stephen, that list includes bodyguards, etc., for your limousine liberals. They don’t want to take the guns from everybody, just from the people that have the wrong opinions. Can you imagine their embarrassment when they send their squad out to collect guns and it turns out to be from one of their own? They just can’t take that chance.
You do not have to be an NRA member to buy from the CMP! In fact, being an NRA member has no benefit as far as the CMP is concerned and it doesn’t even count as a CMP affiliated organization!
you must be joking
Brand new for 600.0
You can’t be that ignorant
How sad things are today with our government.
Back in the early 60’s I was able to purchase a 1911 from this program for $19.00.
It’s insane. People who pay these prices are fools. If you think $850-1050 is high, just imagine how much more they will spend to make them “truly” serviceable.
Over a lifetime of paying taxes for politicians to waste, I feel like I’ve paid for these 1911s many times over, and the CMP as I understood it was not to be a cash cow for the government. Of course the government will screw over everyone every time they get the chance, but no thanks, I’ll pass this time.
If you don’t want to buy or participate then don’t buy or participate. I appreciate all the info about how these are “over priced”. Buy your import and enjoy it. As for me, I’m trying to get one of these due to the history! Thanks for saving me an extra position by your lack of participating.
Let’s be realistic, offer a fair and honest price and I am sure there will be many willing to participate. Don’t make excuses, make this work for the people.
As a combat veteran who carried one, I agree completely. Had the same issue with the M1 when it was offered some time ago. No thanks
Personally I think the price is outrageous, especially since our tax dollars initially paid for these weapons. Back in the day, I paid $165 for my M1 Garand through this program (they had different initials then and I had to qualify). One man’s opinion.
Why would I pay $850 for a field grade 1911 that needs repair when I can buy a new one for that? No thanks
Over priced we as actual war veterans should get first crack and as taxpayers we already paid for them
As a non-veteran, I cannot understand why they do not send you home with your service weapons when you are discharged (if you choose to take them). There is no group of citizens more qualified to have them. Period.
Thank you for the pleasant thought. I carried a Colt 1911 as my sidearm while carrying my M-60 in the bush. Fortunately I never had to use the .45 but took care of it well. I was totally shocked when I got home as a 20 year old veteran and could not buy a box of .22 shells because I was not an “adult” because they passed the gun control act of 1968 while I was in Vietnam. I was not a pleasant customer and the police were called. I explained the situation to the officer and he was understanding and pleasant. He told me the only remedy to the situation was to vote out the politicians who passed the 1968 act. It was a year later, when I turned 21 thay passed the bill allowing 18 year olds to vote.
Orders must be postmarked NOT PRIOR TO January 4, 2021 and NOT AFTER March 4, 2021. Any orders received postmarked prior to January 4, 2021 or after March 4, 2021, will not be accepted,
https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/1911-information/
Unlike voting for the president of the United States !
1 million thumbs up
AC, that was the best response. I do NOT know why so many people are concerned that there are people willing to go through a raffle and pay a premium for something they want.
That’s more restrictive than many states mail-in voting restrictions!
In addition, there is the onerous requirement that you still be alive, as opposed to if you posthumously express a desire to vote Democrat. I ask you, who knew that the virus would create zombies out in need of brains? Hollyweird got it right, but as loonie lefties, when I point this out, they just don’t appreciate the irony.
Thanks but NO THANKS. MUCH BETTER commercial models are available for the SAME COST and LESS FUSS!!!
NO INTEREST! Cannot see paying so much for these 1911s when MUCH BETTER commercial models ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE SAME COST!!!
Those prices are above market value for CMP program , where is the benefit. If government issued, I already paid for it once and I can get a 1911 at local gun store for lower price.