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If you’ve ever wished you could own a real surplus M14 through the Civilian Marksmanship Program, your patience is finally paying off.
In a surprise announcement, the CMP revealed it has been specially authorized to sell surplus U.S. military M14 rifles. It’ll be the first time the iconic rifle has ever been offered through the program. And it’s safe to say collectors are already counting the days.
Before anyone gets too excited, there’s one catch: you can’t order one just yet.
The CMP says it expects the first rifles to start shipping sometime between late 2026 and early 2027. Pricing, purchase limits, ordering details, and whether they’ll be available by mail or only in CMP stores will all be announced later.
Every rifle will also be permanently and irreversibly converted to semi-automatic. Making them compliant with federal law and the legislation that governs CMP firearm sales.
Even with that modification, this is a pretty big deal.
The M14 isn’t just another surplus rifle. It’s the direct descendant of the legendary M1 Garand, designed by John C. Garand himself. And adopted as the U.S. Army’s standard service rifle in 1957. While the M16 eventually replaced it as the military’s primary rifle, the M14 stuck around for decades in designated marksman and sniper roles and still pops up today in ceremonial use.
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For military firearms collectors, it’s one of the most recognizable American battle rifles ever made.
The CMP says it’s uniquely authorized to modify these surplus rifles and sell them to eligible U.S. citizens. Like every other historic firearm the organization sells, proceeds help fund firearms safety education, marksmanship training, youth programs, competitions, and scholarships across the country.
If you’ve bought an M1 Garand, M1911, or Springfield through the CMP before, you already know the drill: popular rifles don’t tend to sit around very long.
This announcement also comes as interest in historic U.S. military firearms continues to grow. Original M14-pattern rifles have always been difficult (and expensive) to own legally, making this one of the most anticipated CMP releases in years.
For now, there’s still a lot we don’t know. The CMP hasn’t released pricing or purchase requirements, and it hasn’t said how many rifles will ultimately become available.
But one thing is certain.
The moment those order forms go live, there are going to be a whole lot of refreshed browsers across America.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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Having given some thought to the recent announcement that the limit of 1911s purchased in a lifetime thru CMP is now raised to a total of four, it is likely a simple but somewhat sad explanation. The generations of those familiar with the Army’s weapons before the M16 has now diminished, and will continue to do so. Ten years ago, prior to the 1911 being made available, it was said there were as many as 24 million veterans. Of recent note estimates are now 17 million veterans in the general public, and that includes all the servicemen and women in the Army Reserve and National Guard mobilized after 9/11.
There just aren’t that many of us now, and as we continue to age, there will be less of the over 65 age group. While demand for the M14 may be satisfying for the CMP, the typical buyer is much like the age group of Harley Davidson owners – they are passing 50 and accelerating. Most of the potential buyers are likely already CMP qualified thru 1911 purchases – I didn’t as I wasn’t in that market at the time. The market is just too dang high. One other adjunct to that – Congress pushed back mandatory withdrawals from 401k’s until age 73, so a lot of us just didn’t have the spare cash to blow on a gun purchase. If you remember the Covid checks – they got banked in this household and very little spent for “discretionary purchases.” As inflation has continued to eat away at income purchasing power and savings, things have not gotten better.
The CMP will do well with sales, but Im not expecting them to be “overrun” with buyers as it was with the 1911. They are taking care of the supply end by offering a legit surplus US .Gov marked rifle, but for the most part if a shooter wanted an M14 – they already bought an M1A or similar rifle already on the market. What Im certain I will see are some speculators who will buy them for the express purpose of flipping them on gun auction sites for higher prices. Like anything else we see in that same light, they can ask whatever they want – but it doesn’t mean they will sell for that kind of money. The CMP will screen them for auction sale first – the rack grade models will likely stay in stock for a long time, just as the 1911’s have. And every year? Even less buyers to inflate the market. We aren’t going to be here in 20 years, boys, and a lot of us aren’t spending our money on toys as much as we used to. I didn’t buy a 1911 – I got a SW 3rd Gen 4566TSW for much much less. And frankly, its the better pistol. I’ve had a .308 battle rifle, got an HK91 in the late 70s, that itch was scratched long ago. But, it got it because then the HK was $140 and the M1A much much higher. Now? The M14 is – hopefully – a tad cheaper. We will see.
I think it is a nice gesture and I suppose it would come off as being ungracious but why are pre-1986 machine guns being irreversibly converted to semi auto? To a more practical reality- these are very likely to be gobbled up by flippers and speculators who will then overcharge someone else, akin to the 1911s and Garands.
Great idea but I am comfortable believing I will never see one, but I suppose if I want one bad enough I could have bought one from Springfield or a Norinco going back many years now.
Im sure they will be prohibitively expensive for the average joe.
It’s not an “M-14” without the full-auto selector. A true collector’s piece would be one that hasn’t been mutilated with ugly weld spots and whatever else they do to the receiver to render it semi-auto only. It’s a damn shame because I’d bet they are all pre-86. CMP can keep them, I wouldn’t spend a dime on one……
I was lucky enough to grab a ‘correct grade’ M1 from the CMP about 18 years ago, and I hate to admit it, I’ve never fired it. Don’t ask me why — don’t know really. “Safe Queen” maybe? Us old fart gun collector do that you know. Buy a cool gun, stick it in the safe, never shoot it. Take it out once in a while, wipe it down, “ohh & ahh” over it, then park it back in the safe. As the ‘ol saying goes; “the man that dies with the most toys wins”…
I’ve always wanted a M14 but the Springfield Armory prices are quite high, especially on a retiree’s budget. Seems like the CMP M1 was about $1100 dollars 18 years ago when I ordered it. Now the ‘Correct Grade’ is no longer available, except through the auction.
CMP prices have become ridiculously high over the last couple of decades. I have no doubt these mil-grade M14’s prices will be eye-watering high too. Wanna take bets? I’m guessing in the $3500 to $4000 range for nicer ones. Definitely too rich for my blood!
Definitely agree there! The amount they want for a clapped out 1911 is absolutely ridiculous, can’t imagine what they’re going to charge for even a rack grade M14!!!
Still, would be very cool to own an actual M14 though!
Indeed! I think the M14 was one of the nicest military rifles ever produced. I understand why the military switched to the M16/5.56 back in the 60’s due a more compact light-weight design and more firepower, but our troops definitely needed a more powerful round in the jungles than the 5.56 had to offer.
I never understood why they didn’t use a heavier projectile like the 6.5mm or 6.8mm instead of the 5.56 in that small cartridge. Maybe if they could have used a hollow point .22 it would have been more effective. I missed the Vietnam war by one year, but my uncle was there for two tours and told me stories about gooks getting shot multiple times with a M16 and never slowed down. Before retiring, my cohort told me a story of hitting a VC at least 5 times and he continued to run and they never found a drop of blood. He said he always tried for head-shots whenever possible. He loved the M14 and hated the M16. He was also a sniper.