CMP Surplus Rifles – Revised Sales Policy and Procedures
July 1, 2025
An update from Gerald O’Keefe, Chairman and CEO, Civilian Marksmanship Program
During our competitions, I frequently spend time on the firing line, shaking hands and conversing with our most avid loyalists. I receive a lot of feedback, much of which rightly praises the efforts of our 150 employees. Each CMP team member wears multiple hats and works diligently to ensure the CMP mission marches forward. We are a rare organization given the long average tenure that our employees enjoy. That’s a signal that for them, CMP is more than a job; it forms a significant part of their identity. Our mission is their mission, and they live it. They work tirelessly, driven by the simple smile of a competitor, firearm purchaser, or youth camp attendee.
However, as we strive to serve various groups under the banner of “promoting marksmanship” and as we advance our numerous operational activities, we recognize opportunities for improvement. With each social media post, email, forum comment, or in-person critique, your passion for our shared mission is evident. Because we are so invested in our mission, we take your suggestions to heart. They remind us that what we do matters to many good people.
Recently, these questions and suggestions have centered around our policy to sell receivers/rifles reclaimed from previously inoperable drill rifles. You’ve expressed your concerns about the transparency associated with this sales effort, the noticeably diminished supply of surplus rifles and, ultimately, the financial viability of CMP and the many activities we support in the shooting sports (spoiler – our financial viability is strong).
The policy change detailed below represents our commitment to operational transparency. As you know, the CMP is a unique creation, enabled by a public law to carry out a mission of national importance. Promoting marksmanship, firearm safety, and youth development requires us to uphold traditional values of openness and integrity in our efforts. We acknowledge our responsibility to you and the mission we serve, a mission that I firmly believe is as important today as it has ever been.
Overview
The CMP’s surplus firearms sales business model is dependent on authorized inventory transferred from the Department of the Army. While this has been plentiful over the years there are ebbs and flows. We are in one of those periods now where our inventory of M1911 pistols is extremely strong while our surplus rifle inventory is somewhat diminished. We’ve forecasted this for some time and are taking the following actions:
1) Replenish the surplus rifle pipeline and inventory to the CMP. The primary solution here is working with the Department of the Army and Department of State to repatriate US owned Garands and Carbines from certain countries. These efforts have been underway for approximately two years. They are complex diplomatic efforts between countries but progress has been made in terms of identifying quantities of guns on hand, locations and other administrative and logistics information. Country-to-country discussions continue — I’m cautiously optimistic we’ll have success here and we’ll certainly keep you informed.
2) Reclaim Drill Receivers/Rifles. As we’ve communicated previously, we successfully conducted programmatic testing on a number of Garand and M1903/A3 samples and are testing each and every rifle coming out of this program to ensure the metallurgical integrity and safety of these guns. This article will address the issue that some of you have raised in terms of our transparency of these items in the sales process. Bottom line up front – we agree and are going to change to full transparency in terms customers knowing exactly what they are buying — reclaimed or not reclaimed. It’s important to note that we have a strategic quantity of these reclaimed guns and going through the process to make them available is the right thing. There are in fact many, many great guns in this group and they are safe.
3) Produce a CMP Commercial Variant. Again, and as we’ve recently communicated, we are producing a M1 rifle with a commercial, forged receiver as its centerpiece. We are in the final test phase and hope to have production receivers/M1s available for sale later this summer. This is an important initiative to begin to flex CMP’s muscles outside the surplus firearm space which we all know is finite.
State of the Business
As many of you know or might suspect the surplus rifles sales segment of the CMP’s business model is the backbone of our business and our current inventory of non-reclaimed Garands and other legacy rifles is well below historical norms. That said, I do want to assure all our customers, competitors and friends that the CMP continues to operate in a strong fiscal position – actually a very strong position. The reclaimed receivers/rifles number in the tens of thousands, they are in great condition and represent the full suite of shootable and collectable guns. Our other surplus gun sales channels, notably surplus M1911s, have plentiful inventory and sales are strong. And as discussed above we are working diligently to restore a reliable rifle pipeline of Garands and other rifles as quickly as we can. With all this, we are not cutting back on any programs, events or competitions. In fact, we are looking at where we can do even more to fulfill our Federally-chartered mission to promote marksmanship. The state of the CMP from a business perspective remains strong.
With all this as a precursor and somewhat strategic overview the balance of this article will discuss in some detail how we are going to adjust policy and process to sell surplus rifles of all types given current inventory levels.
The Foundation: Drill & Parade Rifles
Over the years, CMP has collected and maintained an extensive inventory of drill and parade rifles returned from veterans’ organizations and schools throughout the country. CMP’s recent introduction of receivers reclaimed from this project seeks to responsibly leverage this inventory, returning tens of thousands of surplus arms to the collectors and marksmen of America.
To understand the value of the project, our customers should first understand the condition of the inventory supporting the initiative. The inventory made available to this project consists exclusively of surplus drill rifles, rendered inoperable in a minimally invasive fashion to support ceremony use where live fire would not be required. Our inventory has not been cut, sectioned, or ‘de-milled’ by any standard. These rifles exhibit only tack welds in key locations to render them temporarily inoperable, meaning that they maintain status as regulated firearms for the duration of our process.
Defining the Process: ‘Reclaimed’ vs ‘Reweld’
A reclaimed rifle is a firearm that was previously a drill rifle, rendered inoperable by minimally invasive means that maintains the general structural integrity of the receiver. When executed properly, these rifles have been professionally restored through a structured and documented engineering process that ensures quality control standards and safety margins equal to any other rifle. This includes painstaking removal of welds and re-machining each receiver to its original specification, along with verification of metallurgical integrity to ensure live-fire serviceability.
A reweld rifle generally refers to firearms that have been crudely or privately reassembled from cut receiver parts or scrap components—often without metallurgical testing, safety verification, or adherence to inspection standards. These firearms, unless certified by a reputable program like the CMP, may pose unknown safety risks and typically lack provenance or quality assurance.
The CMP’s reclaimed rifles are not rewelds—they are fully inspected, certified, and tested to exceed typical safety protocols and come with the confidence of our engineering and armory teams.
CMP’s Reclamation Process: Proof of Concept
CMP partnered with industry experts to extensively test representative samples from our drill receiver inventory to determine the initial viability of this project. Worst case conditions were replicated in a subset by intentionally compromising heat treats, and all sample receivers were subjected to extreme pressure proof loads to determine the inherent strength of receivers in our drill inventory. All performed admirably, maintaining deformation deltas well within safety margins. Acknowledging the possibility of sub-surface defects at weld transition zones, all test samples were subjected to destructive micrograph inspection to determine the likely frequency of micro-cracks stemming from weld processes. Subsurface defects were detected in about 7 percent of the samples and drove significant production decisions to reliably identify and remove any receiver with defects from inventory. CMP’s unprecedented and extensive efforts to evaluate the potential of this inventory drive a high confidence in all the products that will use these receivers.
CMP Reclamation Process: Production Process
Every CMP receiver destined for reclamation undergoes an initial evaluation and sort to determine suitability for the process. Those receivers that make the cut are transferred to our industry partner for further evaluation and eventual reclamation. Old welds are inspected, removed, and filled as necessary to ensure the most uniform finish possible before each receiver is re-machined to USGI specification. To ensure metallurgical integrity and isolate the occurrence of any subsurface defect, all reclaimed receivers undergo advanced evaluation by dual field wet magnetic particle inspection. Only receivers that pass the wet MPI test and final QC inspections are permitted to enter CMP’s available inventory for rifle production.
Integration of CMP Reclaimed Receivers
In response to feedback received since integration of the drill receivers into inventory, CMP made the decision to begin differentiating products containing reclaimed receivers with a new series of item numbers. Effective immediately, any rifles containing a receiver associated with the reclamation project will bear an “RC” suffix, added to the traditional grade that the rifle represents. For example, rifles containing a reclaimed receiver that meets the criteria for a Service Grade will be observed with an RM1SERVICE-RC item number. Each of these products has been rigorously tested to meet or exceed the quality standards expected of their non-RC counterparts and come backed with the same Limited Lifetime Warranty offered on all our rifles. It is our hope that the effort to differentiate our inventory will provide clarity and aid in the selection of a product that meets your needs and expectations.
Legacy Grades
CMP’s non-reclaimed rifle inventory is somewhat diminished and generally does not support the demand for these products at our typical scale or sales volume. As described above, our efforts have therefore shifted to the production of the tens of thousands of reclaimed receivers and rifles (Garands available now; M1903/A3 rifles available Fall 2025). We are excited to return these to our customers as fully functional firearms that will continue to support the needs of shooters and collectors alike. Given this situation, and effective immediately, legacy/non-reclaimed rifles will now only be sold via two channels:
- In stores – Limited availability and dependent on inventory levels. (Note: The Camp Perry store for the National Matches is an exception. We have set aside and pre-positioned a strong inventory of non-reclaimed rifles for the event.)
- Via the CMP Auction site under a different process as described below.
Legacy Grades Available Via the Auction Site
The CMP acknowledges that in-store sales represent a limited channel. To ensure a fair process and more/equal access for all, customers seeking non-reclaimed variants of our traditional rifles should begin monitoring the CMP Auction site for availability. Non-reclaimed rifles will be posted under a ‘Buy It Now’ format, for a set price, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Each rifle available for sale via this process will have photos of the exact product being offered. While each one will not have the detailed description you’ve come to expect for other auction items, the information will be sufficient for customers to make an informed decision and will still provide more information than our legacy mail-order process which was singularly grade-centric in terms of information provided. This process will go into effect in the coming weeks and more information on exactly how it will work is forthcoming.
Tagging of Rifles in Stores
Effective immediately, all rifles in all stores will be clearly marked to provide customers with complete clarity when making purchase decisions.
Summary – Effective Immediately
Reclaimed Drill Rifles:
- Sold in physical stores, mail order and Travel Games
- Significant quantities of M1s and M1903A3s available (M1s – now; M1903/A3s in Fall 2025)
- Comprehensively and rigorously tested – safe
- Physical Stores – all surplus rifles will be marked/tagged accordingly to ensure clarity and transparency in the sales process
- Mail order – reclaimed rifles a separate category
- Include a variety of manufacturers, serial numbers and other collectible attributes
Non-Reclaimed Rifles
- Existing inventories lower than CMP historical norms
- Sold in physical stores (possibly in limited quantities) and via the CMP Auction site via a ‘Buy it Now’ format – more details on timing and process to be published.
- No further general mail order sales . . . for now
- Camp Perry store during the National Matches – good inventory of non-reclaimed rifles pre-positioned
- CMP working to replenish rifle stocks via a variety of means
Final Note
The CMP appreciates the loyalty and passion of our customers and competitors. We have a like passion for all we do. We do understand that this shift in our surplus rifle sales process is a substantial change from our normal business operations. It is what is in the art of the possible given our existing inventory. We fully intend for this to be temporary and are working hard to achieve that result. I look forward to your questions and comments.
Some time ago I put in for an M-1 rifle that was to be rebuilt for competition. Thus far I have not heard anything about the order. Can you advise me on the status of that rifle?
Thanks,
Ron
Well darn! My response was never published or accepted. Guess I was too harsh with reality 🤷♂️
Mr. Tamplin if you would like to contact me feel free to do so. You should still have my email.
I do not have your contact information. Dave
Thanks to CMP, I get to own a piece of Americana 1911 and M1 Garand. Could be happier
Thank you. The CMP sets the bar very high in customer service and listening to customer feedback. You and your team are doing a fantastic job thinking of ways to continue to preserve history by helping American citizens “re-home” these fine firearms. I realize you have had challenges and believe you are doing everything possible to appease as many customers as possible. My number one concern with the drill rifle reclamation was integration with non-reclaimed receivers. As a collector who lives WAY too far from a store to visit, I believed it was very important to distinguish between the two. You heard us, you listened, and you made changes to your sales policy to answer our concerns. Thank you. You have even found a way to allow us “mileage challenged” customers to partake in the sale of the limited inventory of non-reclaimed M1s with pictures and everything! I don’t think you realize how many of us appreciate that change. A lot of us envied those collectors who routinely posted pictures of “look what I found at South Store during this month’s visit” because they could easily see what was available while us west-of-the-Mississippi folks never got the chance to actually see what was available except on the auction site. Thanks again for listening.
Thank you for reporting the new policies and procedures in a clear and concise manner. They make sense to try to continue availability of the platforms over time and a predictable revenue stream for operational planning.
hi, my county does not put a S.A. approval on my pistol permit, ( suffolk co. n.y. ) they approve it before i can pick it up from my ffl. last year you refused to send a garand to my ffl because i could not provide a s.a. endorsement because it does not exist. i am hoping you may have changed that policy now that things have settled down with these new laws. I really dont understand why you will not send a rifle to a licenced f.f.l. dealer without that endorsement ( which again does not exist in my county). hoping to hear from you on this matter as i would would really like to get the rifle from you instead of some online auction.. thank you. keep up the good work. mike
I received my first CMP rifle in 1983, the second one in 2000 and my 1911 in 2023.
I could not be more pleased with the decades of experience, quality and maintenance of committed service to its core mission.
Thanks to the entire staff.
Doc
Thank you for sharing this update. The efforts made by CMP to reclaim historic US Military Firearms is greatly appreciated!
I know you are in the business of selling but for some time all you’ve been doing is supplying dealers at gun shows…and certainly NOT your Federal Mandate of ‘Promoting Marksmanship’.
Going back to 1-2 rifles a year would of course make the collectors & dealers squeal like the little pigs they are but it would provide more opportunities for someone to purchase an M-1 for actual ***gasp*** Marksmanship.
Wow, Dean, as a collector who spends hundreds of hours each year displaying my collection at gun shows teaching M1 Garand history and educating young, future collectors AND marksmen, I really appreciate being called a pig.
Dean, I absolutely agree with you, selling these rifles at the current rate to the Dealers is not cool. Especially when CMP is running low on inventory. I agree 2 rifles per year would preserve a stock of rifles for new shooters, for a longer period of time. IMHO these rifles are being bought by collectors who occasionally shoot these rifles and park them in a safe which is Ok. We all do that with most of our surplus rifles, but it will hurt a young shooter that will have to go out and purchase a rifle at a show at a much higher price.
You said what many of us have been thinking and I for one Thank You.
Given the “shortage” CMP should reduce the annual purchase qty allowed to something like a max of 2x M1 per yr. I suspect, given the significant qty of CMP M1s seen at auctions, that a substantial # of CMP M1s are being purchased from CMP to flip as an income producing scheme.
They absolutely are. It was incredibly disappointing to me when they increased the limit to 12 per year. At this point I think there needs to be a lifetime limit on rifle purchases, much like they did with 1911s. I got an Expert Grade a couple years ago and it’s great, but it’s unfortunate that from here on out they basically only have modified drill rifles because they let flippers and speculators buy up the whole market. Supply is going to run out sooner or later, and they only have themselves to blame.
This communique is outstanding and much appreciated. If I may ask for clarity on one point:
“Effective immediately, any rifles containing a receiver associated with the reclamation project will bear an “RC” suffix, added to the traditional grade that the rifle represents. For example, rifles containing a reclaimed receiver that meets the criteria for a Service Grade will be observed with an RM1SERVICE-RC item number.”
I assume this means the RC suffix will be added to the Blue Hang Tag…only? I strongly suggest this suffix be placed on the Certificate Of Authenticity as well.
Thank you CMP for all you do!
It will be on the COA.
As a supporter and buyer of CMP rifles including from auction, my question is, has the CMP sold any products not labeled as reclaimed?
I want to say thank you for this amazing organization, my father was an WW 2 veteran and had always told me the M1 rifle was one of the finest weapons ever produced, I had always wanted to add one to my collection and through CMP I was able to fulfill that dream, and I love shooting it and love the ping of the clip. Keep up the amazing work.
I am looking for a 30 cal M1 Carbine, please advise when they are available again.
Will CMP ever again offer Garand receivers in the future.
We are looking into that.
Richard M.
I was just looking at the sales page for the M1 Garand rifles. I noticed that on the reclaimed rifles, that are available, it does not list that $35 is required for shipping. Has the $35 shipping charge been dropped on total price of these reclaimed rifles?
Thanks
The $35.00 will be applied to the rifles for shipping.
Not having been active on the Forum in recent weeks, this is good information to have. I personally will eagerly await the resumption of mail-order sales since both N and S Stores are a prohibitive distance from home. As always, “thanks for all you do!!!
can i send you my m1 rifle drillr rifle reciever for inspection and posible rebuild. thank you Bill
Not at this time.
I live in Spartanburg South Carolina, and I can’t find a local club to join, which would let me purchase the surplus. Any suggestions?
Garand Collectors Association.
Cga.org
Hello Walter, If you cannot find a local club to join in Your area https://thecmp.org/clubs/search-clubs-2/
You can join The GCA https://thegca.org/
Walter –
The Garand Collectors Association is basically an online national association affiliated with CMP that would allow you to make your CMP purchases. Dues are $35/year and you get their publication, the GCA Journal that has a LOT of interesting articles/photos about the M1 Garand. Check them out:
https://thegca.org/
There are online cmp affiliated m1 garand organizations which you can join. Just go on google and search for “cmp affiliated online”. Also you can join m1 garand groups on facebook, one of them is cmp affiliated group.
Join the Garand Collectors Association
I’m in Asheville and joined the Garand Collector’s Association to purchase an M1 Garand from CMP.
Garand Collector’s Association.
Walter, go online and join the Garand Collectors Association, $25 for a one year membership and you will be good to go.
http://www.gca.com
Merlin Billings
Sorry, the correct link is:
http://www.thegca.org
Merlin Billings
Join the Garand Collectors Association (GCA) https://thegca.org/ $35.00 per year and you receive a quarterly magazine discussing the M1 Garand. This membership satisfies the club affiliation requirement for the CMP.
Joe Crivello Georgetown South Carolina
Hello, You can join the Garand Collectors Association on line. This will enable you to buy from the CMP.
Try Garand Collectors Association. Many have use them..
https://thegca.org/
I am not employed by the CMP, however I can say that the Garand Collectors Association (GCA) qualifies and you can join online and it only takes a few minutes.
Gca garand collectors association it’s 25 bucks and is worthwhile they mail you a magazine
Join the Garand Collector’s Association (GCA). Affordable yearly fee and some nice periodicals with all thing M1 Garand. Satisfies the requirement and teaches you about the M1’s Legacy!
Walter,
Contact the Garand collectors organization. They qualify, I believe.
Look up Down East Garand Shooters in North Carolina. We have several members that are from out of state. The yearly dues are $20.00 I believe. They are a CMP affiliated club.
Join the GCA $25 and online
Garand collector’s association
Join the Garand collectors Association https://thegca.org/ or call 816 – 471 – 2005 . 35.00 a year.
Good Luck
Will the reclaimed rifles be sold at a discounted price. Due to leniage
They have a price set in line with current CMP pricing.
Haden, here is a link to the M1 Garand prices https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/m1-garand/
What is REALLY needed is for CMP to change its policy regarding Brady Bill/NICS approvals and delays. CMP refuses to ship anything if an approval is not given. The law allows them to do so after 3 days. NICS puts all my purchases into permanent delay status, so I can’t ever buy from CMP. NICS will never deny some people, but they won’t approve them, so the background check remains in DELAY limbo until it times out in 30 days.
Please follow the Brady Law and transfer purchases after a DELAY times out.
I had the same problem as there is a felon with my exact same name (including middle name), exact same birthday and race. I missed out on several sales of CMP rifles due to delays in clearing. I was even stopped and questioned about my identity at the Canadian border. I talked to a friend in law enforcement about it, and he sent an agent to my office for fingerprinting. I then submitted for a UPIN number and have never had a problem since that time
I have the same problem. I received a Wyoming CCP, several years ago but can’t get a firearm from CMP because NICS puts me in delay forever. Sad but true, I buy elsewhere.
Yes, I’m having the same problem.
Mr. O’Keefe,
Thank you for the information and the decision to identify rifles assembled on re-claimed receivers. The CMP and its employees are of the highest integrity, and this is an example of it. I appreciate your communications and look forward to talking to you in person at Camp Perry or the travel games.
Dear Mr. O’Keefe:
1. I greatly appreciate your candor and transparency regarding the issue of surplus rifle / pistol availability and the steps you all are taking to ensure CMP’s future down the road. I look forward to remaining a strong CMP supporter and customer in the future.
2. Personally, I would have no problem buying a “reclaimed” rifle (I’ve already done this with other vendors), provided that it is sold and marketed separately as such, as you state you will be doing now. I agree with other commentors that somehow the rifle should indicate in some way that it has been “reclaimed” (to prevent being taking advantage of by an unscrupulous seller down the road).
3. Seeing as the supply of the “legacy” (non-reclaimed) rifles is diminishing (possible new sources notwithstanding), I feel there should be a limit on annual purchases of such rifles beyond the current limit of 12 (any type) per year.
4. In addition, sales of “legacy” (non-reclaimed rifles) during the National Matches at the North Store (Camp Perry) should be restricted to registered competitors only.
5. No limits (other than the 12 total per year) for reclaimed rifles, but the legacy inventory issue should be manager fairly for the benefit of CMP and ALL of its customers.
The CMP, in my opinion, is pretty much the GOLD STANDARD when it comes to refurbish/rebuild/repair of firearms designed for military and civilian use. Julie Seeger, John Kent and their supporting staff make the the place hum. Answers to inputs/requests get handled, one has to be patient due to the workload. Been there, done that. The info provided today was clear, concise and well worth the time to read ALL OF IT!!
Regards,
Bob
While not in the market today I am dedicated and support CMP. Retired Lt.Colonel
Thank you.
Amen, Robert. I submitted a comment specifically addressing why the current inventory of “legacy” rifles is so historically low, but it didn’t get past the moderator(s). The yearly and lifetime purchase limits need to be much lower to discourage profiteers.