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Militaary Surplus .45s to be sold through CMP

3K views 40 replies 18 participants last post by  chuckusaret 
#1 ·
Talked with someone in Va today.
2018 NDAA contains language directing the Military to sell the Surplus .45s though CMP.
I haven't found an article to post a link, yet but haven't scoured the internet either.
 
#5 ·
I can't see paying $1000 for a 1911 that has been shot to pieces.

if they do like they do on the rifles, condition will be the criteria of setting the price.

i also suspect many of them may end up being arsenal rebuilds, and if there are any, those will probably not have matching parts and serial numbers on the parts. who knows if the pistols have been used, or if they were just stored, but never issued. so one that has never been issued, still wrapped in wax paper and coated with cosmoline and matching numbers will be at the top of the price list i would think.
 
#11 ·
Maybe for a Singer wirh matching slide ans frame, as even with a rebuild, you would still be ahead value wise.

Mine cost my grandfather about $75 when he got it at a surplus sale in the late 60s. Frame ans slide match, but the rest of it is other parts from other 1911s.

It cost me about $20,000, and 4 years of my life (college graduation gift from him), and due to who I got it from, it's worth far more than the axtual value to me. Even with the fact that ir still shows it's history in it's finish.

I'll have to join a club again with shooting leagues, so I can get CMP firearms again.
 
#7 ·
supply and demand Tinbucket. the supplies of the old guns is getting smaller and smaller. as the supplies of the old surplus guns are drying up, the prices go up in relation to that.
I won't pay that.
CMP was not in existence for massive profiteering.
What has happened to CMP program since WWII?
 
#14 ·
Me neither... All my USGI guns only have one S/N (except for my M1917 - its a lend lease and the Brits stamped the bolt)

Doesnt seem to me that the CMP is a good deal anymore... Ive paid the same or less for all my US arms on the "free market" than what the CMP charges. $1K will already get you a M1911 pretty much any day of the week where I live.
I only paid $750 for my WWII Ithaca (I bought a matching slide, but could probably sell the Colt one it came with for more...)
$750 for my M1 "Grenade" rifle (w/o accessories) and $900 for a M1D (w/o accessories)

I was a member a few years back in hopes of getting a IHC M1, but those sold in a blink of a eye and I missed out... :(
 
#10 ·
We'll all see what the prices are. My 1911 issued to me in 1981 had matching S/N. Nonetheless, I'll keep a watch, but if they are going for $1K for "fair", I'm out. I'll let those collectors siphon them up and hope they enjoy them. At $500, maybe...

Tin, the CMP won't sell any firearm that is unsafe. They will go over them to be sure and, in some cases, do some judicious replacements of parts. One can be assured any firearm released by CMP is safe to fire. Certainly worth well more than $25. The quality may differ, but some of that goes to "do you want to shoot it, or display it?". To each, their own. I'd prefer a reliable, safe 1911 regardless of what it looks like. But I'm thinkin' CMP won't release them for less than $1K.

Hope I'm wrong.

Still holding out for the M1 Carbines from Korea...
 
#12 ·
Those old 1911s should be about 250 dollars considereing the heavy clunky design. the off caliber and the well used status. I would lose any interest even at 400 dollars since I can buy some pretty nice and competent handguns at that price.
 
#16 ·
the Beretta M9 was adopted as the official service sidearm in 1985. and both were probably used during the transition period until they had enough of the Beretta M9's for everyone. exactly how long that transition period was, i have no idea. but i remember in 1987, or 1988, i tried to buy a new Beretta Model 92, and there unavailable because Beretta was focusing all of their production into supplying the government contracts for pistols to the military.
 
#18 ·
During ODS ('90/'91), Army units had both 1911 and M9s. Made for a small bit of an ammo challenge. I was introduced to the M9 during pre-deployment to ODS.

Both great firearms; have a Colt Model 70 Government Model as well as a 92FS. Love them both. Don't need another of either, and particularly don't need another beat-up 1911 for $1K or so.

Hope the M1 Carbines from SOKO make it here...
 
#20 · (Edited)
I wouldn't pay a thousand buck for one of the if it was new in the box. My son recently bought a WWII re-work of a 1917 year 1911 for $800.00, and it is a nice gun. "Fair" condition is anything but "fair to middling" it is more like "trashed-out"

EDIT:

After some consideration, I would pay a thousand bucks for one, but it would have had to belonged to Jake McNiece, or Dick Winter.
 
#21 ·
CMP 1911s,

A good friend of mine works for CMP. Two weeks ago I checked with him and he advised there is a couple of steps that need to be ironed out prior to the release. But he advised he believed it would done soon. And they also had not set a price for the 1911s at this time.

Sniper03
 
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#23 ·
I do not know as I mentioned what they are going to sell for. But if I could find one in decent condition. I might spend decent money on it just for the nostalgia and collection reasons and appeal? I had a good one years ago and even then a collector gave me as I recall right at $1000 for it then. But it was in excellent condition. Lord knows what condition the CMP 1911s will be in?

03
 
#24 ·
CMP will rate them in at least three conditions, IIRC: fair, good, excellent. There might be one or two other categories. Years ago, it seemed the "fair" were going for about $1K. Minor pitting in the barrel/slide, no matching S/N, some wear, etc. Maybe times have changed. I guess we'll see. At $400, I might consider (for the history, since my Dad carried one in WW-II and I carried one during the Cold War), but nothing more.

They won't sell an unsafe firearm.

As a 1LT in 1978, I fired "Expert" with the 1911 in the CQB course. IMO, the CQB course was easier (and more realistic) than shooting at paper. Lots of pop-ups left and right and in the distance. Very much enjoyed that course. Would be way-cool to set one up at the farm, but pop-up targets can get pricey...
 
#25 ·
IIRC, the US military has not bought any NEW 1911A1s since 1945. (possible exception- General Officer pistols) We made so many during WW2 that after the war, they elected to rebuild using new parts- they had a few kilotons of spare parts. Think you might find an unfired Singer still in the Cosmoline? Hell, anything is possible- I COULD be elected Pope next year. Similar chances. :rolleyes:
 
#27 ·
IIRC, these 1911's are coming out of the Philippines, and were sent there during WWII. now here's my question, were the pistols sent there new, or old ones that were possibly arsenal rebuilds? how and where were they stored? were they sent there and not used and just stored, or were they actually issued, and to whom were they issued to? US soldiers in the Philippines, or Filipino rebels fights with us there?

IIRC, the chances of finding a Singer 1911 in the batch? like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! i think that only 500 Singer 1911's were ever made, and are some of the highest sought after WWII 1911's that collectors hunt for. your odds of marrying a super model would be much higher! :D:D
 
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#29 ·
i still consider the 1911 a relevant pistol. maybe it lacks capacity in comparison to many of the more modern polymer pistols and is also quite a bit heavier. but, there are still many who carry revolvers as a carry weapon. most of them are limited to five or six shots, so IMO, in comparison to carrying a 1911 type pistol does become a moot point, since most of them are holding between seven to eight rounds.

i can't remember exactly when or where i read it, but reading an article about self defense type shootings, the average number of rounds fired in self defense was three to four. now if that is true, then carrying a 1911 would not be a liability as far as capacity IMO. even in the unlikely situation, an extra magazine or two for the 1911, do not take up a lot of space to carry them, and offer more rounds if one really needed them. personally, i carry one extra magazine, when i carry one of my 1911's, so that means i usually have about 14 to 16 rounds of ammo. i don't feel undergunned carrying a 1911!

and i was also brought up with trying to make my shots count. and i adhere to the philosophy of accurate shot placement, rather than relying upon caliber size, or capacity of the magazine. two shots COM, or to the head should put an immediate stop to most threats when using a 45 ACP with quality self defense ammo.
 
#30 ·
I don't carry my Colt model 70 Govt 1911 mostly because of ts mass. Ten years ago, maybe, but struggling to get up to 130 lbs at 5'10" (and no hips), it is just too bulky and heavy.

So I carry a .380 always. That means the shots must really count should I need to resort to that. So I practice.

I love my Colt; don't shoot it as often as I'd like. And it isn't as reliable as I'd like. Probably because it doesn't have the round-count as it should after 37 years...
 
#31 ·
As many of us on here have said, the gun you have with you will always beat the one you leave at home because it's to heavy, bulky, or just a PITA to carry.

As to those of us that carry low capacity firearms, more often than not, my 686 or GP100 is a primary for me in colder weather, with a 5 or 6 shot snubbie (Lately the Charter Arms Off Duty I picked up a few months back), with reloads for both is what leaves the house with me. Quick runs, either the PF9, LC9, or the SP101, Off Duty, or even the LCP or Hellcat in the pocket, depending on where I'm going.

If it's for the towing company, I always have a BUG, and a full size such as the Hardballer and the EMP, or the LC9 as a BUG for the 92FS. Or the G19 as a primary.

And I train and practice with each of them, as well as having learned with BA and single shot rifles and shotguns, so I make my shots count from the first, to the last.

And yes, I do know that most SD encounters are les than 3 round encounters, but, there are times when, especailly running security for a repo, where you don't know if one person will come out to stop you from "stealing" their car, or 10, most of them armed, instead. And most of those jobs are NOT on the good side of town, and few of which have been at drug houses in the past.

I also live on the "Wrong Side" of the tracks, in the middle of the "East Side Shooting Range." (From 18th to 24th, and Ash to East. This is where most of the shots fired calls come from in Erie.)

And I have yet to feel under armed with a 1911, revolver, or other non polimer pistol, with a "Low" capacity. Or even the Bersa Thunder, or LCP for that matter.
 
#35 ·
i'm curious as to the condition. if they were just sent there and never issued or used, it's possible if they were properly stored, they may be in very good to excellent condition. and if they sent new pistols, or arsenal rebuilds.

and if they were issued and used, then put back into storage, who knows?
 
#33 ·
I was issued a 1911 or S&W 38 in most units that I served in during my 24 years of military service. IMO most were beaters in serviceable but poor condition. Don't ever recall having a sidearm with matching numbers. I doubt that I'll be purchasing a 1911 from the CMP.
 
#36 ·
When I'm at the Dr's. office I always have to EITHER take off the belt and gear and empty pockets OR subtract about 12 pounds from the displayed weight, the gun and ammo is less than half of that.
 
#41 ·
I just can't imagine getting a military surplus 1911 that has been in service between 1911 and 1985 with matching numbers. I would guess if one did get picked up by the CMP it would never be offered to the public.
 
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