Les Jones

Guns > CMP to Offer M1 Carbines Again

Great news - the Civilian Marksmanship Program has obtained a significant quantity of M1 Carbines that they will sell to the public. From CMP announcement:

M1 CARBINES SOON TO BE AVAILABLE FROM THE CMP . The Army has transferred to the CMP a significant quantity of M1 Carbines. We are currently processing these carbines through our Inspection &Repair operations and expect to have some ready for sale by 1 March, 2007, but it may be sooner. More information will be posted on http://www.odcmp.com/rifles/carbine.htm as it becomes available. At this time no decisions have been made as to grading, pricing, or limits. We are not accepting orders or establishing waiting lists at this time.

Scuttlebutt and conventional wisdom

• According to someone from CMP, domestic surplus is long gone and any carbines and Garands sold from now on will be returns from foreign governments. Speculation includes Italy, Korea, and Greece. If I had to bet? Korea.
• Quantity is in the five digits ("closer to 10 [thousand] than 99"). Expected to last a year or two. Expect some limits on the quantity each buyer can purchase, just as with the M1 Garand, which is limited to eight per year, but the limit will almost certainly be lower for the carbines.
• There won't be any (or practically any) M1A1 paratrooper models with folding stocks, and CMP staff on the forums have said there will be absolutely no full-auto M2s.
• The CMP currently has no magazines, but that could change. Stock up on GI mags in the meantime, since the price will probably go up.
• There's no more surplus ammo, though it's possible that could change, too.
• There has been some speculation on price, but no announcements. Decent GI carbines have been selling for $600 and up (often way up) for a long time. Some of what CMP sells may be mixmasters of different parts, and some will be closer to original issue. Sistema1927 on The High Road boldly predicts "that CMP will sell run-of-the-mill 'service grade' carbines for $450. 'Rack grade' for $350, and stripped receivers for $150."
• Many people recommend Scott Duff's books on the M1 Carbine.

Requirements to purchase from the CMP

From the CMP page:

• U.S. Citizenship - "You must provide a copy of a U.S. birth certificate, passport, proof of naturalization, or any official government document that shows birth in the U.S. or states citizenship as U.S."
• Age - "You must provide proof of age. Usually proof of citizenship also provides proof of age. In those cases where it may not, a driver’s license is sufficient."
• Eligibility to purchase a firearm - not a felon or other prohibited person. CMP will run a NICS background check, just as with any other firearm purchase.
• Membership in a CMP-affiliated organization, most of which are shooting clubs that hold regular matches. You can find a searchable database of organizations here, or you can join the Garand Collector's Association for $25 a year.
• Marksmanship or other firearms-related activity
  • Current or past military service.
  • Current or past law enforcement service
  • Participation in a rifle, pistol, air gun or shotgun competition (provide copy of results bulletin).
  • Completion of a marksmanship clinic that included live fire training (provide a copy of the certificate of completion or a statement from the instructor).
  • Distinguished, Instructor, or Coach status.
  • Concealed Carry License. (Good news for lots of us.)
  • Firearms Owner Identification Cards that included live fire training.
  • FFL or C&R license.
  • Completion of a Hunter Safety Course that included live fire training.
  • Certification from range or club official or law enforcement officer witnessing shooting activity. A form for use in completing and certifying your range firing can be downloaded from the CMP web site at http://www.odcmp.com/forms/marksmanship.pdf.
  • No proof of marksmanship required if over age 60. Proof of club membership and citizenship required for all ages.
• Any relevant local or state qualification cards.

I've been meaning to join a CMP-affiliated club for a while, and a CMP M1 Garand has been my "next purchase" for about two years now. This finally pushed me over the edge. Yesterday I mailed the paperwork and $25 check to join the Garand Collector's Association so I'm now qualified to buy from CMP.

Linkity

- M1 Carbine at Guns.ru
- M1 Carbine at Wikipedia
- History of the M1 Carbine - Includes serial numbers and quantity produced by manufacturer. Besides Winchester (who designed the gun), manufacturers included jukebox maker Rock-Ola, computer maker IBM, National Postal Meter, General Motors' Inland and Saginaw divisions, and several others.