CMP M1911s: The Inside Story

This Ithaca M1911A1 was rebuilt at Anniston Army Depot in June 1978 (denoted by “ANAD” on the frame) and exempli es the overall condition buyers can expect of the CMP’s Service Grade M1911A1s. The interior of the pistol vault at CMP South (r.) houses crates containing 25 individually packaged ANAD-rebuilt M1911A1 pistols with their serial numbers listed on the crates’ exteriors.

Yes, it’s true. The Civilian Marksmanship Program will offer 8,000 surplus U.S. M1911 and M1911A1 pistols to quali ed buyers this year. How do we know? We’ve seen them. Here’s how to get yours.

BY MARTIN K.A. MORGAN

his is the story of 8,000 pieces of American history—8,000 artifacts that speak to the American experience during the 20th century. They were born of the World Wars, and they remind us of the era when imperial dynasties crumbled, when fascism threatened the international balance of power and when the United States sent men to war with .45 Automatics. The 8,000 pistols being reported on here fought on battle elds from Europe to Southeast Asia, only to then be consigned to long-term storage in a government warehouse. Although at one time it looked like they might be destroyed, the story of these pistols has a happy ending.

In 2015, U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers (R), representing Alabama’s 3rd congressional district, proposed an amendment to authorize the U.S. Army to turn over M1911 pistols, spare parts and accessories designated “surplus to the requirements of the Department of the Army” to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) for sale to quali ed buyers. As a gun owner and a believer in the Second Amendment, Rep. Rogers proposed the amendment as a means of eliminating unnecessary storage costs to the federal government while simultaneously promoting marksmanship activity and serving the interests of law-abiding collectors. Rogers recognized that the possible sale of these pistols would harmonize perfectly with the CMP’s mission, and he described the measure as a “win–win” for the taxpayer.

continued on p. 72

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG AUGUST 2018

37 THE INSIDE STORY CMP M1911s