The Civilian Marksmanship Program is gearing up to release another batch of US military surplus 1911 pistols. Round 3 began on September 1 and runs through September 30. The CMP 1911 program differs from traditional CMP rifle purchases but does have similar eligibility requirements.

CMP @ TFB:

• New Rules for the 2022 CMP Smallbore Rifle Competition
• CMP Warns Against the Use of Certain .30-06 Ammunition
• CMP Sales Open back up for Round 2 of 1911 Sales
• Rule Changes for 2020-2021 CMP Competitions Released
• CMP Rifle Match Competition Resumes at Camp Perry

The ordering process is rather archaic. It requires interested parties to mail in a multi-page paper application with various documents. Submissions via fax or email are expressly prohibited. Order packets must be postmarked by September 30. Previous purchasers are prohibited from buying another 1911 through this program.

CMP 1911 order packet (image via CMP)

Customers whose order packets are complete are placed into a random number generator. CMP will call eligible purchasers in the order of their randomly generated numbers. When the phone call finally comes, the potential purchaser will have to choose from the grades of the pistol which are still available.

CMP 1911 grades and pricing:

Service Grade $1250. Pistol may exhibit minor pitting and wear on exterior surfaces and friction surfaces. Grips are complete with no cracks. Pistol is in issuable condition. Pistols may contain commercial parts.

Field Grade $1150. Pistol may exhibit minor rust, pitting, and wear on exterior surfaces and friction surfaces. Grips are complete with no cracks. Pistol is in issuable condition. Pistols may contain commercial parts.

Rack Grade $1050. Pistol will exhibit rust, pitting, and wear on exterior surfaces and friction surfaces. Grips may be incomplete and exhibit cracks. Pistol requires minor work to return to issuable condition but is functional. Pistols may contain commercial parts.

Range Grade $1100. These are 1911 pistols for those that want a part of history and a shooter, not a collectable. These are 1911s that have been modified in some way, and may have some commercial parts. No two (2) pistols are alike, the modifications / parts could be any of the following: Night Sights, extended Beaver Tail, Rubber Grips, Barrels, Oversized Slide Release, Target Triggers, Adjustable Rear Sights, Tactical Match Hammer, Competition Grip Safety, Sight Rib, Slides, Checkered Front Strap, Ambidextrous Safety, Different Finishes. Some of the manufactures of these parts are: Bar-Sto, Wilson, Ed Brown, Pachmayer, Hogue, Caspian and Bomar.