If you’ve been kicking yourself for only grabbing one surplus 1911 pistol from the Civilian Marksmanship Program back when prices were lower and supplies looked endless… well, CMP just gave collectors and shooters a pretty solid surprise.
As of May 2025, the CMP has officially doubled the lifetime purchase limit on surplus M1911 and M1911A1 pistols from two guns to four.
For anyone unfamiliar, the CMP 1911 program offers authentic U.S. military-issued 1911 pistols transferred from Army inventory. These aren’t reproductions or clone guns. They’re real-deal service pistols that were carried, rebuilt, mixed, refinished, and dragged through decades of American military history.
CMP says roughly 98% of the pistols are “mix-masters,” meaning frames and slides may come from different manufacturers or rebuild periods. Some may also include commercial replacement parts.
Basically: don’t expect museum-grade mint Colts every time you open the box. But that’s honestly part of the appeal. Each gun ends up feeling like a weird mechanical time capsule with its own story baked into it.
Current pricing breaks down like this:
- Service Grade: $1,300
- Field Grade: $1,200
- Rack Grade: $1,100
- Range Grade: $1,150 (currently sold out)
- Auction Grade: Pricing varies by auction listing
The Service Grade pistols are generally the cleanest of the standard offerings, while Rack Grades can show heavier wear, rust, pitting, cracked grips, and may require some work to fully restore. CMP says all pistols are inspected and test-fired before shipment.
The sold-out Range Grades were especially interesting because they included modified “shooter” guns with upgraded parts like beavertails, adjustable sights, match hammers, and custom safeties from names like Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, and Bar-Sto.
And before somebody asks: no, you still can’t just click “add to cart” like you’re ordering socks off Amazon.
Buyers still need proof of U.S. citizenship, CMP-affiliated club membership, marksmanship participation, ID documents, notarized paperwork, and an FFL for shipment. CMP also runs its own background checks before transfer.
Still, for military collectors and 1911 fans, the bigger news here is simple: The government-surplus 1911 pipeline isn’t dead yet. And now you can legally justify buying two more. Learn more HERE.
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39 Comments
Production mix shifting toward USA might help margins if metals stay firm.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Nice to see insider buying—usually a good signal in this space.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Interesting update on CMP Doubles Lifetime Limit on Surplus 1911 Pistols. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Interesting update on CMP Doubles Lifetime Limit on Surplus 1911 Pistols. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Interesting update on CMP Doubles Lifetime Limit on Surplus 1911 Pistols. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
Nice to see insider buying—usually a good signal in this space.
Interesting update on CMP Doubles Lifetime Limit on Surplus 1911 Pistols. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Interesting update on CMP Doubles Lifetime Limit on Surplus 1911 Pistols. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Nice to see insider buying—usually a good signal in this space.
Production mix shifting toward USA might help margins if metals stay firm.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Interesting update on CMP Doubles Lifetime Limit on Surplus 1911 Pistols. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Uranium names keep pushing higher—supply still tight into 2026.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.