Photo credit: Winchester Collector.org
Two weeks ago, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) announced they would be releasing a quantity of prior U.S. military owned NATO 7.62mm M14 battle rifles for civilian sale hopefully later in 2026 or in the Spring of 2027.
The rifles would be permanently altered to semi-auto only and would be for sale to those who meet the CMP rules. The news caused quite a stir in the collectible firearms community; however, the biggest question was what the final price would be for the rifles.
CMP Chairman and CEO Gerald O’Keefe was just interviewed by the Shooting USA TV show this weekend in conjunction with the ongoing Camp Perry Competitions, and Chairman O’Keefe said the price of the CMP offered M14 rifles will be less than $2,000. He also said the CMP would receive and sell over 100,000 of the re-worked M14 rifles beginning in January 2027. O’Keefe believes once sales begin there will be a limit of two rifles per buyer, but this number is subject to change.
You can watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM4Lqo82WkE&t=12s
This was quite a surprise, as most military collectors (and Guns Save Life readers) thought the price would be at least double or triple that price. This price range also puts these surplus rifles in the same dollar range as Springfield Armory’s venerable new construction M1A variants.
Buyers will be purchasing used (or well used) M14’s, which have been scrupulously inspected and bores measured and the sale prices will fluctuate by grade or condition.
How do you qualify to purchase a CMP sales rifle? You must be a U.S. citizen (‘Merica”), participate in a CMP-affiliated organization (they list dozens of such organizations on their website), proof of marksmanship activity (again details are found on the website) and passing a background check. Current or retired Military ID satisfies the affiliation and marksmanship process.
Chairman O’Keefe also said the CMP would be selling surplus military shotguns. This is a first for the CMP. The shotgun portion was authorized about one year ago and is now moving to fruition under the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act with Congress allowing this one-time movement of pump shotguns from military inventory to the CMP for citizen sales.
Yes, that is pump only, none of the USMC Benelli M-4’s will be moved to the CMP.
O’Keefe said they expected between 2,000 and 3,000 shotguns from the US Army and just over 400 of those were WWI era Winchester Model 1897 short barreled trench warfare or “riot” shotguns. Yes, the Army never throws anything away!
The Winchester 1897 had a fearsome reputation during WWI as a trench sweeper, and it’s straight as a string design, narrow pistol grip and no recoil pad earned it the famous moniker “Kills from the front. Wounds from the rear.” During WWI the Germans cried foul when the 1897s were deployed by the Americans, claiming they were inhumane and also unofficially put out the word any Allied soldier found in possession of such a weapon would be killed immediately.
Shotguns from WWII like the Win 1897s, the Win 1912 and even rare 1893s may be on the CMP table, as well as more modern military shotguns like Remington 870s and Mossberg 500s or Mossberg 590s. These shottys generally have short barrels and heat shields and may or may not have extended magazines. Again, they are all mil surplus and well used. You can probably purchase brand new Rem 870s or Mossberg’s for very reasonable prices over the counter, but some people treasure the military surplus story that comes with CMP guns.