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ANNISTON, AL — The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has officially resumed sales of surplus U.S. Army M1911 pistols, following an eight-month suspension during the Biden-Harris administration. The revival of the program came swiftly under President Donald Trump’s second term, with CMP reopening its order processing in late January 2025.
CMP CEO Jerry O’Keefe shared a detailed update on February 26 outlining the current status of the program, order processing timelines, and inventory availability. The renewed effort marks a significant policy shift and reinforces the administration’s support for responsible civilian firearm ownership.
Round Four Fulfillment Nears Completion
CMP is currently processing the remaining 1,300–1,400 orders from the fourth round of M1911 sales, working at a pace of approximately 1,000 pistols per month. All Round Four orders are expected to be fulfilled by mid-April 2025. Orders are being processed in randomized number sequence, with only minor variances due to batch handling.
New First-Come, First-Served Process in Place
Going forward, the CMP has transitioned away from the previous “round” system. All new orders received in 2025 will be processed strictly in the order they are received. Fulfillment of these new orders is expected to begin in late April. A newly launched CMP M1911 Order Status webpage offers weekly updates and estimated fulfillment windows based on application dates.
Lifetime Limit Holds, Expansion Sought
The current lifetime purchase limit of two pistols per person remains in effect, as established by a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of the Army. However, CMP leadership is actively working to increase this limit to four, potentially by summer 2025. First-time buyers may now purchase both pistols in a single order.
In addition, CMP is planning to release rare or collectible M1911 models, including matched serial number M1 Garand and M1911 sets, through its auction platform later this year.
Ample Inventory, More Pistols on the Way
Despite being a finite and historic resource, CMP reports a healthy inventory of surplus M1911 pistols, with supply likely sufficient through 2026. An additional shipment from the U.S. Army is anticipated in the coming weeks, further supporting the program’s future.
Background: A Program Revived by Pro-2A Leadership
Originally authorized under the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, the CMP M1911 program was designed to transfer up to 10,000 surplus pistols per year from the U.S. Army to the public. While the Trump administration first launched the program in 2018, it was paused in April 2024 amid an audit and policy shift under the previous administration.
On January 29, 2025, the CMP announced the return of M1911 sales, crediting the Trump administration’s commitment to Second Amendment rights and historical preservation. The program’s resumption was accompanied by improvements, including a simplified ordering system and free shipping.
This move has been widely welcomed by gun owners and collectors, not only for the opportunity to own a piece of U.S. military history but also as a reaffirmation of the role civilian marksmanship plays in national heritage and firearm safety.
For details on eligibility and ordering, visit https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/1911-information.
