CMP Doubles Lifetime Purchase Limit on Surplus 1911 Pistols to Four Guns
The Civilian Marksmanship Program raised its lifetime purchase cap on surplus M1911 and M1911A1 pistols from two to four guns effective May 2025. That's a straight doubling. Gun owners who've already maxed out at two can now buy two more. For anyone who hasn't bought yet, you can get four .45 ACPs through the CMP instead of two. This matters because surplus 1911s are hard to find at reasonable prices anywhere else. The CMP sells them cheaper than the secondary market and you know exactly what you're getting—actual military surplus, not counterfeit garbage.
Background and Context
The CMP has controlled surplus firearms sales since the government handed them responsibility decades ago. They've always capped 1911 purchases to prevent hoarding and keep inventory moving. Two guns per lifetime was the old rule. That limit made sense when supply was tighter, but the CMP apparently decided more shooters should have access to these guns. The organization runs on marksmanship education and promoting shooting sports, so getting quality firearms into competent hands aligns with their mission. This change is the first major adjustment to 1911 limits in years.
What This Means for Gun Owners
If you shoot .45 ACP and want genuine GI-issue 1911s, you can now stock up to four instead of two. That's two backup guns, or guns to keep in different locations. The price point matters—CMP prices sit well below gunbroker and local dealers. You'll pay around $650 to $850 per gun depending on condition grade. The purchase process hasn't changed. You still need to be CMP-eligible, which means you join an affiliated shooting club or organization, pass a background check, and apply. No FFL transfer required on pistols under federal law. This opens the door for serious shooters in all 50 states to build a proper battery of proven combat pistols.
Industry Impact
This affects the secondary market for surplus 1911s. Dealers who markup CMP-sourced guns will see reduced demand since people can now buy direct. Auction sites and private dealers were making 30 to 50 percent margins on surplus 1911s. That spread tightens when supply increases. Manufacturers of new production 1911s might see slight pressure too, though most shooters understand that CMP surplus guns are genuinely better value than new imports. The doubling doesn't flood the market—CMP inventory isn't unlimited—but it signals the program is committed to getting these guns into active shooter hands.
What to Watch Next
Monitor CMP inventory levels. Doubling the limit might create a temporary shortage before supply stabilizes. If the CMP sources new batches of M1911s, that's news. Some shooters expect the program might consider similar increases for other surplus pistols like the Browning High Power if 1911 sales go smoothly. Watch for any rule changes on the CMP website. The organization updates eligibility and purchase limits without much warning sometimes. If you've been waiting for a second 1911, don't sit on it—CMP inventory moves fast and you're now competing with more buyers.
DownRange Bottom Line: This is good policy. More guns in responsible hands is always better. If you're eligible, apply to CMP today and get your four 1911s before inventory gets picked clean. A surplus M1911A1 is one of the most reliable defensive firearms ever made—the doubling of the limit means you should own at least one.
