CMP 1911 and I don't get it

CMP has posted more info on purchasing a 1911, and I just don't get it. Service grade = $1050 (issuable but minor pitting and wear on exterior and friction surfaces). So basically a functional but definitely used gun for over $1000. Not being snarky or sarcastic, I sincerely don't understand why anyone would pay that much. Is there something different in the design or manufacture? Someone please explain the attraction...

It all comes down to what people are willing to pay. CMP knows that there is going to be a waiting list on them, all get snatched up quickly. It makes good business sense to price them that way, even if it seems like a total rip off. If they don't get sold... maybe they will reconsider the pricing but I highly doubt it.

SmokinNJokin wrote: ...CMP knows that there is going to be a waiting list on them, all get snatched up quickly. 

That's what befuddles me. You can buy a brand new basic 1911 starting at 1/2 what these are, you can get a very good new one for a couple of hundred less. Why is there a waiting list? What makes these so special?

I don't see them being worth more than $300 maybe $400. More than that you better spending a couple hundred more for a Range Officer.

Only 8,000 being released this year ?

Collectors are collecting,
Shooters are shooting....

Well, they are ORIGINAL GI which has a real draw. So that’s what they compared them to on Gunbroker or elsewhere. I dunno. You do get a piece of history as most were built during WW2 and issued during WW2, Korea or Vietnam. Whether it is worth it to you is a personal decision. I had 2 at one point, a WW2 Remington Rand that I targetized and a 1911 built in 1918 that was re-issued for WW2.

Way back in the 1960s, most smiths wanted a Commercial Colt to work from rather than a GI Pistol. If you gave them a GI, often they’d put on a Colt slide or an NM slide. The WW2 slides were often too soft to hold the fitting.

The Colt and S&W internet forums helped increase the prices for handguns better than any other thing and created many collectors. Collectors are going to pay any price to get a USGI 1911. Collectors don't look at the price, until they're ready to sell. Shooters, well, they're tight with their money. The CMP didn't price the 1911's for BE shooters to buy.

james r chapman wrote:Collectors are collecting,
Shooters are shooting....

Yup.

Stuff is worth what someone will pay for it at a given point in time. If you don’t believe me, I have a case of CCI SV for sale at cost: $450.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Don

Garands, 03 Springfields and M-1 carbines are hot tickets. WWII American made weapons have a huge following. A thousand bucks for a "United States Property" marked 1911a1 is pretty much the going rate. These pistols are for collectors and people who might not be a true collector, but wants to have something he/ she used while in the service. You don't have to understand it or buy one. They'll sell every one they get. Kinda like someone buying a beat up WWII jeep and restoring it for much more than they can buy a similar vehicle without the military connection.

My understanding (and I could be wrong), is that these US surplus .45's are being sold and the funds going to the US Treasury.  While the total amount in dollars is a very small number compared to a trillion ($1,000,000,000,000), it's more than nothing and a tangible piece of history is provided to the buyer.  I think these would typically be destroyed, unless of course you were politically connected.

Bullseye_Stan wrote:My understanding (and I could be wrong), is that these US surplus .45's are being sold and the funds going to the US Treasury.  

The funds stay with the CMP to promote marskmanship just like the sale of rifles.
- Dave


The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is a national organization dedicated to training and educating U. S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms and airguns through gun safety training, marksmanship training and competitions. The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) corporation that places its highest priority on serving youth through gun safety and marksmanship activities that encourage personal growth and build life skills. Links on this page will lead you to more detailed information about the CMP and its programs.

Statutory mission. The federal law enacted in 1996 (Title 36 U. S. Code, 40701-40733) that created the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety, Inc. (CPRPFS, the formal legal name of the CMP) mandates these key “functions for the corporation:

1. To instruct citizens of the United States in marksmanship;
   
2. To promote practice and safety in the use of firearms;
   
3. To conduct competitions in the use of firearms and to award trophies, prizes, badges, and other insignia to competitors.
   

The law specifically states: In carrying out the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the corporation shall give priority to activities that benefit firearms safety, training, and competition for youth and that reach as many youth participants as possible.

TexasShooter wrote:

SmokinNJokin wrote: ...CMP knows that there is going to be a waiting list on them, all get snatched up quickly. 

That's what befuddles me. You can buy a brand new basic 1911 starting at 1/2 what these are, you can get a very good new one for a couple of hundred less. Why is there a waiting list? What makes these so special?

 

you are comparing apples to pinecones,, 


it's the History folks are after, not how it shoots, 

CMP describes them at the worst possible condition,  most will likely be better


the Military 1911/1911A1 market is totally different than the shooter/competitor 1911A1 market,

USSR wrote:A fool and his money are soon parted.

Don

works both ways, 


the Military collector's look at all the nice bullseye guns that were made out of Military 1911's and cursing the smiths that converted them, 


and they also look at the Precision Pistols,, ( pardini's etc) and say the same things about them (why so much,, etc etc)

From my own perspective, having served 26 years in the Army, I think the appeal is mainly with veterans who served with this sidearm. The value is not in the actual pistol as a shooter, but as a memory of a different time in one's life doing something with true meaning and being part of something bigger than yourself. I've put many rounds though an "arms room clunker" and won my first shooting trophies and leg points with one. At least to me, the price would be worth it. Besides, it's extra cool having a gun with "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" stamped on it.

Well, all I can say is, I'm a military collector, and none of guns in my collection have pits, rust and substantial wear on them.   I estimate that they are overpriced by about $200, for what you get.  Just MHO.

Don

Accurate guns are more interesting.

I'm guessing they could be charging at least double and some folk's would still be happy to buy them.It'll be interesting to see what they look like when people start getting them.It should make the current "been there done that" 1911 market interesting.-Mike

I'm curious to see what goes to auction and the prices that will be paid,, 

betting there will be some high dollar auctions

USSR wrote:Well, all I can say is, I'm a military collector, and none of guns in my collection have pits, rust and substantial wear on them.   I estimate that they are overpriced by about $200, for what you get.  Just MHO.

Don

From your "handle" I'd say you'd probably be happier with a Nagant 1895, TT-30 Tokarev or Makarov anyway!

Ah, Mike, cheap shots is so unbecoming of you.   Unlimited Shooting Sports Resources.

Don

Some people don't get it, that is just the way they are.  They see their viewpoint and no others.


I own a WWII Remington Rand 1911.  It is about 98% condition with an original WWII Remington magazine.  A buddy of mine drives a garbage truck.  On one of his routes was an old vet, they always helped him with his trash, because him and his door gunner were both ex-Army guys.  Didn't see him for a couple of weeks.  The next week his cans are loaded and they are emptying them, his son comes out and they ask about Dad.  

Dad had a stroke and was moved to a home closer to the son, the guy was cleaning out the house to get it ready to sell.  They had just crushed 50 years of the mans life into their truck.  The kid asks if he can get more stuff, they said they'd wait.  He brings out a dozen lawn and leaf paper bags and one or two of them "Clunk" when tossed into the truck.  They extend their wishes for Dad and say bye. 

At the next house they tear the bags open and find a WWII 1911 in the holster and web belt and various types of gear from back in the day.  Medals, uniforms, photo albums, memory books from the 1940's thru the 1960's.  Bowling trophies, plaques and framed pics of the family.  To him Dad's life was a collection of junk and that first month's production Remington was scrap metal. 

Some people just do not see the value in history.  They do not see the point in buying a gun from the CMP and keeping that program alive and well funded.  They like "shootin" and only own guns for shooting.  Yeah, it might be over priced on some level, but finding someone disappointed with their CMP purchase is pretty tough.