The Keefe Report: CMP M1911s—One Step Closer

by
posted on July 19, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
m1911_lede_3.jpg

Images copyright NRAMuseum.org

A couple of years ago I wrote about the Civilian Marksmanship Program's mission expanding to include not just .22s and the venerable M1 Garand rifle, but also one of the other iconic firearms used by American troops during World War II and the Cold War—the U.S. Model 1911A1 .45 ACP pistol.

                          

While the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorized the U.S. Secretary of Defense to transfer up to 10,000 pistols to the CMP, it's not surprising that the Obama Administration didn't actually allow any M1911A1s to go to the organization. It is estimated about 100,000 M1911A1 pistols are being stored at government expense.

Thanks to the efforts led by U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and U.S. Rep Mike Rogers (R-Alabama), the 2018 NDAA contains language that will allow the sale of M1911 pistols through the Civilian Marksmanship Program. The U.S. House version passed on July 16, 2017,  and the language of this year's bill makes it mandatory to transfer the guns. No more room for bureaucrats to derail the will of Congress. The next step is for the U.S. Senate to take the bill up.

The NRA Institute for Legislative Actions urges NRA members to contact their U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative to keep the House language as it is and to keep this bill intact. You can contact your Congressman/Congresswoman and Senators by calling 202-225-3121. 

Latest

Gotw Influencer X Web
Gotw Influencer X Web

Gun Of The Week: EAA Corp. Girsan Influencer X

We're on the range with an M1911 that is one of the smoothest-shooting versions we’ve shot in recent memory. And best of all? It’s incredibly affordable, to boot. This is the EAA Girsan Influencer X.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 8, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Hopkins & Allen: The Armsmaking Giant That Didn't Survive

Founded in 1868 in the northeast U.S., Hopkins & Allen grew from a friendly business venture into a prolific maker of affordable guns for brand names such as Merwin & Hulbert and Forehand & Wadsworth.

Burris Optics Celebrates 50 Years Of Fullfield Riflescopes

Firearms and ammunition ballistics have changed greatly over the last half-century, but one of the biggest leaps in performance hit the scene five decades ago, when Burris Optics introduced its Fullfield line of riflesopes.

I Have This Old Gun: Heckler & Koch P7

In the mid-1970s, the German federal police sought a replacement for its existing World War II-era sidearms and put out stringent guidelines for what it wanted in a handgun. The result was the Heckler & Koch P7.

New For 2025: Smith & Wesson Shield X

Smith & Wesson's new Shield X micro-compact handgun combines elements from the company's M&P Shield Plus with some cues from its smaller Bodyguard 2.0 design.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.