You read the headline right. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is making a significant entry into the firearms industry. This esteemed group has partnered with Heritage Arms USA to produce new production M1 Garands in both .308 and .30-06 calibers. This initiative represents a massive leap forward for M1 ownership and accessibility.
The New CMP M1 Garands
The CMP released a detailed post outlining the who, what, when, where, why, and how of this exciting new venture. Many potential owners are curious about the price; admittedly, these won’t be cheap M1 rifles by any means. They are a considerable investment at $1,900 per rifle, plus $40 for shipping.
The CMP and Heritage Arms are committed to authenticity, utilizing original drawings and specifications of the M1 Garand. Likewise, this will be coupled with historic receiver examples, to produce new, commercially available forged receivers. These brand-new receivers will feature new stocks and barrels, combining a mix of commercial and genuine GI parts in their construction.
Will the New CMP M1 Garands Deliver on Quality?
Producing historic firearms that truly work, especially to the exacting standards of the original, has historically been a difficult task. We’ve seen numerous attempts rise and fall in the industry. However, the CMP appears dedicated to ensuring high-quality M1 Garands. They employ professional M1 Garand armorers who will meticulously inspect and ensure that these CMP M1s meet rigorous quality standards as reliable weapons.
Heritage Arms USA might be new to the broader firearms industry, but they have a working relationship with the CMP and are conveniently located nearby. The CMP staff has thoroughly tested these new M1 rifles at the range. According to early reports and comments, these firearms have proven to be well-made, reliable, and surprisingly accurate.
Crucially, these CMP M1 Garands will be permitted in official competitions. They are also designed around the original tolerances, which includes using ball ammo, specifically M2 ball ammo. There’s often a lot of discussion about what .30-06 ammunition types you should put through an M1 Garand, and it seems wise to stick to loads similar to the original M2 ball ammo to preserve your rifle.
Are We Running Out of Original M1 Garands?
The CMP initiated the production of new M1s primarily to help guarantee it can continue providing these iconic rifles to improve civilian marksmanship for future generations. While they aren’t immediately running out of existing M1 Garands, their supply will eventually diminish. This proactive approach seems to be a rare foresight for a government-affiliated program.
Building .308 versions of the M1 Garand is also a very sensible move. Finding .308 ammunition is generally much easier and often cheaper, making it more accessible for new owners to get into the M1 game. Truly, everyone needs an M1 Garand in their life; owning mine was a life-changing experience for me personally.
According to a recent post on the official CMP website, there appears to be a unique class available that allows individuals to build their very own M1 Garand. If this is indeed the case, I fully intend to visit Alabama for what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any M1 Garand enthusiast.
Potential Downsides of the New M1 Garand Program
It seems neither the CMP nor Heritage Arms USA currently possesses the scale for true mass production of these M1 Garand rifles. This appears to be a fairly small-scale operation, meaning the guns will likely “leak out” slowly, supplementing the existing inventory of M1 Garands currently sold by the CMP. Expect a waiting list for these pre-orders, although they are now open.
Each new rifle will include a custom-fitted CMP hard rifle case, which is a nice bonus. Additionally, special models with low and unique serial numbers will be auctioned or sold at a higher price point for collectors. The question is, how much will it cost to acquire that coveted “69420” serial M1 rifle? Since these are new-production firearms, purchasing them will not be limited by past CMP sales restrictions.
The Future of the Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised
These new M1 Garands are among the most exciting developments I’ve seen in the firearms world in a long time. The M1 Garand rifle has cemented itself as a core part of American history, and seeing new, high-quality forged receivers coming from true M1 Garand experts is incredibly encouraging for the future of this legendary firearm.
And to answer the question we all have in our heads….
Yes, they will ping!
