Surplus M1 Garand supplies aren’t running out yet, but the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) isn’t waiting for that to happen. They’ve teamed up with an American manufacturer to make new receivers and entirely new guns.
M1 Garand by CMP
CMP took two test M1 rifles out to Phoenix during the Arizona Game & Fish March Outdoor Expo and then to the CMP Eastern Games in NC to introduce folks to the new CMP M1 project. This is a project that’s been in the works for a while now, and is just getting its reveal. CMP has partnered with Heritage Arms USA for these all-new build M1s.
CMP describes the new M1 Garand as a “commercial reproduction of the classic and historic rifle.”
It uses a commercial forged receiver built to the original military specs. CMP and Heritage Arms used the original drawings and specifications of a Springfield receiver. They also used original receivers as a baseline to recreate identical, forged replicas of the original.
The new M1 Garand receivers will have a CMP serial number in the classic, historical font and format. They’ll be built with commercial barrels and a mix of other commercial and GI parts. They’re saying that most will feature new stocks and barrels, but that many other parts will be original GI.
Why Make new M1s?
Although CMP says that they still have sufficient stock of M1 Garands on hand for now, and continue to try and bring back more from overseas, the supply won’t last forever. Rather than wait until the stock of M1s is exhausted, they teamed up with Heritage Manufacturing to develop a replacement now.
The rifles will be built by CMP armorers who have decades of experience building and repairing M1 Garands. Sales of these new rifles directly fund the CMP’s federally chartered national mission to promote marksmanship. Basically, by ensuring a steady supply of rifles, even after the surplus runs out, CMP ensures that it can continue its mission.
Being that M14s and M16s have the capability for full auto fire, they aren’t likely to be surplused out to civilians like the M1s have. They fall into the ATF’s “once a machinegun, always a machinegun” ruling, so converting them to semi-auto for civilian sales isn’t probable at this point.
Heritage Arms USA
Heritage Arms USA is located in Alabama, just down the road from the CMP armories and the Talladega Marksmanship Park. They’re relatively new to the firearms business, according to CMP, but have vast experience in the machining industry. CMP has worked with them on other projects in recent years, though. The video above gives some background on Heritage and the manufacturing process.
The initial run of rifles will be available in .30-06 and .308. CMP says that other variants will be available down the road. I’d imagine sniper variants would be the obvious next step. Maybe we’ll eventually see Tanker versions again as well?
How Do I Get One?
The CMP M1 Garand is a new commercial gun, so it has to be sold through the normal FFL sales process. CMP has updated its website recently and streamlined online ordering. You can purchase them through CMP, but they’ll still need to be shipped to your local FFL dealer. Alternately, you’ll be able to buy them directly at the CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park and Camp Perry stores in person.
The price of the .30-06 and .308 M1 Garands is $1,900 MSRP, plus $40 shipping and handling. You’ll get a CMP custom-fitted hard rifle case with each rifle purchase.
The New M1 Garands will be allowed for use in CMP competitions, and they’re hoping to ship by late Summer 2025. To preorder, check the CMP online order form.
