Thanks to 45, you can soon get a surplus .45

[Русский агент]

In 2018, gun lovers in the US will be able to get their hands on military-grade guns that are being retired from the army.

The long-standing .45 ACP M1911A1 pistol, a staple of the US military for more than a century, will be transferred into the ownership of gun owners in the US.

A cache of the guns, which are "no longer actively issued for military service" will be given to the Civilian Marksmanship Program.

The sale of the weapons at a discounted rate to civilians helps raise money for the military as well as saving cash for the government who spend $2 a year to store one pistol, and with a supply of around 100,000 currently in storage, the savings are significant.



http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/black-friday-guns-us-government-sell-m1911-pistols-general-public-cheap-1648787

 

[sear]

a) After they dumped the M1911-A1 for that Baretta 9mm I thought they got rid of all the M1911-A1's.
I'm astounded they're still in government custody.

b) They're brilliantly designed, light-years ahead of the junk that's on the market today, such as Glock.

c) This is a formidable, reliable weapon ideally suited to close-quarter combat (home defense?).

d) Rumors about their alleged "excessive kick" are often exaggerated.

e) Believe it or not, they make dandy bottle openers / cap lifters.

 

[sear]

PS

I followed the link, but couldn't find any indication of a unit price.

I also could not find any contact information for those citizens interested in sharing in this rich military tradition.

But GA, if you find it, we'd welcome you posting it.

Thanks.

note:
This topic reminds me of the persistent rumors of brand new surplus military Jeeps in excellent / brand new / unused condition, packed in Cosmolene.

I don't know there ever was any such thing.

 

[Русский агент]

PS

I followed the link, but couldn't find any indication of a unit price.

I also could not find any contact information for those citizens interested in sharing in this rich military tradition.

But GA, if you find it, we'd welcome you posting it.

Thanks.

note:
This topic reminds me of the persistent rumors of brand new surplus military Jeeps in excellent / brand new / unused condition, packed in Cosmolene.

I don't know there ever was any such thing.

Because of the limited number and the exceedingly high demand for the pistol, and the great level of Congressional scrutiny, the Board of Directors will make a decision regarding how sales will be handled. We have no further information at this time. – Mrs. Judith Legerski, Chairman, CMP Board of Directors

http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/


https://www.thegunwriter.com/23623/buy-surplus-1911-pistols-civilian-marksmanship-program/

 

[sear]

Thanks much GA.

If they want to reward cronies with eligibility, that's fine.
But I think a certain % of the units available should be open to purchase by lottery, & or auction.

I looked over the Kimber line recently.
They make badly redesigned .45 ACP knock-offs.

But they just added gratuitous design flourishes that cripple the utility; an oversized beaver-tail safety for one.

More and more handguns are being made without exposed hammers. Why it is not illegal to manufacture such a hideously sabotaged design I'll never know.

The irony is, the Kimber's I looked at still have the exposed hammer w/ operable thumb-spur. But without fingers the length of octopus tentacles, the shooter can't bridge the gratuitous beaver-tail obstacle to operate the hammer safely.

That rules out Kimber.

Any other M1911-A1 work alikes in the running?

BTW
Colt made a .45 ACP "Officer's Model" which was nearly identical to the M1911-A1, but with a shorter barrel.
That's nice.
It can be over done. Make the barrel too short, & I suspect ballistic performance suffers.

 

[RB 60]

My father bough a 1911 when he got out of the service in WWII. He paid $19.50 for it and it has a 4-digit serial # and I have the original paperwork. It's in pristine condition and is worth a few bucks now.
Still operates smoothly and shoots pretty good. I keep it loaded with 4 rounds for personal protection

ETA; I also bought 2 M1 Garands back in the early 80's, one was a Springfield National Match I used for competition, the other a Winchester, both are also in pristine condition.
Gotta love those military issued weapons!