Category Archives: M14

CMP M14 Rifles Are Finally Coming. Here’s Why This Could Be the Biggest CMP Release in Years.

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If your social media feed has been full of CMP M14 posts today, you’re not imagining it.

After years of rumors, the Civilian Marksmanship Program has confirmed that authentic U.S. military M14 rifles are headed to the CMP. Before they’re sold, they’ll be permanently converted to semi-automatic configuration in accordance with federal law. While the CMP hasn’t released pricing or ordering details yet, the announcement has already set the firearms community on fire.

For many shooters, this is the announcement they’ve been waiting decades to hear.

The M14 Is Different

The M14 has always occupied a special place in American firearms history.

It was America’s last standard-issue battle rifle chambered in 7.62 NATO before the military transitioned to the M16. It served with distinction, remained in military service long after its official replacement, and continues to be recognized at matches like the CMP’s M14 Heritage Match.

Unlike commercial M1A rifles, these are expected to begin life as genuine U.S. military M14s before conversion.

That’s a big deal.

Everyone Wants to Know One Thing

How much will they cost?

It’s probably the biggest debate online right now.

Some shooters hope the CMP prices these rifles far below market value so more people can own one.

Personally, I hope they don’t.

Why I Hope the CMP Charges Market Value

That might sound strange coming from someone who’d love to own one.

But here’s the thing.

The CMP isn’t supposed to be the cheapest place to buy military rifles.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program exists to promote marksmanship, firearm safety, and competition. Rifle sales are simply how that mission is funded.

Every dollar the CMP earns goes back into things that actually grow the shooting sports, junior marksmanship, Camp Perry, the National Matches, affiliated clubs, coaching, range improvements, and safety education.

If these rifles are worth market value, then the CMP should receive market value.

Otherwise someone else will.

Don’t Fund Flippers

We’ve seen this movie before.

A collectible rifle gets priced well below what it’s could sell for.

Within days, they’re listed online for thousands more.

The buyer profits.

The reseller profits.

The CMP, the organization that actually supports competitive shooting and preserves America’s marksmanship tradition, loses out.

I’d rather see every extra dollar go toward junior shooters than toward someone’s GunBroker listing.

If anyone should benefit from the value of these rifles, it should be the organization that will use those funds to keep American marksmanship alive.

What Happens Next?

Right now we still don’t know:

  • Official pricing
  • Purchase limits
  • Rifle grades
  • Ordering procedures
  • How many rifles will ultimately be available

Those answers will come directly from the CMP over the coming months.

Until then, expect plenty of speculation.

Final Thoughts

The CMP M14 announcement isn’t just another surplus rifle release.

It’s an opportunity.

An opportunity to preserve history.

An opportunity to strengthen the Civilian Marksmanship Program.

And an opportunity to invest in the next generation of American shooters.

If the CMP prices these rifles at their true market value, I’ll be perfectly happy knowing those dollars are helping fund Camp Perry, junior programs, the National Matches, and the future of competitive marksmanship.

That’s exactly what the Civilian Marksmanship Program was created to do.

We’ll continue following the CMP M14 release here on GarandThumb.com as more information becomes available.

Keywords: CMP M14, CMP M14 rifles, Civilian Marksmanship Program, M14 for sale, Camp Perry, National Matches, M14 Heritage Match, U.S. military M14, military surplus rifles, Service Rifle, marksmanship, CMP news

The Blonde Bomber Visits the Poconos: WBRP M14 Match.

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I’ve been working on a M14/M1A build for a few years now. At the 2014 National Matches I picked up a “blemished” M1A receiver from the Springfield Armory shop at commercial row. Over the winter I found a deal on a rack grade TRW GI parts kit. Then this summer Springfield Armory had a package deal on a mid-weight NM barrel and bolt installed while I shopped on commercial row that. I couldn’t  it pass up.

IMG_0297

After some tinkering and trying to figure out how to put these rifles together, the “Blonde Bomber” was born. If you haven’t guessed she gets her name from her very yellow blond birch stock which is a stock I picked up at the CMP north store.

The GTB Shooting Team headed up to the Poconos to Wilkes-Barre Rifle & Pistol Club  with our M14s. It was in the mid 60’s and just a bit overcast up in northeast PA.

WBRP runs a reduced  200 yard CMP National Match Course walk and paste match. It’s a nice club to shoot at with luxurious covered firing points. Since it’s a CMP match all stages start from standing which is good practice for EIC matches. This format is also nice for trying new things since it doesn’t count for EIC points and it doesn’t affect NRA classification.

#blondebomber

#blondebomber

Shooting the M14 is interesting. In off-hand I like it better than the Garand but not as much as I like my A2.  I weighted my stock which helped me slow my wobble a little. It also has a long magazine which is nice because I have short arms and this hold helps me keep get a better cheek weld in off-hand.

 

Sitting. Oh boy did the Blonde Bomber push me around in sitting. I gave up a far too many points in sitting because of this. That said, I think with some time I can clean up the sitting position.

Rapid prone when fairly well. Both my shooting buddy and I kept 9 rounds in the black and popped a 6 each… not sure what that was about. Reloading these things might be harder than a Garand or at least I have trouble with rocking in a mag. It otherwise handled like a Garand in rapid prone.

The 20 rounds of slow prone went better than I expected. I got sloppy on the last round and popped that 7. “That little guy, I wouldn’t worry about that little guy.”

I haven’t set up to handload for 308 and I wasn’t impressed with the box of PPU I had shot to check function. Creedmoor sports 30-06 served me very well in my bolt guns at Camp Perry so I picked up a case of it for this match. Just as it had at Perry this ammo didn’t let me down. I continue to be  impressed with Creedmoor’s ammo.

In the end I am happy with my performance and the performance of the Blonde Bomber. It was a great match I look forward to going back to WBRP next season. As far as the Blond Bomber, I’m not ready to give up my White Oak AR and take the Blonde Bomber to the NTI in 2016 but for sure I’ll give it a try at the M1A match at Perry.

IMG_0293 M14s on the line