Civilian Marksmanship Program Will Sell 100,000 M14 Rifles
The federally chartered nonprofit will release the reconfigured surplus rifles for public purchase in early 2027.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Hunting
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The Civilian Marksmanship Program will offer 100,000 surplus M14 rifles to the public starting in early 2027. Each unit is projected to cost approximately $2,000.
Why it matters
The program aims to promote firearms safety, marksmanship, and military preparedness among U.S. citizens. These rifles undergo permanent modifications to function solely as semi-automatic firearms before reaching the civilian market.
The program expects to sell 100,000 M14 units at an estimated price of $2,000 each. Additionally, it anticipates the arrival of 438 Winchester 1897 trench guns for later public sale.
The players
Civilian Marksmanship Program
This is a federally chartered nonprofit corporation tasked with promoting firearms safety and marksmanship training.
Theodore Roosevelt
He was the 26th President of the United States who founded the marksmanship program in 1903.
The details
The M14, which served as the standard U.S. infantry rifle from 1959 until 1967, will be permanently reconfigured to semi-automatic status to comply with legal standards. Interested buyers must successfully navigate a formal sequence of paperwork, proofing, and adjudication processes to acquire one of the firearms.
Timeline
The Civilian Marksmanship Program was established in 1903.
The M14 rifle officially entered U.S. military service in 1959.
Active military procurement of the M14 ceased in 1964.
Congress privatized the program in 1996.
Public sales of the M14 rifles are expected in early 2027.
Roadmap
This sale follows the organizational shift initiated by the 1996 privatization of the Civilian Marksmanship Program. It represents a continuation of the group's long-term mission to circulate historical military hardware to the civilian population.
Prospective buyers should prepare for a rigorous adjudication and proofing process required to purchase a firearm through the program. The $2,000 price point serves as a baseline for budget planning as the 2027 sale date approaches.
The takeaway
The program balances historical preservation with its educational mission by modifying surplus military equipment for civilian use. Participants are encouraged to monitor official program updates to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements prior to the 2027 sale window.
Further reading
Learn more about recreational shooting and firearm regulations at Hunting.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AMAC - Association of Mature American Citizens.
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