Civilian Marksmanship Program to Sell Surplus M14 Rifles

Over 100,000 vintage semi-automatic rifles will be available for public purchase in early 2027.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Hunting

Screen-print poster illustration of vintage rifle parts in a warm, limited color palette, evoking the history of American marksmanship equipment. — The Civilian Marksmanship Program will sell over 100,000 surplus M14 rifles to the public by 2027 to manage excess inventory. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the government sell surplus military firearms to the public to promote marksmanship skills?

The Civilian Marksmanship Program plans to sell more than 100,000 surplus M14 service rifles to the public by early 2027. Each of these vintage firearms will be reconfigured into a semi-automatic model before being listed for sale.

Why it matters

This initiative supports the organization's congressionally mandated mission to provide firearms safety and marksmanship training to U.S. citizens. Selling these government-surplus rifles allows the nonprofit to manage excess inventory while offering historic equipment to collectors and enthusiasts.

The surplus M14 rifles are projected to retail for approximately $2,000 each. Buyers must complete necessary paperwork, proofing, and adjudication processes to finalize a purchase.

The players

Civilian Marksmanship Program

This federally chartered nonprofit organization focuses on teaching firearms safety and marksmanship to U.S. citizens.

Theodore Roosevelt

He served as the 26th President of the United States and founded the organization in 1903.

The details

The M14 rifle served as the standard U.S. infantry weapon from 1959 until 1967, though active procurement ended in 1964. These units have been held in government inventory since their military service concluded.

President Theodore Roosevelt established the organization in 1903.
The M14 rifle entered military service in 1959.
Active procurement of the M14 ceased in 1964.
The military replaced the M14 as the standard infantry rifle in 1967.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program expects to launch public sales in early 2027.

Culture Shift

The 1996 privatization of the Civilian Marksmanship Program enabled the organization to operate independently of U.S. Army management, establishing the current framework for selling surplus military firearms. This move highlights a long-term societal trend of repurposing historic military equipment for private recreational and historical use.

Prospective buyers should prepare for the $2,000 estimated price point and ensure they are ready to complete the required adjudication and paperwork. Because these units are reconfigured to be semi-automatic, they will serve as specific historical additions to private collections rather than standard modern firearms.

The takeaway

Interested collectors should begin monitoring the organization for specific registration requirements as the 2027 sale date approaches. Understanding the legal and procedural requirements for CMP sales is essential for those looking to purchase these historical rifles.