I'll begin with what they say about themselves at http://www.odcmp.com/
But what really interested me is their sales of military surplus rifles "to any U.S. citizen who is legally not prohibited from owning a firearm provided they are a member of a CMP affiliated club."The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) promotes firearms safety training and rifle practice for all qualified U.S. citizens with special emphasis on youth. The CMP operates through a network of affiliated shooting clubs and associations that covers every state in the U.S. The clubs and associations offer firearms safety training and marksmanship courses as well as the opportunity for continued practice and competition.
The CMP was created by the U.S. Congress. The original purpose was to provide civilians an opportunity to learn and practice marksmanship skills so they would be skilled marksmen if later called on to serve the U.S. military. Over the years the emphasis of the program shifted to focus on youth development through marksmanship. From 1916 until 1996 the CMP was administered by the U.S. Army. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 (TITLE XVI) created the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice & Firearms Safety, Inc. (CPRPFS) to take over administration and promotion of the CMP. The CPRPFS is a tax exempt not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that derives its mission from public law.
Currently, they have M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, M1903, M1903A3, M1917 Enfield, Kimber Model 82 22lr target rifle, and a few others. They also carry parts, ammo, and miscellaneous stuff.
To purchase weapons and ammo, you are required to submit proof of citizenship, proof of address, proof of membership in a affiliate group, and proof of training (carry license works fine.)
The weapons are grouped into specific categories - typically "Rack Grade, Field Grade, Service Grade, and Correct Grade." The cost and value of these categories increase through the grades. All rack, field, and service grades are basically a grab bag because the weapons have been assembled with non-matching serial numbers, possible from different manufacturers and have often been refinished. The correct grade is in better shape and generally has all parts from same manufacturer built during the time period of the rifle.
The prices used to be considered high (as I am told) but with today's escalation of semi-auto rifle prices, they look pretty good to me. Good enough that I ordered a Service Grade Springfield Garand for $595 and an Underwood Carbine (service grade) for $565. There is also a handling charge for each rifle.
They were "sold out" of a number of manufacturers when I ordered (last week) and I now see they have opened many of them back. That suggests that they are catching up on orders. In recent months, it has taken about 90 days from start to finish to get the weapons delivered to your door (Fed Ex).
The sale does not require going through a FFL.
Lets see.... Yea that's about all I know. You can learn much more at their web site. They host a lot of competitions but I don't have time (or maybe I'm just chicken) to participate in those. My affiliated group is the American Legion.
kind regards,
mroyal98
