The Civilian Marksmanship Program announced on July 24, 2026, that it will sell military M14 rifles converted to semi‑automatic to eligible U.S. civilians, and CMP CEO Gerald O'Keefe said the organization expects to price them under $2,000. The CMP anticipates receiving "well over 100,000" M14s and aims to begin sales in late 2026 or January 2027. Congress' 2026 NDAA also authorized a one‑time transfer of pump‑action shotguns to the CMP; the Army expects to send 2,000–3,000 shotguns this fall, including 438 Winchester 1897 trench models. Purchase eligibility, background checks, and a likely limit of two M14s per person per year are intended to broaden access and curb scalping.
CMP Will Sell Surplus M14 Rifles To Civilians — Price Expected Under $2,000; Trench Shotguns Also Coming
(Department of Defense)
On July 24, 2026, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) confirmed it will begin offering military M14 rifles converted to semi‑automatic operation to eligible U.S. civilians. The announcement, made by CMP Chairman and CEO Gerald O'Keefe during an interview at the National Matches, immediately attracted attention across the firearms community because of the program's scale and the suggested price point.
What the CMP Announced
O'Keefe said the CMP expects to receive a very large quantity of surplus M14s from the federal government and intends to price them at under $2,000. He told Shooting USA the government will retain some rifles for ceremonial and operational uses but will transfer "well over 100,000" M14s to the CMP for civilian sale. The rifles will be converted to semi‑automatic only before transfer.
Price, Quantity, And Timeline
While O'Keefe characterized the sub‑$2,000 target price as a game changer for the market, he emphasized the final retail price had not been formally set. The CMP expects sales to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, with O'Keefe estimating an initial sales window around January 2027. Given the anticipated volume — potentially more than 100,000 rifles — the influx could meaningfully affect values for reproduction M14s and existing surplus examples.
Purchase Limits And Eligibility
To prevent hoarding and scalping, the CMP plans to apply purchase limits. O'Keefe said the organization's initial plan is a limit of two M14s per eligible person per year, although that policy could change as sales progress. As with other CMP sales, buyers must be U.S. citizens, demonstrate affiliation with a CMP‑recognized organization, provide evidence of marksmanship activity, and pass a federal background check. A current or retired military ID satisfies both affiliation and marksmanship requirements.
One‑Time Transfer Of Pump‑Action Shotguns
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorized a one‑time transfer of pump‑action shotguns from the military to the CMP. O'Keefe said the Army expects to transfer between 2,000 and 3,000 pump‑action shotguns, probably in the fall of 2026, and that 438 of those are Winchester Model 1897 trench shotguns. The NDAA’s pump‑action specification rules out semi‑automatic models (such as many Benelli M1014s) and excludes shotguns designed to be mounted to rifles (no Masterkey configurations).
Market And Collector Implications
Genuine military‑surplus M14s sold below $2,000 would likely undercut prices for reproduction rifles and reduce the value of some aftermarket builds by offering original provenance at a lower cost. The historic Winchester 1897 trench models and other rare pump‑action examples are likely to draw strong collector interest given their scarcity and historical significance, but the one‑time nature of the transfer limits the total civilian supply of these shotguns.
What Buyers Should Know
- The M14s will be converted to semi‑automatic only prior to transfer to the CMP.
- Final price, exact inventory, and purchase policies remain subject to CMP decisions and federal rules.
- Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship, CMP affiliation, marksmanship activity proof, and a background check.
- Shotgun transfers are one‑time and limited; expect finite quantities and potentially high collector demand for trench models.
The CMP has previously facilitated civilian sales of surplus M1 Garands and M1911 pistols; the M14 program and the limited shotgun transfer represent the largest comparable events in recent years and will be closely watched by collectors, competitive shooters, and the broader firearms market.
Despite the adoption of and replacement by the M16, the M14 continued to see service in Vietnam. (National Archives & Records Administration)
A U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) 19.2, fires a Mossberg 590A1 12-gauge shotgun during a non-lethal weapons training exercise, Jan. 18, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Branden J. Bourque) Sgt. Branden Bourque
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A U.S. Army soldier with the Army Marksmanship Unit conducting rifle drills with the XM8 at Fort Benning, Georgia in February 2026.
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