[tank mechanic]

If the military actually decides to replace the M9, would they end up being sold to civillians through, say, the CMP?

[universal]

It does not appear like they will be replacing the M9 anytime soon. The Marine Corps purchased several thousand M9A1s not too long ago, and the program to find a replacement has been stopped. However, my understanding is that when the 1911A1s were replaced, most of the were destroyed and I don't recall hearing that any were sold to the public, so one can assume that this would also be the case in the event of the M9 being taken out of circulation.

[dstorm1911]

US military guns are 'demilled", I have a few old 1917 s&w and Colt paperweights around here somwhere, the barrels were welded solid with a steel rod ran its leangth then plug welded at chamber and muzzle, the frame was cut in half at the top strap then at the cyl. crane, whoever did the paper weight conversion did a really good job of welding them back together but it would never be a shooter again.

Thats why Sarco and others have all the M14 cut reciever paper weight sections available, its the only way a small arm leaves the military, the CMP rifles are a special deal, which I believe only applies to rifles (someone correct me if I'm wrong here) and only specific rifles meet the requirements etc..

[universal]

With regards to the CMP program, I believe you are right. The reason that they can offer weapons like the M-1 Garand or M-1 Carbine, is that they are semi-auto rifles. I don't think they have ever offered any M-14s since they have a full-auto setting. I am pretty sure you will never see any of the old M-16s, M16A1 or the like in that program either. I know that some of the M16A1s were sold or given away to law enforcement departments.

[dixierifleman]

whats so special about the M9? its just a 92F or FS isnt it?

[Trebor]

The law that created the CMP and authorized it to sell U.S. military rifles limits it to selling *only* semi-auto rifles. It is not allowed to sell pistols or M-14's or M-16's.

The Berretta is still going to be our service pistol for probably most of our lifetimes. There aren't going to be any surplus pistols. And, even if there was, they couldn't be sold through the CMP. Rifles only, remember.

I believe current regs require U.S. military weapons to be de-milled (destroyed) if they aren't used for foreign military aid (which is where all our M-14's went), transfered to another federal agency or loaned out to local law enforcement through a special program. The CMP rifles are the exception.

Now, back in the '50s and '60s, the old DCM program sold 1911's. I believe the rule was "one per lifetime" and people waited years to get their guns. That sales program was stopped in '68 after Boby Kennedys' assassination. There were people still waiting who had the paperwork saying their order was being processed when they stopped shipping the pistols. We'll never see that again.

[RNB65]

Not hardly. The days of the military dumping its surplus weapons to the public are long over I'm afraid.

[Old Dog]

would they end up being sold to civillians through, say, the CMP?

I'll jump on the bandwagon, too. NO, no, and no.

Upon our completing the transition to the M-9, I was peripherally involved (by virture of working in the department that owned the base armory) in packing up and shipping a whole bunch of nice military Colt's (and I think some Remington-Rand) 1911A1s back to Crane, Indiana in the mid-'90s ... It was quite sad; many of those pistols I'd shot and knew well, some were in phenomenal condition and quite accurate. There were a number of us who'd have bought up several apiece of these pistols without reservation. Still wonder if any of 'em got "lost" en route back to Crane (not that any of the supply folks would've let that happen) ...

[tank mechanic]

Thanks for the replies. I know they have no plans right now to replace it but if they ever did, and made them available to the public, I would definitely pick up a couple. It is a shame that if they did replace it no one would be able to buy one. :(

[Lone_Gunman]

The law that created the CMP and authorized it to sell U.S. military rifles limits it to selling *only* semi-auto rifles.

No, they can sell bolt action rifles also.

[10-Ring]

I would doubt that by the time M9s are replaced they would be in any kind of condition most of us here would want. That said, I doubt they would end up on the open market.

[Neo-Luddite]

They wouldn't be worth having--the Colts WOULD have.

The M9 just ain't meant to take decades worth of pounding.

Also sad are the 22 High Standards (and later) Ruger .22's that won't make it out either.

[possum]

I would doubt that by the time M9s are replaced they would be in any kind of condition most of us here would want. That said, I doubt they would end up on the open market.

+1 for 10ring I agree completly, having handled many military ars so far in my carear and m9's as well, i haven't come across one that i would even want, most of them are beat up, been through who knows how many deployments, and trainning exercises, and such, have been shot to crap, and just look god awful, the finish is crap on them, but again that is what happens when you let a bunch of Infantry guys have good things!:)

[RevolvingCylinder]

No. Some will be destroyed and some will end up in foreign hands as we'll equip them with them.

[Trebor]

No, they can sell bolt action rifles also.

True. Thanks for the correction. I just mean't they can't sell full-auto capable firearms. The .22 bolt guns and 1903's and 1917's escaped my mind right then.

[Lone_Gunman]

I knew what you meant, I was just being a smart-ass.:neener: