The CMP's mission is not to sell guns, their mission is to instruct US Citizens in Marksmanship.
The program had been on going, mandated by law since 1904. Prior to 1996 it was the DCM (Division of Civilian Marksmanship). The CMP was federally funded, run by the Army, but had the same mission.
In 1996, thinking they would kill the program some senators pushed to cut the federal funds. Without getting political, they suceeded, but the BY Product was the same program, that reaches more people then the DCM.
Congress decided the CMP would get its funding by the sale of surplus military rifles and assaries. It was discovered the Army could give the rifles away cheaper then they can destroy or store them.
Management was turned over the civilians, hense, the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
But again the mission is the same as that that was started in 1904 at President Roosevelts pushing.
Part of that Mission was/is to conduct the National Matches (Camp Perry) and a Small Arms Firing School (Small Arms Firing School) to instruct Civilians in the use of the current military rifle.
I've been involved in both, the DCM and CMP Programs, and there is no compairson. I dont blame the Army, they were dependant on federal funds from year to year, and their abilities to conduct the program sometimes suffered.
Since the 1996 and the CMP management, the program has grown and is still growing.
They too conduct the National Matches. But have expanded that to the National Matches at Camp Perry, to the Eastern (NC) and Western (AZ) games, The Oklahoma Games and other varying travel games, reaching more people.
To further allow more shooters to become involved they started the Master Instructor Program where qualified instructors taken to the Master Instructor corse, then sent back to their local clubs to conduct CMP Clinics and Matches.
The SAFS, also a requirement is also conducted at the Matches listed above but the CMP is trying to extend that program also.
I reciently (as well as others) was requested to send them an offer to conduct the SAFS at our local ranges. This will further allow for the Civilians to receive instructions in marksmanship using our current issued service rifle.
Again the program is funded by the sales of Surplus Militry rifles, (and now pistols). Before the rifles or pistols can be put up for sale, they are gone over by armors to make sure they are safe and in good working order. Then they are sold at below market cost.
The difference in buying a CMP rifle is you are guaranteed that you will recieve a working, safe firearm. If a defect sneaks out they will fix or replace the defective rifle.
Besides rifles/pistols, the CMP receives parts for these rifles/pistols. The last few years they've been conducting Garand Maint. Clinics where the students are trained to maintain the M1 Garand, and while at the clinics are required to build a safe M1, from parts with new stocks and barrels. You are allow to purchace the gun you build (and most do).
America is a country of riflemen. President T. Roosevelt wanted us to remain so, as it was necessary for the defense of our country. Presidnet Kennedy said the same.
DCM and now the CMP is continuing to keep it so.
Whether you like surplus weapons of not, whether you are a collector or shooter, remember, selling guns, or under cutting civilian firearms manufactors, is not the mission of the CMP.
Before one thinks the M1 or any other US surplus CMP Rifle is over priced. Examing closely on of those rifles. They arent made with investment castings or plastic molds, they were made with American Steel, by American machinest. There is no way anyone could produce one of these rifles at the cost the CMP sells them for.
The Model 70 Winchester use to be known as Americas rifle, it could be argued that currently the M1 Garand holds that title.
