Military Budget bills aren’t a typical topic for Outdoor HUB, but hear me out. The 65th annual National Defense Authorization Act is currently making its way through Congress. Weighing in at over 3,000 pages, the NDAA isn’t exactly a quick read. However, buried in Section 1062 is a detail that will excite America’s shooters and military-history enthusiasts—especially fans of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).
CMP and the NDAA Connection
The CMP has long been a well-known name among civilian shooters, offering historic U.S. military firearms like the M1 Garand and, more recently, the iconic M1911 pistol. Past NDAAs have influenced which surplus firearms are available to civilians, including provisions aimed at stopping the costly practice of storing vintage guns at taxpayer expense. Those efforts eventually paved the way for surplus 1911 sales, although progress depended heavily on which administration was in power at the time (you know, whether they are 2A-friendly).
The 1911 Example
Authorized in the FY2016 NDAA, the 1911 transfer program stalled until the FY2017 NDAA was enacted. Sales resumed, slowed again during the Biden-Harris years, and then surged quickly in 2025 under President Trump, thanks to a more streamlined CMP process. It’s a familiar pattern—and one that sets the stage for what could come next.
Shotguns Enter the Picture
The pending FY2026 NDAA, already passed by the House and heading back to the Senate, could authorize the transfer of surplus pump-action military shotguns to the CMP. That’s significant news. Shotguns have a rich history in American military tradition, from their use in World War I trench warfare to their ongoing role in modern U.S. forces. Owning one would mean possessing a tangible piece of that legacy.
Why Surplus Firearms Matter
Since 1903, the CMP has promoted marksmanship, safety, and firearms education nationwide. It operates as a nonprofit, and surplus firearm sales power its finances. In 2024 alone, more than 20,000 historic firearms were sold, directly funding CMP programs and competitions.
Zooming Out
If signed, the FY2026 NDAA could expand civilian access to historic military firearms, improve firearms education, and add another chapter to the CMP’s long mission of protecting America’s marksmanship legacy (thank you, Teddy Roosevelt). Here’s to hoping for access to military surplus scatterguns.
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