Formally adopted by the U.S. Army in March of 1911, the Colt 1911 is arguably one of the most storied firearms ever carried by American service personnel.

In recent years, thousands of the sought-after pistols were held in surplus storage due to the Biden Administration’s suspension of a federal program that allowed for the sale of the guns to interested, potential buyers across the country.

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers announced that the pistols in storage are once again available for purchase thanks to President Donald Trump’s decision to reimplement the Civilian Marksmanship Program, saving taxpayers thousands yearly and also giving them a chance to own something of historic value.

“I am pleased to see that the Trump Administration has decided to release 10,000 surplus pistols and to allow the CMP to resume sales,” said Rogers (R-Saks)

“When I introduced the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, I said it was a ‘win-win for the taxpayers.’ I stand by that statement. Before this program, the surplus M11911A1 pistols produced by the U.S. Armed Forces were held in storage costing the taxpayer around $200,000 annually. The CMP 1911 program allows those who would like to own a piece of American military history to apply for ownership and buy these firearms.”

“The Biden Administration characteristically decided to put a halt to this effective program last year. Thankfully, the Trump Administration continues to be a champion for gun owners and American excellence.”

Prior to his Chairmanship of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Rogers introduced the amendment included in the FY16 NDAA to allow the Army to transfer its surplus vintage firearms to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) for sale. CMP South, in Anniston, Alabama, oversees these sales.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten