If any of you know got to shoot with me you would soon realize, if you have not figured it already, that I have an affinity for firearms chambered in .22LR. I don't know if its because they were the first firearms I ever shot, or because of the great variety of them, or because you can shoot em all day without hurting either your budget or your shoulder, or simply because they are lots of fun. I do know I like em, and I am always on the lookout for another good bargain when it comes to them.
One really good bargain on a surplus rifle in .22LR can be had over at the CMP. CMP stands for Civilian Marksmanship Program. Let me use there own words from their About Us page to describe them:
The CMP was created by the U.S. Congress. The original purpose was to provide civilians an opportunity to learn and practice marksmanship skills so they would be skilled marksmen if later called on to serve the U.S. military. Over the years the emphasis of the program shifted to focus on youth development through marksmanship. From 1916 until 1996 the CMP was administered by the U.S. Army. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 (TITLE XVI) created the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice & Firearms Safety, Inc. (CPRPFS) to take over administration and promotion of the CMP. The CPRPFS is a tax exempt not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that derives its mission from public law.
Now let me tell you they have some good deals on surplus rifles, although good deal does not necessarily mean inexpensive. One of the rifles they have up for sale is the Kimber Model 82 in .22LR. It looks like a fine rifle at that, and they are virtually new. What I mean by virtually new is that they have been in storage for quite sometime, and are taken out now and again for inspection or cleaning, but are all unfired. The Kimber is a bolt action, single shot, target rifle. It comes equipped with an adjustable trigger, 3 butt plate spacers, a hand stop assembly, front sight, and a Kimber rear aperture sight with inserts. It has a hefty weight of 10.75 lbs and overall length of 43 inches. The price is $600 plus $29.95 for shipping per rifle.
My guess is that the price is a good one. I'd probably get one myself if the budget was a bit better, and if I didn't have about 20 other gun purchases in mind right now. Yes, I will be playing the Mega Millions tonight, who knows! Seriously though, the price is a fair one for this rifle, especially in as new condition. 
I bought a Mossberg Model 44 from the CMP some years back, and that is a tack driver. It was not in new condition when I purchased it, all of the Mossberg M44s offered by the CMP were well used and very old but well worth their price. If I had a mind to sell it, I could easily triple what I paid for the Mossberg; while I doubt the same would be true of the Kimber, my bet is it is worth more than the CMP selling price. By the way, they again have Mossbergs for sale too, they are only $175 each plus shipping. I highly recommend them even though they may require some parts replacements.
All the best,
Glenn B
That is as in now when I have just put together the cash to buy a Glock 26 direct from Glock? The temptation is almost overwhelming to buy two of the Mossbergs instead of the Glock 26, and about the only factor that keeps me from doing so is the fact that when I retire next year (and it looks like the end of next year, or the first 2 days of January 2010, for sure) I will probably have a hard time again ever purchasing a pistol being that I live in the godforsaken, and Schumerite -Clintonite plagued state of NY. Yes the idea of buying two of these is still quite tempting even though, or maybe because, I already own one of them. The Mossberg M-44 U.S. is just one heck of a nice rifle. Gosh-darn the CMP's lousy timing on this one, and for getting me all worked up like this! (By the way if you just clicked on the CMP link, and have been to the CMP before, you will notice the new look of their website. Bookmark it, it is also a new web address.) 
The M-44 I bought from the CMP (pictured) was my first purchase from them. Heck I think it may have been my only purchase from them so far. It was well worth whatever I paid for it, and I am pretty sure it was under the current selling price they have now of $175 plus shipping of $22.95. If you want one of these, and I highly recommend them, you need to follow the CMP rules for a purchase, and that means among other things that you must be a member of a CMP affiliated club (as in an affiliated rifle or pistol club). You also have to prove you are 18 or older, and that you are a United States Citizen (imagine that you actually need to be a citizen - I like it). You also need to prove that you have had marksmanship or other firearms experience.The Mossberg M-44 U.S. is a bolt action rifle chambered for the .22 round. It will, if I remember right, accept .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle rounds. It is a hefty .22 rifle coming in at just over 8 pounds, and having a length of about 43 inches. They load from a 7 round box magazine; however, the magazines do not come with the rifle - though they are available for separate purchase. As with mine, the ones they now have for sale are pretty old. I think they were manufactured in the 1940s. They used a plastic trigger guard, and many of those have shrunken and cracked with age (replacements are available commercially). Otherwise they are supposed to be in pretty good shape. If mine, the one I bought a few years ago, is any indication, then I have to say the CMP assigned grade of NRA Very Good is an understatement. Mine was in Fine to Excellent condition with Parkerized finish on the metal and an oil stain on the wood. The rear sight currently coming with them is a Mossberg peep sight, and the front sight appears to be a post variety (as is on mine).I have seen these same rifles sell at well over $400 apiece. Hmm, did I say I was considering buying 2 of them (darn that thing with the Glock 26, gosh darn the CMP's timing on this). I have to imagine that these will sell out with a few months at most, they are in limited supply. Oh well, now you know about them, and maybe you will be able to do something nice for yourself and pick one of these up. If you are willing to take a tip from a guy called Ballseye, then go ahead splurge on yourself, because in my estimation they are well worth every penny.All the best,Glenn B
Now let me tell you they have some good deals on surplus rifles, although good deal does not necessarily mean inexpensive. One of the rifles they have up for sale is the Kimber Model 82 in .22LR. It looks like a fine rifle at that, and they are virtually new. What I mean by virtually new is that they have been in storage for quite sometime, and are taken out now and again for inspection or cleaning, but are all unfired. The Kimber is a bolt action, single shot, target rifle. It comes equipped with an adjustable trigger, 3 butt plate spacers, a hand stop assembly, front sight, and a Kimber rear aperture sight with inserts. It has a hefty weight of 10.75 lbs and overall length of 43 inches. The price is $600 plus $29.95 for shipping per rifle.
I bought a Mossberg Model 44 from the CMP some years back, and that is a tack driver. It was not in new condition when I purchased it, all of the Mossberg M44s offered by the CMP were well used and very old but well worth their price. If I had a mind to sell it, I could easily triple what I paid for the Mossberg; while I doubt the same would be true of the Kimber, my bet is it is worth more than the CMP selling price. By the way, they again have Mossbergs for sale too, they are only $175 each plus shipping. I highly recommend them even though they may require some parts replacements.
