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May 1st, 2026

CMP $10 Million Challenge Grant for Wyoming Shooting Complex

new wyoming state shooting complex wssc cmp governor morgan u.s. senator barrasso

Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Provides $10 Million Challenge Grant for WSSC
The Board of Directors of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has approved a $10 million challenge grant for development of the new Wyoming State Shooting Complex (WSSC) in Cody, Wyoming. This marks a major milestone in the CMP’s strategic “Western Expansion”, establishing a permanent footprint to serve marksmanship enthusiasts west of the Mississippi River.

new wyoming state shooting complex wssc cmp governor morgan u.s. senator barrassoThe new WSSC is now under development on 2,000 acres of state-contributed land located just seven miles south of downtown Cody. Positioned near Yellowstone National Park, the complex will become a premiere shooting sports destination, with purpose-built venues for elite competitors, recreational shooters, and youth programs.

The $10 million grant is structured as a matching initiative for three years. Under the agreement, the CMP will match new private and industry WSSC donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $10 million total.

Construction Is Underway with State Governmental Approval
The WSSC project has earned full support from the Wyoming Legislature and Governor, and it is governed by a Joint Powers Board representing city and county leadership. Construction is already underway, with core infrastructure and internal roads currently being established.

new wyoming state shooting complex wssc cmp governor morgan u.s. senator barrasso

“Cody, Wyoming, is a great choice for Western expansion,” CMP Board Member and Wyoming resident Ed Newell noted following a site visit. The [WSSC] offers a unique opportunity for a high-impact partnership consistent with CMP’s mission to promote youth programs, marksmanship and firearms safety.

new wyoming state shooting complex wssc cmp governor morgan u.s. senator barrasso
Above, U.S. Senator Barrasso shows the WSSC event center, which will include a retail area, classroom, kitchen, and a multi-purpose conference hall that can also be used for indoor archery and air gun.

The WSSC is designed to be a world-class destination for shooting sports. Its mission is to inspire youth participation, promote responsible firearm use, and serve as a catalyst for economic growth and outdoor recreation in the State of Wyoming and our nation.

Beyond the financial contribution, the CMP partnership includes key collaborative elements:

Expert Range Design: The CMP will provide technical input on range design to ensure the facility can host the organization’s signature matches and national-level competitions.

On-Site CMP Store: There’s a plan for the WSSC clubhouse to feature a CMP Store which would provide visitors with access to historic American firearms.

Nearby Buffalo Bill Museum: The WSSC’s proximity to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which houses over 7,000 firearms, will create a unique “view it, learn it, then buy it” experience for the more than one million tourists who visit the area annually.

new wyoming state shooting complex wssc cmp governor morgan u.s. senator barrasso

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May 1st, 2026

Classic Colt Woodsman Pistols — Blued and Engraved Models

Accurateshooter.com john moses browning engraved colt woodsman series three third NRA museum
Photo courtesy NRA Museum Click Photo to View Larger Image

With today’s polymer-framed Glocks and Kel-Tecs, aesthetics have been sacrificed on the altar of functionality. Not so in the early 20th century — in that period, the best firearm designers created guns that looked as good as they worked. One example is the classic Colt Woodsman. This design came from the legendary John Moses Browning and was later refined by Colt before the pistol’s introduction in 1915. The Colt Woodsman’s frame design evolved over time in three distinct series: Series One 1915–1947, Series Two 1947–1955, and Series Three 1955–1977. Shown above is a stunning Carbonia-blued and engraved Third Series model with ivory grips.

AccurateShooter NRA Museum Teddy RooseveltEngraved Colt Woodsman from NRA Museum
In the NRA Museum’s Robert E. Petersen Gallery are many fine engraved arms. This Colt Woodsman .22 pistol is one of the Third Series guns that were made until 1977. Heavy barrels in either 4.5 or 6 inch lengths were offered in this variation. The Museum’s staff says: “We think the poised golden rattlesnake near the serial number is the [best] embellishment without putting down in any way the ivory grip panels or gold outline inlays.”

You can see this lovely Colt and countless other fine firearms at the NRA Museum in Fairfax, Virginia. The Museum is open every day from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, and admission is free.

The Colt Woodsman was made in many variations, with different barrel lengths and contours and finishes. Here is a Colt Woodsman Third Series Match Target with 6″ Blued frame and slab barrel. Photo from Sam Lisker’s ColtAutos.com.

Accurateshooter.com john moses browning engraved colt woodsman series three match target

Here is a Colt Woodsman First Series Match Target with 6.5″ undercut slab match barrel and basic blued finish. Photo from Heritage Auctions.

Accurateshooter.com john moses browning engraved colt woodsman first series three match target

Here is a Colt Woodsman Bullseye Match Target Pistol (6.5″ barrel) with blued finish and early factory “elephant ear” stocks with Colt medallions. This was owned by Philip Judd, an avid marksman who was 1952 Camp Perry Champion in the 500-yard .30-06 rifle competition. Photo from Sam Lisker’s ColtAutos.com.

Accurateshooter.com john moses browning engraved colt woodsman first series three match target

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