The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has approved new divisions for adults and juniors that will be implemented at the 2024 CMP Bianchi Cup and added to the CMP’s Action Pistol Program. The major development is the approval of a new Rimfire Division. That’s a very big deal that makes the Cup competition much more affordable. We applaud this move by the CMP.
Along with the new Rimfire Division, the CMP will add new “Provisional Divisions” for Production and Production Optics. CLICK HERE to learn more about the new Bianchi Cup Rimfire and Provisional Divisions.
The 2024 CMP Bianchi Cup is set for May 21-24, 2024 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri. This prestigious 40-year-old action pistol match includes four featured events: Practical, Barricade, Falling Plate, and Moving Target. Hundreds of competitors from around the world compete in the event each year.
New Competition Classes: Rimfire, Provisional Production and Production Optics
In 2024, Bianchi Cup participation should increase significantly as the CMP is introducing new competition classes. Awards will be presented for all three new divisions: Rimfire, Production, Production Optics. The biggest change is the inclusion of a Rimfire Division. This division will encompass the same basic rules for each of the current setups — Open, Production/Production Optics, Metallic and Revolver.
The Rimfire Division is designed to encourage participation from juniors not shooting centerfire pistols as well as adults who want to warm up for the Bianchi Cup in a less expensive manner.
Provisional Divisions for Production and Production Optics will also be added to action pistol (with current Production and Production Optics divisions remaining unchanged). The rules for the new Provisional Divisions will be derived form USPSA rules.
Competitors will be divided into their divisions — Metallic, Production, Open, Production Optic, Provisional Production, Provisional Production Optic, or .22 Rimfire — per current CMP Action Pistol Rules.
Handguns for Bianchi Cup’s New Rimfire Division
If you’re looking for a reasonably-priced semi-auto .22 LR pistol for the new Rimfire Division, we recommend the Browning Buck Mark series. Buck Marks are accurate and very reliable. This rimfire pistol is available in a variety of models starting at under $370.00. A good Buck Mark will serve you for a lifetime.
For Rimfire Revolver competition we recommend the 10-shot Smith & Wesson 617 and the relatively new 10-shot Colt King Cobra Target .22 LR, both with available 6-inch barrel lengths. CLICK HERE for a good, side-by-side video review of these two rimfire revolvers by popular YouTube host Hickok45.
These German-language video (with English subtitles), showcases Bianchi Cup Revolver Class guns, and explains how to clean and maintain these high-tech wheelguns.
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The NRABlog has interviewed seven prominent lady shooters, asking them for tips for other lady shooting sports enthusiasts, particularly new shooters. Top female competitors such as 2016 Bianchi Cup Winner Tiffany Piper and Team S&W Co-Captain Julie Golob offer good advice on competitive shooting as well as using firearms for self-defense. Read the full article here.
Here Are Some of the Top Tips from Leading Ladies:
Theresa Vail, Hunter and Host of NRA All Access “If you’re new to shooting or wanting to start, find some girlfriends that are interested in trying it with you. Having female friends go to the range with you takes the pressure off and makes a typically male-dominant arena much less intimidating. There is such thing as strength in numbers!”
Tiffany Piper (Action Pistol): The best piece of advice I would give is practice makes perfect. In New Zealand, we barely get enough range time with our noise restrictions so muscle memory and technique are key. Study up on shooting techniques, watch YouTube videos of other professional women shooters, and try out what you see. Don’t get intimidated thinking it’s a male’s sport[.]”
Julie Golob (Team S&W, 3-Gun and Pistol): “If something isn’t clear, just ask about it! Shooters are some of the best people you’ll ever meet, but we can be confusing and use a lot of shooter slang and lingo. When in doubt, ask!”
Tori Nonaka (Team Glock): “I always recommend to new shooters to first concentrate on the basics of gun safety. That way they will be more comfortable when they next learn about the particular gun…. Their confidence will grow as they familiarize themselves with their specific weapon. Then, it’s all about practice at the range.”
Corey Cogdell (Olympic Trap Shooter): “It’s empowering for women to know how to use a firearm in a sporting atmosphere as well as for self-defense. So if you are new to firearms, check out your local gun club and take a lesson! There you’ll find instructors and other shooting sports enthusiasts who will be more than willing to help you.”
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While this site is primarily about accurate rifles, we know many of our readers enjoy handgun shooting also. Here are four videos that can help readers improve the speed and accuracy of their pistol shooting. You may never win a Bianchi Cup title, but these tips can help in a club IDPA match, or the pistol stages of your next 3-Gun match. The star of these videos is Doug Koenig, 19-time Bianchi Cup champion. Koenig, who has won numerous National and World pistol titles, is considered by many to be the best action pistol shooter on the planet. His speed, consistency, and accuracy are without peer.
Keep Both Eyes Open
When shooting a pistol two-handed, “on the clock”, it’s almost always better to shoot with both eyes open. And during a “move and shoot” action pistol match, you surely want to have both eyes open. Keeping both eyes open improves depth perception and helps with target transitions.
“To me it’s very simple — I wouldn’t drive my car with one eye closed. I wouldn’t walk around the house with one eye closed. To me, it’s all about your vision, your depth perception.” — Doug Koenig
With both eyes open you’ll have better depth perception and peripheral vision, Koenig says. Moreover, you will also be able to transition from target to target more quickly. In a timed, multi-target stage, you’ll want to move your head/eyes to the next target right after you break a shot. You’ll find that you will then reflexively move the handgun on to the new target when you swing your vision on to it. Don’t linger on the target you just shot — move to the next.
Acquire First Target
In this video, 18-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig explains how to acquire your first target quickly, and make sure your first shot is a hit. Doug notes that a perfect first shot will positively affect the many shots that follow in a competition:
Make Fast Follow-Up Shots
In this next NSSF Video Koenig demonstrates how to make Fast Follow-Up Shots and how to transition from target to target quickly. Grip, stance, consistency are all important Doug explains.
Trigger Press and Trigger Control
In this fourth video, Koenig talks about key techniques that apply to all pistol marksmanship — not just speed shooting “on the clock”. With any handgun, Doug explains, you should focus on consistent trigger control. You want to avoid yanking the trigger or anticipating recoil.
Doug Koenig’s List of Championships:
10-time World Champion
19-time Bianchi Cup winner
2016 NRA World Shooting Champion
More than 70 National Championships
6-time World Action Pistol Championship Winner
3-time World Speed Shooting Champion/Steel Challenge
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Shoot Better by Maintaining Physical Fitness
Even at age 68, Vera Koo was one of the top female shooters in the action pistol game. An 8-time Bianchi Cup Women’s Champion, Vera knows what it takes to win. She credits her success not just to dedicated practice, but also dedication to personal health. Vera has always regarded personal fitness as a key priority that helps her achieve competitive success. In this video, Vera explains the benefits of fitness training. Shooting practice combined with physical fitness training can bring your performance to the next level, says Vera. And Vera adds that shooting sports (or any competitive activity), provides key motivation to exercise — which will provide long-term health benefits.
“You cannot perform your best, if you are not AT your best. Stick with an exercise program that you enjoy, and see your strength and stamina develop. And then see your scores go up!
I noticed all the top shooters are in great physical condition. Since I entered the sport at a rather late age — at 47 — I took up weight lifting and aerobic exercise. My exercise programs have helped me gain strength and stamina that allows me to focus and shoot well.” — Vera Koo
The Competitive Mindset — Focus on the Victories
Along with physical fitness, mental “fitness”, i.e. having the proper competitive mindset, is also important to success in the shooting sports. In this second video, 8-Time Bianchi Cup Lady’s Winner Vera Koo explains how she works to develop focus, calmness, and self-confidence when she competes. Vera explains one needs to adopt a “Warrior Mindset”.
“Champions spend hours practicing for the smallest improvements. Even when they are good, they strive to be great. The common characteristic among [all Champions] is that they are all strong of heart — they are all warriors.” — Vera Koo
Learning from Vera Koo, video host Gabby Franco concludes: “Our mind is one of the most powerful tools we have to achieve our goals”.
Vera believed that true champions are those who, like committed warriors, never give up and keep improving their skills. Vera encourages shooters to focus on each victory — no matter how small — in order to keep growing and improving.
Forum member David Joe, an F-Class competitor, agrees that fitness training can help your shooting: “Vera proves putting all the pieces together can deliver winning results. The only way to find out if you have the talent required win is to isolate all the critical variables besides marksmanship — namely health and equipment. While the specialized equipment might not help in other pursuits, the health focus will.”
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Team Vihtavuori member Bruce Piatt shot a superb match to win the 2023 CMP Bianchi Cup Pistol Championship. Piatt recorded a remarkable 1920 – 178X score to secure his seventh Bianchi Cup championship title. To shoot 1920-178X, Bruce had to hit every target in the match — a very impressive accomplishment.
The 2023 CMP Bianchi Cup was hosted by Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri on May 23-26, 2023. The Bianchi Cup, the second longest-running action pistol championship, has a 40+ years history and attracts top pistol shooters from around the world. Shooters compete in multiple events including the Barricade, Falling Plate, Practical, and Moving Target.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) now oversees the Bianchi Cup competition, previously run by the National Rifle Association.
The talented Piatt, who competes with the .38 Super cartridge powered by Vihtavuori N320 powder, also brought home the Law Enforcement Championship title. With near perfect shooting conditions, Piatt was in a tight race with Australian Shooter Mark Blake who placed second. Fellow Team Vihtavuori member Doug Koenig finished third overall.
Editor’s Note: Vihtavuori N320 is our favorite powder for .45 ACP target loads. It is very accurate and burns cleaner, with fewer sparks, than any other brand of powder we have tried for the .45 ACP. We highly recommend N320 and the slightly faster N310.
Here are Bruce Piatt’s Scores for Each Event Round:
About Vihtavuori
Vihtavuori is renowned its clean burning and temperature stable smokeless powders that have great lot-to-lot consistency. Vihtavuori is imported by Capstone Precision Group, exclusive U.S. distributor for Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori and SK-Rimfire products. For more information, visit Vihtavuori.com.
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Started in 1979 by former police officer John Bianchi, the Bianchi Cup is a prestigious and challenging action pistol tournament. The event, the second longest-running action pistol championship, attracts top pistol shooters from around the world. Shooters compete in multiple events including the Barricade, Falling Plate, Practical, and Moving Target.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) now oversees the Bianchi Cup. Christie Sewell, CMP Programs Chief, stated: “The Civilian Marksmanship Program is honored and excited to be the governing organization for the historic and treasured Bianchi Cup International Pistol Competition.”
This year’s competition will be held May 23-26 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri. Spectators are invited to attend the championship each day. For more information, visit the CMP 2023 Bianchi Cup Web Page.
Bianchi Cup — the Richest Handgun Match on the Planet
Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.
19-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig
Women of the Bianchi Cup
About the CMP Bianchi Cup
The Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament was first held in 1979, making it the second longest running action pistol championship in the world. This year, it will be hosted by the CMP for the first time, May 23-26, 2023, at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Missouri. The Bianchi Cup has been called the world’s most prestigious pistol tournament. Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet.
The Bianchi Cup is Comprised of Four Events:
Practical Event: Competitors fire at distances from 10 yards to 50 yards under varying time limits from the shooting line.
Barricade Event: Competitors fire at targets on either side of the barricade at different distances and under varying time limits from within shooting boxes and behind barricades.
Falling Plate Event: Competitors fire at eight-inch round steel plates arranged in banks of six at distances from 10 to 25 yards under varying time limits.
Moving Target Event: Competitors fire from within shooting boxes at distances ranging from 10 to 25 yards at a target moving from left to right, with the target exposed for six seconds.
Bianchi Cup Open Class Pistol — Features in Review
Position Shooting with Pistols at Bianchi Cup
Competitors shoot from both standing and prone positions and are also required to shoot with both strong and weak hands at various stages. There are no make-up shots in the Bianchi Cup, adding to the difficulty.
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Looking for a 1911 pistol? The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is raffling off a vintage 1911 pistol for competitors who register for the upcoming 2023 CMP Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament. The 2023 Bianchi Cup match runs May 23-26 in Hallsville, Missouri.
Those who sign up for the CMP Bianchi Cup BEFORE May 1, 2023 will be automatically entered into the 1911 raffle.* Additionally, two 500-rd bricks of .22 LR standard velocity surplus ammo will also be raffled off. So there are three chances to win overall.
To have a chance to win, you must officially register for the 2023 Bianchi Cup. ALL paid registrants will be automatically entered for the raffle. To learn more and REGISTER for the 2023 Bianchi Cup, go to the CMP 2023 Bianchi Cup Web Page.
About the CMP Bianchi Cup
The Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament was first held in 1979, making it the second longest running pistol championship in the world. This year, it will be hosted by the CMP for the first time, May 23-26, 2023, at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Missouri. The Bianchi Cup has been called the most prestigious pistol tournament in the world. Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet.
The Bianchi Cup is Comprised of Four Events:
Practical Event: Competitors fire at distances from 10 yards to 50 yards under varying time limits from the shooting line.
Barricade Event: Competitors fire at targets on either side of the barricade at different distances and under varying time limits from within shooting boxes and behind barricades.
Falling Plate Event: Competitors fire at eight-inch round steel plates arranged in banks of six at distances from 10 to 25 yards under varying time limits.
Moving Target Event: Competitors fire from within shooting boxes at distances ranging from 10 to 25 yards at a target moving from left to right, with the target exposed for six seconds.
Bianchi Cup Open Class Pistol — Features in Review
Position Shooting with Pistols at Bianchi Cup
Competitors shoot from both standing and prone positions and are also required to shoot with both strong and weak hands at various stages. There are no make-up shots in the Bianchi Cup, adding to the difficulty.
* The raffle is open to U.S. citizens only. If a non-U.S. citizen is drawn, he or she will receive $500 in place of the 1911 pistol. Those who have already purchased a pistol are still permitted to win.
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This week Shooting USA TV features the 2022 Bianchi Cup, hosted May 25-27, 2022 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri (near Columbia). For 2022 the Bianchi Cup featured 117 of the world’s top action pistol shooters. This year Benito Martinez claimed his first Bianchi overall title, helped by his perfect 480-48X Falling Plate stage score. Martinez finished with 1920-165X, 12 Xs ahead of the runner-up, Joey DeLeon (1520-153X). Sally Talbot was high lady with 1913-155X
This episode of Shooting USA airs Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific, 8:00 PM Central on the Outdoor Channel. Shooting USA is also available On Demand via Vimeo.com.
Officially, the annual competition is known as the National Championship of NRA Action Pistol. But its is generally called the Bianchi Cup — from the trophy named for one of the founders, John Bianchi. In the past 30 years the match has become the richest handgun tournament in the world.
Bianchi Cup — the Richest Handgun Match on the Planet
Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.
Bianchi Cup Open Class Pistol — Features in Review
The Bianchi Cup has been called the most prestigious pistol tournament in the world. Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet. In 2021 the NRA turned the organization and management of the match over to a new group from the Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club.
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Doug Koenig is one of the best action shooters in history — both with rifle and pistol. In a recent video from SHOT Show Range Day, Doug, a 19-time Bianchi Cup Champion and a PRS Production Division Champion, talks about the disciplines he shoots, both rifle and pistol. He notes he has moved to Florida and he will be starting his own shooting school, which will open at the end of the year.
In this video, Doug is interviewed by Shooting Sports USA Editor John Parker. Koenig talks about his namesake Precision Rifle Series competition held in Colorado, the revitalized U.S. Steel Nationals and more.
You can see more Doug Koenig PRS/NRL videos on the Pursuit Channel, including coverage of precision rifle matches in Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Wyoming. The videos are worth watching for the scenery as well as the rifle action.
Doug Koenig — Action Pistol Master
Doug Koenig has won the Bianchi Cup a remarkable 19 times. No one else, man or woman, is even close to that achievement. After his Bianchi victory in 2021, Doug said: “Winning the Bianchi Cup title for the 19th time in my career is very special on its own. But to do so after the difficult year we’ve all faced, and to do so wearing a Team Ruger jersey, has made this win that much more meaningful for me.”
What skills does it take to win a Bianchi Cup? You need speed, accuracy, control, and discipline. Koenig explains some of these techniques in the video below. You’ll find 30 more Doug Koenig videos on the NSSF YouTube Channel:
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This week Shooting USA TV features the 2022 Bianchi Cup, hosted May 25-27, 2022 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri (near Columbia). For 2022 the Bianchi Cup featured 117 of the world’s top action pistol shooters. This year Benito Martinez claimed his first Bianchi overall title, helped by his perfect 480-48X Falling Plate stage score. Martinez finished with 1920-165X, 12 Xs ahead of the runner-up, Joey DeLeon (1520-153X). Sally Talbot was high lady with 1913-155X
This episode of Shooting USA airs Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific, 8:00 PM Central on the Outdoor Channel. Shooting USA is also available On Demand via Vimeo.com.
Officially, the annual competition is known as the National Championship of NRA Action Pistol. But its is generally called the Bianchi Cup — from the trophy named for one of the founders, John Bianchi. In the past 30 years the match has become the richest handgun tournament in the world.
Bianchi Cup Open Class Pistol — Features in Review
The Bianchi Cup has been called the most prestigious pistol tournament in the world. Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet. In 2021 the NRA turned the organization and management of the match over to a new group from the Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club.
Bianchi Cup — the Richest Handgun Match on the Planet
Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.
Bianchi Cup — Classic Course of Fire
The Bianchi Cup is a combination of Speed and Accuracy. Competitors shoot from both standing and prone positions and are also required to shoot with both strong and weak hands at various stages. Stages may combine stationary and moving targets. The Course of Fire consists of four separate matches:: Practical, Barricade, and Moving Target, and Falling Plates. Each of the four events requires 48 shots to complete. 480 points are possible on each event. Three of the four are scored on the NRA tombstone P1 target. You must hit in the 10-ring or inner X-Ring on EVERY shot to shoot a “clean” 1920.
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Koenig Triumphs for 19th Time
Team Ruger Captain Doug Koenig has just won the Bianchi Cup (NRA Action Pistol Championship) for the 19th time in his career. That is a remarkable accomplishment, as the the Bianchi Cup is considered by many to be the most unforgiving and difficult pistol competition on the planet. This legendary competition draws the top pistoleros from around the world. The Bianchi is Tough — for a chance to win overall, you basically have to “shoot clean”, with perfect stages.
Koenig won the Open Division and finished First Overall, capturing the title with a final 1920-182 Aggregate — truly impressive. Koenig took the win shooting a Ruger Custom Shop SR1911 Competition pistol. This championship was held at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, MO.
Koenig nailed perfect scores of 480 on all four Bianchi Cup events: Practical, Barricade, Moving Target and Falling Plates. That quadruple perfect performance earned Koenig an Aggregate score of 1920. In addition he completed the match with 182 total X-Ring hits, six more than the nearest competitor. By the way, Koenig (aka König) means “King” in the German language. There is no question that Koenig is King of the Bianchi Cup.
“Winning the Bianchi Cup title for the 19th time in my career is very special on its own,” said Koenig. “But to do so after the difficult year we’ve all faced, and to do so wearing a Team Ruger jersey, has made this win that much more meaningful for me.”
What skills does it take to win a Bianchi Cup? You need speed, accuracy, control, and discipline. Koenig explains some of these techniques in these two videos below. You’ll find 30 more Doug Koenig Videos on the NSSF YouTube Channel:
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The Bianchi Cup is back! After the 2020 Cup event was cancelled due to COVID, the prestigious Bianchi Cup returns next month. Also known as the NRA National Action Pistol Championship, this year’s Bianchi Cup runs May 24-28, 2021 in Hallsville, Missouri at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club. Competitor Registrations begin Monday May 24, with a Multi-Gun Aggregate on Tuesday the 25th. Then two days of Championship competition take place on Wednesday 5/26 and Thursday 5/27, with awards on Friday.
Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet. To finish on top, you have to be near-perfect. Ace shooter Carl Bernosky explains: “To Win a Bianchi Cup you’ve got to be consistent. You’ve got to shoot good ALL the time… you can’t make any mistakes.”
Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.
Bianchi Cup — Classic Course of Fire
The MidwayUSA/NRA Bianchi Cup is a combination of Speed and Accuracy. Competitors shoot from both standing and prone positions and are also required to shoot with both strong and weak hands at various stages. Stages may combine stationary and moving targets. As conceived by former police officer and holster-maker John Bianchi, the Bianchi Cup originated in 1979 as a Law Enforcement Training match. The Course of Fire consists of four separate matches:
The Bianchi Cup is scored on the Aggregate of the four (4) fired events: Practical, Barricade, and Moving Target, and Falling Plates. Each of the four events requires 48 shots to complete. 480 points possible on each event. Three of the four are scored on the NRA tombstone P1 target. You must hit in the 10-ring or inner X-Ring on EVERY shot to shoot a “clean” 1920.
Three decades ago Doug Koenig, who has won the Bianchi Cup 18 times, set the standard with a 1920 score. Since then, every Open shooter knows that he or she must “clean” this match (i.e. score a “1920”) to have a chance to take the title of “Champion”. The X-Count is the tie-breaker. In 2019, Bruce Piatt won the Bianchi Cup for the sixth time with a score of 1920-179X.
18-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig
Women of the Bianchi Cup
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Team Vihtavuori member Bruce Piatt shot a superb match to win the 2023 CMP Bianchi Cup Pistol Championship. Piatt recorded a remarkable 1920 – 178X score to secure his seventh Bianchi Cup championship title. To shoot 1920-178X, Bruce had to hit every target in the match — a very impressive accomplishment.
Editor’s Note: Vihtavuori N320 is our favorite powder for 
Koenig Triumphs for 19th Time
