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May 16th, 2020

CMP-Affiliated Clubs May Continue Sanctioned Matches with Restrictions
While the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has cancelled its National Events at Camp Perry this summer, the CMP has stated that club-level CMP matches may proceed, provided important health practices are followed.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program recently announced that affiliated clubs may resume CMP-sanctioned rifle and pistol matches those events, provided state and local guidelines and safe range practices are being followed.
The CMP states: “The CMP has canceled all of its match events based on the large volume of participants at its marksmanship events. However, clubs who have relatively manageable numbers of attendees may use discretion in conducting activities for safety reasons. We will continue to monitor the current environment and follow practices in the best interest of our staff, customers and participants regarding future events.”
“In the best interest of everyone involved, the CMP is not opposed to affiliated clubs holding sanctioned matches, as long as they provide a safe environment for participants, range safety personnel and spectators,” said Christie Sewell, CMP Programs Chief.

The CMP Recommends Affiliated Clubs Follow Guidelines to Keep Facilities Safe:
1. Following state and local laws and adherence to health advisories
2. Limiting/spacing the number of participants who congregate for safety briefings, etc.
3. Spacing out firing points, leaving empty firing points between shooters
4. Ensuring participants wear masks, covering their nose and mouth.
5. Washing hands frequently and/or providing disinfectant wipes.
6. Cleaning common surfaces such as shooting benches and equipment.
(Editor: This cleaning should include public restrooms).
“In our sport during this time, we need to practice safety on two fronts – safe firearms handling at all times and providing a healthy place for competitors to hone their skills. That means practicing appropriate social distancing, disinfecting common surfaces and screening participants for health concerns,” added Christie Sewell. Visit the CMP website at www.TheCMP.org for more information.

April 23rd, 2020

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) issued a statement yesterday, April 22, 2020, announcing the complete cancellation of the 2020 National Matches at Camp Perry — all rifle and pistol matches are cancelled. Sadly, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, and concerns about ongoing stay-at-home and social distancing orders, the CMP declared that there will be no Camp Perry National Matches in 2020:
Official CMP Statement about 2020 National Matches
After thoughtful consideration and reflection, the Board of Directors of the Civilian Marksmanship Program announces the cancellation of the 2020 National Matches at Camp Perry.
“This decision was not arrived at lightly, but was prompted by restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These matches date back to 1903 and have been held at Camp Perry since 1906,” said Judith Legerski, CMP Board Chairman.
“The health and safety of our competitors, participants, vendors, military support, volunteers and staff members is of the upmost importance — overriding even the historical imperative of maintaining the continuity of the Matches,” agreed Legerski, with Chief Operating Officer Mark Johnson and Programs Chief Christie Sewell.
“We were unable to come up with a manner in which we could safely produce the Matches. Housing and pit duty were amongst the many insurmountable problems faced by the CMP Board,” Legerski explained.
The CMP looks forward to the 2021 National Matches at Camp Perry as the best marksmanship celebration ever! In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy at home, as we prepare for the new normal ahead of us.
All CMP operations have been shut down since mid-March and a full resumption of business remains undetermined. Full refunds will be made to those who have already registered.
March 20th, 2020

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is closing all its facilities and halting all scheduled activities from Monday, 3/23/2020 through Monday, 4/6/2020. During this period the CMP recommended that all CMP match sponsors “cancel their matches until some degree of normalcy returns.” The CMP issued this statement today:
Greetings. Many are facing difficult times in regard to the recent Corona virus outbreak and the CMP community is among them. We are grappling with the status of many of our current and upcoming programs, and unfortunately several events will be canceled or altered as a result.
The federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed that all events with attendance of 50 or more should be canceled immediately. The CMP has complied with this directive and we are notifying customers and participants accordingly.
The CMP is shutting down all of its facilities and activities for the next two weeks, beginning Monday, March 23, with plans to return Monday, April 6. During that time, the CMP will monitor conditions and will report changes to that plan as required. CLICK HERE for additional closure information.
We encourage all CMP match sponsors to cancel their matches until some degree of normalcy returns. It is in the best interest of the CMP community to take positive precautions rather than deal with potentially damaging consequences otherwise.
The CMP thanks you for your understanding during these trying conditions. We look forward to greater times ahead and getting back to the business of firearms safety and marksmanship!
March 13th, 2020

Competitors take note — The CMP Western Games will continue as scheduled at Ben Avery in Phoenix this week, from March 13 (today) through March 22, 2020. However, the CMP has cancelled some other events scheduled this spring due to concerns over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) (see below).
Regarding the Western Games, the CMP states: “The Western CMP Games and HP Matches at Ben Avery Shooting Facility, AZ [are] to be Conducted as Scheduled. Participants need to be mindful of sound general health practices to help prevent communication of the virus (frequent hand washing, social distance with others, etc.).”

The Western Games begin Friday, March 13 and conclude Sunday, March 22.
CMP Event Cancellations
1. CMP National JROTC Championship — Camp Perry, OH (March 19-21)
Changed to Postal Match.
This championship event will continue as a postal match with finals. Details will be emailed to teams and coaches as soon as they are finalized.
2. CMP 3-P Regional Airgun Championships — Camp Perry, OH – Sandy, UT – Anniston, AL (March 26-28 and April 2-4)
Changed to Postal Matches.
These regional events will continue as postal matches with finals. Details will be emailed to teams and coaches as soon as they are finalized.
3. CMP 3-P Air Rifle Junior Summer Camps and Clinics Program — Multiple Locations (June, July and August). CANCELLED Completely.
On the Watch List:
CMP 3P Air Rifle National Championship — Camp Perry, OH
(Sporter – June 25-27 and Precision July 11-13)
At this point the CMP is planning to conduct the CMP National 3-P Championship in June and July, but will be monitoring the situation and will announce additional cancellations if needed.
March 2nd, 2020

Registration for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) 2020 National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches opened March 1, 2020. The annual event, held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Base since 1907, features traditional pistol and rifle marksmanship events and a lineup of CMP’s own competitions. Activities this year run from 7/6/2020 to 8/8/2020. Adult and junior competitors of all skill levels are invited to participate during this year’s National events. All events are open to the public.
For registration and more information on the National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches, including a complete schedule of events, visit the CMP National Matches Web page. NOTE: You must create a CMP Log-In account to register for 2020 National CMP Pistol Matches & Pistol Games Matches.
CMP 2020 National Matches at Camp Perry Dates:
CMP National Matches First Shot Ceremony — July 7, 2020
CMP National Matches Pistol Championships — July 7-12, 2020
CMP Smallbore Championships — July 14-22, 2020
CMP High Power Rifle Championships — July 21-31, 2020
CMP National Games Events — July 30 – August 3, 2020
CMP Long Range Matches Camp Perry — August 4-8, 2020


CMP National Matches Program 2020 at Camp Perry
The CMP will open the National Matches at Camp Perry with its First Shot Ceremony and pistol matches on Tuesday, July 7. CMP pistol events will run through Sunday, July 12. CMP Smallbore rifle check-in and practice will commence on Tuesday, July 14 and matches will run for a week with championships and prone awards on Wednesday, July 22. CMP’s Rimfire Sporter Match and CMP Junior Smallbore camp will also be completed during that period.
CMP Cup High Power Rifle matches begin Tuesday, July 21 and will conclude with a CMP Cup awards ceremony on July 23. CMP Rifle Clinics will begin July 24 and conclude July 26. CMP’s National Trophy Rifle Matches will begin July 27 – July 31, with CMP National Games Events July 30 – August 3. CMP Long Range matches open on Tuesday, August 4 and conclude with the CMP Palma Rifle match and Long Range awards on Saturday, August 8.
New in 2020 — High-Tech Smallbore Scoring, New Long-Range and Pistol Events
During the smallbore events, scoring will utilize Shooters Technology, a mobile application that transmits target images via cell phone to the Orion scoring system and allows scores to be compiled before competitors even return from hanging targets down range.
Returning to the CMP schedule is a series of Long Range events for teams and individuals. Long range matches will be fired at 1,000 yards and are open to match rifles, service rifles or Palma rifles.
The pistol program has been expanded greatly. A CMP Revolver Match has been added. And for .22 Pistol, Centerfire Pistol, and .45 Pistol divisions, the CMP has added 900 Aggregate and Pistol Team events to the National Matches Pistol schedule.
CMP National Matches at Camp Perry | NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury

Camp Perry is located six miles west of Port Clinton. Housing is available on base on a first-come, first-serve basis, and a campground is also located onsite. Other area accommodations are only a short drive away and only minutes to Lake Erie.
February 21st, 2020

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) will offer hands-on rifle and pistol training programs in 2020 at locations around the nation. Marksmanship 101, formerly known as the Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) On The Road, is designed to train beginners on rifle or pistol essentials and competition basics in a closely monitored setting, utilizing the talents of qualified CMP staff, trainers, and members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU).
Participants learn through classroom work and active training on the range. Near the conclusion of training, students participate in a true M16 rifle or M9 pistol match, fired under close supervision of trainers on the line. Registration opened February 19, 2020. Classes are limited, so you should sign up well ahead of time. No walk-ins will be permitted in PA, IN or IL. CLICK HERE to REGISTER.
No previous knowledge in marksmanship is required for the course. All experience levels are welcome to attend. Rifles and ammo are provided. Personal shooting jackets and gloves are permitted. Hearing protection and eye protection is also required.
Courses on the Marksmanship 101 2020 schedule include:
RIFLE Marksmanship 101 Training Programs 2020:
March 14, 2020: Western CMP Games – Ben Avery Shooting Facility, Phoenix, AZ
April 24, 2020: Eastern CMP Games – Camp Butner, Butner, NC
May 16-17, 2020: Ridgway Rifle Club – Ridgway, PA
May 29, 2020: Camp Atterbury – Edinburgh, IN
July 25-26, 2020: National Matches, RIFLE SAFS – Camp Perry, Port Clinton, OH
September 24, 2020: New England CMP Games – Camp Ethan Allen, Jericho, VT
September 25-26, 2020: Illinois State Rifle Association – Bonfield, IL
Oct. 15, 2020: Oklahoma CMP Games – Oklahoma City Gun Club, Oklahoma City, OK
November 17, 2020: Talladega 600 Matches – CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park, AL
CMP Marksmanship 101 Programs utilize the Small Arms Firing School format.

PISTOL Marksmanship 101 Training Programs 2020:
July 7, 2020: National Matches, PISTOL SAFS – Camp Perry, Port Clinton, OH
September 18, 2020: New England CMP Games – Camp Ethan Allen, Jericho, VT

How to Register for CMP Marksmanship Training Programs
Visit the CMP Marksmanship 101 website for Registration Links and other information. Once on the website, click your desired date and location to be sent to the CMP Competition Tracker page to complete registration. Questions regarding Marksmanship 101 may be directed to Amy Cantu at 419-635-2141 ext. 602 or acantu@thecmp.org.

February 21st, 2020
In the digital archives of Shooting Sports USA, we’ve found some great features that deserve a second look. A few years back, Shooting Sports USA published Sights, Wind and Mirage, an outstanding article that explains how to judge wind speed/direction and adjust your sights accordingly. Authored by highly respected shooter Ernest (Ernie) Vande Zande, this article is a definite “must-read” for all competitive rifle shooters — even those who shoot with a scope rather than irons. Vande Zande’s discussion of mirage alone makes the article well worth reading. Highly recommended.
CLICK HERE to Read “Sights, Wind and Mirage”
by Ernie Vande Zande
Invaluable Insights from a World-Class Shooter
The article covers a wide variety of topics including Wind Reading, Mirage, Effects of Sight Canting, Quadrant Shooting, and Sight Adjustment Sequencing. Vande Zande offers many jewels of insight from his decades of experience shooting and coaching in top level tournaments. U.S. Shooting Team Leader at the 1996 Olympics, Vande Zande has set more than 200 records in National and International competition. He was the Smallbore Rifle Prone Champion at Camp Perry in 1980. An International Distinguished shooter, Ernie has been on nine Dewar teams and he was a member of the USAR Shooting Team from 1982. No matter what your discipline, if you are a competitive rifle shooter, you should CLICK HERE to read Sights, Wind, and Mirage.

November 20th, 2019

Looking downrange at the 600-yard targets. All Camp Perry photos courtesy Dennis Santiago.
Shooting USA TV has an excellent episode this week, with some great features for competitive shooters and fans of historic military rifles. Shooting USA covers the President’s 100 Match at Camp Perry, one of the most prestigious shooting competitions held each summer. In addition, Shooting USA spotlights the M1 Garand rifle. A legendary firearm that helped win WWII, the .30-06 Springfield M1 Garand remains popular in vintage military matches. There is also a major Garand Match each summer at Camp Perry. You can watch Shooting USA Wednesday nights on the Outdoor Channel at 8:00 pm Eastern/Pacific, 9:00 pm Central. Or, you can view each episode the following Thursday (and thereafter) on Vimeo.com

SHOOTING USA Covers the President’s 100 Match
The historic National President’s 100 Match is a huge event. In recent years, there have been over 1000 competitors, making this one of the biggest rifle events of the year. First held in 1878, the President’s 100 match is richly steeped in history. The top 100 competitors overall are designated as the President’s 100. They receive President’s 100 medallions and certificates.
Origins of the President’s Match
The National Rifle Association’s President’s Match was instituted in 1878, as the American Military Rifle Championship Match. In 1884, the name was changed to the President’s Match for the Military Rifle Championship of the United States. It was fired at Creedmoor, New York until 1891. In 1895, it was reintroduced at Sea Girt, New Jersey. Today, the match is held at Camp Perry, Ohio.
The President’s Match was patterned after the Queen’s Match for British Volunteers. That British competition was started in 1860 by Queen Victoria and the NRA of Great Britain to increase the ability of Britain’s marksmen following the Crimean War.
The tradition of making a letter from the President of the United States the first prize began in 1904 when President Theodore Roosevelt personally wrote a letter of congratulations to the winner, Private Howard Gensch of the New Jersey National Guard.
After a hiatus in the 1930s and 1940s, The President’s Match was reinstated in 1957 at the National Matches as “The President’s Hundred.” The 100 top-scoring competitors in the President’s Match were singled out for special recognition.
Shooting USA Features the M1 Garand Vintage Military Rifle

This week’s Shooting USA episode tracks the origins and history of the Garand. An M1 Garand is a great addition to anyone’s personal firearms collection. It is a piece of living history — plus it can be used in Vintage Military rifle matches. Here are some resources for M1 Garand owners.
M1 Garand Maintenance Manuals
Among the many M1 Garand manuals available, we recommend the CMP’s U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1: ‘Read This First’ Manual. This booklet covers take-down, reassembly, cleaning, lubrication, and operation. The manual comes with CMP rifles or can be purchased for $3.50 from the CMP eStore. The author of Garand Tips & Tricks says: “It’s one of the best firearms manuals I’ve seen and I highly recommend it.” The CMP also offers many other M1 Garand print resources including:
M1 Garand Owner’s Guide (125 pages, Scott Duff)
M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide (155 pages, Walt Kuleck & Scott McKee)
Complete Guide to M1 Garand and M1 Carbine (296 pages, Bruce Canfield)

M1 Garand History
Jean Cantius Garand, also known as John C. Garand, was a Canadian designer of firearms who created the M1 Garand, a semi-automatic rifle that was widely used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War. The U.S. government employed Garand as an engineer with the Springfield Armory from 1919 until he retired in 1953. At Springfield Armory Garand was tasked with designing a basic gas-actuated self-loading infantry rifle and carbine that would eject the spent cartridge and reload a new round. It took fifteen years to perfect the M1 prototype model to meet all the U.S. Army specifications. The resulting Semiautomatic, Caliber .30, M1 Rifle was patented by Garand in 1932, approved by the U.S. Army on January 9, 1936, and went into mass production in 1940. It replaced the bolt-action M1903 Springfield and became the standard infantry rifle known as the Garand Rifle. During the World War II, over four million M1 rifles were manufactured.

Watch Shooting USA Shows Any Time with Video on Demand

Don’t get the Outdoor Channel? No problem. Shooting USA is now available on Demand, streamed online for Smart TVs, Computers, Tablets, and Phones with high speed connections. Weekly episodes are posted in full on Vimeo.com. You can watch a single episode for $0.99, or get a full-month subscription for $e.99 and watch as many shows as you like. Each show is High Definition with Limited Commercial Interruption.
November 12th, 2019

Good news — the NRA and the CMP are coordinating the schedules of their respective pistol and rifle National Match and Championship events at Camp Perry (CMP) and Camp Atterbury (NRA) in 2020. This should allow competitors to shoot ALL their favorite events, without conflict. Coordinating CMP/NRA event schedules will also help competitors save on travel time and expense.
CMP’s Programs Chief, Christie Sewell and NRA’s Cole McCulloch, Director of Competitive Shooting, said jointly: “It’s important that competitors of both organizations have the opportunity to shoot matches of their choice without conflicting dates, by event.”
Key 2020 National Matches Dates:
NRA National Matches First Shot Ceremony — July 1, 2020
NRA National Matches Pistol Championships — July 1-5, 2020
CMP National Matches First Shot Ceremony — July 7, 2020
CMP National Matches Pistol Championships — July 7-12, 2020
CMP Smallbore Championships — July 14-22, 2020
CMP High Power Rifle Championships — July 21-31, 2020
CMP National Games Events — July 30 – August 3, 2020
CMP Long Range Matches Camp Perry — August 4-8, 2020
NRA Smallbore Championships — July 23 – August 5, 2020
NRA High Power Rifle Championships — August 9-15, 2020
NRA Mid-Range Rifle Championships — August 16-20, 2020
NRA Long Range Rifle Championships — August 21-25, 2020

CMP National Matches Program 2020 at Camp Perry
The CMP will open the National Matches at Camp Perry with its First Shot Ceremony and pistol matches on Tuesday, July 7. CMP pistol events will run through Sunday, July 12. CMP Smallbore rifle check-in and practice will commence on Tuesday, July 14 and matches will run for a week with championships and prone awards on Wednesday, July 22. CMP’s Rimfire Sporter Match and CMP Junior Smallbore camp will also be completed during that period.
CMP Cup High Power Rifle matches begin Tuesday, July 21 and will conclude with a CMP Cup awards ceremony on July 23. CMP Rifle Clinics will begin July 24 and conclude July 26. CMP’s National Trophy Rifle Matches will begin July 27 – July 31, with CMP National Games Events July 30 – August 3. CMP Long Range matches open on Tuesday, August 4 and conclude with the CMP Palma Rifle match and Long Range awards on Saturday, August 8. All CMP events will continue to be held at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio.
NRA National Matches Program 2020 at Camp Atterbury
The NRA Pistol Championships run July 1-5, 2020. NRA Smallbore 3P Rifle begins on Thursday, July 23 and concludes Tuesday, August 4 with a final awards ceremony. NRA High Power Rifle commences on Monday, August 9 and concludes with an awards ceremony on Saturday, August 15. NRA Mid-Range Rifle opens on Sunday, August 16 and closes on Thursday, August 20 with an awards ceremony. NRA Long Range Rifle begins Friday, August 21 and concludes Tuesday, August 25 with the final awards ceremony.
For more information CLICK these links:
CMP National Matches at Camp Perry | NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury

August 8th, 2019

In setting a Women’s record at the 2019 Nat’l Trophy Individual Match, Sara beat 987 other shooters. Only four competitors, all men, had higher scores.
This lady can shoot! At this year’s National Trophy Individual Match (NTI) at Camp Perry, the very talented Sara Rozanski sent an all-time record for female competitors. Sara shot a stellar 496-22X, a new record score for lady shooters. That record-breaking performance won Sara the Women’s Trophy at the CMP National Matches.
“It felt amazing to be able to pull it together and perform well”, Rozanski told reporters. Rozanski’s performance eclipsed the previous women’s record of 496-19X set by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Amanda Elsenboss in 2017. Sara finished fifth overall in the 2019 NTI.
“It’s an honor to set a new women’s record since the level of competition is so high. It gives one a sense of accomplishment knowing you are competing against the best competitors this sport has to offer”, Rozanski said. By stages, Rozanski scored 100-2X standing, 98-2X rapid sitting, 99-6X rapid prone, and 199-12X prone at the 600-yard line.

Camp Perry includes rifle ranges out to 1,000 yards. Camp Perry boasts one of the longest continuous firing lines in the world.
Among all NTI competitors, Sara finished fifth overall after tie-breakers, just one point out of first place and four points from a perfect score of 500. Only four other competitors (all males) beat her 496-22X tally. A total of 992 competitors fired in this year’s NTI match, so Sarah finished ahead of 987 other shooters. That is mighty impressive!
A native of Toledo, Ohio, just 28 miles from Camp Perry, Rozanski has been competing in High Power rifle events since she was 16 years old, when she started with the M1A, the semi-automatic civilian equivalent of the Army’s M14 rifle. Rozanski serves as the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s High Power rifle program coordinator in Port Clinton, Ohio.

National Trophy Individual Match
The NTI course of fire has no sighters. It starts with 10 shots standing slow fire at 200 yards, followed by 10 shots sitting (or kneeling) rapid fire in 60 seconds at 200 yards. This is followed by 10 shots prone rapid fire in 70 seconds at 300 yards. The match concludes with 20 shots prone slow fire with a time limit of 20 minutes at 600 yards.
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