Over the past six days the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) conducted a major spring shooting event — the Talladega Spring Classic held at the Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama. This year’s event was a success, with participants enjoying a wide range of pistol and rifle competitions, plus training courses.

TALLADEGA SPRING CLASSIC 2021
Spring has sprung! From March 16 through 21, the CMP has hosted a major series of rifle and pistol matches at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama. The March 2021 Spring Classic event at Talladega included a mix of both new and traditional rifle matches, along with pistol competitions, and a variety of training courses.

On the rifle firing lines were Service Rifles, Vintage Military Rifles, and Rimfire Sporter Rifles. And there were even M1 Garands being shot from the bench. In the pistol areas, both rimfire and centerfire matches were held.

Spring Classic Featured New Benchrest Garand Match
The Talladega Spring Classic featured traditional matches plus some notable new events. Debuting this year was a Benchrest Garand Match. In addition there was a new Mid-Range 3×600 Rifle Match, and new Pistol 2700 Match. Along with the new events, the Spring Classic including CMP staple events including: Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match, .22 Rimfire Pistol EIC, Service Pistol EIC, and GSMM (Garand/Springfield/Vintage and Modern Military) Rifle matches.

There were also multiple training sessions including: Long Range Rifle Clinic, Team CMP 600-Yard Clinic, Rifle Marksmanship 101 Course/M16 Match, and Pistol Marksmanship 101 Course/M9 Match. These classes allow participants the opportunity to learn marksmanship from skilled, certified instructors.

Good news — the CMP’s North Competition Center in Ohio and South Competition Center in Alabama will both reopen August 17, 2020. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) invites air rifle and air pistol shooters back to North and South Competition Centers by appointment. To safeguard visitors, fewer persons will be allowed on the firing line, and there will be new protective practices for staff and guests.

Story based on Report By Ashley Brugnone, CMP
Anyone is welcome to the ranges for practice or friendly competition on the firing line, though for the foreseeable future, air gun range access will be by appointment only. Guests will be allowed two-hour time slots, with no more than 25 firing points in use at a time. To set up an appointment for your spot on the firing line, please call Catherine Green at 419-635-2141, ext. 704.

Measures to ensure social distancing and cleanliness for visitors include:

— Rifles disinfection between uses
— Masks required while within the facility (can be taken off on firing line)
— Area disinfection by guests before and after use
— Firing point disinfection by staff after use
— Removal of bleachers within the ranges with limited chairs for parents/guardians
— Parents/guardians not firing will be required to wear a mask at all times
— Common Areas and Classrooms will be off limits
— Changing Area within the restrooms will be closed

About the CMP Competition Centers

CMP Competition Centers Information Page

Both the South Competition Center in Alabama and the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Ohio boast 80 firing points with electronic targets. Each firing point contains a personal monitor that instantly displays shot scores. LED screens above the firing points show scores for spectators.

The South Competition Center includes the CMP South Store stocked with equipment, accessories, and memorabilia. Open to the public, year-round, visitors of virtually any age and experience levels are welcome to try their hands at air rifle or air pistol shooting.

The Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center features Olympic and other memorabilia from celebrated American marksman, Gary Anderson. The facility is open to the public all year long, with access to the air gun range for practice, competition or fun shooting.