M1 Garand Springfield Armory July 1941 production. Facebook photo by Shinnosuke Tanaka.
Want an authentic surplus M1 Garand? You can get these classic battle rifles from the Civilian Marksmaship Program (CMP) through direct sales as well as online auctions. If you are looking to obtain an authentic, safe-to-shoot M1 Garand, the CMP is your best bet. Each M1 Garand rifle sold by the CMP is an genuine U.S. Government rifle that has been inspected, head-spaced, repaired if necessary, and test fired for function. Each rifle is shipped with safety manual, one 8-round clip, and chamber safety flag.
This CMP Video Explains the Process for Ordering an M1 Garand from the CMP:
M1 Garand Manufacturer Codes: SA (Springfield Armory), HRA (Harrington & Richardson Arms), IHC (International Harvester Co.), WRA (Winchester Repeating Arms)
The federal law that established the new CMP authorizes the Corporation to sell surplus .30 and .22 caliber military rifles, parts and ammunition to qualified U.S. citizens “for marksmanship”. Accordingly, the CMP sells government-surplus M1 Garands, .22 caliber target rifles, and small quantities of other rifles to qualified purchasers. CMP operations, warehousing, inspection, repair, test firing, sales order processing and distribution activities are headquartered in Anniston, Alabama.
M1 Garands at CMP Retail Store in Anniston, Alabama.
How to Order an M1 Garand from the CMP
To purchase an M1 Garand through the CMP, you must be an adult U.S. Citizen, who is a member of an affiliated organization, and who has participated in a “Marksmanship Activity”*. This basically means you need to join a a gun club and participate in a clinic or match. Proof of club membership and citizenship is mandatory for all ages. However, the marksmanship requirement is waived for those over 60 years. Garands must be ordered by mail or through official CMP Auctions. Orders are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Rifles of all grades are packed for shipment purely by “luck of the draw”. Most orders ship within 2-4 weeks. If price has changed after an order has been received, customers will be notified before new prices are charged. CLICK HERE for ordering information.
CMP 2021 National Matches at Camp Perry — Registration
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has commenced registration for the 2021 National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio. Guests may sign up for the historic annual event beginning April 1, 2021 on the CMP website.
The 2021 National Matches kicks off with the Pistol phase on July 12, featuring 1911 As-Issued Match, Military & Police, GLOCK, Service Pistol EIC matches and Pistol Small Arms Firing School. New Pistol events have been added to the 2021 NM calender.
Following the Pistol series is the CMP’s Smallbore program. This will include 3-position, prone, and team matches for competitors of all ages. For the first time, a Smallbore Small Arms Firing School will be conducted for new and experienced marksmen, led by members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.
The remainder of the National Matches schedule includes modern and vintage Rifle competitions: Garand, Springfield and M1 Carbine matches, Rimfire Sporter, President’s Rifle, National Trophy Individual — plus several other favorites enjoyed by scores of competitors each year.
A 4-Man Team event and 800 Aggregate will also be fired on the CMP’s High Power electronic targets. The National Matches Rifle events will conclude in August with the Long Range series, fired on Camp Perry’s Viale Range.
During the summer, the National Match Air Gun events will be held at the CMP’s indoor airgun range, the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center. The air-conditioned range, which features state-of-the-art electronic targets, will be open throughout the National Match weeks. Rental equipment and pellets are available for a small fee.
New Product Demonstrations at 2021 National Matches
Also new in 2021, the CMP has created Industry Days. Conducted during the Pistol and Rifle phases Industry Days will feature vendor stations located around Camp Perry. Displays will highlight new technology with live-fire demonstrations and other interactive product demos.
2020 has been a pretty rotten year so far — with the Pandemic, shutdowns, riots, and, yes, cancellation of major shooting tournaments, including the big summer National Matches at Camp Perry.
But, not daunted, the CMP organized a series of shooting matches around the country, called the Home Range Appreciation Series. Over 1200 Rifle and pistol competitors shot Home Range matches in 32 states this year. In total, 11 smallbore events, 33 air rifle, 9 GSMM rifle, 13 Highpower Rifle Aggregate, 2 pistol and 4 Rimfire Sporter rifle events were fired in 32 states. Nearly 1,500 entries were recorded throughout the events, with competitors from 43 states.
Open to both adult and junior athletes, the Home Range Appreciation Series events were fired in local club matches and scored by the CMP to be compared against overall scores from participating marksmen around the nation. Matches included the White Oak 1600 Rifle Aggregate, a 200-Yard Reduced Course 800 Rifle Aggregate, a Garand/Springfield/Vintage/Modern Military Rifle Match, Rimfire Sporter Rifle, CMP Pistol 2700 (featuring .22 Rimfire, Center Fire and 45 Caliber pistols), Smallbore 3×20, Smallbore Prone 3200, and air rifle 3×20 and 60-Shot matches.
The CMP conducted a Virtual Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 2, 2020, to honor the top competitors in various discpline. A drawing for all sponsor-donated items also took place during the Virtual Awards Ceremony. You can watch this virtual awards ceremony on YouTube:
The CMP thanks all participants, volunteers, clubs and others who helped to make this inaugural event a true success. To see the top performers, CLICK HERE for full list of Home Range Match Results.
This is heartening — folks are shooting at Camp Perry again. Some normalcy has returned to the world (despite the ongoing pandemic). Though the CMP National Matches were cancelled in summer 2020, shooting returned, on a smaller scale, in the fall. The CMP hosted a Garand-Springfield-Modern and Vintage Military (GSMM) Rifle Match on Camp Perry’s Petrarca Range on September 14th.
Competitors on the line greeted each other with warm smiles and swapped stories of missed competition over the last few months – some traveling from as far as Virginia with the hopes of enjoying Camp Perry after the cancellation of the National Matches (typically an annual tradition for marksmen). Others admitted the Petrarca Match was their first time in competition since last year’s National Matches. So, for those in attendance, this event did represent a positive return to normalcy during this challenging year.
The GSMM Match was subject to strict health and safety guidelines. Participants practiced social distancing and wore masks when not firing. The CMP team also employed sanitation procedures for the facility.
The morning started off soggy as rain moved through the range area along the shores of Lake Erie, clearing off before the first relay to leave a gray backdrop. The weather quickly improved through early afternoon as the sun appeared and warmed the air, making for a pleasant return to the firing line for later relays.
Winning overall in the Garand competition was Jeffrey Cramer, 66, with a 266-3X Aggregate. Jace Diezman, 59, led the Springfield category with 266-2X, as SFC Charles Novak, 55, won the Vintage Military class, with a score of 254-1X. Joe Rondon, 53, won Modern Military with a score of 281-5X over the day.
Modern Kongsberg Electronic Targets for Rapid Scoring
Petrarca Range is home to CMP Targets, powered by the Kongsberg Target Systems (KTS) of Norway. The lineup of electronic targets utilized on the range allows competitors to watch their shots on monitors located at each firing point eliminating the need for pit duty and dead range time.
Gliding to the ground with SFC Bowman will also be an incredible 60-foot American flag.
The 2019 CMP National Matches event at Camp Perry commences today, July 8, with the First Shot Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Camp Perry’s Rodriguez Range. Firing the ceremonial First Shot will be CMP Vice Chairman E.C. “Chris” Stone. While a West Point Cadet, he shot in the All-Army Matches at Camp Perry. He was commissioned in the Infantry and completed Army Airborne, Ranger, and Jungle Schools. Mr. Stone served in Vietnam and Iran, with awards for service and valor in combat.
The National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches have been held at Camp Perry since 1907.
The 2019 First Shot celebration features former U.S. Army Golden Knights skydiver, SFC (R) Dana Bowman. SFC Bowman lost both of his legs in 1994 after an in-air collision that also took the life of one of his Golden Knights teammates. SFC Bowman became the first double amputee to re-enlist in the U.S. Army. He will descend from the sky with a 60-foot American flag in tow. This 2019 Opening Day at Perry will also include free rides in Model T Ford automobiles and a static display of military vehicles.
Year 2019 Camp Perry NM Competition activities begin with NRA/CMP pistol matches on July 8-14, 2019. The CMP Junior Rifle Camp, USAMU SAFS, and Smallbore matches run the next week, with the hugely popular Rimfire Sporter Match on July 21. High Power Rifle events kick off on July 23 with the 4-Man Team Match and rifle events run continuously for the next two and a half weeks.
Here are some key dates for RIFLE events:
July 27 – CMP/USAMU Rifle SAFS
July 29 – President’s 100 Rifle Match
July 30 – National Trophy Individual Rifle Match
July 31 – National Junior Team Match
August 1 – National Trophy Team Match, National Carbine Match
August 2 – National Trophy Infantry Team Match (“Rattle Battle”)
August 3 – M1 Garand Match, Springfield/Vintage Bolt Rifle Match
August 4 – M1A Match, Springfield/Vintage Bolt Rifle Match
August 5 – CMP Vintage Sniper Rifle Match
August 5-8 – CMP Long Range Individual Matches
August 9 – Camp Perry Palma Match
Competing at the Camp Perry National Matches is a “bucket list” item for every serious marksman. The National Matches were first held in 1903, moved to Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1907 and continue to take place every summer at Camp Perry. The National Matches have become a huge, national shooting sports festival with well over 6,000 annual participants.
Year 2019 Camp Perry NM Competition activities begin with NRA/CMP pistol matches on July 8-14, 2019. The CMP Junior Rifle Camp, USAMU SAFS, and Smallbore matches run the next week, with the hugely popular Rimfire Sporter Match on July 21. High Power Rifle events kick off on July 23 with the 4-Man Team Match and rifle events run continuously for the next two and a half weeks.
Here are some key dates for RIFLE events:
July 27 – CMP/USAMU Rifle SAFS
July 29 – President’s 100 Rifle Match
July 30 – National Trophy Individual Rifle Match
July 31 – National Junior Team Match
August 1 – National Trophy Team Match, National Carbine Match
August 2 – National Trophy Infantry Team Match (“Rattle Battle”)
August 3 – M1 Garand Match, Springfield/Vintage Bolt Rifle Match
August 4 – M1A Match, Springfield/Vintage Bolt Rifle Match
August 5 – CMP Vintage Sniper Rifle Match
August 5-8 – CMP Long Range Individual Matches
August 9 – Camp Perry Palma Match
M1 Garand Springfield Armory July 1941 production. Facebook photo by Shinnosuke Tanaka.
Want an authentic surplus M1 Garand? You can get these classic battle rifles from the Civilian Marksmaship Program (CMP) through direct sales as well as auctions. If you are looking to obtain an authentic, safe-to-shoot M1 Garand, the CMP is your best bet. Each M1 Garand rifle sold by the CMP is an genuine U.S. Government rifle that has been inspected, head-spaced, repaired if necessary, and test fired for function. Each rifle is shipped with safety manual, one 8-round clip, and chamber safety flag. CMP operations, warehousing, inspection & repair, test firing, sales order processing and distribution activities are headquartered in Anniston, Alabama.
M1 Garand Manufacturer Codes: SA (Springfield Armory), HRA (Harrington & Richardson Arms), IHC (International Harvester Co.), WRA (Winchester Repeating Arms)
The federal law that established the new CMP authorizes the Corporation to sell surplus .30 and .22 caliber military rifles, parts and ammunition to qualified U.S. citizens “for marksmanship”. Accordingly, the CMP sells government-surplus M1 Garands, .22 caliber target rifles, and small quantities of other rifles to qualified purchasers.
M1 Garands at CMP Retail Store in Anniston, Alabama.
How to Order an M1 Garand from the CMP
To purchase an M1 Garand through the CMP, you must be an adult U.S. Citizen, who is a member of an affiliated organization, and who has participated in a “Marksmanship Activity”*. This basically meas you need to join a a gun club and participate in a clinic or match. Proof of club membership and citizenship is mandatory for all ages. However, the marksmanship requirement is waived for those over 60 years. Garands must be ordered by mail or through official CMP Auctions. Orders are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Rifles of all grades are packed for shipment purely by “luck of the draw”. Most orders ship within 2-4 weeks. If price has changed after an order has been received, customers will be notified before new prices are charged. Free Shipping except Puerto Rico and P.O. Boxes. CLICK HERE for ordering information.
The 2018 Western CMP Cup and CMP Games Event kicked off today at the Ben Avery Range in Phoenix, Arizona. The event runs through Monday, October 22, 2018. For 2018 the CMP takes over what were the Creedmoor Cup Matches, and all matches will now follow CMP High Power Rifle Competition Rules. Notably, this year the Cup and Games matches on the High Power range will be fired on the CMP’s electronic targets. That means less time in the pits, and faster cyeling of relay. Also new this year, the CMP will be adding more smallbore events at Ben Avery. Click HERE for full schedule of events.
The CMP Cup Matches include two CMP 1000 Aggregate Matches followed by a 4-Man Team Match and an EIC Service Rifle Match. Following the CMP Cup Matches will be the CMP Games Matches, which will include Small Arms Firing School (SAFS), Garand/Springfield/Vintage/Modern Military Matches, Carbine Match, Rimfire Sporter match and Vintage Sniper Team Match.
In past years, Dennis DeMille, former Creedmoor Sports General Manager, served as an instructor for the Small Arms Firing School at the Western Games. Below, Dennis shows a young competitor at the CMP Western Games how to adjust his leather sling.
Sling Shooting Tip — The Benefits of Leather
“Many shooters shy away from using a leather sling because they have never been taught how to use one. That’s unfortunate. A leather sling offers more support than a web sling, which is important when competing with the heavier than normal rifles.” — Dennis DeMille
The Benefits of Dry-Fire Training
Once you set up your sling properly, you’ll need practice. Dennis DeMille stresses the importance of dry-fire practice with sling and shooting coat. Dry-Fire training is essential to the sling disciplines. DeMille, a past National Service Rifle Champion, told us that, for every minute he spent in actual competition, he would spend hours practicing without ammunition. While in the USMC, Dennis would practice in the barracks, working on his hold and dry-firing:
“The most important thing is to spend time off the range practicing. Most of what I learned as a High Power shooter I learned without ammunition — just spending time dry firing and doing holding exercises. Holding exercises will really identify the weak parts of your position. The primary purpose of dry firing is to get you used to shooting an empty rifle. If you can shoot a loaded rifle the same way you shoot an empty rifle then eventually you will become a High Master.”
The 2018 National Matches at Camp Perry Ohio kicked off with the NRA Pistol Championship, July 8-13.
The National Matches moved to Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1907 and continue to take place every summer on the shores of Lake Erie, though the NRA High Power Rifle Championships have moved to Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Drawing well over 6,000 annual participants, the National Matches have become a huge, national shooting sports festival. There’s nothing quite like it. Competitors range from beginners to many of the world’s best marksmen. Conducted throughout the month of July through the first week of August, the Camp Perry National months offer a spectacle of shooting with a wide variety of rimfire and centerfire disciplines, with both modern and vintage arms. If you’ve never been to Camp Perry, it is a “bucket list” experience for any serious shooter.
The National Matches at Camp Perry
The National Matches include Small Arms Firing Schools and a series of CMP National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches and CMP Games Events as well as NRA Championships that are held in connection with the National Matches. The National Matches at Camp Perry begin with the NRA National Pistol Championships. For 2018, the CMP has added CMP Smallbore and Long Range Matches to the month-long schedule. The CMP fulfills its responsibility to conduct the National Matches through a working partnership with the Ohio National Guard.
The First Shot Ceremony officially opens the National Matches. This year Maj. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters Jr. addressed assembled competitors, match officials, VIPs, volunteers, and spectators. After Gen. LeMaster’s concluded his speech, he had the honor of firing the ceremonial “first shot” of the National Matches, officially signaling the opening of the National Matches. (Read First Shot Ceremony News Report.)
The John C. Garand match is a Camp Perry classic. Note the signature Garand clip in the air.
The National Trophy Junior Team Match attracts squads of young shooters from around the country.
The Springfield M1A Match is popular every year. Here an amputee shooter competes in 2017.
The 2018 Vintage Sniper Rifle Match will be held August 3, 2018 on the Viale Range. This two-man team competition using scoped rifles of WWI and WWII Vintage has become of of the most popular rifle matches held at Perry. Over 250 teams have competed in recent years. Many competitors use the M1903 Springfield, but you’ll also see scoped M1 Garands, K31s, Mausers, and even a Lee-Enfield or two. (Semi-Auto shooters are scored separately).
Serious smallbore rifle competition returns to Camp Perry this year. Smallbore competitions have been slotted into the Camp Perry National Match schedule July 16-22, 2018, though the NRA National Smallbore Championships will still be held at Camp Wa-Ke-De in Indiana. The CMP will host a new series of smallbore events in July at Camp Perry, the Mecca of competitive shooting in the USA. This way elite smallbore competitors, with their premium match rifles, can enjoy the famed Camp Perry ranges. Of course, the CMP also will continue to offer the hugely popular Rimfire Sporter Match, which attracts hundreds of competitors each year.
The smallbore matches will be fired on Rodriguez Range at Camp Perry under a covered firing line. Shooters Technology will provide a scoring App that allows instant scoring for quick results. Finals will be conducted on the CMP’s Electronic Targets installed on the Camp Perry Petrarca Range.
TALLADEGA, Alabama — The Annual D-Day Anniversary Matches will be held June 8-10, 2018, at the CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama. The event commemorates the Anniversary of the Allied landing at Normandy in June, 1944. In 2015, the $20-million-dollar Talledega Park celebrated its Grand Opening with its first D-Day Match. That was a great success, and the 2018 D-Day Match promises to be even better. This has become a hugely popular event — last year there were over 250 competitors. For many, this match was their first opportunity to shoot on electronic targets. That speeds up the relays and nobody complained about not having to do pit duty.
It’s not too late to join the fun — there are still slots available for the event. You can register online. For more information, email shall [at] thecmp.org or phone 256-474-4408 ext. 414.
EDITOR: Worth Watching! Guys, this nicely-produced video shows multiple disciplines (including Service Rifle, Carbine, Pistol, and Vintage Sniper) and lets you see how the electronic targets work. We highly recommend you watch this video.
Electronic Targets + No Pit Duty = More Fun
Competitors will be firing all matches on electronic targets. The John C. Garand Range has a huge firing line with monitors at all shooting stations. These connect to three banks of electronic targets positioned at 200, 300, and 600 yards. Spectators can view the results in real time on large monitors.
INVITATION: The CMP’s John C. Garand D-Day Anniversary Match is a big event with many different competitions for rifle and pistol shooters. Along with the signature M1 Garand event, a Vintage Sniper Match, EIC Service Rifle Match, .22 Rimfire Pistol Match, EIC Service Pistol Match, and .22 Rimfire Pistol matches will be conducted.
State of the Art Shooting Facility in Alabama
The 500-acre CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park is one of the most advanced outdoor shooting facilities in the Western Hemisphere. The facility includes a 600-yard rifle range, a 100-yard multi-purpose range, and a 50-yard pistol range, equipped with Kongsberg electronic targets and scoring monitors that allow shooters on the firing line to review shots in a matter of seconds. Since the 54 targets at each line register hits and calculate the scores, no pit duty is required at Talladega.
State-of-the-art Kongsberg target systems are used at the CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park.
The Benefits of Dry-Fire Training
