CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program)
Competitive marksmanship is a big part of CMP’s mission. It reinforces firearms safety and enables competitors to further develop their marksmanship skills and in many cases, earn recognition for doing so.
Matches are open to everyone 12 years of age and older.
The CMP offers numerous types of center-fire, rim-fire, and air rifle competitions, along with pistol competition. At FSC, the Short-Range Service Rifle course is predominant, consisting of a 3-position rapid and slow fire using a military service rifle, with the AR15 being very popular for this event. Targets are “reduced” or scaled in size from 300- and 600-yard targets and used at the 200-yard mark, with a 50 round 4 stage Course of Fire as outlined below. Six matches per year are “sanctioned”. This means the shooters’ scores are sent to the CMP and are published on their website. Shooters do not have to shoot “sanctioned” and may choose to shoot unsanctioned.
A CMP match at Factoryville consists of 50 rounds for record. Everything is shot at 200 yards using the reduced targets. Before the match begins everyone has a chance to take five sighting shots from any position they desire.
The first course of fire is standing slow fire. Ten rounds are fired offhand without a sling with a ten-minute time limit. Targets are then scored and repaired.
The second course of fire is a rapid-fire stage. Shooters start standing and go to sitting or kneeling, their choice. They are given sixty seconds to fire ten rounds. Slings are allowed in this stage and the other stages. Targets are then scored and replaced.
The third stage is rapid prone. Shooters again start standing and go to prone, firing ten rounds in seventy seconds. This stage is the reduced 300-yard stage. Targets are scored and replaced.
The final stage is slow fire prone. Shooters have twenty minutes to fire twenty rounds. This replicates the 600-yard stage found at the full range matches.
The first priority of the match is safety. All shooters and spectators must have eye and ear protection. Shooters must follow safety rules and should have an empty chamber indicator. We often have extra ones for those who do not have one. All safety rules are explained to shooters before the match. This includes loading procedures for each stage of the match.
Since shooting is done in the prone position, having a shooting mat or blanket is a plus. It does save on skinned elbows and knees. A spotting scope is not necessary, but helpful. Shooters may wear a shooting coat and glove if desired. Some use elbow pads
We allow shooters to use any military style rife in good operating condition. This includes rifles of foreign make. The most popular are the AR15, M1 Garand, and the M1A1 rifles. Scopes are allowed. In sanctioned matches the scopes are limited to 4.5 power. Some shooters only have scopes that are of higher power. We will allow them as unsanctioned.
The main focus is to have fun. We have a great group of shooters, and everyone speaks gun. Do not be afraid if you have not previously shot a match. Someone will be glad to help you. The entry fee is $10.00 for a match. Any serviceman who is on active duty shoots free. We also give law enforcement officers their first match for free. Matches start at 10:00 am, please come earlier for registration and conversation.
These are what are known as fun matches, which is why we allow for foreign rifles and higher power optics. We also make accommodations for those shooters who have a physical disability by allowing them to start in position rather than from standing.
Please refer to the FSC schedule and calendar of events for dates, times, fees, and POC information
Additional information about the CMP and about the competitions, history, and services / equipment that they can provide please see their website http://odcmp.com/Competitions.htm and the CMP rule-book for qualifying arms and ammunition: http://odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf
Match Director: John Joyce Email: jjoyce4703@comcast.net