Registration for the 2023 Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) National Pistol and Rifle Trophy is officially open! The annual event, which has been held at Camp Perry National Guard Training Base since 1907, is run by a partnership between the CMP and the Ohio National Guard and features a variety of indoor and outdoor events. free. Both adult and junior athletes are welcome to participate in this centuries-old tradition.
The National Matches are made up of the CMP National Pistol and Rifle Trophy, National Games Matches, Small Bore National Matches, National Air Gun Championships, and Medium and Long Range National Matches. The month-long series also includes a variety of educational clinics for shooters and women at all experience levels.
Whether competing for the first time, a seasoned athlete or just watching, National Matches has something for everyone. All events are open to the public and spectators are welcome.
Rimfire Sporting Rifle:
The first event of the 2023 National Matches will be the Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match. One of the most popular National Games events, the Rimfire Sporter Rifle match features competition in .22 caliber sights in open (Class O), telescopic (Class T) and tactical/unlimited (TU) classes, shot at 50 and 25 yards. The event is perfect for those just getting started in the sport or those seeking nostalgic fun at the shooting range. A live fire CMP Rimfire clinic will also be held before the match.
National Air Gun and Small Caliber Matches:
For the first time, all National Smallbore events will be fired at electronic targets! The small-bore program includes iron sights and any sighting-prone events, as well as individual 3×20 (three position) matches.
For competitors with air rifles or air pistols, check out the National Air Gun Matches, held on the electronic shooting range inside the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center. This series features training, followed by two days of 60-shot competitions.
In 2023, the National Smallbore and National Air Gun calendars were combined to allow athletes the option of competing in both disciplines. Early air rifle and small bore events include a 3-member elimination team event, as well as an added air rifle shooter and three position small bore competitions.
Gun:
This year’s National Pistol events will once again include a mix of traditional matches such as the President’s Pistol, National Trophy Individual, and National Trophy Team, along with a 900 global match series for the .22, .45, and Center Fire Pistol. In addition, the Service Revolver and GSSF GLOCK National Challenge events (with a new Modular Optics Configuration category) will add unique fun to the program. Pistol matches of 2023 will also see improvements to ranges, with target lines set at 25 and 50 yards to eliminate movement between the strings.
High Power, Service and Antique Rifle:
The National Trophy Rifle series includes prestigious matches such as the President’s Rifle, Hearst Doubles, Rattle Battle, National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Team events. For the juniors, a special match for youth teams in pairs is also planned. Similarly, the CMP High Power (HP) Rifle Championship Series will once again offer a 4-man team event and three 80-shot matches on the schedule and will fire at electronic targets.
The CMP will continue to offer a variety of vintage and modern military rifle events during the Matches portion of the National Games, including the John C. Garand, Springfield, and Vintage Sniper matches. In 2023, the Garand/Springfield/Vintage/Modern (GSMM) military calendar was updated to allow competitors to choose to shoot multiple times in different matches.
Medium and long range rifle:
The CMP National Long Range Series features 10 individual and team competitions. A mid-range event featuring a 20-shot slow 600-yard shooting course is scheduled for 2023along with long-range matches that are open to the Match Rifle, Service Rifle, Palma Rifle, F-Open, FT/R, or AR Tactical categories, all shot at Camp Perry’s 1,000-yard Viale Range.
Clinics:
Small Arms Shooting Schools (SAFS) will be held for rifle, pistol and small caliber. SAFS participants are tutored by some of the nation’s top military shooters on firearms safety and the basics of competition. All firearms and ammunition are provided for the live fire portion of the clinic.
For young athletes, a five-day program CMP National Junior Camp Matches it will be open to those athletes who shoot both from a small-bore three-position air rifle and from foot or international precision. Participants must be between the ages of 12 and 20 and must be currently competing in the disciplines.
Other clinics during National Matches include the CMP/USMC Youth Rifle Clinictaught by current members of the Marine Corps Shooting Team, and the CMP High Potency Advanced Clinicfor more experienced competitors, both include classes and live-fire training at the shooting range.
Sales:
Out of action in the line of fire commercial row offers a variety of items for both spectators and competitors, with a variety of manufacturers selling used firearms, ammunition, competition gear, accessories, apparel, and much more. He North CMP StoreLocated on the grounds of Camp Perry, it allows for even more shopping opportunities at Matches with a line of military surplus rifles, souvenirs, and gear necessities.
Accommodation:
Housing for national matches is currently available on the Camp Perry grounds. Accommodations include four-person cabins, cabins, barracks, RV spaces, and camping sites. Camp Perry lodging information posted at https://cplcc.com/national-matches/. If the base housing is full, numerous hotels are available in the surrounding areas of Port Clinton, Fremont and Sandusky. Visit https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/area-lodging-links/ for information on lodging.
More information:
All events are open to the public, free to view. Spectators can watch the shooting at the Camp Perry shooting ranges at any time, with ample parking on site. Guests are encouraged to participate in the many exciting activities and visual attractions on offer during the domestic game season.
Review the new 2023 national match schedule and other event information on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact CMP at (419) 635-2141 or email competitions@thecmp.org. We hope to see you there!
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearms safety and marksmanship training and the promotion of marksmanship competition for United States citizens. To learn more about the CMP and its programs, log on to www.TheCMP.org.