CEO Update Fall/Winter 2025

December 15, 2025

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸The First Shot▸CEO Update Fall/Winter 2025

As we close out another remarkable year of marksmanship training, competition, responsible firearm stewardship and the firearms sales that make it all possible, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to every athlete, coach, parent, volunteer, customer and supporter who has strengthened our mission. Your dedication ensures that marksmanship education continues to thrive and that the next generation learns the values of safety, discipline and excellence. Thank you for standing with us and helping advance the CMP’s mission nationwide.

And what an exciting season it has been.

From record-setting attendance and eTargets at the National Matches, new firearms sales programs (to include the popular in-person M1911 sales events) and more of a focus on training and education, 2025 showcased the excellence and diversity of CMP events and programs.

Whether you competed on the line, supported a local club or joined us at one of our ranges, you’ve contributed to a year defined by progress and sportsmanship. Your feedback and participation drive these improvements, and we look forward to bringing even more resources and events to the program in the year ahead.

And we are very excited for what lies ahead.

In 2026, we intend to make more investments in youth development, to include a significantly increased scholarship program and to provide more training, education and coaching opportunities. We’re also working on increased support to CMP Affiliated Clubs and integrating more technology into our operations, to include new leaderboards and rolling out some new firearms sales programs.

Moreover, we’re on the cusp of announcing an expansion to our physical footprint on Camp Perry. More to follow on that in the Spring newsletter, but it will add more to our air gun, smallbore and pistol programs at Camp Perry.

All this certainly sets the foundation for an exciting 2026. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we are proud to share highlights of these accomplishments in this December update.

Commercial Ammo:  Creedmoor Ammo Launch: Now available through the CMP eStore and in our physical stores! The CMP and Creedmoor Sports have collaborated to produce match-grade .30-06 ammunition, tailored to the M1 Garand. The ammo features a Berger bullet atop a Lapua case, stuffed with Vihtavuori powder. Find this and other ammo offerings on the eStore at https://shop.thecmp.org/browse/Ammo?f=Commercial%20Ammo.   And be on the lookout for holiday sales on all our commercial ammo.

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We’re Digital!  We digitized all online ordering channels to include Auction, Surplus Rifle, Surplus and Commercial Pistols. The days of filling out a PDF form, printing it out, and packing it along with the required documents into a big envelope, are over. We created digital payment links enabling our customers to pay at their convenience, replacing the telephone tag payment process. We transitioned our auction site to the gunbroker.com platform to offer our customers better user experience in the auction process. We digitized our safety video viewing and affidavit process, so that it can be completed in advance of visiting our ranges, to give you 30 more minutes on the range! We also created a separate website for our Talladega Marksmanship Range, to best access park, calendar, competition events, and corporate use information.

SHOT Show 2026:  Once again, this year we’ll be represented in Las Vegas at the SHOT Show (Booth #71050), where we’ll be showcasing our current programs and new ventures, including the newly manufactured M1 by CMP!  Feel free to come on by to visit.  For more formal business-related requirements contact Greg Raines ([email protected]) to book time.

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Production:

• Drill Receiver Reclamation Project: The Drill Receiver Reclamation Project is a landmark initiative designed to restore tens of thousands of previously deactivated M1 Garand and 1903A3 drill rifles into safe, functional firearms. With original receiver inventory nearly exhausted (note: CMP continues to work with the US Government to identify options for the return of US-provided M1s from foreign countries), CMP identified this project as a critical way to sustain future rifle production and preserve important historical assets. Extensive testing, engineering oversight and transparent communication have positioned this program as a model for responsible firearm reclamation and safety assurance.
  • Scope and Inventory: Began with ~75,000 serialized drill rifles (M1 Garand and 1903A3)
    • 10,000 M1s classified as ‘good’ (Category A)
    • 26,000 M1s classified as ‘medium (Category B)
    • 15,000 M1903/A3s in a condition supporting reclamation
    • 24,000 as ‘scrap’ (Category C – deferred due to cost and condition)
  • Partnerships: CMP partnered with Heritage Arms (manufacturing) and Prospector Training of Florida (ballistic testing and validation).
  • Testing: A rigorous validation program included destructive testing and proof loads exceeding 80,000 psi—demonstrating exceptional strength and safety.
  • Production: CMP placed an initial purchase order for ~20,000 receivers across the recoverable categories.
  • Identification: All reclaimed rifles and receivers carry an “RC” item number prefix to clearly differentiate them from legacy products.
  • Customer Reception: Initial market skepticism was overcome through education, transparent documentation, and in-person demonstrations at the 2025 National Matches.
  • Sales Strategy: CMP introduced stripped and barreled receiver sales at low margins to build customer trust and demonstrate quality firsthand.
  • Sustainability: Sales velocity has stabilized, providing a multi-year supply of reclaimed receivers for production and sales.
  • The project inventory will support nearly 2-3 years of sales.

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• CMP 1903A3 Expert Rifle Program: A key component of the Drill Receiver Reclamation initiative is the development of the CMP 1903A3 Expert Rifle, CMP’s first bolt-action rifle to carry the Expert Grade designation. The project utilizes reclaimed 1903A3 receivers from the drill inventory, each carefully inspected and refurbished to CMP’s Expert standards. This launch expands CMP’s product line and appeals to collectors and shooters seeking historically accurate bolt-action rifles.
  • All supply chain inventory acquired, and the Armory is staged to begin assembly.
  • Production Start: Scheduled to begin in November 2025, with initial inventory and public release expected in January 2026.
  • Configuration: Each rifle features a new Criterion barrel, new Minelli walnut stock, refinished metal parts and authentic GI-style hardware.
  • Grading and Finish: Rifles will meet the same cosmetic and performance criteria as CMP’s M1 Expert Grade rifles.
  • Variants: Plans include a scoped 1903A4 model using Hi-Lux M82 optics and potential chambering in .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield.
  • Strategic Impact: This expansion diversifies CMP’s product offerings and ensures efficient use of reclaimed assets while appealing to both historical and modern shooters.

• New CMP M1 Rifle Project: The New CMP M1 Rifle Project represents a return to U.S.-based production of forged, USGI-spec M1 Garand receivers. This is CMP’s first move into commercial firearms manufacturing.

We have partnered to manufacture parts and components for several years, but never receivers. This program ensures the long-term viability of M1 rifle sales after the depletion of legacy and reclaimed receiver inventories while offering a quality product for those who do not wish to purchase a reclaimed offering.

For those more interested in performance over collectability, the newly manufactured CMP M1 is the clear choice. It delivers a product that is both faithful to the original design and built to modern manufacturing tolerances and materials standards.

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• Purpose: Ensure long-term rifle production continuity through a newly manufactured, USGI-spec forged receiver
  • Partnership: Multi-year R&D collaboration with Heritage Arms covering 3D scanning, CAD modeling, prototype machining and validation
  • Prototypes cleared for test batch “T Lot” production in early 2025
  • Testing: Over 100 serialized T-prefix test rifles produced, fired through 16,000+ rounds during developmental validation
  • Numerous iterations and improvements between small lots within the “T” series
  • T Lot proving conclude mid-summer and preorders were opened for eager customers
  • Founder Series: We received607 preorders placed in 2025 under the FNDR prefix (231 in .308 and 376 in .30-06), representing the first commercial batch
  • Production Status: Full production underway. Initial Founder Series shipments began in early November 2025.  Standard production units will begin shipping early in 2026.
  • Specifications: Forged USGI Spec receiver, Criterion or Faxon barrel, forged reproduction stainless steel gas cylinder and new walnut stock. MSRP: $1,950 for either caliber (.30-06 or .308 Win)
  • Future Models: Planned expansion to include M1D, and “Tanker” variants, as well as alternative calibers. Development also underway on several other exciting variants that will be announced as we roll into the new year.
  • Strategic Value: Ensures a sustainable, U.S.-based manufacturing capability that preserves authenticity while meeting modern expectations for quality and precision

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M1911 Pistols: Our inventory and sales of M1911 pistols remains strong. The limit of four pistols per person per lifetime remains in effect for 2026. We do intend to bring in-person sales to the Talladega Marksmanship Park store in the March/April timeframe and to the Camp Perry store in the June timeframe and prior to the National Matches. More information on this will be forthcoming after the new year.

National Matches & Travel Games:

• National Matches success: First year for eTargets!
  • The CMP’s Programs division successfully rendered a multi-million-dollar investment in Kongsberg Target Systems (KTS) outdoor eTargets, adding to the current system already implemented over the past few years.
  • With the investment, the CMP was able to utilize eTargets through every portion of the month-long National Matches, with the exception of Pistol events and the National Trophy Infantry Team Match.
  • Surveys from competitors using the eTargets have been returned, and the responses were overwhelmingly positive.

• Matches run about 25 percent faster with eTargets than they do with traditional pit operated or paper targets, allowing us the opportunity to complete matches much faster and to present more opportunities for people to shoot multiple matches.

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We also saw increased National Matches participation:

• 2024 P100 Competitors were 853, increasing to 883 in 2025.2024 NTI Competitors were 797, increasing to 837 for 2025.2024 Hearst Doubles were 521, increasing to 532 in 2025.2024 Sniper competitors were 357, increasing to 387 in 2025.

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• Record attendance for New England Games: We had 251 competitors in September at the New England Games in Vermont, increasing by 23 over 2024. The participant count includes 80 competitors who were new to the New England Games in 2025.

• Western Games, held in October in Arizona, saw nearly 200 competitors take the firing line through the lineup of rifle and pistol offerings. This year, we also added six, 20-shot 1,000-yard long range matches for competitors firing in the Service Rifle, Match Rifle, F-Class, F T/R, AR Tactical or Palma Rifle categories.

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Air Gun/Smallbore:

• Increased participation at the National Matches: The Air Rifle, Air Pistol and Smallbore portions of the National Matches each saw significant upward trends in participation in 2025 from the previous two years, including:
  • Air Rifle: +41 percent
  • Air Pistol: +73 percent
  • Smallbore Three-Position: +37 percent
  • Smallbore Prone: +11 percent

• Addition of Smallbore Events in Alabama: We’ve been able to add smallbore opportunities to multiple events in Alabama. In October, we hosted around 70 competitors at the Alabama Air Gun & Smallbore Cup (formerly the Dixie Double) and will welcome smallbore athletes to the November Monthly Matches for the first time. Each smallbore event utilizes CMP’s electronic targets at Talladega Marksmanship Park.

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• Upcoming Matches for 2025:
  • USA Shooting Winter Air Gun: The CMP Is proud to once again be named a host site for USA Shooting’s 2025 Winter Air Gun Championship. The event will be held Dec. 12-14 at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio.
  • Gary Anderson Invitational: We’re excited to announce that the Gary Anderson Invitational, one of the CMP’s most popular 3×20 junior events of the year, has expanded to seven additional host locations around the country! The extended reach and additional match days will allow even more juniors to experience CMP match competition, without having to worry about travel expenses. The matches are ongoing — late November through mid-December. Learn more about the 2025 Gary Anderson Invitational at https://thecmp.org/cmp-matches/gary-anderson-invitational-air-rifle-championship/.
  • Air Gun Postal Matches: We’re currently hosting several postal events for adults and juniors! These matches allow individuals to take part in national-level competitions from their home ranges. Compete on official targets and send results back to the CMP for scoring!
    • JROTC Postal: This event welcomes high school junior cadets in Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard and Air Force JROTC programs who are interested in competing with other youth athletes from around the country in three-position sporter or precision competition. Online registration ends Nov. 18! Learn more: https://thecmp.org/youth/jrotc/.
    • CMP Postal: Like the JROTC Postal, the CMP Postal is designed for junior three-position sporter and precision athletes. Individuals as well as American Legion, 4-H and junior rifle clubs and JROTC units may participate in the event. Registration ends Jan. 9, 2026. Learn more: https://thecmp.org/youth/three-position-national-postal-competition/cmp-3par-national-postal/.
    • American Legion Postal: Another junior three-position event open to sporter and precision American Legion programs. Those interested must order targets by Dec. 13. Learn more: https://thecmp.org/youth/american-legion/.
    • Aces Postal: Fired in four quarters, this junior and adult air rifle and air pistol program consists of Air Rifle, Air Pistol and Para-Air Rifle/Air Pistol events. Quarter 1 for the upcoming year opens on Jan. 1, 2026. Learn more: https://thecmp.org/youth/aces-postal/.

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• CMP Junior Rifle Camps: The mission of the CMP Junior Rifle Camps has always been to help juniors who have a desire to improve their marksmanship skills and to develop leaders on and off the range. The year’s camps welcomed 358 campers from June to July in Alabama, Colorado, Oklahoma and Ohio. Learn more about the camp program, which will return in summer 2026, https://thecmp.org/youth/junior-air-rifle-camps-and-clinics/.

Talladega Marksmanship Park: Our goal at the TMP is to drive more attendance at the Park via competitions and training and education events/programs. Look out for them on our new TMP website (https://tmp.thecmp.org/).

• We saw increases in the Talladega Matches:
  • 2024 Spring Classic had 189 competitors, increasing to 343 in 2025.2024 Talladega D-Day Match had 273 competitors, increasing to 277.
  • 2024 Talladega 600 had 336 competitors, increasing to 408 in 2025 – the most in the history of the event.

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• World Police & Fire Games: This summer, the CMP was honored to host a segment of the 2025 World Police & Fire Games at Talladega Marksmanship Park and the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Alabama! The biennial Olympic-style event welcomed law enforcement officers and firefighters from around the world, with all marksmanship events (rifle, pistol, air gun, shotgun and archery) conducted at CMP facilities.

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Pistol Program:

• Action Pistol:
  • Distinguished Program Finalized: Policy, scoring, and qualification criteria approved and ready for public release. The Action Pistol rulebook has also been completed.
  • Distinguished Badge Production: Final design still in the works. Planning for manufacturing will be underway soon for the 2026 season.

• 2026 CMP Bianchi Cup: The 2026 CMP is set for May 21-24, 2026, at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Missouri! A world-renowned international action pistol tournament for over 40 years, the CMP Bianchi Cup is open to adults and juniors of all experience levels. Featured events include Practical, Barricade, Falling Plate and Moving Target.
  • Registration for the event opens Dec. 22, 2025.
    • Those who register early (before May 1, 2026) will earn the chance to win a 1911 Pistol! An ammo raffle will also be offered for the event.
  • Program Enhancements: 1920 Award established. The total match experience at Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club for the CMP Bianchi Cup has been elevated through improved logistics, media coverage and competitor amenities.
  • Sponsorship: Title sponsor for the CMP Bianchi Cup secured – SDS Arms!
    • SDS Arms partners with manufacturing brands from around the globe, such as Tisas, Tokarev, MAC, Spandau Arms and Inglis, to bring quality marksmanship equipment to the American consumer.
    • The company prides itself on delivering value, innovation and reliability within its products to ensure the highest performance for all, from beginners to seasoned marksmen and women. Learn more about SDS Arms at https://sdsarms.com/.

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• Bullseye Pistol:
  • CMP Branded Targets: New 50-yard full face, 50-yard repair center and 25-yard repair centers completed and approved for production and issue.
  • Rules Modernization: Updated National Trophy Team and Military & Police rules to include a new Industry/At-Large Team category, debuting at the Gold Cup Match.
  • Equipment Modernization: Approved use of red dot sights on Military & Police pistols in CMP Games events.
  • Match Development: Introduced new courses of fire for 1911 As-Issued and Military & Police Games Matches to improve participation and accessibility.

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New Training and Education Manager, Hank Gray! We are excited to welcome Hank Gray, decorated marksmen and former competitor/instructor for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, to the CMP family!

• Gray has been involved in competitive marksmanship for nearly 40 years, most recently as competitor and instructor for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and Team USA. With international experience around the world, he has been involved in both Olympic and Paralympic-style competition – serving as rifle coach at the 2020 Tokyo and the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

• Those who have visited the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio, may recognize Gray – either as fellow competitor on the firing line, coach behind it or from his larger-than-life depiction in the famous wall mural of the air range.

• “The CMP is an exciting place to work and truly has an amazing staff,” Gray said. “We’ve got a few new projects brewing that will even further build upon the legacy of the organization as the ‘Home of Marksmanship.’”

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If you have questions or comments about any of this content, please feel free to post, and we’ll try to answer as many as possible.

Thank you again for all your support, and Happy Holidays!  

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