Anthony Kissik

First Paris 2024 Olympians for USA Shooting to be Selected in Anniston Alabama 

Courtesy of Brittany Nelson, USA Shooting PR and Communications Manager

USA Shooting’s air gun Olympic Trials part three, where the Paris 2024 Olympic Air Rifle and Pistol Team will be selected, is being held at the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Judith Legerski Competition Center in Anniston, Alabama, Jan. 5-7, 2024. 

Over 90 rifle and pistol athletes from across the country will be competing in the trials for their chance to be named to the 2024 Paris Olympic Team. The 2024 Games will be held this year in France July 26- Aug. 11. A maximum of two athletes in each event will be eligible for the Olympic team. 

See the schedule* below:

• Jan. 5 – Official Practice (all events) 9:00am-12:00pm

• Jan. 6 – Women’s Air Rifle & Pistol-8:45am-10:15am
  Men’s Air Rifle & Pistol- 10:45am-12:15pm

• Jan. 7 – Women’s Air Rifle & Pistol-7:45am-9:15am
  Men’s Air Rifle & Pistol- 9:45am-11:15am
  FINALS Men’s Air Rifle & Pistol- 11:45am
  FINALS Women’s Air Rifle & Pistol- 1:30pm

The competition is open to the public and free of charge. Live target images may be viewed online throughout the event at https://mllive.megalink.no/#!/cmp-south.

In order for USA Shooting to qualify for competition in an event at the Olympic games, an athlete must win a quota slot in the event. For Paris, USA Shooting currently has five out of the eight possible quotas for air gun. Although up to two athletes can be named to the Olympic team in each event, on Jan. 7 USA Shooting will name the Olympic team members in the following events:

• Women’s Air Pistol (2 athletes)
• Women’s Air Rifle (2 athletes)
• Men’s Air Rifle (1 athlete)

USA Shooting athletes will be competing in the 2024 Championship of the Americas Games this spring in the hopes of earning the remaining quotas needed for the Paris Games. USA Shooting athletes currently have a total of 18 Olympic quotas slots for Pairs and four Paralympic quotas. The remaining Olympic quotas include Men’s Air Pistol (2), Men’s Air Rifle (1), Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions (1), Men’s Rapid Fire (1), Women’s 25m Pistol (1). See the complete list of quotas earned here.

For more information about the event, contact Brittany Nelson at 210-861-9410 or Brittany.Nelson@usashooting.org

*Schedule is subject to change

About USA Shooting

USA Shooting, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation was chartered by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the Olympic Shooting Sports in April 1995. The organization develops and implements programs to promote growth in the sport and serves as a sanctioning body for local and national competitions. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, USA Shooting has a full-time staff dedicated to our sport.

About CMP

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.

Shirley, Welter Claim Wins at 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

A total of 330 junior sporter and precision air rifle athletes arrived in Ohio and Alabama over the weekend of Dec. 1-2 to compete in the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational – one of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) most anticipated youth events of the year. Individuals from around the country participated in the three-position match, with Gary Anderson himself even in attendance to witness the budding talent on the firing line.

In sporter, Bethany Shirley, 17, of Monroe, GA, acquired a commanding lead with a score of 660.6 for the overall win – nearly 20 points over Brooklyn Zeigler, 16, of Gray, TN, who earned a score of 642.9 for second. Rounding out the top three was Brayden Rich, 16, of Winthrop Harbor, IL, with a score of 641.5.

Leading the precision class was Natalie Welter,14, of Parker, PA, with an overall score of 699.7. Following closely in second was Carley Seabrooke, 17, of Helena, AL, with an aggregate score of 698.3, as Jack Ogoreuc, 16, Grove City, PA, found a score of 697.4 for third.

Along with individual competitions, a four-person team event is also held during the event.

Leading teams of the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational:

Precision:

1. American Legion Post 295 – 2348-156X
2. East Coweta – 2325-138X
3. Camden County High School Team A – 2323-131X

Sporter:

1. Zion Benton High School Team 1 – 2174-55X
2. Daniel Boone High School Sporter 1 – 2149-69X
3. Zion Benton High School Team 1 – 2140-54X

The Gary Anderson Invitational is held within the 80-point electronic air gun ranges at both the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry, Ohio, and the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Anniston, Ala. The junior sporter and precision air rifle competition includes kneeling, prone and standing positions for qualification scores as well as a 10-shot final fired by all athletes on the line. Winners are determined from scores at both locations.

Find a complete list of results of the 2023 Gary Anderson Invitational on the CMP’s website at https://ct.thecmp.org/GAI23Results.   

View and download free event photos from both locations at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/f260916458.

About Gary Anderson: 

Mr. Anderson is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and holds seven world championships, six world records and 16 national championships. He has won more Olympic and world championship three-position titles than any other American in history. In 1999, Anderson began a 10-year reign as Director of Civilian Marksmanship and retired in December 2009. 

Today, Anderson serves as DCM Emeritus and remains a mentor for new and experienced, old and young shooters around the country through his articles and classes. Anderson’s advice is regularly featured in CMP’s junior magazine, On The Mark, and throughout the year during the clinics he leads at CMP events. In 2014, the CMP North Competition Center was renamed the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, in honor of his years of dedication to the sport.

Over 100 Guests, New Products Connect at CMP’s Inaugural Premier Shooting Expo

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

TALLADEGA, Ala. – On Oct. 18, 2023, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) hosted its inaugural Premier Shooting Expo – an interactive event for vendors and consumers, set across the 500 acres of CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama. 

Over 100 guests attended the Expo, where they were able to meet with 17 different marksmanship industry and non-industry retailers to test out the latest products first-hand. The Expo also included exclusive door prize opportunities for those in attendance and the chance to fire CMP’s own M1 Garand rifles and 1911 pistols.

“It was a great event, showcasing firearm vendors from across the country and showcasing the range,” said Greg Raines, CMP Chief Commercial Officer. “We’re already planning for the 2024 Expo, where we look to have triple the showing over the first year’s numbers.”

Some of today’s leading manufacturers attended the inaugural Premier Shooting Expo, including a long-time supporter of the CMP and its programs – GLOCK, Inc.

“I’ve always been a firm believer in putting our product in a person’s hands,” said GLOCK’s National Sales Manager, Bob Radecki. “To me, this is the best sales opportunity you can have – when you’re interacting directly with the consumer and you’re actually having the opportunity to show them your product, show them the benefits of your product and actually use it.”

As Radecki praised Talladega’s access to hotels and neighboring restaurants as well as its suitability for a dynamic event like the Expo, he thought back to his first visit to the park when the 600-yard electronic range was marked only by a lone piece of construction equipment on bare soil.

“We’ve been involved with the CMP at Talladega since before it was built,” Radecki joked.

GLOCK has kept a close relationship with the CMP over the years – holding multiple GLOCK Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) National Championships at Talladega and recently presenting a check to the park for $50,000.

“We have a very good working relationship with the CMP,” Radecki said. “The people that run the organization are easy to work with, and the facilities are outstanding.” 

Along a fleet of pistols like the G21, G47 and the G20 10mm, GLOCK brought representatives of the GSSF to the Premier Shooting Expo. The team encouraged guests to participate in one of the assembled stages of their GSSF matches within one of Talladega’s pistol bays – 10 rounds on GLOCK M-4 paper targets and a steel target, using a G47 with standard sights. Numerous visitors who had never fired in a GSSF match before took on the target setup, with GSSF experts nearby to ensure safety and to aid newcomers on the range.

“The GSSF is an outstanding way to get into competition,” Radecki explained. “It’s not overly complicated, so if you are a new shooter, it’s not overwhelming. It’s a good starting point.”

The top scoring participant in the GSSF stage at the Premier Expo won a GSSF life membership. The match demonstration was just one part of the crowning objective shared by everyone at Talladega that day – supporting safe and enjoyable marksmanship activities for all.

“I’d like to see more people come out,” Radecki went on about the CMP Premier Expo. “It’s an excellent opportunity to try before you buy. We have a plethora of manufacturers here, so you can shoot the GLOCKS, competitor handguns – it’s just a good opportunity to come out and have a nice day at the range where you can shoot a variety of things, and the cost is insignificant.”

A seasoned competitor in his own right, Radecki took the opportunity to try out other vendor displays for himself, like the revolvers available through Kimber Manufacturing.

Kimber is known for its high-end 1911s and ultra-light hunting rifles, but at the Premier Shooting Expo, the company exhibited some of its newest firearms including the KDS9c concealed-carry 15-round capacity pistol, along with other 9mm like the R7 MAKO and the K6S Target and new K6XS lightweight backup.

“It’s important that we connect with our core consumer. We value our core consumer – that’s the reason why we are where we are,” said Everett Deger, Marketing Director at Kimber Manufacturing. “Our preference is that people can get their hands on our products and test drive them, so to speak. That’s our philosophy.”

“I consider it essential,” he went on. “Especially when you select something as personal as a firearm. You can buy shoes online and return them, but firearms are a much more personal purchase.”

Kimber’s corporate headquarters is located in Troy, Ala. – only a short drive from CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park. According to Deger, the close proximity of the entities makes them natural partners in keeping marksmanship moving in a positive direction.

“The CMP is what I consider to be the anchor as far as firearm events and the civilian market,” he said. “We’re on the cusp of starting a more robust relationship.”

“This is probably the first known event that we’ve supported the CMP at this facility,” he added. “We supported the CMP earlier this year with presence at the Bianchi Cup, but we’re looking forward to a launch debut event at Talladega in early March 2024 for the brand overall.”

Other companies represented at the 2023 Premier Shooting Expo included Grizzly Ears (specializing in hearing protection for outdoor enthusiasts), Steyr Arms (another elite firearms retailer), Crosman Corporation (a principal manufacturer of air guns) and Volquartsen Firearms (an Iowa-based distributor of .22 rimfire products).

Like the vendors in attendance, consumers at the Expo hailed from Alabama and other areas of the country, including David Castle and Ronnie Davenport from Greenwood, S.C., who made a four-hour drive to Talladega.

“We wanted to come because it was the inaugural event,” Davenport said. 

“The CMP has got a nice facility here, and it’s well run,” Castle added.

The pair met through their own local club years ago and quickly discovered a kinship and mutual desire to travel to the Talladega Marksmanship Park. After participating in the inaugural rimfire sporter rifle match when the park opened in 2016, the men – lovers of wood guns, especially – now make the trip to Talladega together twice a year to attend the annual Talladega D-Day and Talladega 600 events held at the facility. 

Castle and Davenport spoke highly of the electronic targets located within Talladega, saying the shot placement monitors located at each firing point help them eliminate the need for a spotting scope. The use of the monitors allows participants to make quick adjustments without having to strain to see downrange.

“It makes you a better shooter,” Castle said.

The duo said they were happy to visit face-to-face with vendors at the Expo as well as the CMP personnel they’ve come to know over the years. They plan to return to next year’s Expo to see even more vendors around the park.

“We enjoyed it,” Davenport said. “And it’ll just get better and better.”

Sharing the same sentiments were Alabama locals Jim Barton and Ben Jackson of Birmingham. After finding out about the Expo through the CMP’s email newsletter, they knew they had to attend the event for themselves.

“We’re both interested in the shooting sports and target shooting and hunting and such, so we thought it was a neat idea to come out here for the first Expo and see who else showed up,” Jackson said. “And it turned out to be a beautiful day.”

Both Jackson and Barton have been visiting Talladega regularly since its opening, enjoying the variation and flexibility available through the park’s mix of rifle, pistol, archery and shotgun ranges. They also look forward to using the facility’s Unknown Distance Range on their next visit.

“I think it’s fantastic that a range of this quality, with this variety, is right here in Alabama,” Barton said.

They went on to commend the CMP for compiling its own Expo to bring together industry favorites as well as some lesser known manufacturers.

“It gives you the chance to meet and talk with a lot of people,” Jackson said. “I wasn’t familiar with some of the vendors that were here. It’s good to see.”

“And we’re eligible for door prizes,” he said with a smile. “It’s an added bonus.”

If you couldn’t make it to this year’s event, be sure to keep an eye on the CMP’s website and social media pages for updates on the next Premier Shooting Expo throughout the year! You can also find more info at https://thecmp.org/ranges/talladega-marksmanship-park/cmp-premier-shooting-expo/. Photos from the event are posted at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/p147977056.

GLOCK Presents $50,000 Toward CMP Programs

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

TALLADEGA, Ala. – In September, the GLOCK presented a check of $50,000 to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama during the GLOCK Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) Annual Match. GLOCK has been a generous sponsor and supporter of the CMP and Talladega Marksmanship Park throughout its existence, dedicating thousands to the organization each year to be used toward programs and initiatives.

This year, GLOCK Inc.’s Vice President Josh Dorsey and National Sales Manager Bob Radecki presented the check to CMP’s acting park manager Bret Lankford and business development executive Stefanie Teaford.

“We’re always so grateful to GSSF and GLOCK, Inc. for supporting the CMP,” said Teaford. “We’ve been able to use their substantial contributions to enhance our impact in the marksmanship community through organized opportunities and through the distribution of fundamental and safety instruction to countless individuals across the country.”

About Talladega Marksmanship Park:

Since 2015, Talladega Marksmanship Park, “The Home of Marksmanship,” has been a worthy destination for firearm supporters and guests looking for practice, competition and mindful learning opportunities. Featuring CMP electronic targets and scoring monitors that can only be found at the 500-acre facility, the park regularly hosts rifle, pistol, shotgun and archery events all year long. The CMP’s Unknown Distance Range at Talladega also allows guests to practice their skills in the field of over 100 steel targets, out to 625 yards, and provides even more marksmanship fun at the Park.

The public is welcome, all year long, to test out their firearms or to simply take a tour of the grounds. Off the firing line, the Club House holds a fully stocked Pro Shop that includes an exclusive collection of rifles, ammunition, marksmanship accessories and CMP memorabilia that is always open during park hours. Learn more at https://thecmp.org/ranges/talladega-marksmanship-park/.

Sign Up Now for CMP’s Talladega 600, Featuring New Mid-Range Match

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

TALLADEGA, Ala. – Registration has begun for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) annual Talladega 600! Set for Nov. 6-12, 2023, this year’s event will feature an assortment of rifle and pistol competitions as well as new 800 Rifle Aggregate and Mid-Range 3×600 matches – all held at CMP’s own Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama.

Known as “A Southern Classic,” the Talladega 600 is open to guests through a variety of disciplines and experience levels. The mix of recreation-oriented CMP Games events alongside more challenging service rifle matches means there’s a little something for everyone in the lineup. Meanwhile, the new Mid-Range 3×600 will include Match Rifle, Service Rifle, Palma Rifle, F-Open, F-T/R and AR Tactical categories to allow an assortment of options on the line.

Such CMP Games rifle events on the Talladega 600 schedule are the:

• Garand/Springfield/Vintage/Modern Military Rifle (GSMM),
• Carbine Rifle,
• .22 Rimfire Sporter,
• Vintage Sniper Rifle,
• Benchrest Garand and Rimfire Sporter Matches.

Likewise, the pistol lineup consists of the:

• As-Issued 1911,
• Military & Police,
• 22/Centerfire/.45 Pistol Aggregates and
• .22 and Service Pistol EIC events.

For highpower rifle, the Talladega 600 will host versions of prestigious National Trophy Rifle Matches (the Congressional 30 and Dixie Double), team events and Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) matches to add even more challenges to the event. 

Outside of competition, Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship 101 courses combine classroom and live-fire practice, while other educational opportunities like the GSMM Master Instructor and Range Officer Level II courses offer even more valuable range training. If you are new to the sport of marksmanship, the Marksmanship 101 courses include hands-on coaching, firearms and ammunition for the course.

Learn more about the Talladega 600 and find registration info through the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/cmp-matches/talladega-600/.

About the CMP and Talladega Marksmanship Park:

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a national organization dedicated to training and educating U.S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms and air guns through gun safety training, marksmanship training and competitions.

Talladega Marksmanship Park, “The Home of Marksmanship,” is a worthy destination for firearm supporters and guests looking for practice, competition and mindful learning opportunities. Featuring CMP electronic targets and scoring monitors that can only be found at the 500-acre facility, the park regularly hosts rifle, pistol and shotgun events all year long. The CMP’s Unknown Distance Range at Talladega also allows guests to practice their skills in the field of over 100 steel targets, out to 625 yards, while the 20-lane life-size 3D target Archery Range provides even more marksmanship fun at the Park.

The public is welcome, all year long, to test out their firearms or to simply explore the grounds. Off the firing line, the Club House holds a fully stocked Pro Shop that includes an exclusive collection of rifles, ammunition, marksmanship accessories and CMP memorabilia that is always open during park hours. Learn more about Talladega Marksmanship Park at https://thecmp.org/ranges/talladega-marksmanship-park/.

Glock Annual Shoot Information – See You at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park

The GLOCK Annual Shoot & Gunny Challenge will be held September 15-17, 2023. The match is being hosted by the CMP at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park in Talladega, Alabama. We will be following their range rules and wanted to make our members aware of the procedure for access to the ranges and other important information.

We will be set up Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 15-17, 2023, at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park, AL. Registration will be open from 9am-2pm. 

GLOCK Armorers Course at CMP: The CMP will host an armorers course open to all GSSF Members, Military, LE, and GLOCK Stocking Dealers on Wednesday, September 13th. For information, contact Erin Ramsdell at erin.ramsdell@glock.us.

Vendors are piling up for the 30th GLOCK Annual Shoot and Gunny Challenge.

Glock Inc. will be there to show off their inventory of pistols, apparel, gear and gifts.  
Hunters HD Gold, the best in eye protection, will have eye pro to test and buy.
C&H Precision will have their optic line on display and keep an ear out for their newest offer. 
Rezilyent will be providing custom molded ear protection. 
DryFireMag will be displaying their mag and laser combo for a resetting trigger with visual laser strike.
LASR will have their custom match posters and dry fire training program for your phone, tablet or computer.
Underwood Ammo will be setup to promote their high performance ammunition.
Lil Slats BBQ and Kona Ice will be there for food and treats.

Sign In: All staff, range officers, guests, and competitors who don’t have a current CMP Safety Card are required to watch the CMP safety video. The video is 7-8 minutes and will be run every 15 minutes at the CMP Clubhouse. Once you have your CMP Safety Card, you will be given a wristband. The wristband must be worn while on CMP property. If you do not have a current CMP safety card, you will not be allowed on the range or be able to participate in any of the activities until you have your safety card and wrist band. All participants and their guests must stop by Registration in the clubhouse and sign the liability waivers for GLOCK and CMP. There will be a volunteer checking for the wristbands near the entrance to Range 5.

Visit http://www.gssfonline.com for match registration and details. Want to know how things work at a GSSF Match? Before you go to the match, read a copy of the New Competitor Safety & Match Procedures Briefing. Be better prepared for that first match! Visit https://gssf.pro/outdoor-matches/what-to-expect/ for more details.