Questions on Pistol Rules for National Matches NTT/Gold Cup, Oglethorpe Trophy
July 12, 2026
There has been some confusion with the rules for the NTT/Gold Cup and Oglethorpe Trophy. Please see below.
Referring to the section in the 2026 NM Pistol Welcome Email about the NTT/Gold Cup. The email states, “Civilian At-Large teams will compete for the Gold Cup.” But, per rule 3.9.1, “At-Large Teams are not eligible to win any National Trophy Team Match awards.”
We missed this reference in the 2026 CMP Pistol Competition Rules and the rulebook will be updated soon. Civilian Open (Rule 3.7.7) teams are eligible to win the NTT/Gold Cup.
Q: Does firing on a Civilian Open team make you no longer eligible as a “new shooter”?
A: Firing on any Gold Cup/NTT team does count as one of your two years of eligibility as a “new shooter”. See 8.3.3 a).
Beginning with the 2026 National Trophy Pistol Matches, the National Trophy Pistol Team (NTT) Match and the Oglethorpe Trophy Pistol Team Match will be conducted under updated team eligibility rules. There will be two National Trophy Pistol Team Matches this year, each fired separately:
- National Trophy Gold Cup Pistol Team (NTT) Match – All teams listed in Rule 3.7, including Open Civilian Teams (Rule 3.7.7), may compete in this match for the National Trophy Gold Cup Trophy and the U. S. Coast Guard Memorial Trophy.
- Oglethorpe Trophy Team Match – Only State Association and CMP Affiliated Club teams that comply with Rule 3.6.9 Residency requirements are eligible to compete for the Oglethorpe Trophy Team. The junior teams competing for the Junior Trophy and the law enforcement teams competing for the American Indian Trophy will shoot in this match.
Civilian competitors may participate on teams in both team matches (competing on two different teams is allowed):
- One Open Civilian Team (Rule 3.7.7), and
- One eligible State Association or CMP Affiliated Club team, provided they meet applicable eligibility requirements.
These changes are intended to provide broader opportunities for team participation while preserving the traditional State Association and Club competition for the Oglethorpe Trophy.
Applicable CMP Competition Rules are:
- Rule 3.7.7 – Open Civilian Team
- Rule 8.3.3 – National Trophy Gold Cup Pistol Team Match
- Rule 8.3.4 – National Trophy Oglethorpe Trophy Pistol Team Match
- Rule 8.3.5 – National Trophy At-Large Pistol Team Match
If you have questions regarding team eligibility or registration, please contact:
Jim Henderson
Match Director / CMP Pistol Manager
Civilian Marksmanship Program
We apologize for any confusion, and we look forward to seeing everyone during this year’s pistol matches! For more information on the 2026 National Pistol Matches, visit https://thecmp.org/cmp-matches/national-trophy-pistol-games-matches/.