Rifle and Pistol Training
About
Throughout the year, CMP offers pistol and rifle Marksmanship 101 training classes at Travel Games events and Talladega Marksmanship Park. The CMP also conducts the Small Arms Firing Schools (SAFS) during the National Matches at Camp Perry, which has trained thousands of new and experienced individuals for decades. Each course is led by certified CMP Master Instructors and U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) team members as well as other military and civilian marksmanship professionals.
The classes are designed to train individuals new to marksmanship (both adults and youth alike), so no past firearm experience is required. Of course, intermediate and advanced marksmen and women are always welcome to participate. During the course, students learn basic instruction and firing practices, competition skills and live range firing.
Equipment, including rifles or pistols and ammunition, will be provided. Personal equipment, such as a shooting jacket, sling, and glove, will be permitted during the course as well. Participants are required to wear hearing and eye protection.
These classes are a great opportunity to learn more about the marksmanship world in a safe and comfortable setting.
Upcoming Rifle Marksmanship Classes
- 3/19/25 – Talladega Spring Classic, Talladega, AL
- 4/26/25 – CMP Eastern Games, Butner, NC
- 7/10/25 – Smallbore SAFS at Camp Perry, Port Clinton, OH
- 7/11/25 – Rimfire Clinic with Live Fire at Camp Perry, Port Clinton, OH
- 7/26-27/25 – Rifle SAFS at Camp Perry, Port Clinton, OH
- 9/20/25 – CMP New England Games, Jericho, VT
- 10/17/25 – CMP Western Games, Phoenix, AZ
- 11/7/25 – CMP Talladega 600, Talladega, AL
Upcoming Pistol Marksmanship Classes
Please note: The Pistol training class allows competitors to shoot two-handed.
- 3/20/25 – Talladega Spring Classic, Talladega, AL
- 4/25/25 – CMP Eastern Games, Butner, NC
- 7/14/25 – Pistol SAFS at Camp Perry, Port Clinton, OH
- 9/21/25 – CMP New England Games, Jericho, VT
- 10/16/25 – CMP Western Games, Phoenix, AZ
- 11/8/25 – CMP Talladega 600, Talladega, AL
The CMP’s Pistol Marksmanship Classes are taught by Jim Henderson, CMP Pistol Coordinator. A member of the USAMU as competitor and instructor for over 30 years, Henderson has compiled several prestigious accomplishments. He’s a nine-time winner of the National Matches President’s 100 Pistol Match and is the current National Record holder of the event, a four-time winner of the National Trophy Individual match (and current National Record holder), two-time NRA National Outdoor and Indoor Pistol Champion and a nine-time Pistol Inter-Service Champion (record holder). He’s also held the titles of USA Shooting Board of Directors and Pistol Athlete Representative while successfully realizing a number of training programs within the Army over the course of his tenure.
Other Marksmanship Training Opportunities
The CMP also holds the Pistol, Smallbore, Rimfire Sporter and Rifle Small Arms Firing Schools during the National Matches at Camp Perry.
Basic Rifle, Basic Pistol and Introduction to Shotgun classes are offered at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park. Visit our CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park web page for details.
For more information or to ask additional questions, please contact Amy Cantu at [email protected] or (419) 635-2141 ext 602.