About Small Arms Firing Schools

Small Arms Firing Schools (SAFS) provide classroom instruction and on-range firing for all shooter levels—from beginners to experienced marksmen. Conducted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) and current military pistol and rifle teams along with certified CMP instructors, these schools focus on firearm safety, fundamental techniques, competition basics, pit operation, and live fire training.

The Department of Defense first conducted SAFS as part of the National Matches at Camp Perry in 1918. Federal law continues to require the annual assembling of Small Arms Firing Schools, which now instruct over one thousand individuals each year.

Each school is open to all U. S. citizens who are over the minimum age, with firearms and ammunition provided.

• Offers instruction on smallbore rifle fundamentals and competition skills.
• Participants may bring their own rifle or rent a Walther KK300 from CMP (must request at registration).

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit members conduct the Smallbore Small Arms Firing School at Camp Perry’s Petrarca Range. Each participant will be expected to bring their own equipment, to include spotting scopes, shooting coats, slings, prone mats, etc.

• Basic instruction and firing practice
• Competition skills instruction and range firing
• School concludes with special Pistol EIC Match
• Personal pistols and ammunition MAY NOT be used in the class.

Pistol students fire slow, timed and rapid-fire stages at 25 yards. Upon the completion of pistol training, Pistol SAFS students have a unique opportunity to test their new marksmanship knowledge and skills by firing an Pistol EIC Match that uses the course of fire practiced on the range. Participants must bring eye and ear protection to the course. The minimum age for Pistol SAFS students is 14.

• Advanced class instruction
• Question and Answer panel with Pistol Champions

The Advanced Pistol Course is open to any competitor who has a minimum of 10 EIC points or at least an Expert NRA classification. In this course, participants can expect to focus on the fundamentals, understanding training methods and building a mental approach to competitive shooting. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to question a panel of pistol champions. Participants must bring eye and ear protection to the course.

• Classroom instruction
• Basic instruction and firing practice
• Range and live fire instruction
• Rifles are available for the clinic – please send inquiries to Amy at [email protected].  

• Basic instruction and firing practice
• Competition skills instruction and range firing
• School concludes with special M16 Rifle EIC Match
• Personal rifles and ammunition MAY NOT be used in the class.

Rifle students fire prone, sitting and standing position slow or rapid-fire exercises. On the second day, Rifle SAFS students test their new marksmanship knowledge and skills by firing an M16 Rifle EIC Match. Participants must bring eye and ear protection to the course. The minimum age for Rifle SAFS students is 12.

• Advanced class instruction
• Course concludes with special M16 Rifle EIC Match
• Personal rifles and ammunition MAY NOT be used in the class.

Individuals in this course must be intermediate and advanced rifle marksmen and women who have attended previous Rifle SAFS, have fired in a rifle EIC match or have earned an NRA classification of Sharpshooter or higher.