Last weekend I shot in my second CMP match. My first was 15 years ago when I shot to qualify to get buy my first CMP firearms (two Garands and a Remington 40x .22LR). It included a brief introduction and demonstration but not much hands-on training for positions, sling, etc.
This second match was fantastic (Douglas Ridge in Oregon). We had almost four hours classroom and hands-on instruction Friday evening. I learned much more about the CMP shooting positions and adjusting the web sling, rather than the leather sling. Covered all the basics of M1 operation, sighting, positions, match rules, and logistics for the match the next day.
Saturday we split into two relays of 10 shooters, about half new CMP shooters and half experienced match shooters on each relay. Relay 1 shot first, while Relay 2 worked the pits. This my was my first time working a range pit pulling and marking targets. We were kept very busy and the time flew.
Relay 2 rotated to the 200 yd line. I tried a different offhand position and shot horribly. Learned quickly that a good position practiced beforehand is more than half the battle for accuracy. Sitting position was much better for me as I found a good natural position and the rifle just settled back on target after each round. We then moved to 300 yd for rapid fire prone, after which we rotated again.
After the pits we rotated again to the 600 yd line for slow fire at 600 yds. I never in my life shot at anything beyond 300 yds. This was exciting for me to even attempt to hit a barn at 600 yds. The slow fire prone was excruciating. We had 22 minutes to shoot 2 sighters and 20 rounds for score. The target marking between shots took much of the minute per shot (newbies matched with newbies in the two relays) so we did not have that much time to actually take the shots. We also scored our own shots so there was a lot of moving out of position to rest and wait for the score, look through scope for shot, mark the score and get back into position. Obviously as we get more experienced with faster scoring and staying in position and having a third relay of shooters to score for you would speed things up. Even so, the 22 minutes flew by.
Overall we had a beautiful 75 degree day and the volunteers ran the match like clockwork. It was great to meet other Garand enthusiasts and learn much more about the proper positions and techniques. I am really pumped up for my trip to Illinois this month from which I will make a drive over to Port Clinton, OH to hand pick service grade Garands with one of my SILs (my third and his first). Yes, Port Clinton is "in the neighborhood" of St Louis when you come from the West Coast.
If you have not been to a CMP match before, or not for many years, then consider trying it. A lot of fun and lots of experience to draw from. All dripping with glorious history!
This second match was fantastic (Douglas Ridge in Oregon). We had almost four hours classroom and hands-on instruction Friday evening. I learned much more about the CMP shooting positions and adjusting the web sling, rather than the leather sling. Covered all the basics of M1 operation, sighting, positions, match rules, and logistics for the match the next day.
Saturday we split into two relays of 10 shooters, about half new CMP shooters and half experienced match shooters on each relay. Relay 1 shot first, while Relay 2 worked the pits. This my was my first time working a range pit pulling and marking targets. We were kept very busy and the time flew.
Relay 2 rotated to the 200 yd line. I tried a different offhand position and shot horribly. Learned quickly that a good position practiced beforehand is more than half the battle for accuracy. Sitting position was much better for me as I found a good natural position and the rifle just settled back on target after each round. We then moved to 300 yd for rapid fire prone, after which we rotated again.
After the pits we rotated again to the 600 yd line for slow fire at 600 yds. I never in my life shot at anything beyond 300 yds. This was exciting for me to even attempt to hit a barn at 600 yds. The slow fire prone was excruciating. We had 22 minutes to shoot 2 sighters and 20 rounds for score. The target marking between shots took much of the minute per shot (newbies matched with newbies in the two relays) so we did not have that much time to actually take the shots. We also scored our own shots so there was a lot of moving out of position to rest and wait for the score, look through scope for shot, mark the score and get back into position. Obviously as we get more experienced with faster scoring and staying in position and having a third relay of shooters to score for you would speed things up. Even so, the 22 minutes flew by.
Overall we had a beautiful 75 degree day and the volunteers ran the match like clockwork. It was great to meet other Garand enthusiasts and learn much more about the proper positions and techniques. I am really pumped up for my trip to Illinois this month from which I will make a drive over to Port Clinton, OH to hand pick service grade Garands with one of my SILs (my third and his first). Yes, Port Clinton is "in the neighborhood" of St Louis when you come from the West Coast.
If you have not been to a CMP match before, or not for many years, then consider trying it. A lot of fun and lots of experience to draw from. All dripping with glorious history!