CMP SERVICE RIFLE CLINICS are an important first step for all of our new shooters. Clinic participation qualifies you to purchase surplus rifles and ammunition from the government’s Civilian Marksmanship Program. Clinics also prepare you to participate in CMP Games events and NRA rifle competitions scheduled throughout the year at ORSA. First-time competitors who do not hold an NRA High Power Rifle classification are required to complete at least one CMP rifle clinic before firing a CMP or NRA match at ORSA. Because of the informal atmosphere during clinics new shooters are able to learn, ask questions, and interact with their instructors and coaches in a way not possible during match competition.
Each clinic begins with a Saturday morning classroom session during which you will receive basic background on topics including:
Range safety and operations
Course of fire and shooting positions
Target scoring and pit operations
Equipment maintenance
Saturday afternoon you’ll have a first chance to put this information to work on the range. You’ll be paired up with one of our experienced rifle competitors for some individualized coaching while you fire a practice match.
COST Adult participants pay a nominal fee of $5 for each rifle clinic. There is no cost for junior shooters under 18 years of age. If you don’t currently own a suitable CMP Service Rifle (M1, M1A, AR15, or bolt action military rifle) or an NRA Match Rifle ORSA has a limited number of M1 rifles for loan with CMP ammunition available at cost.
REGISTRATION Only a limited number of shooters can be handled at each clinic. Advance registration is required for all new shooters to insure that adequate coaching support is available. New shooters should get in touch with the individual listed as the CMP clinic contact on the annual event schedule posted on the ORSA HP Rifle Program web site (
orsahp) at least a week in advance. If you need to use a club rifle and/or ammunition you may also make arrangements when you pre-register.
Shooter check-in begins at 8:00AM at the ORSA Clubhouse on the day of the clinic and concludes at 8:30AM. CMP and ORSA require all first-time shooters must complete and sign a certificate of eligibility and waiver of liability before participating in a CMP rifle clinic or match. You may download a copy of this form at here to have it ready before registration.
EQUIPMENT
You will need to bring the following basic equipment to participate in a CMP rifle clinic:
Rifle and sling
3 magazines, M1 Garand clips, or 4 stripper clips for bolt action rifles
60 rounds of ammunition
**Hearing protection (ear plugs and/or muffs)
**Eye protection / shooting glasses
**Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI) (available for purchase $1.00)
Clipboard, pencil and paper (or a rifle scorebook if you have one)
Rain gear (for yourself and to cover your equipment)
Loose clothing, suitable for weather conditions
Sweatshirt and hat
Sunscreen
Drinking water (LOTS of it)
Food for the day
Optional items for personal comfort as desired (sunglasses, bug repellent,
towel or face cloth, folding chair, etc.)
** indicates required safety items
You should also consider obtaining the following equipment as you gain shooting experience. Your coaches will probably have many of these items at the clinics. We recommend that you observe and ask about what shooting equipment competitors use and prefer before investing a lot of money in specialized items like this:
Shooting jacket
Shooting glove
Shooting mat
Spotting scope and stand
Shooter’s stool
Cleaning rod and chamber brush
Sight blackening lamp or spray
Scorebook
Rifle competition is a fun and rewarding pastime that creates lifelong friendships and memories. We hope you will take advantage of as many of the CMP rifle clinics as possible to meet other ORSA rifle shooters, start your involvement in competitive shooting and build your skills to whatever level you desire. For additional information about the training, competitions, and equipment sales conducted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program you can log on to their web site at
Civilian Marksmanship Program.
