January 5, 2022. New and Revised CMP Regulations for 2022 are Now AvailableCMP 2022 Competition Guidelines Are Now AvailableArticle based upon report by Gary Anderson (DCM Emeritus).
CMP has updated the 2022 rulebooks. CMP’s 1996 competition program included two disciplines: Service Rifle, and Service Pistol. The CMP competitions now include separate disciplines for Service Rifle and Service Pistol. Here are links to download the 2022 editions of these rulebooks:2022 CMP Highpower Rifle Competition Rules (25th Edition — 2022). These rules govern the various target rifle and pistol disciplines it oversees. These links will allow you to download the 2022 editions:2022 CMP Highpower Rifle Competition Rules (25th Ed — 2022).
2022 CMP Smallbore Rifle Competition Rules (4th edition — 2022).
2022 CMP Air Rifle & Air Pistol Competition Rules (1st edition — 2022).
2022 CMP Pistol Competition Rules (25th Edition — 2022)
2022 CMP Games Rifle and Pistol Competition Rules (9th Edition — 2022)If anyone has questions about any 2022 CMP Competitions Rulebooks, contact the CMP Competitions Department at [email protected] or (419) 635-2141, ext. 714 or 729. For Smallbore Rule questions, contact (419) 635-2141, ext. 730 or [email protected]. For Air Rifle/Air Pistol inquiries, please contact (419.635-2141, ext. 702 or email [email protected]
Photo courtesy Jonathan Ocab. Jonathan Ocab was the original recipient of the Distinguished Rifleman Badge. Other changes (e.g. Other changes (e.g. CMP’s Mid- and Long-Range competitions now include: 1) Match Rifle Prone Long-Range; 2) Service Rifle Prone Long-Range; 3) F-Class Long-Range; 4) Prone Mid-Range; 6) AR Tactical Mid-Range; and 7) Service Rifle Mid-Range. For Pit Duty, eye and ear protection are now required:Rule H2.6. National Trophy Team Matches have changed the residency requirements to allow those who do not live in a state to compete for a team from another state. CMP Competitions must approve annual permissions for competitors who wish to benefit from this authorization.
Rule H3.6.2. Rule H3.6.2.
Rules H3.8.2 & H6.5. Clarification of the firing times for rapid-fire series on electric targets. To equalize firing times between electronic targets and pit-operated targets, electronic target firing times are increased by 3 seconds to account for the time it takes pit-operated targets for them to rise from their pits to their elevated positions.
Rule H3.9.3c. The rule H3.9.3 c allows for an additional sighter if matches at 600 yards are stopped for more than three minutes. This also applies to all Long-Range events at 800 and 900 yards.
Rule H3.10.1. Rule H3.10.1. A CMP sanctioned Highpower Rifle match can be fired at ranges with both electronic and pit-operated target ranges if random squadding has been used. A new rule clarifies that all Service Rifle EIC Matches must be fired on the same type target by all non-Distinguished competitors.
Rule H3.10.9. A procedure was created to correct scores that were incorrectly recorded.
Rule H3.10.10 h). A procedure was developed to handle shots that were not recorded inadvertently.
Rule H3.10.11 (b). Rule H3.10.11 b. If there is a missing shot and no evidence of crossfire or off target miss, the competitor will receive the score for the shot with the lowest value hit. The requirement that all nine visible hits had to be either nines or tens was removed.
Rule H5.2.2. F-Class Mid-Range 600-yard, 3×20 competitors will have unlimited sightings before the first 20 shot stage.
Rule H6.6.6 d). A procedure was added for allowing a sighter in matches where electronic targets are used for events where an additional sighter may be authorized after an interruption.SMALLBORE RIFLE COMPETITION RULE CHANGESThe first CMP Smallbore Rifle Competition rulebook was released in 2018. These rules were used to organize the National Matches Smallbore Rifle Position and Prone Championships for 2018, 2019, and 2021. The 2020 Championship was cancelled because of covid. The most encouraging development in 2021 National Matches was the increase in competitors in National Matches Smallbore Rifle Position Championship, and the high proportion of junior competitors. With 137 competitors, entries were up 44%. A remarkable 88% of those competitors were juniors. Covid prevented the Smallbore Distinguished Badges from being introduced in 2020. The first Smallbore Distinguished Badge presentation could take place in the coming year. This is due to the new Camp Perry Open Smallbore Rifle Event in May, the National Matches Smallbore Championship July and the expectation that there are Smallbore EIC Matches sanctioned in 2022. Minor Age Limit Change. The Smallbore Rifle matches draw a large number of juniors. This rule change will affect many juniors who participate in these matches. It will extend junior eligibility to 21 years of age, and allow intermediate junior eligibility up to 18 years of age. Sub-junior eligibility is extended to the 15th year.
While there are no rule changes to 2022 Rimfire Sporter that are significant, there are a few rule enforcement issues that deserve attention. Loading rules stipulate that semi-auto rifle bolts must close on empty chambers before inserting and loading magazines, and bolt action rifle bolts must remain open after inserting and loading magazines. Competitors are not allowed to chamber their first round until the START command has been given for slow-fire stages (Rule G8.4.4). c). Competitors are not allowed to chamber their first round during rapid-fire stages until the START command has been given and competitors have taken their firing positions (Rule 8.3.3 b). Many new competitors don’t seem to be aware of this safety rule, and illegally chamber their first round immediately after the LOAD command. Any Range Officer serving in Rimfire Sporter matches should make sure that their competitors are aware of the rule and follow it. Rule G3.4.5, which allows new shooters to be coached during Rimfire Sporter preparations and sighter stages, is another concern. This rule allows inexperienced and new competitors to receive coaching assistance during preparation and sighter stage to help them position their rifles and zero them. However, experienced shooters are not permitted to receive coaching assistance during any stage. It is permissible to provide coaching assistance to new or inexperienced shooters in Rimfire Sporter.
CMP Games Competition Rules for Rifle and Pistol regulate Vintage Military Rifle and As-Issued Pistol events. The 9th 2022 edition has no major changes, but there are some technical differences that match sponsors and competitors who use this rulebook should be aware of: The rules for the Springfield M1A Match (a National Matches event sponsored Springfield Armory) were moved from the Highpower Rifle to the CMP Games. This match is only for metallic sights. However, CMP Highpower Rifle rules are for M14/M1A Service Rifles and allow optical sights. The rules for the Springfield M1A Match were transferred to this rulebook to differentiate this event from Service Rifle events which allow M14/M1A rifles equipped with 4.5X optical sight. The Springfield M1A Match honors the unique role played by this military rifle in the history and development of small arms. CMP encourages local shooting clubs and other clubs to sponsor Springfield M1A Matches that are sanctioned by the CMP. See Rules G5.2.8, Table 7. and G5.6.6. Rule 3.1.2. Rule 3.1.2. Rule G3.7.7. Procedures for dealing with insufficient hits or unrecorded shots were clarified. Rule G3.7.9. Clarification of the firing times for rapid-fire electronic targets. To equalize firing times between electronic targets and pit-operated targets, electronic target firing times are increased by 3 seconds to account for the time it takes pit-operated Targets to rise from the pits to their elevated positions. Rule G3.8.6. Special scoring rules were created for Pistol. These rules include scoring keyhole or skid shots, hitting in close groups, and excessive shots. Rule G3.8.11. A procedure was created to correct errors in scores. Rule G3.9. After 2021 National Match results, the cut scores for Achievement Medals/Pins (Annex G) were revised. Many went down by one or two points, but a few went up. Rule G6.2.1, Table 8. The Vintage Sniper Rifle Team Match was authorized to use Warner & Swazey M1908 and M1913 6X scopes mounted on M1903 Springfield rifles. Rule G6.5. Rule G6.5.1. Both team members can fire sighting shots within their 5-minute sighting time at each range. Rule G9.6.3g Rule G9.6.3 g.
CMP Pistol’s 2021 expansion included Match Pistol, and Revolver event rules. Match Pistol rules are three-gun 22 rimfire, centerfire and 45 caliber pistol events. The inaugural National Matches Match Pistol Championship attracted four74 competitors. The 2021 CMP Pistol rules introduced a Service Revolver Match. In 2021, there were 172 participants in the National Matches Service Revolver Match. Service Revolver EIC Matches use the 40-shot President’s Pistol Match course. The CMP will begin sanctioning Service Revolver EIC Matches by 2022. Competitors who place in the top 10 per cent of these matches will receive EIC credit points which count towards the 30 points required for the new badge.
Rule P4.1.7. Service Revolver rules were amended. The minimum caliber was raised to 9mm/.38 Special. The maximum barrel length is 6.5 in. The maximum barrel length will be measured at the “forward edge” of the cylinder. Additionally, the minimum trigger pull weight was increased to four (4) pounds. These matches are allowed ammunition of any safe, single projectile ammunition.
Rule P4.2.3 b 2.5 lb. The 45 cal. revolver limit has been removed. Match Pistol events were deleted. A revolver may be used in a 45-cal match. Match Pistol events must have the same 4.0-lb. Trigger pull the same as semi-auto.
Rule P2.6.9. Rule P2.6.9. CMP Competitions must approve annual permissions for competitors who wish to benefit from this authorization.
Rule P3.12.3. Based on 2021 National Match scores, the Pistol Achievement Award cut score was upgraded.
Rule P4.3.3. Specific procedures were developed for the weighing triggers.
Rule P5.1.7.b A clarification was added to clarify the permissible and prohibited malfunctions. A malfunction that is claimed by a Range Officer and confirmed by a Range Officer inspection that there was no ammunition in the chamber will be considered a non-allowable one. Competitors are responsible to load their first round.
Rule P7.4.6. Rule P7.4.6. This event will be an EIC Match in 2022 where the top ten per cent of competitors will receive Service Revolver EIC credit.
Rule P10.3. The National Record categories and events were expanded.
The ISSF recently updated its rules regarding when junior eligibility ends. This has had an impact on shooting programs all over the world, including CMP Smallbore Rifle programs and Airgun programs that draw competitors who also participate at USA Shooting and international competitions (ISSF). Juniors could compete as juniors until the year of their 20th. They can compete as juniors up to the day of their 21st Birthday under the new age rule. A competitor’s 21st Birthday falls on the first day or more of a multi-day event, and they will be considered a junior for the entire competition. This change will give juniors an additional day to compete as juniors depending on when their 21st birthday falls on the first day of a multi-day competition. Competitor’s birth dates, not birth years, will be used to determine eligibility for all age groups including Intermediate Junior (until the day of the 18th birthday), Sub-Junior (until the day of the 15th birthday), Senior (the day of the 60th birthday must be before the first day of a competition), and Grand Senior (the day of the 70th birthday must be before the first day of a competition).SCORECARD COLLECTION (for Pistol and Highpower Rifle)
CMP rules required scorers and verifiers to submit signed Pistol scorecards to match personnel. To prevent scorecard falsification, the requirement that scorecards be submitted by scorers and not by competitors was initially adopted. Competitors have complained that scorers sometimes fail to turn in scorecards on time. Competitors have complained that scorers don’t always turn in scorecards immediately.
