Camp Perry, Ohio– March 2025– Registration for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) 2025 National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches is officially open! This year’s National Matches is set for July 9 to Aug. 9 and includes additional matches as well as the use of CMP’s innovative electronic targets on nearly all offered events!
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The annual National Matches, held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Base since 1907, is conducted through a partnership between the CMP and the Ohio National Guard. The series showcases a variety of indoor and outdoor events, with spectators welcome to witness this century-old tradition, free of charge!
Along with several competitive opportunities for adults and juniors of all experience levels, the National Matches features a variety of educational clinics for marksmen and women as well as retail selections from some of today’s leading industry vendors.
Also, be sure to check out the beach parties, food trucks, movie nights and more presented throughout the month!
Whether competing for the first time, a seasoned competitor or simply observing, the National Matches has something for everyone.
Rimfire Sporter Rifle:
Highlighted as one of CMP’s most popular events, the Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match features .22 caliber competition in open sights (O-Class), telescopic (T-Class) and tactical/unlimited (TU) classes. The event is perfect for those just beginning in the sport or those looking for a unique challenge on the range.
New for 2025: The National Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match will include an “M-class” to give competitors the option to use U.S. military rimfire training rifles during competition. Also, for the first time, the match will be fired completely on electronic targets! Competitors will no longer have to move firing lines and will be able to enjoy the close parking and covered structure of Petrarca Range.
Smallbore Rifle:
Likewise, the National Smallbore events will be fired on the same electronic targets as Rimfire Sporter – also setup on Camp Perry’s Petrarca Range. The schedule includes three-position and prone events, complete with an F-Class category for interested individuals.
NOTE: The National Air Rifle Championship (60 Shot and Team Match) for adults and juniors will be held at the same time as three-position smallbore to accommodate those competitors wishing to fire in both events.
Pistol:
Fired on paper targets, the National Pistol events include a mix of traditional matches like the President’s Pistol, National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Team events, along with a series of 900 Aggregate matches for .22, .45 and Center Fire Pistol. The fan-favorite GSSF GLOCK National Challenge will be returning to the schedule in 2025 along with the Service Revolver EIC Match. The GLOCK event has been moved to Tuesday of Pistol Week to avoid conflict for those wanting to also compete in the National Trophy Matches.
NOTE: Like last year, the National Air Pistol Championship will be held in the evening to allow competitors to take part in the aggregate matches during the day.
Highpower, Service and Vintage Rifle:
As noted, the National Trophy Rifle series will be held completely on electronic targets for the first time!* The schedule of events includes prestigious matches like the President’s Rifle, Hearst Doubles, Rattle Battle, National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Team events.
A paired Junior Team Match is also on the schedule for young competitors, along with an assortment of vintage and modern military rifle events like the John C. Garand, Springfield and Vintage Sniper matches for individuals at every stage of their marksmanship abilities. A 4-person team event and 80 shot matches will also provide additional highpower opportunities on the firing line.
*NOTE: The National Trophy Infantry Team Match will still be on paper targets.
Mid-Range and Long Range Rifle:
The CMP’s National Long Range series features six days of individual and team competitions. Fired fully on CMP’s line of outdoor electronic targets, the series will offer the same events as in the past but will be condensed into six days (with multiple matches fired on the same day).
All Mid/Long Range matches are open to Match Rifle, Service Rifle, Palma Rifle, F-Open, F T/R or AR Tactical categories, held on Camp Perry’s 1,000-yard Viale Range.
New for 2025: The Mid-Range Match, consisting of slow-fire prone at 600 yards, will be conducted on two days instead of only one, and a Long Range two-person team match will be fired alongside the four-person team event.
National Matches Air Gun Events:
For air rifle and air pistol competitors, the National Matches Air Gun events will be offered within the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center’s 80-point indoor electronic target range – also located on Camp Perry. The air gun events are available through the entirety of the National Matches and appeal to those of any experience level, with supported bench options included.
BONUS: Simulator Steel Challenge Matches! This year, the CMP will again offer a Pistol Steel Challenge and a Rifle Steel Challenge, fired on the Laser Shot simulators assembled within the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center! The Steel Challenge is a virtual match where competitors use a modified rifle or pistol (equipped with Co2 gas) to fire upon simulated targets. Individuals entered in either Challenge will be given three attempts to complete their respective course.
Clinics:
Small Arms Firing Schools (SAFS) will be held for rifle, pistol and smallbore rifle. Participants in SAFS are trained by some of the top military instructors in the country on firearm safety and competition basics. All firearms and ammo are provided for the live-fire portion of the clinic.
Other clinics during the National Matches include a Rimfire Sporter Rifle Clinic, the CMP Junior Rifle Clinic and the CMP Advanced Highpower Clinic, for more experienced competitors. Most clinics include both classroom and live-fire training on the range.
Sales:
Behind the range, Commercial Row offers a variety of items for spectators and competitors – with an array of manufacturers selling used firearms, ammunition, competition gear, accessories, apparel and much more. The CMP North Store, located on the grounds of Camp Perry, allows even more buying opportunities at the Matches with a lineup of military surplus rifles, memorabilia and equipment needs.
Housing:
Housing for the National Matches is currently available on the grounds of Camp Perry. Accommodations include four-person huts, cottages, barracks, RV spaces and camp sites. Camp Perry housing info posted at https://cplcc.com/national-matches/. If base housing is full, numerous hotels are available in the surrounding Port Clinton, Fremont and Sandusky areas.
More Info:
All events are open to the public, free for viewing. Spectators are welcome to observe firing on the Camp Perry ranges at any time, with ample parking on-site. Guests are encouraged to participate in the many exciting activities and visual attractions offered during the National Matches season.
Review the new 2025 National Matches schedule and other event info on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/. We hope to see you there!
By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
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