On Saturday, September 9th, members of the Antwerp Conservation Club competed in a CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) match held at Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver. Members in attendance were Aaron Kohler, Gary Mabis, Greg Miller and Zac Yoh. All four members participated in the CMP match in the morning. Aaron and Gary competed in the sniper match in the afternoon.
First thing in the morning the shooters were divided up into team groups of two. ACC members were assign together as teams. Team 1 was Greg Miller and Zac Yoh. Team 2 was Aaron Kohler and Gary Mabis. Team 1 was the first to shoot. Team 2 goes down to the scoring pit to run targets up/down, mark and score the targets. Team one has one member shooting while the other member looks through a spotting scope to see the hit markers are, to tell the shooter were the hit was at on the target, the corrections needed and to write down each hit score. Once the first shooter completes their course of fire (COF), the teammates change positions and second team member shoots the same COF. Once both team members have completed their COF they switch duties the teams switch duties. Team 1 heads down to the scoring pits and team 2 comes up to the firing line. When all shooter completed the CMP COF, certificates and metals were handed out and a lunch was severed by the host club. Then all targets were changed and set up for the afternoon sniper match.
The Marksmanship Program was created in 1903 by the US Congress. It was developed to teach and provide practice to the civilian population. From 1916 to 1996 is was administered by the US Army. The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) corporation that places its highest priority on serving youth through gun safety and marksmanship activities that encourage personal growth and build life skills. It is administered by a group of 11 directors from military and business backgrounds. Its function in today’s era is 3 simple mandates. 1) To instruct citizens of the United States in marksmanship. 2) To promote practice and safety in the use of firearms. 3) To conduct competitions in the use of firearms and to award trophies, prizes, badges, and other insignia to competitors.
The COF for CMP match is as follows. Stage 1) 10 slow fire shots from the prone position (Laying on the ground using a sling for support, NO bipods or sandbags). Stage 2) 10 rapid fire shots going from standing to prone (You start standing up with rifle in hand and quickly get down in the prone position). Stage 3) 10 shots stand unsupported. The targets are placed at 200 yds. The “X” ring is 3 inches in diameter. The 10 ring is 7 inches in diameter. The 9 ring to 5 ring grow by 6 inches per ring in diameter. Competitors use iron (open) and telescopic sites. Scopes are limited to 4.5X.
The COF for the sniper match is 20 shots from a prone position using sandbag support. Targets are placed at 600 yds. For this day’s event, the targets were placed at 300 yds using reduced size targets to simulate the 600 yds. The “X” ring is 2.85 inches in diameter, 10=5.85, 9=8.85, 8=11.85 and 7-5 grow by 6 inches for each ring. When the target comes up you have 20 seconds to see where your last hit was, load a round, make adjustments, acquire the target and get a shoot off. At the end of 20 seconds, the target is pulled down for 20 seconds. While the target is down for 20 seconds, the target is the marked, scored. When the 20 second time is up, the targets goes back up and starts the process again for a total ten shots. Once the first team member completes their 10 shots, the second team member gets into position and runs the same COF. The team members’ work together to help read the hits and make the needed corrections. The rifle is loaded one round at a time. This all happens pretty fast. ACC members Aaron Kohler and Gary Mabis competed in the sniper match. Once the teams 20 shots were fired and scored, there was a shoot off of the two teams in the second squad. The challenge was different size and style of targets being exposed and each team took a shoot at the target. Once again, the targets were up and down in 20 second intervals. One team member takes a shot and gets up and the other team members gets into position, gets ready, loads, acquire target and get a shot off. Once again, this all happens in 20 seconds. This continues until a winner is announced by the scoring pits. Team ACC of Aaron and Gary won this shoot off of the second squad. We would like to thank Larry Beardsley and his staff at the Fort Wayne Rifle and revolver club for all their hard work in making this a great experience.
Your Antwerp Conservation Club is a CMP affiliated club. A club membership allows you to purchase items at the CMP store as long as you meet their other requirements. We have a CMP facility and store just a short drive away. It is located near Port Clinton Ohio. The facility is called Camp Perry. Take some time research what is available through this store and their many programs.
Your Antwerp Conservation Club is growing. Adult and youth programs are being developed for 2018. We still have many events planned for the remainder of 2017. 22 Pistol fun shoot September 16th. Trap Shoot on September 17th. Fall Dinner September 23rd. Practical Tactical 2 Gun Charity match for Toys for Tots N/E Indiana on October 7th. Pistol Shoot October 21st. Still Shoots on November 5th and December 3rd to raise money for Christmas for Kids. All these advertised events are open to the public. If you are uncertain what an event is about or how it is done, contact us or stop out that day and see what it is all about. We are looking for local and area businesses willing to donate items or services to help make these charity events a big success. When you donate and if you have signage or banners, they can be placed around the facility the days of these events. If you are interested in donating or assisting with any of our charity fundraisers, Contact Aaron Kohler at aaron.kohler@yahoo.com , or Gary Mabis at garyamabis@gmail.com. Keep up to date by looking for our ad in the West Bend News, our Facebook page and our new website coming live in the next couple weeks. Our ad will have our new website address posted as soon as it comes online.
–Gary Mabis
Pistol Range Chairman, Antwerp Conservation Club
