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CMP News
CMP News provides up to date information on the latest CMP program and sales activities. For more information on CMP sales or program activities, contact the CMP at 419-635-2141 or email programs@odcmp.com (for CMP programs) or custserve@odcmp.com (for gun, ammunition or equipment sales). Complete program and sales information is posted on the CMP web site at www.odcmp.com.


M1917 Sales Announcement: M1917 Enfields are currently sold out. The CMP has sold its entire stock of M1917 Enfield rifles that passed inspection and test firing procedures. Customers whose orders were not filled have been notified. Another sizeable quantity of M1917s is expected and will be offered for sale after inspection and cataloging. Anticipated dates for this new shipment to be offered for sale are late 2003 or early 2004.

In Memoriam - Don Haldeman
: The Military Marksmanship Association recently announced the death of former USAMU shooters and Olympic gold medallist Donald S. Haldeman. Haldeman died in his home at Harleysville, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, February 22, 2003 at the age of 55. He began shooting trap in 1965 after graduating from high school and joined the Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning in 1969. He represented the U. S. Army several times in competitions in Europe and Mexico. Haldeman won a silver medal in trap in the 1975 Pan American Games where the USA team of Haldeman, Dan Carlisle, Charvin Dixon and Wally Zobell set a team world record of 391 x 400. Haldeman competed in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and the 1976 Games in Montreal, where he won his Olympic Gold Medal. After getting out of the Army, Haldeman worked as a tool and die maker for Budd Co. of Philadelphia for 30 years before retiring in 1992 due to illness. America's shooting family mourns the loss of one of its great shooters.


West Virginia University Discontinues Rifle Program
: Beginning with the 2003-04 school year, the University of West Virginia will reduce the number of its varsity athletic programs from twenty-one to sixteen. Rifle is among the five sports that are being cut. Citing economic hardship, WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong said cutting the five sports, including rifle, would save the university an estimated $600,000 per year. The WVU rifle team currently includes eleven student athletes. All athletes on scholarship will be permitted to retain their scholarships for the remainder of their athletic eligibility at WVU. NCAA rules also allow athletes in a discontinued sport to immediately transfer to any other institution without penalty or loss of eligibility. WVU Rifle coach, and CMP Board Member, Marsha Beasley, will be reassigned to other duties within the Athletic Department. Since entering NCAA competition in 1980, the WVU team won thirteen NCAA National Team Championships, while WVU shooters won 16 NCAA individual rifle titles in smallbore and air rifle competition. CMP Director of Civilian Marksmanship, Gary Anderson, said "this is a huge and inexplicable loss for both the athletes who have built such a successful program and for the whole shooting community. It is extremely difficult to understand how an athletic department could cut a program with such a phenomenal record of success and such a strong tradition."

Help Needed for CMP Centennial Event at National Matches: To celebrate 100 years of National Match competition, the CMP and the Ohio Gun Collector's Association are assembling a committee to pursue the establishment of a display of National Matches arms and memorabilia that will be exhibited during the 2003 National Matches. The display will open at Camp Perry on 14 July, the day of the First Shot Ceremony, and remain open to the public until 15 August 2003. The display will be called The Guns of Camp Perry and will feature a collection of rifles and pistols used in the matches as well as shooting equipment and historical documentation such as scorecards and match bulletins. The display will span the years from the first National Matches in Sea Girt, New Jersey in 1903 and the first National Matches held at Camp Perry in 1907 until the present day. Anyone who is interested in providing historical materials, memorabilia, firearms for the display (all on an insured loan basis) or who is interested in volunteering to assist with the display should contact Dale Miles at dmiles@odcmp.com or 419-635-2141, ext 1129.

National Three Position Council Meeting Announcement
. The National Three-Position Air Rifle Council will hold its annual meeting on 15 June 2003 during the International BB Gun Championships at Wilmington, North Carolina. The meeting will include discussions of possible rule changes as well as a review of Council programs, including the 2004 three-position air rifle schedule of events and championships. Keep reading Sighting Shots in JSCN News or CMP News for updates on Council actions.

Aid Available for Juniors Competing at Camp Perry
: Junior shooters interested in participating in the Smallbore National Matches for the first time may be eligible to obtain financial assistance to help pay for travel and match expenses through the CMP Smallbore Junior Support Program. Eligible juniors must be competing in the National Matches for the first time and must fire in a state qualifying competition. Smallbore juniors must apply for this assistance through their CMP State Junior Director. The CMP Highpower Junior Support Program offers similar travel and match expense assistance for junior service rifle shooters who plan to fire in the National Trophy Rifle Matches and attend the Small Arms Firing School or USMC National Junior Highpower Clinic. Juniors can receive support from this program for no more than two years. To contact your State Junior Director, check the CMP web site: http://www.odcmp.com/Programs/SJD.htm. Junior Support Program information is posted on the CMP web site at http://www.odcmp.com/NationalMatches.htm. For additional information about either the CMP Smallbore or Highpower Junior Support Programs, contact the CMP Competitions Department at 419-635-2141, ext. 1132 or 1112 or competitions@odcmp.com.

2003 Summer Junior Three-Position Air Rifle Camp Schedule Now Available: Dates have been set for the 2003 CMP Junior Three-Position Air Rifle Camps. The complete schedule, camp information and application forms are currently available on the CMP website (see below). The 2002 camps were a resounding success and interest in the 2003 camps is high. Bob Foth, Olympic Silver Medalist and CMP Director of Training, will be Director and Chief Instructor of these camps. Members of top college rifle teams will serve as assistant coaches and camp counselors. The camps are a unique opportunity for young shooters to receive instruction from some of the best shooters in the sport. Spaces in the camps is limited (one camp is already full), so applications and payments should be sent as soon as possible to secure a place in the camps. For more information and application forms open http://www.odcmp.com/Programs/camp.htm.

2003 National 4-H Shooting Sports Rifle Adventure Camp: The CMP, in cooperation with the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, will offer a unique camp for 4-H club members interested in the shooting sports in July. The National 4-H Shooting Sports Rifle Adventure Camp will offer 4-H youth, ages 14-18, and their adult leaders, a chance to be a part of a great shooting sports adventure. Campers will have several exciting new shooting sports experiences and learn advanced rifle shooting skills. This new camp is offered especially for 4-H Shooting Sports Club members and will take place on 21-26 July at Camp Perry, Ohio during the 2003 National Rifle and Pistol Matches. CMP Director of Training Bob Foth and a team of shooters from the best college rifle teams in the nation will instruct this camp. For complete information, dates, deadlines and application forms go to http://www.odcmp.com/Programs/4hcamp.htm.

Small Arms Firing School Information Released: The 2003 Small Arms Firing Schools during the National Matches promise to be especially exciting during this centennial year of the National Matches. The school gives shooters opportunities to learn target-shooting skills with service rifles and pistols, receive instruction from Army Pistol and Rifle Team Members and to shoot on the world famous Camp Perry Ranges. To obtain detailed information and to register on-line for the 2003 Pistol or Rifle Small Arms Firing Schools, click on http://192.168.1.5/cgi-bin/matchUpcomingSearch.cgi and then click on "information" for the school you want to attend.

2003 USMC Junior Advanced High Power Clinic Information Available
: Information for the 2003 USMC Junior Advanced High Power Clinic is now available on the CMP website. This clinic will be held on 2-4 August at Camp Perry in conjunction with the National Matches. This outstanding school is designed for junior shooters who have some high power competition experience. An application form can be downloaded from the CMP web page at http://www.odcmp.com/NM/JrHPClinic.pdf. School information also is available from CMP Competitions.

Walther LG300 Junior Rifle to Be Sold by CMP; Sales of Feinwerkbau P-70 Junior Suspended:
The CMP Precision Air Rifle Sales Program is making a change in the air rifle that is sold through the program. For the last three years, this program featured the Feinwerkbau P-70 Junior air rifle  
that was sold at a discounted price. The sale of that rifle was suspended due to rapidly escalating costs. The CMP was, however, able to obtain a very similar precision junior air rifle that will be sold to affiliated teams and clubs at the same price. The CMP Junior Rifle Purchase Program that allows affiliated clubs and teams to purchase sporter and precision junior air rifles that can be paid for over a two-year period now will now feature the Walther LG300 Junior air rifle. The Walther LG300 Junior can now be ordered through the CMP for $725.00 each, including shipping and handling. The Walther LG300 Junior air rifle features an ambidextrous stock with an adjustable cheek piece, the same action and barrel as the full-sized Walther match air rifle, competition sights and a dry firing feature that allows dry fire practice without detaching the compressed air cylinder. Clubs and teams that recently ordered the Feinwerkbau P-70 Junior are being notified of the change and given the option of ordering the Walther rifle. Delivery of the Walther LG300 Junior is expected to start in late June or July. Additional details on this program and order forms are posted on the CMP web site at http://www.odcmp.com/programs/jrairrifles.htm.

Shooting Sports Rank High as Popular Pastimes: In April, the National Shooting Sports Association reported that more Americans hunt with firearms, enjoy muzzle loading, or participate in various other target shooting activities than play soccer, softball or tennis combined. According to the National Sporting Goods Association's annual research study, Sports Participation in 2002, some 42 million individuals aged seven years and older enjoyed some form of the shooting sports more than once during the past year. Hunting with firearms, with 19.5 million participants, ranked 16th in popularity out of 43 sports activities surveyed. Target shooting, with 18.9 million participants, ranked 17th. Both sports grew in popularity since the previous year's study. Hunting participation rose 1.6% from 2001 while target shooting increased 9.6%. Muzzle loading had 3.6 million participants in 2002.

CMP Rules Clarification
: In response to several inquiries, the CMP recently issued a rules clarification regarding participation by non-U.S. citizens in CMP sanctioned events such as EIC or "Leg" matches, Garand matches, Rimfire Sporter matches or CMP sponsored camps and clinics. CMP Competition Rules make it clear that any person, regardless of U.S. citizenship, may participate in a CMP sanctioned event as
long as they can sign the CMP Eligibility Affidavit and Liability Release. However, to purchase a government-surplus rifle from the CMP, federal law requires that an individual MUST be a U. S. citizen and provide proof of citizenship with the order.

Hathcock Trophy Donations Still Needed: A few months ago, the CMP reported that a new Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock Trophy will be placed in competition during the 2003 National Trophy Rifle Matches and that a fund had been established to provide the new trophy. Gunny Hathcock is arguably the best known scout/sniper in U.S. military history. He had an unprecedented record as a Marine scout sniper, as a Marine Corps combat hero who was responsible for saving the lives of other Marines while receiving severe burns, and as a champion rifle marksman and instructor. Hathcock was instrumental in developing the training that is given to all Marine Scout/Snipers today. He won the Wimbledon Cup 1000 yard match at Camp Perry in 1965 with a 100-17X score. A committee was established to oversee the trophy project, including raising the funds to create the trophy. The CMP Board of Directors approved the trophy proposal and design.Funds continue to be raised to meet the $15,000 goal for the trophy. In a generous effort to bolster donations,
 
The proposed Hathcock Trophy. The inscription reads: "Gunnery Sgt. Carlos N. Hathcock II will be remembered as one of the finest marksmen scout/snipers and rifleman coaches in the annals of U.S. Marine Corps history."

Springfield Armory,Inc. donated a limited edition M25 White Feather™ Tactical/Carlos Hathcock Model M1A rifle to be raffled to benefit the trophy fund. For more information on this rifle see the Springfield Armory web page at http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-rifles-m25.shtml. For every ten dollars donated, interested parties will receive one entry in the raffle. The estimated value of the Springfield Armory rifle is over $4000. To make a donation and enter the raffle, send donations to the following address: The Hathcock Trophy Fund, c/o Jim Vose, Fund Coordinator, 11 William St. Lincoln ME 04457. Make checks payable to HATHCOCK TROPHY FUND and LINCOLN MAINE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION. For more information, contact Jim Vose at jkvose@telplus.net or via fax at 1-207-794-0203.