CMP Service Rifle Clinic, ORSA 3/19

[peejman]

A friend who's a member at ORSA told me about the CMP clinics they have. I read about it and decided that, at the very least, it'd be a chance to shoot about 40 rounds through a Garand for $25. Commercial .30-06 ammo being nearly $1/shot, I figured that was a pretty good deal, so I managed to arrange a kitchen pass for the day.

I've never been to ORSA and was fairly impressed with the facilities. It's a nice place with nice people. I've been thinking of joining even though it's a 50 minute drive. This pushed me a little further toward that.

The classroom portion of the class (about 2 hrs) was pretty good. It covered the usual firearm and range safety stuff, basics of operating the Garand (hands-on), shooting positions, sight pictures, and match scoring. The instructors were knowledgeable and friendly.

I was sent to the "pit" to help operate the targets for the first round of the shooting portion. It was on the 1000yd range which, just so you know, is a long freakin' way. Thankfully we only had to shoot at 200 yds. Running the targets was pretty easy, gave an opportunity to chat with some of the other shooters, and each some lunch. Note that it's a tad unnerving when a .30-06 round is fired into the berm behind your head, dirt flies up, hits the target, and falls down on you.

For the shooting portion, new shooters were also paired up with an experienced shooter. New shooters (me) were paired up with an experienced shooter, a couple of which were multi-time national champions. The loaner Garands appeared to be rack/field grade. My helper was a super nice guy and made it fun while we struggled through some malfunctions. The shooter before me had the magazine guide/follower (?) break and wad up under the bolt, locking it up tight. Scratch one rifle. The operating handle my first Garand kept disengaging from the bolt and re-loading using the clips was very problematic. It jammed in the middle of my first round of rapid-fire and was swapped for yet another which functioned fine.

The shooting portion consisted of 5 sight-in shots prone, 10 slow fire prone, 10 rapid fire prone, 10 rapid fire sitting, 10 rapid fire standing. "Rapid-fire" is 10 shots in 70 seconds. Not really a big deal with a semi-auto. The new shooter running a right-handed bolt gun left handed struggled. The targets are reasonably big. The x-ring is about 2.5" dia, the 10-ring is 6" dia, and the 9-ring is 13" diameter. So shooting 3 MOA gets you a perfect score. My goal was to simply not embarrass myself or shoot something I wasn't supposed to.

I accomplished my goal and shot better than I expected with an unfamiliar rifle and iron sights at 200 yds. I noticed that proper use of the sling really helps steady the rifle. I've only ever used a "hasty" sling, the correct way with a GI sling works much better. It was somewhat blustery though thankfully the wind was primarily down range. I like the peep sight better than the U-notch style. It just seemed easier to maintain focus. Looking at my scores, it was clear that fatigue is an issue. My scores started high and fell off for the last few shots for each course of fire.

Overall, I had fun, learned a few things, and I'd like to go again sometime. Big thanks to the organizers and the numerous shooters who volunteered their time to show a few newbies the ropes. A few points to note: 1) bring more water than you think. 2) If you haven't been outside much all winter, wear sunscreen! I'm lightly charbroiled. 3) Bring elbow pads, both of mine have modest raspberries. 4) I want a Garand even more now.

oh... and as a benefit of attending the clinic, I'm now eligible to purchase a rifle from the CMP.

Relevant links....

Oak Ridge High Power Rifle ORSA

New Shooter Clinic Information

Civilian Marksmanship Program

[Guest Blackhorse1108]

Im so glad I found this thread!!!! Ive been looking for a range with distance!!

[JeffL]

If you have a handgun carry permit you're already eligible.

[DaveTN]

I want a Garand even more now.

Go to Anniston and pick one out.

[peejman]

Im so glad I found this thread!!!! Ive been looking for a range with distance!!

ORSA has the 1000yd range and a separate 300 yd range. I understand from friends who are ORSA members that you can't just walk in and shoot at 1000 yds. You have to qualify and prove that you can hit only what you're supposed to.

If you have a handgun carry permit you're already eligible.

The way I read the requirements, the HCP only satisfies the proof of "Marksmanship or other Firearm Related Activity" requirement. You also must be a member of an affiliated organization (and a citizen, and eligible to purchase a gun, and...).

Eligibility Requirements

[peejman]

Go to Anniston and pick one out.

Bring your check book and we'll leave after work today.

[DaveTN]

ORSA has the 1000yd range and a separate 300 yd range. I understand from friends who are ORSA members that you can't just walk in and shoot at 1000 yds. You have to qualify and prove that you can hit only what you're supposed to.

We need 1K ranges. There aren’t any in the state you can walk onto and shoot.

We have the 1K range at the base in the Mid State, but it’s my understanding the only time you can shoot there is during matches. I don’t know where you are supposed to practice.

The way I read the requirements, the HCP only satisfies the proof of "Marksmanship or other Firearm Related Activity" requirement. You also must be a member of an affiliated organization (and a citizen, and eligible to purchase a gun, and...).

Eligibility Requirements

You are correct. I am a member of the Garand Collectors association. It’s only $25 a year, but there are many to choose from.

[JDM175]

Garands from CMP are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Especially since we live close enough to drive down and handpick one out. The only problem I have with mine is that I don't shoot it enough. It should be your duty as a patriotic American to own "the greatest battle implement ever devised" and if you couple that with "the world's finest close quarter combat weapon" then you have a winning pair which is capable if defeating fascism, communism, socialism, zomieism, etc.

Seriously CMP Garands are great if you don't have one I highly recommend it.

[Guest Blackhorse1108]

ORSA has the 1000yd range and a separate 300 yd range. I understand from friends who are ORSA members that you can't just walk in and shoot at 1000 yds. You have to qualify and prove that you can hit only what you're supposed to.

The way I read the requirements, the HCP only satisfies the proof of "Marksmanship or other Firearm Related Activity" requirement. You also must be a member of an affiliated organization (and a citizen, and eligible to purchase a gun, and...).

Eligibility Requirements

Thanks for posting the requirements I will review!

[aaronalc]

Drove to Anniston (CMP south store) from the Tri-cities to pick one out personally. My brother and I came home with four. Two shooters two collectors. The armorers there are great. They went thru them one by one to help us pick them out. Great experience for anyone who is a Garand fan. Only wish i had the funds to go more often!