4 rulebooks that may govern CMP Highpower Rifle, CMP Video games, Bullseye Pistol and Motion Pistol competitions in 2026 have been up to date and authorized by the CMP Guidelines Sub-Committee. These 4 rulebooks are being launched on the first of December, one month earlier than they are going to take impact on the first of January. This early launch will give rivals and match sponsors in these disciplines a head begin on getting ready for his or her subsequent competitors 12 months.
The next 2026 rulebooks are actually posted on the CMP web site:
twenty ninth Version 2026 CMP Highpower Rifle Competitors Guidelines.
twenty ninth Version 2026 CMP Bullseye Pistol Competitors Guidelines.
thirteenth Version 2026 CMP Video games Rifle and Pistol Competitors Guidelines.
4th Version 2026 CMP Motion Pistol Competitors Guidelines.
Copies of those new rulebooks could be downloaded from the CMP “Competitors Rulebooks” webpage at https://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-competitions-rulebooks/. While you open this “Competitors Rulebooks” webpage, the listings of downloadable paperwork will embody the 2026 rulebooks, lists of adjustments in every 2026 rulebook, and the Vary Officer scripts which might be to be adopted to conduct matches ruled by these rulebooks.
Smallbore Rifle and Air Gun Rulebooks Delayed. The completion of two 2026 CMP rulebooks is being delayed whereas the taking pictures world awaits remaining choices from the Worldwide Capturing Sport Federation (ISSF) relating to main proposals to vary rifle clothes and rifle 3-position finals. The rulebooks that doubtlessly shall be affected by these proposals are:
eighth Version 2026 CMP Smallbore Rifle Competitors Guidelines.
4th Version 2026 CMP Air Rifle and Air Pistol Competitors Guidelines.
The CMP Smallbore Rifle Place and Air Rifle and Air Pistol Rulebooks are intently aligned with ISSF Guidelines as a result of most rivals in these occasions additionally compete in USA Capturing competitions which might be ruled by ISSF Guidelines. Among the greatest athletes in these occasions additionally qualify for USA Nationwide Groups that compete in ISSF Championships, so it’s important that the CMP, USA Capturing and ISSF Guidelines for these disciplines be intently aligned.
The ISSF is presently contemplating vital adjustments in its rifle clothes guidelines that would require rivals in Rifle and Air Rifle occasions to switch their taking pictures jackets and trousers. If these adjustments are adopted, the CMP should determine whether or not to undertake these adjustments and if it does, the way to implement them. The ISSF can also be contemplating altering its three-position finals to one-position finals. This proposal might doubtlessly additionally impression Junior Three-Place Air Rifle the place three-position finals are broadly used and have turn out to be widespread. The issue is that sure clothes producers have realized the way to evade clothes stiffness guidelines in order that rifle standing scores, particularly, are wanting extra like susceptible scores.
An ISSF choice on these points seemingly is not going to come till later in December. Since an ISSF choice to undertake both of those proposals might considerably impression CMP Smallbore Rifle Place and Air Rifle Guidelines, the CMP will delay finalizing these two rulebooks till we all know what the ISSF goes to do. Due to this, these two rulebooks is probably not out there till after the primary of the 12 months.
CHANGES IN 2026 RULEBOOKS. The 4 CMP rulebooks which might be being launched now comprise some necessary adjustments which will impression your 2026 competitors plans. Listed here are among the most vital 2026 rule adjustments.
Two Nationwide Trophy Pistol Workforce Matches (BULLSEYE PISTOL). Two of a very powerful trophies awarded through the Nationwide Trophy Pistol Workforce Match are the Gold Cup Trophy, which fits to the general staff winner and the Oglethorpe Trophy, which fits to the best scoring state or membership staff. State or Membership groups are residency restricted whereas the successful Gold Cup groups are so-called open groups. For years among the prime civilian rivals have wished to be allowed to kind trade or open groups that would problem the navy groups. CMP rule makers had been reluctant to authorize open civilian groups due to the excessive chance that this may degrade the Oglethorpe Trophy state and membership staff competitors if prime civilian rivals left these groups to hitch trade or open groups. In an effort to discover a answer to this dilemma, there shall be two Nationwide Trophy Pistol Workforce Matches in 2026. The Nationwide Trophy Gold Cup Workforce Match will enable open navy and open civilian groups. The second staff occasion, named after the Oglethorpe Trophy, shall be for residency restricted civilian open, Regulation Enforcement and Junior Groups. This implies civilian rivals will have the ability to shoot in each pistol staff matches. They’ll shoot with an trade or open staff within the Gold Cup occasion and with a state of membership staff within the Oglethorpe Trophy occasion.
New F-Sensible F-Class Class (HIGHPOWER RIFLE). The 2026 CMP Highpower Rifle rulebook introduces a brand new F-Sensible F-Class Class that’s restricted to manufacturing facility manufacturing rifles and gear. Cartridges can’t exceed .308 in bullet diameter; “magnums” is not going to be allowed. Rifles might not weigh greater than 14.0 kilos and should have a minimal set off pull of two.0 kilos. Optics are restricted to 16X. Complete retail value of a competitor’s rifle and gear is proscribed to $3,000. This new class shall be supplied in all CMP Mid- and Lengthy-Vary Matches. Golf equipment are inspired to incorporate it of their sanctioned matches.
Highpower Rifle Scoring (HIGHPOWER RIFLE). A number of years in the past, the CMP adopted the highpower rifle scoring protocol being utilized by the NRA. This scoring protocol requires scoring highpower rifle targets based on the dimensions of the bullet being utilized by every competitor. This meant that rivals with AR-Kind rifles had their photographs scored with a .223” gauge whereas rivals firing M14-Kind rifles had their photographs scores with a bigger .308” gauge. The scoring benefit rivals taking pictures .30 cal. rifles had was small. They successfully had scoring rings that had been 0.0425 bigger. Over the course of a 50-, 80- or 100-shot Highpower Rifle Match one or two photographs are more likely to fall in that zone. Beginning in 2026, digital targets utilized in CMP Highpower Rifle occasions could have the identical sized scoring rings. Digital targets, in fact, rating to the middle of the shot gap, not the surface edge, so these targets will now assume that each one photographs had been fired with a 7.62mm/.308” bullet to find out exact scoring ring sizes. All photographs fired on paper targets shall be scored with a uniform .308 in. scoring gauge so it is going to be needed for match sponsors to have .308 scoring gauges with .223” spindles.
Nationwide Trophy Match New Shooter Rule (HIGHPOWER RIFLE & BULLSEYE PISTOL). Nationwide Trophy groups will get a break if they’ve two or extra new shooters on their Nationwide Trophy Groups. They need to designate considered one of them as their new shooters. Some other new shooters retain their new shooter eligibility.
New Motion Pistol Distinguished Badge (ACTION PISTOL). The CMP shall be including a twelfth Distinguished Badge to its Distinguished Badge Program in 2026. A brand new Motion Pistol EIC (Excellence-in-Competitors) program encompassing the Bianchi Cup Championship and designated different CMP-sanctioned EIC matches the place rivals can earn EIC credit score factors has been established. This program will allow rivals to earn EIC credit score factors that rely in direction of the 30 factors which might be required to award Distinguished Badges. Full rules governing the conduct of EIC matches and the awarding of the brand new Motion Pistol Distinguished Badges are within the 2026 CMP Motion Pistol Competitors Guidelines.
4-Level Legs in As-Issued Garand, Springfield and M1911 Matches (CMP GAMES). The CMP program that awards 4-point legs to the highest 10 p.c of rivals with no earlier EIC factors within the Small Arms Firing Colleges and CMP Marksmanship 101 programs has efficiently began a number of Service Rifle and Service Pistol rivals on their quests to earn the Distinguished Rifleman and Distinguished Pistol Shot Badges. In 2026, that program shall be expanded to incorporate the As-Issued John C Garand, Springfield Rifle and M1911 Pistol Matches “carried out by the CMP.”
CMP Achievement Awards (CMP GAMES). The lower scores for awarding the favored CMP gold, silver and bronze Achievement Medals and Pins (Appendix A within the CMP Video games Rulebook) are evaluated yearly, primarily based on scores fired in Nationwide Matches occasions. Up to date lower scores for this lengthy record of CMP Video games occasions are listed in Appendix A on the finish of the 2026 CMP Video games Guidelines. Apparently, lower scores in most occasions really went down this 12 months.
At-Massive Groups (HIGHPOWER RIFLE, BULLSEYE PISTOL). The brand new guidelines for each Highpower Rifle and Bullseye Pistol modified “Out-of-Competitors” groups to “At-Massive” groups. This rule is used extensively within the Nationwide Trophy Rifle and Pistol Workforce Matches to permit groups that would not adjust to strict eligibility necessities to have the ability to nonetheless shoot within the match even once they couldn’t win awards. To offer some standing to those groups, the title was modified to “At-Massive” and the potential of giving awards has been added.
Suppressors and Silencers (HIGHPOWER RIFLE). The usage of silencers or suppressors is already widespread in some taking pictures sports activities disciplines. Their use is promoted as a method of lowering vary noise ranges and mitigating the potential of listening to loss. The CMP has taken its preliminary steps in approving suppressors to be used in CMP Matches. In 2026, rivals in most F-Class classes (F-TR, F-O, AR Tactical) shall be allowed to shoot with suppressors.
Any competitor or match sponsor who has questions or feedback about any side of the 2026 CMP competitors guidelines is inspired to contact the CMP competitions employees. Contact data for the completely different taking pictures disciplines is the entrance of every rulebook.
The CMP needs all rivals, match officers, and match sponsors a rewarding and profitable 2026 taking pictures season.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit company that locations its highest precedence on firearms security and marksmanship actions, with a concentrate on youth. CMP’s applications encourage private progress and construct life expertise, with such initiatives as its junior coaching and competitors applications, Affiliated Membership program and scholarships offering help to residents of all backgrounds throughout the nation. Be taught extra in regards to the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
