This week on Shooting USA, we’re celebrating a double milestone at the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Talladega Marksmanship Park: its tenth anniversary as a premier shooting destination and a decade of the grueling CMP Talladega 600 series. Kicking off with the Congressional 30 service rifle match on Range One, this event isn’t just about slinging lead—it’s a high-stakes test of precision under pressure, where competitors channel military heritage with AR-15s, M1As, and other service rifles. Hosted at Alabama’s world-class facility boasting 1,200 acres and over 100 ranges, the Talladega 600 demands endurance across multiple stages, blending speed, accuracy, and marksmanship fundamentals that echo the CMP’s roots in equipping everyday Americans with real-world shooting skills.
For the 2A community, this anniversary underscores a vital truth: programs like CMP aren’t relics of wartime surplus; they’re thriving engines for grassroots marksmanship that fortify Second Amendment rights. Born from the 1903 Army Appropriations Act mandating civilian training, CMP has distributed over 300,000 M1 Garands alone, ensuring surplus rifles fuel competitive shooting rather than rusting in warehouses. The Talladega 600’s growth—drawing hundreds of shooters annually—highlights surging participation post-pandemic, with implications for policy battles ahead. As anti-gun voices push restrictions, these events generate irrefutable data on safe, skilled firearm use, bolstering legal defenses and public perception. Tune in to Shooting USA to see why investing in ranges like Talladega isn’t optional—it’s our frontline defense against erosion of shooting sports.
Looking forward, the tenth Talladega 600 signals momentum for expansion, potentially inspiring more stateside matches amid Fudds decrying too many guns. With CMP’s push for youth involvement via air rifle programs, this series grooms the next generation of advocates who’ll testify with targets in hand. Pro-2A patriots, mark your calendars: events like these aren’t just competitions; they’re cultural strongholds proving marksmanship is America’s birthright, not a privilege to be regulated away.
