DiscoverNo LowballersFrom Garands to Olympians: How the CMP Trains the Nation’s Best Shooters
From Garands to Olympians: How the CMP Trains the Nation’s Best Shooters

From Garands to Olympians: How the CMP Trains the Nation’s Best Shooters

Update: 2025-08-07
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On this episode of the No Lowballers podcast, host Logan Metesh of High Caliber History dives deep into one of the most historically significant and community-focused organizations in the shooting sports world — the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Joined by CMP leaders Jerry O’Keefe, Christie Sewell, and Brad Donoho, plus a surprise appearance from Olympic legend Gary Anderson, this episode explores the roots, growth, and enduring mission of CMP.


From the historic grounds of Camp Perry to the cutting-edge shift to electronic targets, the crew covers everything from vintage Garands to youth outreach. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just curious about how to get started, there’s something here for everyone.



🔍 Episode Highlights:


• What the CMP really is and how it was born from federal legislation in 1996


• Why the U.S. Army sends M1 Garands to CMP — and how those sales fund the mission


• The National Matches at Camp Perry: history, scope, and why it’s called the “Super Bowl” of shooting sports


• Camp Perry’s unique range experience — including delays caused by boats, bald eagles, and even the Goodyear blimp


• Commercial Row and the shooting sports vendor scene during matches


• How the Small Arms Firing School brings beginners shoulder-to-shoulder with Olympians and world champs


• New shooter access: training, clubs, and junior programs that make CMP uniquely welcoming


• The growing popularity of vintage military rifle competitions — Garands, Springfields, Carbines and more


• Growth of the air gun and smallbore rifle programs, including major junior participation


• The end of an era: saying goodbye to the Camp Perry “pits” and moving fully to electronic targets


• How CMP is driving participation nationwide through traveling games, club outreach, and range partnerships


• The origins of the National Matches at Sea Girt, NJ and how Camp Perry became their permanent home


• Gary Anderson’s legacy, from Olympic gold medals to shaping the CMP’s modern identity


Listen now on your favorite platform and don’t forget: If you’re already a subscriber, make sure to re-subscribe using the updated links below to keep receiving new episodes.


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UoPXevKfKwruKcEcV4ir3


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-lowballers/id1812452370


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Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/id6595321


Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NoLowballersPodcast/videos


To stream directly or learn more, visit www.gunbroker.com/c/podcast


Follow No Lowballers on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday.





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From Garands to Olympians: How the CMP Trains the Nation’s Best Shooters

From Garands to Olympians: How the CMP Trains the Nation’s Best Shooters

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