CMP Air Rifle and Air Pistol Competition Rules are issued annually. They form the basis for the largest structured airgun shooting discipline in the USA – 10 Meter, Three Position competition.
But this year the CMP Air Rifle and Air Pistol Rulebook is delayed, as explained below.
CMP rulebooks are released on the 1st of December every year. This is one month before they will take effect on the 1st of January. This early release gives competitors and match sponsors in those disciplines a head start on preparing for their next competition year.
Unfortunately the completion of two 2026 CMP rulebooks is being delayed while the shooting world awaits final decisions from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) regarding major proposals to change rifle clothing and rifle 3-position finals.
The Air Rifle and Air Pistol Rulebook is potentially impacted here as it is closely aligned with ISSF Rules. This is because because most competitors in those events also compete in USA Shooting competitions that are governed by ISSF Rules.
Some of the best athletes in these events also qualify for USA National Teams that compete in ISSF Championships, so it is essential that the CMP, USA Shooting and ISSF Rules for these disciplines be closely aligned.
The ISSF is currently considering significant changes in its rifle clothing rules that could require competitors in Air Rifle events to modify their shooting jackets and trousers.
The problem is – apparently – that certain clothing manufacturers have learned how to evade clothing stiffness rules so that rifle standing scores, in particular, are looking more like prone scores.
If those changes are adopted, the CMP must decide whether to adopt those changes and if it does, how to enforce them.
The ISSF is also considering changing its three-position finals to one-position finals. This proposal could potentially also impact Junior Three-Position Air Rifle where three-position finals are widely used and have become popular.
An ISSF decision on these issues likely will not come until later in December. Since an ISSF decision to adopt either of these proposals could significantly impact CMP Air Rifle Rules, the CMP will delay finalizing this rulebook until it knows what the ISSF is going to do.
Because of this, the 2026 CMP Air Rifle and Air Pistol Rulebook may not be available until after the first of the year. For any questions, it’s best to contact the CMP competitions staff directly.
Copies of new rulebooks will be downloadable from the CMP “Competition Rulebooks” webpage at Competition Rulebooks - Civilian Marksmanship Program.
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