ANNISTON, Ala. – The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is pleased to announce registration is officially open for the 2026 Advanced Maintenance Class (AMC) series in Alabama!
Designed for those who wish to take their passion for the timeless M1 Garand to the next level, the AMC continues to be one of the most sought-after programs – combining expert instruction, hands-on experience and the tradition of one of America’s most iconic rifles.
“I did the individual class and learned a lot about M1s by building mine,” said Mark Reindl of Kingsburg, Ca. “Additionally, I have an heirloom that I hope stays in the family long after I’m gone … getting to choose all of the parts was another bonus.”
Students in the course are given the rare opportunity to hand-pick parts from CMP’s inventory of M1 components and to participate in one-on-one training from our experienced armorers within the CMP Custom Shop in Anniston. Topics to be discussed include headspace, barrel installation, component function, maintenance and more.
The AMC schedule includes timeslots for individuals as well as designated days for “Buddy” classes for those who wish to attend with a friend or relative.
“I did the Buddy Class with my dad – truly an awesome experience,” said Johnathan Wright of Chesapeake, Va. “The Custom Shop team is an incredibly talented and knowledgeable bunch.”
The AMC will be held on select dates from March through October and will include:
- Day One: Classroom instruction, rifle assembly, and a facility tour
- Day Two: Classroom instruction and final rifle assembly
- Day Three: Test-firing at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park – participants may also bring other firearms and ammunition to make full use of the all-day range pass.
Registration will be available from Oct. 17, 2025, through Dec. 19, 2025. Once the AMC registration period ends, those selected will receive official notification via email on Jan. 9, 2026. Please note, submitting a registration does not guarantee selection.
Other testimonials to the course:
“I highly recommend that any M1 Garand collector and/or enthusiast take this class. It was exciting to assemble the rifle from its component parts. Our instructors did an outstanding job helping us assemble our rifles. It is fun to shoot a rifle that I assembled myself.”
“Have to say, the BEST instructional class I have attended in a long time. The excitement of being able to build a rifle from parts that were part of our American history was awesome.”
“The personal attention from the instructors, the knowledge and patience they exhibited, the commitment to ensuring a positive environment and a positive result was unparalleled. These people truly know what they are doing and care about helping the students achieve an exceptional result.”
“Instructors were very enthusiastic. Such enthusiasm translated into a fun, informative and very enjoyable class.”
Sign Up:
We hope you’ll join us for one of the most popular, rewarding and memorable programs offered throughout the year!
For more information about the AMC, including the 2026 dates and registration details, please visit https://thecmp.org/training-tech/advanced-maintenance-class/.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation that places its highest priority on firearms safety and marksmanship activities, with a focus on youth. CMP’s programs encourage personal growth and build life skills, with such initiatives as its junior training and competition programs, Affiliated Club program and scholarships providing support to citizens of all backgrounds across the nation. Learn more about the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
