The CMP and Savage Arms Company have just announced a new special purchase program that makes the Savage Mark I-FVT junior smallbore rifles available to CMP-affiliated organizations sponsoring junior shooting activities. This program is part of a CMP effort to make it possible for more of its affiliated junior clubs and youth marksmanship programs to obtain the basic target shooting equipment they need to expand their programs and serve more youth with rifle instruction. The CMP tested numerous rifles that might fulfill this need and concluded that the Savage Mark I-FVT offers the best overall combination of features and price that make it especially suitable for junior training and entry-level competition.

The Savage Mark I-FVT can now be purchased through this program for $212.00 each, including sights, packaging and shipping. Purchasing organizations must be CMP-affiliated organizations that will use these rifles for youth marksmanship. Eligible organizations may be junior shooting clubs, adult clubs with junior programs, 4-H Shooting Sports Clubs, summer camps with camp riflery activities, BSA organizations or camps or other organizations that sponsor junior activities, as long as they are affiliated with the CMP. 4-H, BSA and JROTC organizations may enroll as CMP-affiliated organizations at no cost. Affiliation applications may be downloaded from http://www.odcmp.com/Clubs/Affiliates.htm.

A downloadable information bulletin on the CMP Junior Smallbore Rifle Purchase Program is posted on the CMP website at http://www.odcmp.com/Programs/Savage.pdf. This information bulletin also has an Application Form that purchasing organizations may complete and send to the CMP to obtain a Rifle Purchase Eligibility Certificate that must be used when ordering the rifles from Savage.

The Savage Mark I-FVT is a bolt action, single shot, .22 cal. rimfire rifle. It comes with a black, checkered synthetic stock. With a 21” barrel, a 39.5” overall length and a total weight, with sights, of 5 ¼ pounds, it is ideally sized for younger juniors. Indeed, one of the most important prerequisites for successfully starting juniors in rifle shooting is to use a rifle that is sized appropriately. Marksmanship instructors should never start juniors with a rifle that is too big or too heavy for them to handle safely and comfortably. Additional information on the Savage Mark I-FVT rifle may be downloaded from the Savage Arms website at http://www.savagearms.com/markifvt.htm.

The Savage Mark I-FVT has several key features that make it especially suitable for junior target shooting. It has a sling attachment stud so slings can readily be used with it for prone and kneeling shooting. It is equipped with a hooded front sight supplied with ten interchangeable ring and post aperture inserts. The larger apertures are suitable for new shooters. The Williams receiver sight that ships with the rifle has click-adjustable windage and elevation knobs. One of this rifle’s most attractive features is the Savage AccuTrigger® that offers a two-stage type release with a remarkably smooth let-off and no significant creep. The AccuTrigger® is adjustable for weight of pull and comes with an adjustment tool.

Purchasing procedures are quite simple. An organization that wants to order one or more of these rifles must first submit an Application Form to the CMP. When the CMP receives the application, it must confirm eligibility to purchase by checking the organization’s affiliation status and confirm that the organization is conducting junior marksmanship training or competition activities. The CMP will then send a Rifle Purchase Eligibility Certificate to the organization together with an order form and instructions. The purchasing organization may then complete the order form, obtain a signed copy of the FFL of a local dealer who will handle the FFL transfer and send the order with payment for the rifles directly to Savage. Savage will ship the rifles to the FFL dealer for delivery to the purchaser.

The Savage Mark I-FVT has a remarkable array of features that are desired in a junior smallbore target rifle including appropriate size and weight, single shot action, ability to attach a sling, adjustable aperture rear sight, a front sight with interchangeable inserts and a crisp, clean trigger. The special purchase price for eligible organizations of $212.00, with sights and shipping included, is well below the MSRP for this rifle of $346.00. Organizations sponsoring junior shooting activities that are interested in purchasing these rifles should begin the order process by downloading the program instructions and Application Form from the CMP website at http://www.odcmp.com/Programs/JrRifles.htm.

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