1. Fill out the membership form and bring it to the practice match the first Saturday of every month (8am sharp).  Bring eye and ear protection if you have them, otherwise they will be provided.  
2. Go through the match training that takes place before the practice match.  You learn how to safely operate a M1 Garand and how a match is conducted.  
3. Participate in the practice match.  It finishes around noon.  
4. $30 (new members) to join the club, $10 range fee plus $15 for the ammo draw ($55 total).  
5. If you have your own M1 Garand you can bring it.  

Q - What is the clubs address?

San Jose Zouaves
P.O. Box 41313
San Jose, CA  95160

http://www.zouaves.org/

events@zouaves.org

The first Saturday of the month at 8am sharp at the 200 yard range.  Bring your eye and ear protection if you have them, otherwise you can use loaners from the club.  

We have diehards who come rain or shine.  If it is a very light rain odds are there will be a match.  If it is really pouring it will probably be rained out.  If you decide to come out you take your chances.

Not for high power competition.  Use a club M1 Garand or .223 match bolt rifle instead.  

The club does not recommend using a M1 Carbine in competition.  You could use a club M1 Garand or .223 match bolt rifle instead.  

Use the club's website and check out the events page.

http://www.zouaves.org/events.htm 

Q - I am a new owner of a high power rifle and would like to get involved with your club.  What do I need to do to get started?

New shooters need to attend a practice match.  These take place on the first Saturday of every month at 8 am.  You will be instructed on the usage of a club M1 Garand and how the matches are conducted.  You then will get to participate in a practice match.  New shooters must go through a practice match prior to participating in a regular match.

Competitors use two different types of rifles - service rifles and match rifles.  Service rifles are M1 Garands, AR-15 variants and M1A rifles.  Match rifles are typically Winchester Model 70's and Remington Model 700's.  The most common caliber's are .223, .308 and .30-06.  New shooters can borrow club M1 Garands (30-06) and make an ammo draw ($15.00).  The rifles use open sights (no scopes).

A one year membership costs $30 for new members and $20 per year thereafter.  The membership year runs from May 1st through the following April 30th.  

Q - How do the Zouaves determine the classifications and do they get reported to the NRA?

We follow guidelines from the CMP.  They issued a document entitled "Approved Courses of Fire for Marksmanship Training for Clubs and Schools Enrolled with the Director of Civilian Marksmanship".  It outlines the classifications we follow:

• Expert ----- 90% and above (450 and above on a 50 rounds for score course) 
• Sharpshooter ----- 80% to 89% (400 thru 449) 
• Marksman ----- 70% to 79% (350 thru 399) 
• Unqualified (Unclassified) less than 70%. 

Once you attain the minimum score for each classification, you remain in that class until you achieve the next level of class minimum score. 

The NRA classification system is much more complicated. Our matches ARE NOT NRA registered. To do so would require at least doubling the match fee to cover all the additional paperwork and registration costs. We get so many first time shooters in the club, there probably would not be much interest in holding registered shoots. If you are interested in attending an NRA sanctioned shoot, you might look into the nearby Chabot gun club.

We meet at the Rifle range at each session, 1st Saturday (Practice), 2nd Saturday (Juniors), but regular club meetings take place on the 3rd Saturday, just prior to the Monthly Match.  The only time decisions are made that become binding upon the club, are made at the formal meetings.  Other meetings may be scheduled for specific purposes, and are open to all club members.

It is up to the individual to decide whether or not to join.  We have members who represent many different sectors of our society, and nobody is turned away unless they are dangerous or detrimental to the safety of others.  It is obvious that should a person be restricted by law from possession of a firearm, they could not be allowed to handle or posses a firearm, though it is not clear if they would be excluded from joining the club.

In the case where a member has exhibited participation that may be dangerous or detrimental to the club, the club membership as a whole would decide if someone can't remain a member.

The club is a State of California Non-Profit Club, affiliated with the U.S. Government Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP, it used to be the DCM), and with the National Rifle Association (NRA), dedicated to the promotion of Shooting Safety and Marksmanship.

By joining a club, you can be around others who enjoy the same sport, and participate in competition in an environment, where the competitors are knowledgeable and helpful.  The club membership will offer help if help is needed, and advise where help can be obtained if nobody present has the expertise to help.

Of course you have already made part of the contact just by  reading this.  You need to show up at the Rifle Range 200 Yard Range on the first Saturday of any month, and ask to join.  The San Jose Zouaves is comprised of a volunteer membership (Nobody is paid!) and all participation (including joining) is strictly voluntary.  You are expected to "Pull Your Own Weight", by pitching in where you can help.  If you don't understand what to do or how to help, just ask, and somebody will show you what needs to be done.  No one person is expected to do it all, and when everyone pitches in, it is surprising how little everyone has to do.

All that is needed is a centerfire rifle that can be loaded quickly with a minimum of 5 rounds from a clip, stripper clip or magazine, with iron sights (No Telescopic sights).  Some of the cheaper foreign military rifles are very good for this purpose, such as, but not restricted to, the Mauser K-98, the Arisaka, and the British Enfield.  We do schedule some matches just for bolt action rifles, and these are some of the rifles that have won.

The club does not sell M1 Garands.  By being a member in good standing, you can order M1 Garands from the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program).  See their website:  http://www.odcmp.com  for more information on requirements, pricing and grading.