You
DO NOT have to shoot any matches.
All you have to do is provide proof that you have shot 50 rounds. Period. For example, a letter from the Range Officer where you shoot will suffice. I know because that's what I did, and so have many others.
If you want to read a lot of reports about CMP orders, their excellent service, etc. go to
www.battlerifles.com and/or to
www.odcmp.com and check out their forum.
I ordered my first CMP rifle (SA SG) at the end of November and received it in early January. Ordered the second (HRA SG) in late January and received it in less than two weeks! Ordered the third one less than a week ago, and... well, I am waiting on that one.
For membership in an affiliated club, just join the Garand Collectors Association ($25/yr) on-line. That leaves cictizenship and the notarized document.
Picture below: Top two are CMP rifles, the 1953 HRA, and the 1944 SA. Then a 1945 SA from Tony Giacobbe, and a new production SA.
The CMP rifles are great. That HRA 'thinks' it is a match rifle, and has me convinced!
Alex