Let's move back to the basics. The match is fired with .22 caliber rimfire handguns and .22 Long Rifle ammunition (see below). The competition is fired as twelve, five shot strings, in varying times at five separate targets, placed 25 meters from the firing line. The shooter must fire in stages and the format is as follows:

First Stage (half of match):

• 1 string of 5 shots in 8 seconds used as a sighting/practice string (scored, but not counted in event)
• 2 strings of 5 shots in 8 seconds
• 2 strings of 5 shots in 6 seconds
• 2 strings of 5 shots in 4 seconds
• After all shooters have completed the First Stage:

Second Stage (half of match):

• 1 string of 5 shots in 8 seconds used as a sighting/practice string (scored, but not counted in event)
• 2 strings of 5 shots in 8 seconds
• 2 strings of 5 shots in 6 seconds
• 2 strings of 5 shots in 4 seconds

The basic (or "Qualification Program") portion of the match is completed. If you notice, the total scored, fired shots for each half was (8+8+6+6+4+4=) 36 total seconds. But, of course, there's more to it. To begin with, the shooter advances to the line and is given the command to load after which he has one minute to load the magazine with five rounds, insert it into the firearm and prepare the gun to fire. He then adjusts his stance, etc., and brings the gun to a ready position, angled downward at forty-five degrees to the target and awaits the fire commands, which include a countdown:

"Attention! ... for paper targets, the targets are turned away; for Electronically Scored Targets (EST) the red light comes on
Three, ...
Two, ...
One, ...
Start, ... "
3 seconds after the last command, the lights at each target change from red to green for the allotted time (for paper targets, the targets turn to face the shooters). The shooter raises the gun and fires, during this "green" time, with one shot at each of the five targets. He is scored based on standard scoring rings, up to ten points per hit. If any shots occur outside the "green" time, they are counted as misses. A perfect score for the Qualification is 600 points.

At World-class or Olympic level, a "Finals" is fired by the top six competitors from the Qualification round. Each shooter fires 4 strings of 5 shots in 4 seconds. Each shot is evaluated to one-tenth of a point for a possible total of 218 additional points to add to the basic possible score of 600, for an overall possible score of 818 for a perfect match.

Equipment

• Pistols used in Rapid Fire have the same specifications as those used for Standard Pistol and 25m Pistol Women:
• must fit inside a box (size 300 x 150 x 50 mm),
• minimum 1000 grams trigger pull,
• maximum 220 mm sight radius
• The grip: is not allowed to encircle the hand in any manner , cannot touch beyond the hand; i.e. the wrist must be visibly free when the pistol is held in the normal firing position.
• no porting or venting of the barrel
• Ammunition for Rapid Fire Pistol (does not apply to 25m Standard Pistol , or 25m Pistol Women):
• .22 Long Rifle (LR)
• minimum 39 grains projectile weight
• minimum 250 m/sec velocity (820.25 fps)