South African Pistol Federation       

The ISSF 50m Pistol event is the pinnacle of precision pistol competition in the world. The shooter is given plenty of time and the rules are very liberal, without allowing technology to usurp shooter skills.


Rules
Sixty shots must be fired in 2 hours

The pistol must have open sights and be loaded one shot at a time.

The shooter must shoot one handed and use the same hand to support and trigger the gun.

The grip cannot touch beyond the hand; i.e. the wrist must be visibly free when the pistol is held in the normal firing position.

The shooter cannot wear clothing that offers additional support.

Of course there are many more details but that summarizes the spirit of the rules.


Matches

In the 50m Pistol event, shooters may take an unlimited number of Sighting Shots before they start shooting for record. Once the first Record Shot is fired, the shooter cannot take any more sighting shots. The only exceptions are rare instances when there is a gun malfunction that cannot be fixed on the line or the range is shut down for some reason.


Shooters can take as much time as they like within the time limit. They may shoot at their own pace. They may take breaks as they wish. Shooters may Dry Fire at anytime from the start of the Preparation Period until the match time limit has expired.


International and Major matches are typically fired on Electronic Targets. When Electronic targets, or automatic target changers for paper targets are used the shooters are given the full time limit without interruption. The shooter can fire as many sighting shots as desired and when ready press a button to start Shooting for Record. If the match is divided into two or more segments to facilitate target changing, the time segments for shooting still total two hours.


When electronic targets or automatic target changers are not available, the time limit will typically be divided into smaller segments and Paper Targets will be changed between time periods. In this case shooters are typically given one time period for sighter shots, then the entire line changes targets and starts shooting for record. Sometimes two or more targets will be hung and a longer time interval used. In this case shooters may be given one sighter target and one (or more) record target for the first time inteval.

Range Commands

Preparation Time Begins now

after 10 minutes


Start

10 minutes before the completion of shooting time


10 minutes

5 minutes before the completion of shooting time


5 minutes

at the completion of shooting time


Stop

Any Malfunctions


50m / Free Pistols Specification

Almost any .22LR pistol that has open sights can be used in a Free Pistol competition and some very good scores have been fired with Standard Pistols. Pistols used for this event must conform to the ISSF Free Pistol Specification, which covers such items as sights, and grip styles. One point to note is that only one shot may be loaded at a time.

Imagine an event where the entire scored firing is completed in 72 seconds. That's right, just over a minute total for all sixty shots! Of course it's not quite as simple as stepping to the line and being finished two minutes later. In fact, it can be quite complicated to the new shooter, and is one of the more challenging of the shooting events.


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)
 

The 'ISSF 25 M Pistol Womens' event is a Womens event that is identical to the 'ISSF 25 M Center Fire Pistol Mens' other than:
the pistol calibre requirements, the gauge size for shot values, and a 20-shot Finals round for the top scoring 8 women from the 60-shot Qualification round.


Course of Fire

The competition consistes of 60 shots fired in two 30-shot Stages.. There is:
Precision Stage (30 shots); consisting of six 5-shot series, each series fired in 5 minutes shooting time
Rapid Fire Stage (30 shots); consisting of six 5-shot series, each shot fired at a 3 seconds exposure of the target


Preparation Time

Before each stage commences the shooters have 5 minutes 'Preparation Time'. During Preparation Time shooters may:
set up and prepare their equipment at the allocated firing point , dry fire . Preparation Time commences 5 minutes before the scheduled time for the relay.

Sighting series

Before each stage the shooters have a 5-shot sighting series in the same timing as for that stage.

Precision Stage

There are 6 series each of 5-shots fired in 5 minutes shooting time.
The 'Ready Position' does not apply for the Precision Stage


Rapid Fire Stage

There are 6 series each of 5-shots fired in the 'duelling' time: the targets face for 3 seconds, with an away time of 7 seconds before the next facing. The shooter must have her arm no more than 45 degrees from the vertical for each 'exposure' (before the targets face -paper targets: or the green light comes on Electronically Scored Targets (EST)). This 'Ready Position' is specified in ISSF rule 8.6.1.3.1


Range Commands

5 minutes before the scheduled start time
"Preparation Time Begins Now"

After 5 minutes
"Sighting Series, Load"

After 1 minute to load
"Attention" - the targets are faced away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

After 7 seconds, the targets face (paper targets) or the green light comes on ( EST)
After each 5-shot series
"Stop...Unload"

After the targets have been scored and patched (paper targets) or 1 minute ( EST)
"For the first series...Load"

After 1 minute to load
"Attention" - the targets are faced away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

After 7 seconds, the targets face (paper targets) or the green light comes on ( EST)
After each series, the targets face away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

"Stop...Unload"

This is repeated for 6 competition series for each stage. After the last series, the Range Officer must verify that all pistols are unloaded and all magazines are empty before pistols are cased for removal from the firing points.


Pistol Specification

calibre .22 Long Rifle (LR)
fit in a box 300 x 150 x 50 mm
minimum trigger weight (pull) 1000 grams
maximum pistol weight 1400 grams, including a magazine
maximum 220 mm sight radius
no curvature of the grip around the hand (even partially)
open sights only (no scopes or mirror sights)
The grip cannot touch beyond the hand; i.e. the wrist must be visibly free when the pistol is held in the normal firing position.
Compensators, muzzle brakes, perforated barrels or any device(s) functioning in a similar manner are not allowed.
The rear part of the frame or grip which rests on top of the hand between the thumb and the forefinger, must not be longer than30 mm. This distance is measured at a right angle to the extended center line of the bore.

The competition consistes of 60 shots fired in 5-shot series. There are:


Four series, each fired in 150 seconds

Four series, each fired in 20 seconds

Four series, each fired in 10 seconds


Preparation Time

Before the event commences the shooters have 5 minutes 'Preparation Time'. During Preparation Time shooters may: set up and prepare their equipment at the allocated firing point, dry fire. Preparation Time commences 5 minutes before the scheduled time for the relay.

Sighting series
Before the competition series the shooters have a 5-shot sighting series in 150 seconds.


150 seconds series

There are 4 series each of 5-shots fired in the 150 seconds time.
The 'Ready Position' does not apply for the 150 seconds series
20 seconds series
There are 4 series each of 5-shots fired in the 20 seconds time.
The shooter must have his arm no more than 45 degrees from the vertical when the targets face (paper targets) or the green light comes on ( EST). This 'Ready Position' is specified in ISSF rule 8.6.1.3.1


10 seconds series

There are 4 series each of 5-shots fired in the 10 seconds time.
As for the 20 seconds series, the shooter must have his arm no more than 45 degrees from the vertical when the targets face (paper targets) or the green light comes on ( EST). This 'Ready Position' is specified in ISSF rule 8.6.1.3.1


Range Commands

5 minutes before the scheduled start time
"Preparation Time Begins Now"

After 5 minutes
"Sighting Series, Load"

After 1 minute to load
"Attention" - the targets are faced away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

After 7 seconds, the targets face(paper targets) or the green light comes on ( EST)

After 150 seconds, the targets face away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

"Stop...Unload"

After that targets have been scored and patched (paper targets) or 1 minute ( EST)
"For the first 150 second series...Load"

After 1 minute to load
"Attention" - the targets are faced away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

After 7 seconds, the targets face (paper targets) or the green light comes on ( EST)
After 150 seconds, the targets face away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

"Stop...Unload"

This is repeated for 4 competition series of 150 seconds series
The competition series is repeated for 4 x 20 seconds series, and 4 x 10 seconds series with the times for the series changed to suit. After the last series, the Range Officer must verify that all pistols are unloaded and all magazines are empty before pistols are cased for removal from the firing points.


Pistol Specification

calibre .22 Long Rifle (LR)
fit in a box 300 x 150 x 50 mm
minimum trigger weight (pull) 1000 grams
maximum pistol weight 1400 grams, including a magazine
maximum 220 mm sight radius
no curvature of the grip around the hand (even partially)
open sights only (no scopes or mirror sights)
The grip cannot touch beyond the hand; i.e. the wrist must be visibly free when the pistol is held in the normal firing position.
Compensators, muzzle brakes, perforated barrels or any device(s) functioning in a similar manner are not allowed.
the rear part of the frame or grip which rests on top of the hand between the thumb and the forefinger, must not be longer
than 30 mm. This distance is measured at a right angle to the extended center line of the bore.

The competition consists of 60 shots fired in two 30-shot Stages.. These are:

Precision Stage (30 shots); consisting of six 5-shot series, each series fired in 5 minutes shooting time
Rapid Fire Stage (30 shots); consisting of six 5-shot series, each shot fired at a 3 seconds exposure of the target


Preparation Time

Before each stage commences the shooters have 5 minutes 'Preparation Time'. During Preparation Time shooters may: set up and prepare their equipment at the allocated firing point, dry fire.
Preparation Time commences 5 minutes before the scheduled time for the relay.

Sighting series

Before each stage the shooters have a 5-shot sighting series in the same timing as for that stage.

Precision Stage

There are 6 series each of 5-shots fired in 5 minutes shooting time.
The 'Ready Position' does not apply for the Precision Stage


Rapid Fire Stage

There are 6 series each of 5-shots fired in the 'duelling' time: the targets face for 3 seconds, with an away time of 7 seconds before the next facing. The shooter must have his arm no more than 45 degrees from the vertical for each 'exposure' (before the targets face -
paper targets: or the green light comes on ( EST)). This 'Ready Position' is specified in ISSF rule 8.6.1.3.1

Range Commands

5 minutes before the scheduled start time

"Preparation Time Begins Now"

After 5 minutes

"Sighting Series, Load"

After 1 minute to load

"Attention" - the targets are faced away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

After 7 seconds, the targets face (paper targets) or the green light comes on ( EST)

After each 5-shot series

"Stop...Unload"

After that targets have been scored and patched (paper targets) or 1 minute ( EST)

"For the first series...Load"

After 1 minute to load

"Attention" - the targets are faced away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

After 7 seconds, the targets face (paper targets) or the green light comes on ( EST)

After each series, the targets face away (paper targets) or the red light comes on ( EST)

"Stop...Unload"


This is repeated for 6 competition series for each stage .
After the last series, the Range Officer must verify that all pistols are unloaded and all magazines are empty before pistols are cased for removal from the firing points.

Pistol Specification

Essentially the specifications are the same as that for Standard Pistol with the exception of calibre.
calibre; centerfire 7.62 to 9.65 mm
fit in a box 300 x 150 x 50 mm
minimum trigger weight (pull) 1000 grams(1*)
maximum pistol weight 1400 grams, including a magazine
maximum 220 mm sight radius
maximum barrel length 153 mm
no curvature of the grip around the hand (even partially)
open sights only (no scopes or mirror sights)
The grip cannot touch beyond the hand; i.e. the wrist must be visibly free when the pistol is held in the normal firing position.
Compensators, muzzle brakes, perforated barrels or any device(s) functioning in a similar manner are not allowed.
the rear part of the frame or grip which rests on top of the hand between the thumb and the forefinger, must not be longer
than 30 mm. This distance is measured at a right angle to the extended center line of the bore.
 

Rules
Other than the number of competition shots and the time allowed, the Mens and Womens events are the same:
Men shoot a 60-shot match in a time allowance of 1 hour 45 minutes
Women shoot a 40-shot match in a time allowance of 1 hour 15 minutes
The pistol must be loaded one shot at a time.
The shooter must shoot one handed and use the same hand to support and trigger the gun.
The shooter cannot wear clothing that offers additional support.

Pistol Specifications

4.5 mm (177") calibre Air Pistol
Powered by compressed air or gas
Fit in a box 420 x 150 x 50 mm
Maximum weight 1500 grams
Minimum trigger pull 500 grams
Sights: open' metallic only
Grip: The grip cannot touch beyond the hand; i.e. the wrist must be visibly free when the pistol is held in the normal firing position. may not start to encircle hand when viewed longitudinally. Ported barrels are allowed
Ammunition: 4.5 mm lead projectiles