ISSF Shooting Event Descriptions

Events below are those that are governed within Wales by the Welsh Airgun Association - for other ISSF (and non-ISSF) events please refer to descriptions provided by the Welsh Clay Target Shooting Association (WCTSA), the Welsh Rifle Association (WRA), the Welsh Small-bore Rifle Association (WSRA) on their respective web sites.

Events at International level use electronic targets with each competitor having their own scores shown on a personal monitor, which the competitor is allowed to move around (within limits) to suit their shooting position. 10m events at National or Club level usually use an electrically movable target carrier and paper targets.

The following are Olympic events and have both a Qualification part and a Final part to the event:-
10m Air Rifle Men, 10m Air Rifle Women, 10m Air Pistol Men, 10m Air Pistol Women, 25m Sport Pistol, 25m Rapid Fire Men and 50m Pistol Men.

See Note at the end of this page for the legal status of cartridge pistol shooting in the UK.

Rifle

10m Air Rifle Men and Women

Air Rifle is shot from an unsupported standing position. Most rifles use compressed air (sometimes CO2 gas) to propel the 4.5mm (.177 inch) calibre pellet the 10m to the target. Rifles have a maximum weight of 5.5kg. Specialised clothing is worn to enhance the stability of the shooting position.

In the Qualification part of the competition, men shoot 60 shots (each shot scored in whole points, maximum 600) in 1 hour 15 minutes with a 15 minute period before the qualification time for unlimited sighting shots. Women shoot 40 shots (each shot scored in whole points, maximum 400) in 50 minutes minutes, again with a 15 minute period before the qualification time for unlimited sighting shots.

For the Final part of the competition, the top eight scoring competitors from the Qualification phase go forward to the Olympic Final. Each competitor starts from zero firing two 5-shots series, each in 250 seconds (4 minutes 10 seconds). After these 10 shots, there are a further 14 shots, each fired in 50 seconds, with the lowest scoring competitor dropping out after the 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th and 22nd shots. The 1st and 2nd places are then decided after the 24th shot. Shots are scored to 1 decimal place, with a 10.9 as a perfectly centred shot.

Target Sprint

Target Sprint is a combination of air rifle target shooting and middle distance running that requires participants to develop accurate rifle shooting skills and physical fitness.

Target Sprint participants are assigned to relays and begin each relay with a mass start and a fixed distance run. At the end of the first run, they stop at a 10-meter air rifle shooting range where they must shoot at and hit five knockdown targets from the standing position. The best athletes do this in a shorter period of time and start their second running stage as soon as all targets are down. More than five shots are often required, but that adds to the shooting time.

At the end of the second run, participants must shoot another five targets before beginning the third and final running stage. The winner is the person who completes the three running stages and two shooting stages first.

Target Sprint participants are normally divided into categories according to age and sex.
Target Sprint contests can be organized anywhere a safe air rifle range and a 400 meter running course can be set up.

The air rifle targets are simple, mechanical biathlon-type targets. The low-cost, single shot 4.5mm air rifles used are safe, accurate and easy to learn how to fire accurately.

10m Running Target

Running Target is shot from an unsupported standing position. Most rifles use compressed air to propel the 4.5mm (0.177 inch) calibre pellet the 10m to the target. Rifles have a maximum weight of 5.5kg, including a telescope with a maximum 4x magnifying power. Specialised clothing is worn to enhance the stability of the shooting position.

The target moves over a 2m distance. Competitors shoot a "slow" run of 5 seconds and a "fast" run of 2.5 seconds, with the target moving from both the left and the right.
Rifles must be positioned at hip level before the start of the run and are raised to the shooting position after the target appears.

In the Qualification part of the competition, men shoot 60 shots (each shot scored in whole points, maximum 600), 30 "fast" runs and 30 "slow" runs with a total of 8 sighting runs. Women shoot 40 shots (each shot scored in whole points, maximum 400), 20 "fast" runs and 20 "slow" runs with a total of 8 sighting runs. A separate event is designated as Mixed, where the competitor has a random mix of "fast" and "slow" runs, 40 shots for men and 20 shots for women.

In the Final part of the competition, the top eight scoring competitors have 2 shots, each to be "fast" runs. Shots are scored to 1 decimal place, with a 10.9 as a perfectly centred shot. The results from the Qualification part and Final part are added together for the final result.

Pistol

10m Air Pistol Men and Women

Air Pistol is shot from an unsupported standing position holding and firing the pistol with one hand. Most pistols use compressed air (sometimes CO2 gas) to propel the 4.5mm (0.177 inch) calibre pellet the 10m to the target. Pistols have a maximum weight of 1.5kg, the trigger must be able to support a weight of 500g before firing and must fit in a box of set dimensions. Flat-soled shoes that do not cover the ankle are the only specialised clothing allowed.

50m Pistol Men

Usually referred to as Free Pistol, the only restrictions on the design are that the pistol fires the 5.6mm (0.22 inch) cartridge, usually the 0.22 Long Rifle cartridge, and that the wrist on the hand holding the pistol can move freely. The pistol may be single shot or, if a semi-automatic pistol is used, may only be loaded with one cartridge at a time.
The event is for men only with the target at a distance of 50m. The pistol is shot from an unsupported standing position holding and firing the pistol with one hand. Flat-soled shoes that do not cover the ankle are the only specialised clothing allowed.

In the Qualification part of the competition, 60 shots are fired (each shot scored in whole points, maximum 600) in 2 hours with unlimited sighting shots before the competitor fires the first competition shot.

In the Final part of the competition, the top eight scoring competitors have 10 shots, each to be fired within 75 seconds. Shots are scored to 1 decimal place, with a 10.9 as a perfectly centred shot. The results from the Qualification part and Final part are added together for the final result.

25m Rapid Fire Men

The event is for men only with each competitor shooting at a set of 5 targets at a distance of 25m. The pistol is shot from an unsupported standing position holding and firing the pistol with one hand. Flat-soled shoes that do not cover the ankle are the only specialised clothing allowed.
The semi-automatic pistols have a maximum weight of 1.26kg and must fit in a box of set dimensions. Calibre used is 5.6mm (0.22 inch)Long Rifle cartridge.

The course of fire may be shot over one or two days, and consists of the competitor shooting a series of five shots in eight, six and four seconds, one shot to be placed on each target. The targets are placed at 25m with a distance of 75cm between target centres. Pistols must be pointed down at an angle of 45° and raised to the shooting position after the target appears (or the green light turns on if electronic targets are used).

In the Qualification part of the competition, 60 shots are fired (each shot scored in whole points, maximum 600) - 20 shots in 4 series of 5 shots with 8 seconds for each series, 20 shots in 4 series of 5 shots with 6 seconds for each series and 20 shots in 4 series of 5 shots with 4 seconds for each series. One series of sighting shots in 8 seconds is allowed.

The Final phase consists of eight (8) 5-shot 4-second series with hit (10.2 or higher) or miss scoring and the elimination of the lowest scoring finalists, beginning after the fourth series and continuing until the eighth series when the gold and silver medals are decided.

25m Pistol Women

The event is for women only with the target at a distance of 25m. The pistol is shot from an unsupported standing position holding and firing the pistol with one hand. Flat-soled shoes that do not cover the ankle are the only specialised clothing allowed.
The semi-automatic pistols have a maximum weight of 1.4kg, the trigger must be able to support a weight of 1kg before firing and must fit in a box of set dimensions. Calibre used is the 5.6mm (0.22 inch) Long Rifle cartridge.

In the Qualification part of the competition, 60 shots are fired (each shot scored in whole points, maximum 600) in two stages - a Precision Stage (30 shots in 6 series of 5 shots with 5 minutes for each series) and a Rapid Fire Stage (30 shots in 5 series of 5 shots with 3 seconds per shot and a 7 second break between shots). For the Rapid Fire Stage, pistols must be pointed down at an angle of 45° and raised to the shooting position after the target appears (or the green light turns on if electronic targets are used).

The Final phase consists of ten (10) 5-shot rapid-fire series with hit (10.2 or higher) or miss scoring and the eliminations of the lowest scoring finalists, beginning after the fourth series and continuing until the tenth series when the gold and silver medals are decided.

25m Standard Pistol

The event is usually for men only with the target at a distance of 25m. The pistol is shot from an unsupported standing position holding and firing the pistol with one hand. Flat-soled shoes that do not cover the ankle are the only specialised clothing allowed.
The semi-automatic pistols have a maximum weight of 1.4kg, the trigger must be able to support a weight of 1kg before firing and must fit in a box of set dimensions. Calibre used is the 5.6mm (0.22 inch) Long Rifle cartridge.

The course of fire consists of 60 shots (each shot scored in whole points, maximum 600), 20 shots in 4 series of 5 shots with 2 minutes 30 seconds for each series, 20 shots in 4 series of 5 shots with 20 seconds for each series and 20 shots in 4 series of 5 shots with 10 seconds for each series. One series of sighting shots in 2 minutes 30 seconds is allowed. For the 20 and 10 seconds series pistols must be pointed down at an angle of 45° and raised to the shooting position after the target appears (or the green light turns on if electronic targets are used).

25m Center Fire Pistol

The event is usually for men only with the target at a distance of 25m. The pistol is shot from an unsupported standing position holding and firing the pistol with one hand. Flat-soled shoes that do not cover the ankle are the only specialised clothing allowed.
Pistols have a maximum weight of 1.4kg, the trigger must be able to support a weight of 1.36kg before firing and must fit in a box of set dimensions. Semi-automatic pistols of .32 inch calibre are preferred, although sometimes a .32 inch or .38 inch revolver may be used.

60 shots are fired (each shot scored in whole points, maximum 600) in two stages - a Precision Stage (30 shots in 6 series of 5 shots with 5 minutes for each series) and a Rapid Fire Stage (30 shots in 5 series of 5 shots with 3 seconds per shot and a 7 second break between shots). For the Rapid Fire Stage, pistols must be pointed down at an angle of 45° and raised to the shooting position after the target appears (or the green light turns on if electronic targets are used).

Note

All cartridge pistols on mainland UK (Northern Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands have their own legislation allowing cartridge pistols for residents) were re-classified as "Section 5" firearms, the same category as machine guns, grenades, rocket launchers, and are not allowed to be held in the UK.
This re-classification has meant that people resident in England, Wales and Scotland have been unable to train with cartridge pistols in the UK.
As of July 2003, the situation has changed slightly with the approval of UK-specific designs of Free Pistol and a small number of people have been allowed Section 5 certificates, for semi-automatic pistols, to train with on mainland U.K. at a very limited number of ranges.

Updated: 21st March 2022

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