ISSF Matches
International Shooting Sport Federation
International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) matches are Olympic and Commonwealth Games events that demand extreme precision, focus, and control. At Palmerston Pistol Club, you can take on six core ISSF disciplines—each offering a different test of skill, from slow, focused shots to high-speed sequences.
25 Metre Centre Fire Pistol
This event uses centre fire pistols or revolvers (.32 to .38 calibre). The course mirrors the Sport Pistol event with some firearm restrictions.
Course:
60 shots split evenly between Precision and Rapid Fire stages.
Precision:
5 minutes per 5-shot series.
Rapid Fire:
Targets appear 5 times for 3 seconds each, with 7 seconds “edge-on” breaks. Shooter fires once per exposure, lowering their arm after each shot.
Notes:
Popular internationally but not an Olympic event.
25 Metre Pistol
(Women & Men’s Sport Pistol)
Introduced in the 1960s, this .22 rimfire event combines precision and rapid-fire stages, each with 30 shots.
Distance:
25 metres
Trigger Pull:
Minimum 1000g
Precision Stage:
Six series of 5 shots, 5 minutes each.
Rapid Fire Stage:
Six series of 5 shots; each target exposure lasts 3 seconds.
Usage: Olympic event for women, Paralympic event for men and women, and popular in Australian state competitions for men.
50 Metre Pistol
A precision test at 50 metres with a .22 single-shot pistol, usually fitted with orthopaedic grips and ultra-light triggers.
Shots:
60 total in six series of 10 shots.
Time:
15 minutes per series.
Rules:
One round loaded at a time, fired one-handed with no support.
Features:
Highly customizable pistol design; competitors get 15 minutes prep and sighting time before shooting.
Air Pistol
An Olympic event since 1988, using .177 calibre pistols firing pellets at targets 10 metres away.
Shots:
60 total.
Target: Bullseye is just 11.5mm; total target diameter is 15cm.
Timing: 15 minutes equipment setup, 15 minutes prep, 90 minutes shooting.
Great for beginners: Teaches grip, stance, sight picture, and trigger control.
Rapid Fire
Shot with a 5-shot semi-auto pistol at 25 metres, this event is all about speed and accuracy.
Course:
Two rounds of 30 shots (six series of five shots).
Timing:
Targets face the shooter for 8, then 6, then 4 seconds in each respective series.
Challenge:
Demands fast reflexes and focus.
Standard Pistol
A 25-metre event using .22 semi-autos on timed, turning targets, blending precision and rapid fire.
Shots:
60 total.
Series:
Four at 150 seconds, four at 20 seconds, four at 10 seconds.
Equipment:
Barrel ≤150mm, trigger pull ≥1000g.
Skill:
Managing recoil and timing is key, especially in the fast series.
Popular models:
Ruger, S&W, High Standard, Browning.