pistol rules 1993

CHAPTERS

8.1.0	GENERAL
8.2.0	SAFETY
8.3.0	RANGE AND TARGET STANDARDS
8.4.0	EQUIPMENT AND AMMUNITION
8.5.0	COMPETITION OFFICIALS
8.6.0	SHOOTING EVENT PROCEDURES AND COMPETITION RULES
8.7.0	Firing Point Allocation and Elimination Events
8.8.0	MALFUNCTIONS
8.9.0	RULES OF CONDUCT FOR SHOOTERS AND OFFICIALS
8.10.0	EQUIPMENT CONTROL
8.11.0	SCORING PROCEDURES
8.12.0	TIE-BREAKING
8.13.0	PROTESTS AND APPEALS
8.14.0	FINALS IN THE OLYMPIC EVENTS
8.15.0	PISTOL EVENT TABLE
8.16.0	PISTOL SPECIFICATION TABLE
8.17.0	Drawings
8.18.0	INDEX
NOTE:	Where figures and tables contain specific information, these have the same authority as the numbered rules.

8.1.0

GENERAL

8.1.1

These Rules are part of the Technical Rules of the ISSF and apply to all pistol events.

8.1.2

All shooters, team leaders and officials must be familiar with the ISSF Rules and must ensure that these Rules are enforced. It is the responsibility of each shooter to comply with the Rules.

8.1.3

When a Rule refers to right-handed shooters, the reverse of that Rule refers to left-handed shooters.

8.1.4

Unless a Rule applies specifically to a men's or a women's event, it must apply uniformly to both men's and women's events.

8.2.0

SAFETY

Safety is of paramount importance

8.2.1

ISSF Rules state only specific safety requirements which are required by the ISSF for use in ISSF Championships. The safety of a shooting range depends to a large extent on local conditions, so additional safety rules may be established by the Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee must know the principles of range safety and take the necessary steps to apply them. The Organizing Committee bears the responsibility for safety. Juries and Range officials, Team officials and shooters must be advised of any special regulations.

8.2.2

The safety of shooters, range personnel and spectators requires continued and careful attention to the handling of pistols and caution in moving about the range. Self-discipline is necessary on the part of all. Where such self-discipline is lacking, it is the duty of range officials to enforce discipline and the duty of shooters and team officials to assist in such enforcement.

8.2.3

In the interest of safety, a Jury Member or a Range Officer may stop the shooting at any time. Shooters and team officials must notify immediately Range Officers or Jury Members of any situation that may be dangerous or which may cause an accident.

8.2.4

An Equipment Inspector, Range Officer, or Jury Member may pick up a shooter's equipment (including a pistol) for control without his permission, but in his presence and with his knowledge. However, immediate action must be taken when a matter of safety is involved.

8.2.5

To ensure safety, all pistols must be handled with maximum care at all times. The pistol must not be removed from the firing line during the course of fire except with the permission of a range official.

8.2.5.1

When the pistol is out of its case, the pistol must always be pointed in a safe direction. When not actually firing, all pistols must be unloaded and the action must be open. The action, breech or loading device must not be closed until the pistol is pointing down range in a safe direction toward the target/butt stop area. In the range, when the pistol is not on the firing point, it must always be in its case, unless otherwise authorized by a Range Officer.

8.2.5.2

Before the shooter leaves the firing point, the shooter must ascertain and a Range Officer must verify that the action is open and there are no cartridges or pellets in the chamber or magazine. If a shooter boxes his pistol or removes it from the firing point without having it checked by a Range Officer, he may be disqualified.

8.2.5.3

Dry firing and aiming exercises are permitted, but only with the permission of a Range Officer and only on the firing line or in a designated area. Handling of pistols is not permitted when operating personnel are forward of the firing line.

8.2.5.3.1

Dry Firing means the release of the cocked trigger mechanism of an unloaded cartridge pistol or the release of the trigger mechanism of an air or gas pistol fitted with a device which enables the trigger to be operated without releasing the propelling charge (air or gas).

8.2.5.4

Pistols may be loaded only on the firing point and only after the command or signal “LOAD” or “START” is given. No magazine or chamber may be filled, or loaded with a cartridge or pellet, before these commands are given. At all other times, the pistols must be kept unloaded. Officials must ensure that shooters have the necessary time to load.

8.2.5.5

If a shooter fires a shot before the command “LOAD” or “START”, or after the command “STOP” or “UNLOAD” has been given he may be disqualified if safety is involved.

8.2.5.6

During the competition the pistol may be put down only after the cartridge(s) and/or magazine are removed and the action is open. Air and gas pistols must be made safe by opening, and keeping open, the cocking handle and/or loading port.

8.2.6

When the command or signal “STOP” is given, shooting must stop immediately. When the command “UNLOAD” is given all shooters must unload their pistols, and make them safe, empty magazines if any, and place them on the shooting bench (to unload air pistols ask a Range Officer for permission). Shooting may only be resumed when the appropriate command or signal “START” is given again.

8.2.7

The Chief Range Officer, or other appropriate range official, is responsible for giving the commands “LOAD” or “START”, “STOP”, “UNLOAD” and other necessary commands. The Range Officers must ensure that the commands are obeyed and that pistols are handled safely.

8.2.7.1

Any shooter who touches a pistol or magazine, except to unload them, without the permission of the Range Officer, after the command “STOP” or “UNLOAD” has been given, may be disqualified.

8.2.8

Ear Protection

All shooters and other persons in the immediate vicinity of the firing line are urged to wear ear plugs, ear muffs, or similar ear protection. Ear protectors incorporating any type of receiving devices are not permitted for shooters.

8.2.9

Eye Protection

All shooters are urged to wear shatterproof shooting glasses, or similar eye protection, while shooting.

8.3.0

RANGE AND TARGET STANDARDS

Detailed target and range standards may be found in the Technical Rules (see Section 6.3.0).

8.4.0

EQUIPMENT AND AMMUNITION

8.4.1

General

8.4.1.1

Shooters must use only equipment and apparel that complies with the ISSF Rules. Anything (pistols, devices, equipment, accessories, etc.) which may give a shooter an unfair advantage over others and which is not mentioned in these Rules, or which is contrary to the spirit of the ISSF Rules and Regulations, is prohibited. The shooter is responsible for submitting all pistols, equipment and any questionable apparel for official inspection and approval, to Equipment Control prior to the beginning of a competition. Team leaders are equally responsible for ensuring that the shooters' equipment and apparel comply with the ISSF Rules and Regulations. The Jury has the right to examine a shooter's equipment and apparel at any time.

8.4.1.1.1

The shooter must use the same pistol in all stages and series of an event unless it ceases to function (see Malfunction Rules 8.8.0).

8.4.1.2

Wind Flags

Private wind indicators are prohibited.

8.4.1.3

Sound Producing Equipment

Only sound reducing devices may be used. Radios, tape recorders, or any type of sound producing or communication systems are prohibited during competitions and any training.

8.4.1.4

The use of mobile telephones, walkie-talkies, pagers or similar devices by competitors, coaches and team officials while within the competition area is prohibited. All mobile telephones etc. must be switched OFF.

8.4.1.5

Smoking on the range and in the spectator area is prohibited.

8.4.1.6

The use of flash photography is prohibited until all competition is completed.

8.4.2

Standards for all Pistols

8.4.2.1

Grips. For dimensions and details of grips see the Pistol Specification Table 8.16.0.

8.4.2.1.1

Neither the grip nor any part of the pistol may be extended or constructed in any way that would allow it to touch beyond the hand. The wrist must remain visibly free when the pistol is held in the normal firing position. Bracelets, wristwatches, wristbands, or similar items are prohibited on the hand, and arm, which holds the pistol.

8.4.2.1.2

Adjustable grips are permitted providing when adjusted for the shooter's hand they conform to the rules for the event. The adjustment must not be changed after the Equipment Control checks in any way that would conflict with the ISSF Rules.

8.4.2.2

Barrels: see the Pistol Specification Table 8.16.0.

8.4.2.3

Sights: see the Pistol Specification Table 8.16.0.

Only open sights are allowed. Optical, mirror, telescope, laser-beam, electronically projected dot sights etc., are prohibited. Any aiming device programmed to activate the firing mechanism is prohibited. No protective covering is permitted on front or rear open sights.

8.4.2.3.1

Correcting lenses and/or filters must not be attached to the pistol.

8.4.2.3.2

Correction glasses and/or filters may be worn by the shooter.

8.4.2.4

Electronic Triggers are allowed providing:

8.4.2.4.1

all their components are firmly attached to and contained within the frame or grip of the pistol;

8.4.2.4.2

the trigger is operated by the hand that holds the pistol;