Rapid Fire

Rapid-fire pistol has been an Olympic event since the first moderm Games in 1896. Shot with a .22 calibre pistol from 25 meters, competitors have eight, six, or four seconds to fire one shot at each of five adjacent targets. As an added difficulty, pistols must be held downward at a 45-degree angle until a the targets rotate from edge on to face the shooter. The 10-ring on this target is 10 cm wide.

The Guns: From January 2005, 'Standard' Pistols of .22 calibre ammunition from a five-shot magazine, without the advantage of ported barrels or wrap-around grips, as previously permitted. The trigger pressure must be 1000g. World-class guns for this event, like the Walther, Morini, Fas. or Pardini, cost $1400 - $2500.

Course of Fire: Two five-shot series in eight seconds, two series in six seconds and two series in four seconds comprise a half course, fired in one day. The following day, the same course is repeated.

Perfect Match Score: 600 is a perfect score, with 592 being world-class. Finals: After 60 shots, the top six shooters fire a final consisting of four five shot series at four seconds. The final is scored in tenths of a point and added to the match score to determine medal winners. A perfect final score is 218.

Perfect Aggregate (Match + Final) Score: 818 points.

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