Centre Fire / Sport Pistol

Centre Fire

Competitors use 'centre fire' pistols (.32, .38, .357 calibre) to shoot precision and rapid-fire competition from a distance of 25 meters. The precision target has a 5 cm 10-ring, while the rapid-fire target has a 10cm centre.

The Guns: Centre Fire pistols shoot .32, .38 or .357 calibre ammunition from a five-shot 'semi automatic' pistols or revolvers with a trigger pressure of at least 1360g. World-class guns for this event, like the Walther GSP, Hammerli, Fas. or Pardini, cost $1400. - $2400

Course of Fire: The 60-shot match is divided into 30 shots precision and 30 shots rapid-fire. The precision, or slow-fire stage, is fired in six series of five shots, and competitors have six minutes per series. In the 30-shot rapid-fire stage, competitors shoot strings of five shots. Three seconds are allotted for each shot, followed by seven seconds of rest.

Perfect Match Score: 600 is a perfect score, with 585 being world-class.

Finals: Finals are not contested in this event, however, if two or more shooters are tied for 1st, 2nd or 3rd, a 'shoot off' is held This consists of 3 sets of 5 shots as per the rapid fire stage. A perfect shoot of score is 150.

Sport Pistol

Sport pistol has been a womens Olympic event since 1984. Athletes use.22 calibre standard pistols to shoot precision and rapid-fire competition from a distance of 25 meters. The precision target has a 5 cm 10-ring, while the rapid-fire target has a 10cm centre.

The Guns: Sport pistols shoot.22 calibre ammunition from a five-shot magazine without the advantage of ported baffles or wrap-around grips. Trigger pressure must be at least 1000g. World-class guns for this event, like the Walther, Morini, Hammerli, Fas or Pardini, cost $800-$2400.

Course of Fire: The 60-shot match is divided into 30 shots precision and 30 shots rapid-fire. The precision, or slow-fire stage, is fired in six series of five shots, and competitors have six minutes per series. In the 30-shot rapid-fire stage, competitors shoot strings of five shots. Three seconds are allotted for each shot, followed by seven seconds of rest.

Perfect Match Score: 600 is a perfect score, with 585 being world-class.

Finals: The top eight competitors advance to a final, which consists of 20 shots fired in 4 series of the 'rapid fire' stage. Targets are scored in 10ths after each shot and added to the match score to determine medallists. A perfect final score is 218.

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

A Bronze Olympic Medal was won by Pattie Dench at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

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