KARKOO PISTOL CLUB INC.

PO Box 979 Port Lincoln SA 5606


TERMINOLOGY

*revised 16 February, 2002


Abbreviations

IPSC        International Practical Shooting Confederation. This organisation administers the "Practical" style of Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun event. State, national and international competitions are staged in these events.

ISSF         International Shooting Sport Federation. The world body that administers and organises target shooting.

PA            Pistol Australia. Is the Australian parent organisation for target shooting and is affiliated with the world body. It controls entry into events such as the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

SARPA    South Australian Revolver and Pistol Association. This is the larger of the two state organisation that administer "Target" Pistol Shooting in South Australia and through which "H" class licensing is approved. It is affiliated with Pistol Australia.

SATPL     South Australian Target Pistol League. This is the smaller of the two state organisation that administer "Target" Pistol Shooting in South Australia and through which "H" class licensing is approved.

SSAA       The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia Inc. An Australia wide shooting organisation that caters for many different disciplines and events. Produces a high quality monthly magazine the "Shooters Journal".


Are You Ready? Asked by the Range Officer after sufficient loading time has been given. If the shooter is ready he/she does not reply. If the shooter is not ready he/she calls "Not Ready", the Range Officer will wait approximately 15 seconds before calling "Start" and will then activate the targets to commence.


Cease Fire Obsolete term replaced by STOP.


Cleared Pistol A pistol that contains no ammunition, including in the magazines, and has been checked by the Range Officer is said to have been cleared.


Comstock Count An IPSC scoring procedure where the competitor may be allowed the option to fire more shots than the number actually required to score (usually two hits per target) but only the specified number will count for score. The best of the scoring shots are to count. Any less than the nominated number accrue penalties.


ISSF Events There are several ISSF events of which two, Free Pistol and Rapid Fire are contested at the Olympic Games. A brief description of the matches follows.

 

Air Pistol Mens and Junior Mens Event: 60 competition shots plus unlimited sighters in 105 mins. Womens and Junior Womens Event: 40 competition shots plus unlimited sighters in 75 mins. Sighting shots must be shot on targets marked as sighting targets with a black diagonal stripe in the upper right hand corner prior to shooting on scoring targets.

 

Centre Fire Men shoot Centre Fire. Women and Juniors, male and female shoot Sports Pistol. 60 competition shots divided into two stages of 30 shots each, Precision and Rapid Fire.

Precision Stage Six series of 5 shots in 6 minutes. A sighting series of 5 shots in 6 minutes may be fired. Target must be scored and patched after every 5 shot series.

Rapid Fire Stage Six series of 5 shots each; each time for 3 seconds. One shot only will be fired during each appearance of the target. A sighting series of 5 shots may be fired. Target must be scored and patched after every 5 shot series.

 

Free Pistol 60 competition shots, consisting of, and scored as 6 series of 10 shots. The total time incl. sighters is 120 mins. Sighting shots must be shot on targets marked as sighting targets with a black diagonal stripe in the upper right hand corner prior to shooting on scoring targets. The event is usually broken down to 6 series, the first of 30 mins for sighters and 10 competition shots and then 5 series of 18 minutes for 10 competition shots. If the event is divided into two parts, each part must consist of 30 competition shots. An unlimited number of sighting shots may be fired at the beginning of each part. The total time for each part will be one hour.

 

Rapid Fire 60 competition shots in two stages of 30 shots each. Each stage is six series of five shots each. Two series of five shots in eight seconds. Two series of five shots in six seconds & Two series of five shots in four seconds. In each series one shot is fired at each of the five targets in the specified time limit for the series. A sighting series of five shots in 8 seconds may be fired. Targets must be scored and patched after every 5 shot series.

Standard Pistol 60 competition shots in three stages of 20 shots each. Each stage is 4 series of 5 shots. The first stage is 4 series of 5 shots in a time limit of 150 seconds per series. The second stage is 4 series of 5 shots in a time limit of 20 seconds per series. The third stage is 4 series of 5 shots in a time limit of 10 seconds per series. A sighting series of five shots in 150 seconds may be fired. Target must be scored and patched after every 5 shot series.


Load The command given by the Range Officer to allow the pistol to be loaded. Only the Range Officer should issue this command.


Malfunction When a shooter cannot fire a shot due either to a firearms malfunction or human error. When this occurs the shooter must remain silent and raise his/her non shooting hand and wait for assistance from the Range Officer, while keeping the firearm pointed down range in the ready position.


Malfunction Series A series shot after the completion of a round to allow all of those competitors who experienced malfunctions to complete the allotted number of scoring shots for that event.


Metallic Silhouette An event in which metal targets have to be knocked down at various ranges to score. There are events for rifle and pistol.


Power Factor A term for grading handguns where a number is calculated from the (Weight of the Projectile in Grains X Velocity in Feet per Second) ÷1000.

        IPSC Major Calibre          This number must be 175 or greater.

        IPSC Minor Calibre          This number must be 125 or greater and less than 175.

        Service/Action Match      This number must be 120 or greater.


Preparation Time The time given to the competitor prior to the start of a match to set up equipment. Adjustments may be made to the pistol but under no circumstances is the pistol to be loaded during this time.


Range Clear A command issued by the Range Officer to indicate the area forward of the firing line has been vacated i.e. there is nobody on the range so further commands may now be given to start or continue with the match.


Range Officer A person appointed to be in charge of a range or a section of it. This person will issue commands related to the match under way and safety.


Ready Position The position adopted by the shooter in matches where turning targets are used. The shooter stands with the pistol held at an angle of not more than 45° to the vertical.


Safe Area A place set aside for shooters to work on firearms with the knowledge and consent of the Range Officer. Under no circumstances is any ammunition to be taken into the safe area.


Sights The part of the firearm that is aligned with the target so that consistent accurate shots can be fired. There are two major types.

 

Open Used on ISSF pistols, good sights are capable of easy adjustment for elevation and windage, they consist of two parts:-

Foresight Located on the front of the barrel and is generally a single post.

Rear Sight Located to the rear and is generally a U shape. Some rifles have a rear peep sight which is a hole through which the foresight is looked at.

 

Optical These sights are a device fitted to the pistol and are of various types. They may or may not magnify the target. The latest type generate a coloured dot which appears to be imposed on the target. The earlier type had crosshairs like a telescopic rifle sight. There are also laser sights which generate a laser beam that is projected on to the target. These types of sights are used in Open and Modified IPSC competitions and in some other matches such as the Action Match.


Stand By The command from an IPSC Range Officer to warn the competitor that the starting signal for the event is imminent.


Start The command from the Range Officer for the event to commence. This command is not used in all events.


Stop The command from the Range Officer for all shooting to cease.


Unload The command from the Range Officer to indicate that the event is over and that the pistol must be unloaded and presented for inspection.

 

In IPSC matches the pistol will be unloaded, magazine removed, action open and pointed down range until inspected. Further instruction will be given by the Range Officer to make the firearm safe and secure.

  

In ISSF matches the unloaded pistol is placed on the bench with the action open and magazines empty beside it.

 

Virginia Count An IPSC scoring procedure where the target must be engaged with a nominated number of shots. Any more or less than the nominated number accrue penalties.


Western Action An event based on firearms associated with the American Wild West era. Competitors use alias's and dress in period costume as part of the event.


Coaching Terms

Aiming The alignment of the sights with the target. These terms are applicable to open sights.

 

Area Aiming When the sights are aligned with the target away from the centre bull so that they clearly stand out from the white background. The sights are so adjusted that the rounds will hit the centre of the bull. This technique overcomes the problem that occurs with the Six O'clock method when the bull appears to distort.

 

Dead On When the sights are aligned with the place on the target where the rounds are expected to hit.

 

Six O'clock When the sights are aligned with the base of the Centre Bull so that the centre bull appears to sit upon the foresight. This technique allows a clear definition of the sights against the white background. The sights are so adjusted that the rounds will hit the centre of the bull.


Dry Firing A method of practising aiming and trigger release with an unloaded firearm. Warning!, rimfire firearms can suffer damage if dry fired repeatedly. The firing pin can strike the breech and burr the breech or break the firing pin. Rimfire firearms should have a special dry firing plug placed into the breech. Always make sure that the firearm is unloaded prior to dry firing practice.


Group The pattern made on the target of a number of shots fired with one aiming point and the same sight setting.


Overhand Grip The technique of picking up the pistol by the barrel with the weak hand and placing it firmly into the strong hand. This technique gives a more consistent grip than just picking up the pistol with the strong hand.


Stance The correct way to address or face the target for the event. Stance varies from event to event. There are some principles however that apply to all events.


Types of Pistols

Automatic A pistol which being manually loaded and fired for the first shot, will eject the fired cartridge case, load the next cartridge from the magazine, and cock the gun for refiring. The trigger must be pressed to fire each shot. Also referred to as auto loading, self loading or semi automatic.


Double Action Revolver A revolver in which a pull on the trigger will (a) revolve the cylinder, placing a cartridge in position to fire, (b) cock the hammer and then release it to fire the gun. The trigger must then be released and permitted to return fully forward; after which the cycle may be repeated. Most double action revolvers can also be fired single action as well.


Single Action Revolver A revolver in which the hammer must be cocked before pressure on the trigger will fire the gun. Each act (cocking the hammer and pressing the trigger) is distinct from the other.


Single Shot A pistol where each round is loaded and fired before the next round is loaded.


IPSC Firearms IPSC competitions are divided into different divisions, a brief description follows. Please consult the appropriate rule book for detailed information on firearms and equipment.


        Open As per the rules and guidelines of IPSC.

 

Modified The gun complete with magazine, must fit within the confines of a box with the dimensions of 225 mm X 150 mm X 45 mm.

 

Standard Any complete factory handgun, allowing minor modifications (sights, beaver tails, safeties, magazine wells, triggers, replacement barrels etc). No compensators, ports, optics or extension magazines are permitted.


ISSF Firearms

Each ISSF event calls for a firearm for that event. Listed below are the basic criteria for which a firearm for a particular event must comply. Some firearms are quite specialised and expensive at the top levels, this does not however preclude anyone from competing providing their gun meets the specifications. Quite good scores can be produced from ordinary guns. Many very good pistols can be purchased second hand quite reasonably. The specifications listed below are not complete, they are intended as a guide only. Reference should be made to a rule book for the precise details.

 

Air Pistol Weight unloaded must not exceed 1500 grams. Trigger, minimum 500 grams. Dimensions, must fit in a box 420 mm X 200 mm X 50 mm. Calibre, .177 (4.5 mm).

 

Centre Fire Gun Revolver or Autoloader. Weight unloaded must not exceed 1400 grams. Dimensions, must fit in a box of 300 mm X 150 mm X 50 mm. The length of the barrel must not exceed 153 mm. Distance between front and rear sights must not exceed 220 mm. Trigger Pull, Minimum 1360 grams. Calibre, minimum .32 (7.62 mm), maximum .38 (9.65 mm). Magnum type (high power) ammunition is not allowed.

 

Free Pistol Single Shot. Dimensions, no restrictions. Trigger Pull, no restrictions. Calibre, any .22 (5.56 mm) rimfire.

 

Rapid Fire Pistol Revolver or Autoloader. Weight unloaded must not exceed 1260 grams. Dimensions, must fit in a box of 300 mm X 150 mm X 50 mm. A tolerance of up to 5% is allowed in one dimension only. Trigger Pull, no restriction. Calibre, any .22 (5.56 mm) rimfire.

 

Standard Pistol Revolver or Autoloader. Weight unloaded must not exceed 1400 grams. The length of the barrel must not exceed 153 mm. Distance between front and rear sights must not exceed 220 mm. Trigger Pull, minimum 1000 grams. Calibre, .22 Long Rifle.


PA Firearms

There are several PA sanctioned events. These are some of them.

 

Action Match No formal pistol checks are made as there are virtually no restrictions placed on the pistol.

 

Black Powder Revolver or Single Shot. Trigger Pull, no restriction. Dimensions, no restriction. Calibre, maximum .46" (11.68 mm).


     Service Pistol Any centre fire revolver or semi automatic from 9 mm to .45 calibre

 

Service Pistol Unrestricted Any centre fire revolver or semi automatic from .32 to .45 calibre

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