10m Air Pistol
Air Pistol Records
- World Record 593 Russia Sergei Pyzaianov Munich 1989
- Olympic Record 591 Russia Mikhail Nestruev, Athens 2004
- Commonwealth 584 by Samaresh Jung in Melbourne 2006
- Dutch National Record 581 E.J. Brink 1997
Course of Fire
Sighting Shots
In the 10m Air Pistol events, shooters may take an unlimited number of Sighting Shots before they start shooting for record. Once the first Record Shot is fired, the shooter cannot take any more sighting shots. The only exceptions are rare instances when there is a gun malfunction that cannot be fixed on the line or the range is shut down for some reason.
Shooters can take as much time as they like within the time limit. They may shoot at their own pace. They may take breaks as they wish. Shooters may Dry Fire at any time from the start of the Preparation Period until the match time limit has expired.
International and Major matches are typically fired on Electronic Targets. When Electronic Targets, or automatic target changers for paper targets are used, the shooters are given the full time limit without interruption. The shooter can fire as many sighting shots as desired and when ready, press a button to start Shooting for Record. If the match is divided into two or more segments to facilitate target changing, the time segments for shooting still total the full time.
When Electronic Targets or automatic target changers are not available, the time limit will typically be divided into smaller segments and Paper Targets will be changed between time periods. In this case shooters are typically given one time period for sighter shots, then the entire line changes targets and starts shooting for record. Sometimes two or more targets will be hung and a longer time interval used. In this case shooters may be given one sighter target and one (or more) record target for the first time interval.
Range Commands
- Preparation Time Begins Now
after 10 minutes
- Start
10 minutes before the completion of shooting time
- 10 minutes
5 minutes before the completion of shooting time
- 5 minutes
at the completion of shooting time
- Stop
Rules
General
The rules are straight-forward:
- Other than the number of competition shots and the time allowed, the Mens and Womens events are the same:
- Men shoot a 60-shot match in a time allowance of 1 hour 45 minutes
- Women shoot a 40-shot match in a time allowance of 1 hour 15 minutes
- The pistol must be loaded one shot at a time.
- The shooter must shoot one handed and use the same hand to support and trigger the gun.
- The shooter cannot wear clothing that offers additional support.
Malfunctions
- to be added
Pistol Specifications
- 4.5 mm (177″) calibre Air Pistol
- Powered by compressed air or gas
- Fit in a box 420 x 150 x 50 mm
- Maximum weight 1500 grams
- Minimum trigger pull 500 grams
- Sights ‘open’ metallic only
- Grip
- The grip cannot touch beyond the hand; i.e. the wrist must be visibly free when the pistol is held in the normal firing position.
- may not start to encircle hand when viewed longitudinally
- Ported barrels are allowed
Ammunition
- 4.5 mm lead projectiles
History
The first ISSF Air Pistol championship was held in 1970. It was a 40 shot course of fire for both the men and the women. In 1982 the men’s course was increased to 60 shots. In 1988 the 10m Air Pistol event first entered the Olympic Games.
The Course of Fire for men is 60 shots in one hour and 45 minutes, each shot placed on a separate target at a range of 10 Meters.
Women have one hour and 15 minutes for 40 shots.
For World-class events the targets are either Electronic; or for paper targets scored by target scoring machines. In clubs or competitions without automatic scoring facilities, sometimes groups of 2, 5 or 10 rounds are fired at a single target. The ISSF dictates the target square should be no less than 17cm x 17cm; the 7,8,9 and 10 rings are black with the 10 ring a mere 11.5 mm across.
The top eight competitors from the main match progress to the “Olympic Final” in which 10 more shots are individually fired and scored, with a maximum of 75 seconds allowed per shot. At the end of each shot, the scores are announced. The score for these 10 shots is marked in tenths of a point and the total added to the first score to make the final result. Even at club level each shot is fired on a separate target.
A Perfect Match Score would be 600 + 109 for a total of 709. However, scoring over 580 in the first round can be considered world class. To date nobody has achieved a perfect score in a major championship or the Olympic Games.
Modern World-class Air Pistols fire a 4.5mm (.177) caliber lead pellet using compressed air from a detachable cylinder or one built into the pistol. Detachable cylinders are often filled from a SCUBA diving tank for the PreCharged Pneumatic Air Guns (PCP) or a similar tank of CO2. Guns with integral cylinders usually contain a charging handle to “pump” the normal atmosphere up to a pressure within the cylinder. The ISSF has several restrictions on the pistols used. Pistols must be fired single shot, with a trigger weight not lighter than 500 grams and 4.5mm (.177″) in caliber. The size and style of the grip, the weight of the pistol, the overall size of the gun, the type of sights, the width of the grip and length of the barrel are also limited. There are also limitations on the competitors’ clothing, shoes, and eyewear.
At the time of writing the average age of the top ten competitors in the ISSF World Ranking is 33, the majority are older with two in their mid 40s. The current world number one, from China, however is a mere 20!
Many Air Pistol shooters also participate in the 50m Pistol event(Free Pistol) .
