Olympic Pistol Events

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Men's 50m Pistol

For this event a .22-caliber (5.6 mm) pistol is used. The weight of the firearm may not exceed 1.4 kilograms (3.1 pounds) and the barrel length may not exceed 153 mm (6 inches). No part of the grip or accessories may enclose the hand. Only open and metallic sights are allowed. The same firearm requirements apply to the women's 25m pistol.

Within a maximum of 120 minutes, 60 competition shots are fired at a target 50 meters (164 feet) away. The target has a center ring 50 mm (1.97 inches) in diameter. The gun must be fired, single-handed, in the standing position. The top eight competitors advance to the final, where 10 shots must be completed within a maximum of 75 seconds per shot. In the finals, the score is evaluated in tenths of points. The score from the finals is added to the preliminary round score to determine the order of finish.

Men's 25m Rapid-fire Pistol

For this event a, .22-caliber (5.6 mm) pistol is used. The weight of the firearm may not exceed 1.26 kilograms (2.8 pounds) and the barrel length may not exceed 153 mm (6 inches). No part of the grip or accessories may enclose the hand. Only open and metallic sights are allowed.

This program consists of two rounds of 30 shots each, fired at five targets, 75 centimeters (30 inches) apart, from a distance of 25 meters (82 feet). The center ring of each target has a diameter of 100 mm (3.94 inches). In each series, one shot is made at each target. The first two series of targets face the athlete for eight seconds, the next two series remain for six seconds, and the final two series remain available for four seconds. The process is repeated in the second round. The athlete begins each series with the pistol pointed downward at a 45-degree angle. When the athlete is ready, the five targets turn simultaneously to face him. Only one hand may be used to hold the pistol.

Eight athletes advance to the finals, where two series of five shots will be fired. Each series must be completed in four seconds. In the finals, the score is evaluated in tenths of points. The score from the finals is added to the preliminary round score to determine the order of finish.

Women's 25m Pistol

The same firearm requirements from the men's 50m pistol apply to this event

The preliminary round consists of a combination of 30 precision shots and 30 duel shots. In the precision stage, six series of five shots are fired and each series must be completed in six minutes. The target is 25 meters (82 feet) away and its center ring has a diameter of 50 mm (1.97 inches). In the duel stage, six series of five shots each are fired at a turning target 25 meters (82 feet) away. The center ring of the target is 100 mm (3.94 inches) in diameter. The target faces the athlete for three seconds and is turned away for seven seconds. The athlete must fire one shot during each three-second facing period and fires six five-shot groups in total.

In preparation for the targets, the pistol must, again, be held down at a 45-degree angle, and may not raise it until the target begins to turn. Eight athletes advance to the final, which consists of 10 shots completed in the precision format with 75 seconds allotted per shot. In the finals, the score is evaluated in tenths of points. The score from the finals is added to the preliminary round score to determine the order of finish.

Air Pistol

Men and Women’s 10m Air Pistol

Any .177-caliber (4.5 mm) pistol powered by air or carbon dioxide may be used in this event. The weight of the firearm may not exceed 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds). The overall size of the pistol is limited to a length of 420 mm (16½ inches), a height of 200 mm (7.9 inches) and a width of 50 mm (2 inches). No part of the grip or accessories may enclose the hand. Only open and metallic sights are allowed.

In women’s 10m air pistol, the same firearm requirements apply as in the men's 10m air pistol, but, again, the number of shots is reduced—with only 40 shots in 75 minutes. The same targets are used as in the men’s air pistol event.

This event is shot single-handed in the standing position at a distance of 10 meters (32 feet, 9¾ inches). The center ring of the target is 11.5 mm (.45 inches) in diameter. Each competitor fires 60 shots, in series of 10, with a time limit of 105 minutes. Eight athletes advance to the finals, which consists of a series of 10 shots with 75 seconds allotted per shot. In the finals, the score is evaluated in tenths of points. The score from the finals is added to the preliminary round score to determine the order of finish.

Material courtesy of National Shooting Sports Foundation