Practical Pistol at SHFC

IIntroduction

Welcome to practical pistol shooting! You have taken the first step towards an exciting journey into the world of competitive shooting that is unlike any other type of shooting requiring the use of a handgun. It is not only fun but also very dynamic and challenging requiring not only accurate shooting but also speed, coordination, situation assessment and multiple target engagement from various shooting positions. Along the way, you also gain some skills in defensive shooting.

At SHFC, there are several practical pistol events each of which offers variation, emphasis and skill set development. The emphasis may be in competition, tactical application, honing defensive moves or even some combinations of each. All events are open to SHFC members, their family and friends, men, women and youths subject to the rules and regulations of the club. Whether you are a beginner or have had years of shooting experience, it is mandatory that you attend a safety briefing and practical pistol orientation prior to being allowed to participate in any of these events if you have never participated in any practical pistol shooting before.

Practical pistol is competition shooting and competition means that there will be several participants in these club events, where you will be exposed to like-minded members who share similar interests. You will find that these more experienced shooters will be more than happy to provide you with tips not only on how to improve your shooting skills but also provide you with guidance should you so desire. All you need to do is ask.

Here are a few pointers to make your introduction and/or first practical pistol shooting event a pleasant experience for all concerned;

  • Bring and wear eye and ear protection. Your normal corrective lens or sunglasses will serve for your first visit although it is highly recommended that you use safety glasses that are impact-resistant. Inexpensive foam earplugs available at most sporting goods or hardware stores will suffice for hearing protection.
  • Even if you are an experienced shooter, don't assume you know more than you do specially if you’re new to practical pistol. Use your first visit to concentrate on watching, listening, and learning. Keep in mind that all actions that you do while engaged in practical shooting revolve around safety.
  • Don't assume that you will be allowed to shoot the first time you go to one of these practical pistol events. It is required that new competitors complete a "safety brief" before shooting an actual match. You can make an arrangement with one of the event coordinators(listed under Sect IX ), who will be willing to administer the safety brief on the day you visit or determine whether a stand-alone session at another time is better suited for you based on your shooting experience.

NOTE: Some of the information listed herein may not apply to all practical pistol events at SHFC. It is recommended that you contact the event coordinator listed under Section IX for specific information or additional requirements regarding the event you wish to participate in.

IIExpectations

It is important to have realistic expectations as you approach competitive shooting. Many people, but most especially those without a lot of shooting experience, make unreasonable assumptions about this game.
Some people are exposed to shooting only on television or in the movies and they may tend to believe a lot of myths that are presented therein. Our heroes are shown hitting difficult targets at extreme ranges without seeming to aim. Looks easy. Anyone can do that. Even people with some shooting experience may fall into the trap of believing that tin can plinking or hunting has prepared them for competitive shooting.
Practical shooting is an exciting, fun, safe sport. Like any sport though, it takes time and effort to become proficient. Like any sport there will be times when your progress is rapid and it's easy to remain focused on your goal. At other times it will seem that you're not getting anywhere and it will be easy to become discouraged. Consistent practice will take you where you want to go. And help from other members is just a question away.

IIIEquipment That You Will Need

  1. Firearms – Any handgun, whether pistol or revolver, is allowed that fires .38 cal / 9 MM bullet or bigger caliber as long as it is in safe and good working condition.
  2. Exception: Caliber 22 rimfire pistol is utilized once a month in the Practical Pistol Classic event.
  3. Holster – Any type of holster that is affixed to the belt and covers the trigger when the firearm is holstered and should have a retaining feature that will prevent the firearm from falling out. Shoulder rigs and canted holsters that cause the muzzle to point beyond 3 feet from the competitor’s feet when the handgun is holstered are not allowed.
  4. Loading Devices, Carriers and Pouches –All magazines are allowed for pistols although long magazines are discouraged. For revolvers, half or full moon clips and speed loaders are highly recommended. Although the traditional way of loading the cylinder one bullet at a time is OK, it is impractical for a competitive shoot that requires speed and you most likely will be teased and ostracized by the other competitors for taking so much time. Pouches for holding these loading devices must be affixed to the belt. If you only have two magazine pouches, utilizing your pockets to hold the extra magazine is also allowed. However, it is highly recommended that the number of loading devices and pouches that you have should allow you to carry about 40 rounds of ammo in your person.
  5. Eye and Ear Protection – Although regular prescription glasses or sunglasses are allowed, it is highly recommended that you use impact resistant eye protection, preferably one that also offers a side shield. Any type of foam or rubber ear plugs, and earmuffs that safely protect your hearing while allowing you to hear verbal commands is mandatory. You will not be allowed to participate in any shooting event without eye or ear protection of some sort.
  1. Ammunition – Factory and reloaded ammunitions are allowed. However, ammunitions with tracers, incendiary and steel bullets are not allowed at the SHFC ranges. There are ammunitions that have these restricted bullets that are either copper or rubber plated, which make them not easily identified as such. You are ultimately responsible and must know the pedigree or source of the ammunition that you use.

IVPractical Pistol Safety Briefing at SHFC

General Regulation – All practical pistol event participants (guests and members) are required to comply with the General Range Rules and Safety Regulations imposed by the Skyline Hunting and Fishing Club in addition to those specified in the stage briefing provided by the range officer prior to the start of the event. The range officer or event coordinator will conduct the safety briefing with all the participants prior to starting a practical pistol shooting event as mandated by the club.

1)SHFC runs a cold range. No loaded firearm can be brought into the range. Firearms must remain in range bag until directed by the range officer (RO).

2)Handling of firearms without oversight from the RO can only be done in an inactive range (such as the 100 or 200yard ranges) when the pistol range or active range is in use for a practical pistol event.

3)Prior to starting the practical pistol event and under the direction of the RO, firearms can be removed from the range bag, checked to ensure that chamber is clear, magazine out, (cylinder empty for revolvers) and hammer or striker is down, and then immediately holstered .

4)Once your empty firearm is holstered, no handling of the firearm is allowed while in the pistol or active range unless directed by the RO for the duration of the practical pistol event.

5)Stage briefings will be discussed and covered prior to the start of every courses of fire. Pay attention to any specific safety warnings and precautions that may be inherent with that specific stage design.

6)During a COF (Course of Fire), the RO or any participant can yell “STOP” if an unsafe condition occurs or a potential action is observed that may result in an unsafe condition. The active shooter, upon hearing this must freeze and remain in that position until directed by the RO.

7)At the conclusion of the practical pistol event and under direction of the RO, firearms can be removed from the holster, checked to ensure chamber is clear, magazine is out, cylinder is empty and hammer is down, and then immediately put away in the range bag.

V Safety Infractions During Practical Pistol Events that Result in Match Disqualification

General Regulation – A participant who commits any of the safety infraction listed below, displaying unsportsmanlike conduct, or showing signs of intoxication or impairment, will be disqualified from the match and will be prohibited from attempting any remaining courses of fire.

Safety infractions:

1)Accidental discharge – any shot that occurs while loading, reloading or unloading, clearing a jam, transferring a handgun between hands, and shots that occur during movement unless specifically shooting at a target.

2)Unsafe gun handling as defined below;

a)Handling a firearm in an active range while an event is going on without being directed by the range officer.

b)During a COF, allowing the muzzle of the gun to point beyond the 180 degrees of the active range.

c)When a competitor drops his or her gun, whether loaded or not, during a COF (starting from “Make Ready” command and ending with “Range is Clear” command).

d)Allowing the muzzle of the gun to point at any part of the body during a COF (sweeping). Exception is sweeping lower extremities (below the belt) while drawing or re-holstering a gun provided the competitor’s fingers are clearly outside of the trigger guard.

3)While facing downrange, allowing the muzzle of a loaded handgun to point up range beyond a radius of 3 feet from the competitor’s feet while drawing or re-holstering.

4)Failure to keep the finger outside of the trigger guard unless actively shooting at a target or target array during a COF, specifically when moving between target arrays, during loading, reloading, or unloading. Exemption: While complying with the “Make Ready” command to lower the hammer of a gun with no de-cocker.

5)Holstering a single action handgun without the safety applied, or a double action/selective action handgun with the hammer cocked and safety not applied.

6)Having a loaded firearm during the event other than when specifically directed by the range officer.

7)Using metal piercing, steel core, incendiary and/or tracer ammunition.

8)Drawing a handgun while facing up range during a COF.

NOTE: A Course of fire (COF) starts at the “Make Ready” and ends at “Range is Clear” commands from the RO . Unsportsmanlike conduct include cheating, refusing to comply with reasonable RO directions and displaying extreme anger or threatening actions against another competitor or range officer.

VI Range Commands

The following is list of standard verbal commands used by USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) that have been adopted for use at SHFC during practical pistol shooting events. You may hear some variations in the commands issued by the range officer during a course of fire, and as a participant, it is important that you understand what these commands imply. Texts in bold are the commands issued by the range officer followed by a description of what you as the active shooter is allowed to do. When it’s your turn to run a stage or COF, you will be asked to go to the starting position and these are the commands that will be issued to you by the range officer.

  1. Make ready!
  • Marks the beginning of course of fire (COF) and allows shooter to remove gun from holster, take sight picture, load, chamber a round, holster the loaded gun and get ready to start course of fire.
  1. Are you ready?
  • Once the shooter assumes the start position, this indicates shooter is ready. No response from the shooter indicates he or she is ready although a verbal “Yes” or nod is also an indication.
  1. Standby . . . . .
  • RO should allow between 1 to 4 seconds from issue of standby command to sounding the beep.
  1. (Beep) - applied by RO between 1 and 4 seconds from Command 3.
  • Shooter draws the firearm and engages all targets as specified in the stage briefing.
  1. STOP/CEASE FIRE!!! – Used only when the RO sees a safety violation or action from the shooter that can potentially lead to an unsafe condition.
  • Upon hearing this command, the active shooter freezes in position and wait for further RO direction.
  • The RO ensures that the shooter’s gun is placed in a safe condition properly before allowing shooter to move away from the COF.
  1. If finished, unload and show clear.
  • The shooter removes all ammunition from the firearm and show an open empty chamber or cylinder.
  • The RO will visually check and ensure that all ammo is removed from the gun and that the shooter’s actions are all performed in a safe manner.
  1. If clear, hammer down and holster.
  • Shooter points the firearm down range, pulls the trigger to drop the hammer or striker and then immediately holsters the firearm.
  1. RANGE IS CLEAR!
  • Marks the end of the COF for the active shooter and the range is declared to be in a safe condition. Only then are the other participants allowed to go forward of the firing line to pick up brass, tape, reset and score the targets.

VIITargets and Scoring

There are three basic types of target that are used at SHFC during these practical pistol events - the metric(or IPSC) and classic paper targets and steel. Of the two types of paper targets, the classic or IPSC target is the one that is most commonly used. Figures 1 and 2 show the basic sizes, scoring method and zones for the paper targets. In a typical course of fire or stage, you can expect to see a combination of one type of paper target and steel being used. There will also be multiple targets presented to the competitor in a single course of fire.

Steel targets may be consisted of plates and poppers and are sometimes used in combinations. The size of steel targets being used at SHFC may vary not only in shape but also in size. This variation increases the challenge in a course of fire presented to the competitor. Additionally, you will also see moving steel targets being employed when a Texas Star is used in a course of fire.

At SHFC, hits are scored either as major or minor based solely on the diameter of the bullet that you’re using and does not take into account the velocity of your load. Basically, if you are shooting a bullet caliber of 9MM or .38, your hits are scored as minor. If you’re shooting .40 S&W, 10 MM or .45 caliber ammunition, your hits are scored as major.

On paper targets, if the bullet diameter is touching the scoring line between two zones, or the line between the non-scoring border and a scoring zone, or crosses multiple scoring zones, the hit will be given the higher value. A steel target has to fall to incur the full value of 5 points as a hit. Even if you hear and see your hits on a steel target and it doesn’t fall, then it is considered as a miss. On both paper and steel targets, a miss is scored as minus 10 points.

In addition to adding your total scoring points in a COF, another critical factor is your time. A timer is used in all practical pistol matches, which records the time by picking up the sound from your shots. Your total time is recorded from start when the timer buzzer goes off and lasts until you complete the course of fire after you fired your last shot.

Your score for the stage is recorded as the “hit factor.” This is calculated by adding the total points from your hits at all the targets, divided by the total time it took you to complete the entire course of fire or stage. Another way of looking at the stage hit factor you get is that it represents the average number of points your earned for each second you spent in completing that course of fire. This of course is vetted against the other competitors, which ultimately result in your match placement. So you can see that being both accurate in your shot placements while being fast at the same time can easily earn you the title of “Top Dog” for that stage. Of course, this just like anything else, will require a lot of practice and investing some time from you as a competitor.