Course of Fire
Service Pistol
Excellence-in-Competition Matches
The National Match Course.
30 shots in three stages;
Slow Fire,
Timed Fire,
Rapid Fire,

Note all firing is conducted from the off hand position with one hand grasping the pistol.

Slow Fire

Range:  50 yards
Shots:  10
Time allowed:  10 minutes
Target:

The seven, eight, nine, and ten rings are black (the illustration is a rapid fire target, they are the same except for the number of black rings). The ten ring is 3.3" inches in diameter. There is a 1.76" "X" ring used to break ties in the center of the ten ring.

Conduct:  A three minute preparation period is allowed during which the targets are visible.  During this time you may dry fire and prepare to shoot your record shots.  The targets are then turned ninety degrees or "faced away"
 

The Range Officer's commands are:
"Your three minute preparation period has expired."
"THIS WILL BE THE SLOWFIRE STAGE OF  THE NATIONAL MATCH COURSE, LOAD"
"IS THE LINE READY?"
"THE LINE IS READY"
"READY ON THE RIGHT"
"READY ON THE LEFT"
"READY ON THE FIRING LINE"
The targets are then faced for 10 minutes during which time you fire your shots.
The line is made safe and competitors and officials go forward and score.

Timed & Rapid Fire
Range:  25 yards
Shots:  10(two strings of five rounds each)
Time allowed:   Timed Fire:  20 seconds each string
                            Rapid Fire:  10 seconds each string
Target: 
Conduct:  A three minute preparation period is allowed during which the targets are faced towards the shooter.    You may "build your position, dry fire, and prepare to shoot your sustained fire (timed or rapid fire) during this time.  The targets are then turned ninety degrees or "faced away".

The Range Officer's commands are:
"Your three minute preparation period has expired."
"THIS WILL BE THE FIRST (SECOND) STRING OF TIMED (RAPID) FIRE, FIVE SHOTS IN 20 (10) SECONDS"
"WITH FIVE ROUNDS, LOAD"
"IS THE LINE READY?"
"THE LINE IS READY"
"READY ON THE RIGHT"
"READY ON THE LEFT"
"READY ON THE FIRING LINE"

The shooters prepare to fire aligning their sights on the edge of the target frame. (Usually I do so on the Ready on the Left command). Targets are then faced for 20 or 10 seconds.  You fire your shots.  The target is faced away when time expires. Early and late shots which result in "skidders" are scored (explanation under construction).

The line is made safe and competitors go forward to score.


How to become a good competitor see the:  NRA Page
 

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