Pistol

NESSCI caters for both Olympic (ISSF) and Practical-style (IPSC) handgun matches.

The Olympic-style 50 m range accommodates up to 20 competitors undercover, with an electronic target return and pneumatically-driven timed turning targets. There is no need for the shooters to leave the firing line. Permissible handguns are .22 rim fire, and centre fire pistols using subsonic, lead (non-jacketed) projectiles up to 38 Special (.357 calibre).

A brand-new 12-lane indoor range caters for .177 calibre air pistols and rifles. Targets are returned electronically to the firing line.

The club has six practical ranges that employ a variety of paper and metal targets. Handguns used are generally centre fire semi-automatics up to .357 calibre, but the ranges are certified to hold metallic silhouette matches using larger calibre handguns. Competitors can use jacketed supersonic projectiles.

ISSF Handgun Events — These are handgun events using a variety of calibres from .177 air pistol, through .22 rim fire, to centre fire up to 38 Special (.357). Air pistol is shot indoors in the new NESSCI 12-competitor range. All other events are shot on the adjacent 50 m range.

50 m (free) pistol — A .22 pistol match comprising 60 scoring shots at 50 m. This is a demanding event completed at a relatively slow pace.

Air pistol — A .177 pistol event comprising 60 scoring shots at 10 m. This event is held on the newly completed indoor 12-competitor range.

Standard pistol — A .22 pistol match comprising 60 scoring shots at 25 m. The shots are fired in four strings of five at 150 seconds, then 20 seconds, then 10 seconds.

Centre fire pistol — A pistol match for handguns up to .357 calibre comprising 60 scoring shots at 25 m. The first 30 shots are at a static target in six strings of five in 150 seconds. The second 30 shots are in strings of five at a target that appears for only three seconds, with one shot being discharged at each appearance.

Sport pistol — A .22 pistol match shot using the same format as for Centre Fire Pistol.

Rapid fire — A .22 pistol match comprising 60 scoring shots at 25 m. The shots are fired at turning targets in four strings of five in 8 seconds, then 6 seconds, then 4 seconds.

Service pistol — A centre fire pistol match up to .357 calibre comprising 90 scoring shots at distances of 50, 25, 10 and 7 yards, drawing from a holster. The targets turn faster as the distance shortens. The cartridges used must have a minimum power factor, determined by the projectile weight times by the velocity.

Service pistol unrestricted — A centre fire pistol match shot under a similar format to Service Pistol, other than the match is started with the pistol in the hand (rather than a holster), and there is no power factor requirement.

Action pistol — A centre fire pistol match, drawing from the holster, using 48 rounds to distances of up to 30 yards.

WA1500 — A centre fire pistol match shot under a similar format to Service Pistol, but using 150 rounds of ammunition.

IPSC Handgun Events — These are handgun matches that use any approved centre fire semi-auto pistol in calibres 9 mm, 38 super or 357 Sig, or revolvers in 9 mm, 38 Special or 357 magnum. Targets can be fixed, moving, bobbing or swinging paper, or metal reaction targets that fall to score. Distances vary from 2 m out to approximately 45 m. All Competitors are required to wear handguns in suitable holsters. Comstock scoring is used, which is the score divided by time. Ammunition is power factored to either major or minor calibre.

Metallic Silhouette Handgun and Rifle Events — These are .22 rim fire and centre fire matches that are shot at reduced-size paper animal silhouettes or at metal targets that fall to score. Distances are 25, 50, 75 and approximately 100 m. The stages start at various firing positions, and are scored by fixed time. There is no ammunition power factor.