How do I start Pistol Shooting?

The best thing you can do is contact your relevant State Association to get the location of a Pistol Club close to you. Make a visit to the Club (weekends probably the best) and make enquiries from there... Most clubs offer coaching classes and have 'club guns' available to loan to new members under supervision, but each State and Club is different, especially with the current pistol licencing changes.

Also have a look at Want to start Pistol Shooting for some more background information.

The ISSF / Olympic Matches

There are 7 ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) matches, five of which are shot at the Olympic Games and also at Club, State and National Championship levels. The Olympic matches are Rapid Fire, Free Pistol, Air Pistol (Mens and Womens) and Womens Sport Pistol. The other ISSF events are Standard Pistol and Centre Fire. The Centre Fire match is also included at Commonwealth Games.

Specific Event information

FOR ALL EVENTS

Clothing, Equipment, Accessories: Pistol shooters compete without the benefit of special clothing, gloves or boots. Most athletes wear flat-soled shoes for increased stability, but footwear must not extend above the shooter's ankle.

Competitors frequently wear a cover over their "non-shooting" eye to prevent squinting. Special caps designed to limit the athlete's field of vision are common; ear and eye protection are a necessity.

Spotting scopes allow athletes to view their targets in 25 and 50 meter competition.