Air

Air Pistol and Air Rifle Competitions

Both air pistol and air rifle are full Olympic disciplines and are shot at the same targets over the same distance and using the same equipment that we use.

Air Rifle

Shot at 6 yards and 10 metres, standing.

The gun is surprisingly heavy and very accurate and fires, usually, a .177 inch flat-nose-pellet. Flat-nose-pellets cut the target very precisely enabling accurate scoring. It is very difficult to hold the rifle still and many air rifle shooters wear special clothing designed to support the body, and the arms and the weight of the rifle so that the trigger can be pulled without disturbance to the aim. The idea is to hit the bull’s-eye which at 10 metres is the size of this full stop! “.”

Air rifles with a power rating lower than 12 ft/lbs are not considered as firearms and can be shot by anyone with the right safety clearance.

Air Pistols

Again, pellets are usually .177 inch and most target-quality pistols are single shot. Competitions are normally at 10 metres or 6 yards. Shooting is with one hand only, the other must be tucked away. tucked away. No special clothing or shoes allowed. At 10 metres the aiming mark is two inches across, and the bull is about a quarter of an inch across. Again, pellets are usually .177 inch and most target quality pistols are single shot. Competitions are normally at 10 metres or 6 yards. Air pistols with a power rating lower than 6ft/lbs are not classed as firearms and can be used by anyone with the right safety clearance.

Pistol shooting is one of the most challenging of disciplines as the slightest movement can throw the pellet off the scoring surface. Many air-pistols have butts carved to fit the shooter’s hand precisely, ensuring a perect grip every time.

Hollywood cowboys can of course hit a two inch target every time - the rest of us must settle for reality and this often brings the words “barn-door” to mind.