Target Pistol is the result of the SSAA adopting the American NRA Target Pistol match as its international target handgun discipline. Target Pistol is an international rimfire and centrefire revolver and self-loading pistol shooting discipline.

The discipline itself is a single-handed handgun sport where shooters engage paper targets at 50m and 25m with a variety of handgun types and calibres.Target Pistol comprises several main events and side matches, with each based around the class of handgun and ammunition used. Target Pistol Disciplines shot at the Club are:

Any Rimfire Pistol or Revolver :
This may be any .22 pistol using any .22LR rimfire cartridge having an overall length of not more than 1.1 inches or a projectile heavier than 40gns. Barrel length including cylinder not more than 10 inches and a trigger pull not less than 2lbs.  Any sights including telescopic and red dot are permitted with the exception of sights that project an image on to the target.  Iron sights shall not be over 10 inches apart.

Any Centrefire Pistol or Revolver :
Any centrefire pistol of .32″ / 7.65mm calibre or larger with a barrel length including cylinder of not more than 10 inches and a trigger pull not less than 2.5 lb.  Any sights including telescopic and red dot are permitted but with the exception of sights that project an image on to the target.  Iron sights shall not be over 10 inches apart.

Mayleigh :
Same as Any .22 calibre pistol or revolver.

M9 Pistol :
A Beretta 92, 9mm pistol of the US army issue type or a commercial pistol of the same type and calibre. Barrel not longer than 5inches.  Overall length of the pistol shall be not less than 8.52in or longer than 8.62 inches and sights no more than 7.25 in. apart.  Stocks no more than 1.5in. wide and may not be of a wrap around design. Tape may be used on the fore strap and grip rear but may not be wrapped around the grip. Trigger of not less than 2.5 lb pull weight . Ammunition – any safe 9mm load with a minimum 115 gn projectile. A long list of modifications are permitted – including replacement barrels, slides and sights.

Distinguished Revolver :
This is a revolver capable of chambering and firing a 158-grain round nose or semi-wadcutter .38 special cartridge. The revolver must be factory manufactured with no external modifications except for stocks. Stocks are to be factory or as near as possible a mirror image left and right, i.e no orthopaedic grips. Barrel length is not to exceed 6.5 inches. Fixed or adjustable rear sights may be used but no adjustable foresights are allowed. Trigger must have single and double action capability, be of not less than 2.5 lb pull weight tested in the single action mode. Ammunition – .38″/.357″ 158-grain round nose or semi-wadcutter only. Not Permitted are trigger shoes, compensators, tape on stocks, sticky substances on stocks and non-original trigger stops.

Targets :
With the exception of the Mayleigh Match which is shot on the International Slow Fire Target the National Match course and the 900 course are shot on the 50m Black Powder Target at 50m and the B8 target at 25m.

The Matches:
There are 3 types of matches shot in SSAA Target Pistol:

1. National Match Course – 30 shots
   • Stage 1 (50m): 1 string of 10-shots, slow fire in 10 minutes per string.
   • Stage 2 (25m): 2 strings of 5-shots, timed fire in 20 seconds per string.
   • Stage 3 (25m): 2 strings of 5-shots, rapid fire in 10 seconds per string.
2. 900 Match Course – 90 shots
   • Stage 1 (50m): 2 strings of 10-shots, slow fire in 10 minutes per string.
   • Stage 2:  Shoot the National Match Course – 30 shots as above.
   • Stage 3 (25m): 4 strings of 5-shots timed fire in 20 seconds per string.
   • Stage 4 (25m): 4 strings of 5-shots, rapid fire in 10 seconds per string.
   (For grading purposes the 900 score is devolved into 3 National Match scores)
3. International Mayleigh Match – 30 shots
   • 1 Stage at 50m only: 3 strings of 10-shots in slow fire, 10 minutes per string on the International Slow Fire Target.

Further info & rules

GRADING:
All grades are based on a maximum score of 300 from the National Match Course.

H (High Master)    291 – 300

M (Master)           285 – 290

AA (Expert)          270 – 284

A (Sharpshooter) 255 – 269

B (Marksman)      200 – 254

C grade                   0 – 199