The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) is the global governing body for Olympic and non-Olympic shooting sports. Founded in 1907, it oversees events in pistol, rifle, shotgun, running target, and target sprint disciplines. The ISSF’s headquarters is in Munich, Germany, and it affiliates over 150 national shooting federations worldwide.
Key Features of ISSF
- Olympic Recognition: The ISSF is the only shooting sport organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
- Disciplines: Events include precision shooting with static targets for pistol and rifle, hit/miss scoring for shotgun, moving targets for running target, and a biathlon-style combination of shooting and running for target sprint.
- Scoring: Precision-based scoring determines results; maximum scores vary depending on whether integer or decimal scoring is used.
Pistol Shooting Events
In ISSF pistol events, competitors aim at a 10-ring target using one hand in the standing position. These events include:
- Olympic Events:
- 10m Air Pistol: Precision shooting with .177 caliber air pistols.
- 25m Pistol: Timed shooting with .22lr pistols (women only).
- 25m Rapid Fire Pistol: Shooting at five targets with .22lr pistols (men only).
- Non-Olympic Events:
- 50m Pistol: Slow-fire precision shooting.
- 25m Centre Fire Pistol and 25m Standard Pistol.
Running Target and Target Sprint
- Running Target: Precision shooting at moving targets.
- Target Sprint: Combines mid-distance running with rifle shooting at falling targets.
ISSF Championships
The ISSF organizes several major tournaments:
- Olympic Games (every four years).
- World Championships (every four years).
- World Cup Series (annual events).
The ISSF promotes precision shooting as a competitive sport while maintaining strict safety standards and fostering international participation.
Range guides
A guide on compettiton rules and process can be found on the Pistol Australia site here - https://pistol.org.au/range-guides/