Rapid Fire Pistol

Pardini SP1 RF

Rapid fire pistol is a men’s-only event and consists of two rounds of 30 shots each, and one round consists of two series of five shots fired in eight, six, and four seconds. A series of five shots is fired at five targets, 75 cm apart, at a distance of 25 meters.

Rapid Fire Pistol competitions use paper targets that are able to turn 90 degrees to appear to the shooter and then turn back to disappear when the shooting time is up. During the last few decades, these targets have gradually been replaced by electronic devices which use red and green lights to indicate the beginning and the end of the shooting time, and which automatically handle late shots. As these systems are expensive, they are normally only used in international competitions.

25m Rapid Fire Pistol Targets

A series (or string) consists of five shots fired at one target each within a limited time. The targets stand next to each other at a 25 m distance from the shooter. As with all ISSF Pistol disciplines, all firing must be done with one unsupported hand. When the targets appear or when the green light comes on, the competitor must raise his arm from a 45 degree angle starting position and fire his five shots. If a shot is too late, it will score as a miss.

An individual 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Target

There are three different time limits for the series: 8 seconds, 6 seconds, and 4 seconds. A stage consists of two series of each type, and a full course of fire comprises two such stages, or a total of 60 shots. Since the targets are divided into concentric score zones with 10 being the most central part, the total maximum score is 600.

In major competitions, the top six shooters qualify for a final round of four additional 4-second series, using decimals of points. The results of the qualification round and the final are added together, and any ties are broken by firing an additional 4-second series.

The finals format for Rapid Fire underwent a major revision in 2010, where now shooters participate in a hit-or-miss, elimination style format. For a complete description of the new finals format, download a PDF describing the entire process here.

World class rapid fire pistols (like the Pardini SP1 RF pictured above) cost between $1300-$2500. Entry level target pistols that can be used by new and developing rapid fire shooters range from $300-$1200.

USA Shooting video describing the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Event