Pistol and Revolver Shooting

by A. L. A. Himmelwright

On the application of six or more members in good standing under the prescribed conditions, a U. S. R. A. official designated as the “governor” is appointed by the Association’s executive committee and vested with the authority to supervise all Association shooting. The appointee is usually a member nominated by the local members. Besides supervising all the U. S. R. A. contests, the governor is the official representative of the Association in his locality, and has the custody of all supplies and the distribution of prizes, medals, etc. By this arrangement the U. S. R. A. members in all sections of the country obtain the same privileges and benefits and equal opportunity to enter the matches and competitions.

The U. S. R. A. will furnish numbered and certified targets and score cards, and will provide the prizes for the U. S. R. A. Championship and re-entry events; the club or organization to pay the expressage both ways on targets and all other supplies, to furnish the shooting facilities and conduct the contests free of expense to the association and turn over to the secretary-treasurer all the entrance fees for the U. S. R. A. events. This plan has in all cases given satisfactory results, because the practice shooting of the contestants in the local re-entry matches usually affords sufficient revenue to pay the expenses of the tournament.

When a competitor wishes to shoot in any of the events, he should exhibit his latest membership card (if a member) to the officers in charge, and after paying the entrance fee, a regular ticket or duplicate score card (furnished by the United States Revolver Association) is filled out and issued to him, which is his receipt for the entrance fee. His score need not necessarily be shot immediately after issuing the ticket. Competitors have the option of shooting in the order in which they pay for their entries. Tickets not used are forfeited: no entrance fees shall be refunded.

The requisite number of targets are issued when the competitor wishes to shoot his score. These must be numbered consecutively, they must have the competitor’s name and the number of his score card written on them for identification, and must be shot in their numerical order.

The targets are usually tacked at the corners on alternating frames covered with canvas, over which heavy paper is pasted. Each target is left in position until the required number of shots have been fired at it, each shot being spotted and marked as fired [no pasters to be used]. When a string has been finished the target is lowered and the alternating target raised in position. After the score is completed the targets are brought to the firing point and delivered to the range officer.

When a competitor wishes to shoot his score, his arm must be inspected and passed by the officer in charge, who must see that it conforms with the rules and requirements of the event in which it is entered. Competitors who wish to enter in any of the events are urged to have their arms examined by the executive officer or committee in charge of the matches as soon as possible, so that in case there should be any exceptions made to the sights, the trigger-pull, or any other details, there will be an opportunity to have these exceptions corrected so as to comply with the requirements when the official test and inspection is made before shooting the score.

In Matches C, D, E, and F the scorer should have a reliable stop watch, so that the timing will be accurate. It is well, whenever possible, to have two men time the competitor, so as to have an additional check. A new target must be furnished for each string of five shots at each range. According to the rules, if a competitor starts to shoot a string of any score and his arm becomes disabled from any cause, those shots which reach the target within the time limit after the command, “Fire,” will be counted as the complete score for the five shots. In the case of a disabled arm, the officer or committee in charge may allow the competitor to complete the remaining strings of his score with another arm. Shots on the paper target outside of the 4-ring count 3; shots missing the paper target count zero. After completing the score, when the duplicate score cards are filled out, the contestant takes the duplicate and the range officer retains the original record.

All unused targets and score cards are also to be forwarded to the secretary-treasurer, with a complete detailed account of entrance fees, supplies, etc.

In the Medal Competition only those targets that actually count for medals are to be witnessed, certified and forwarded to the secretary-treasurer for verification and record.

In order that the conditions may be uniform and eliminate as much as possible the special conditions in regard to wind, etc., that may exist at the different places where the matches may be held, the shooters should be protected at the firing point by a shelter. This may be either the regular shooting house of the club, or, if the shooting is done in the open, by a suitable tent or temporary frame structure having an opening in the direction of the target; the other three sides being inclosed. The building or tent should be large enough to accommodate also the officer or committee in charge of the match, so that the shooter may be at all times in sight of the officer in charge of the range at the time the score is made. A table of suitable size should be provided near the firing point for holding ammunition and for the convenience of the competitor to clean his arm in those events where cleaning is allowed. The firing point should be plainly marked and so located as to be at least two feet from any timbers, guards, ropes, tables, etc.