Holsters and LBPs

The GR&P discipline do not make massive use of holsters. They are used in the following events within a course of fire:

• T&P2
• 1500
• T&P3
• 1020
• Phoenix A (although not really relevant as the start condition is always empty chamber)

Holsters can be used in other events as convenient holding device – in these cases they are not part of the course of fire.

In the case of LBPs current rulings for the above events state the start position as “holstered, slide forward, safety catch applied”. Depending on the type of pistol people use this may result in the hammer being down or locked back in the cocked position. In all cases, and this is the point, there is assumed to be a loaded round in the chamber.

Commencement of the appropriate course of fire can continue by releasing the safety catch and carrying on.

We have been asked to change the start position to “holstered, slide forward on an empty chamber”. Commencement of the appropriate course of fire under this start condition would mean racking the pistol before the first shot can be fired.

Why? Well we are told safety is paramount and we are told that unless a particular shooting discipline is not being conducted under one to one RO-ing  – as in the case on most GR&P events – holstering an LBP with an empty chamber is really the only option we have. [As an addendum to this its been pointed out that our rules have actually always been incorrect. For these events pistols should never be in holsters with a round in the chamber.]

Some may have already noticed the Bianchi is run under 1-1 RO-ing conditions so this will remain unchanged however the proposal for all other events is to amend the start position for LBP events to holstered, slide forward on an empty chamber. We are not particularly unusual adopting this rule – many other countries do so in the likes of the 1500 events.

I need feedback on this ASAP as I’m re-writing sections of the rule book now.

Timed and Precision 2 Timings

What is it with the Timed and Precision 2 event? Every year I get lobbied to change the timings because “they are wrong”.

Here is what we currently have:

• 10m – Pistol, Revolver and GRCF – 8secs: GRSB – 5 secs
• 25m – Pistol, Revolver and GRSB – 105 secs ( 1:45): GRCF – 120 secs (2 mins)
• 50m – Pistol, Revolver and GRSB – 150 secs ( 2:30): GRCF – 180 secs (3 mins)

Here is what they are going to be changed to:

• 10m – NO CHANGE
• 25m – Pistol and GRSB – 105 secs ( 1:45): Revolver and GRCF – 120 secs (2 mins)
• 50m – Pistol  and GRSB – 150 secs ( 2:30): Revolver and GRCF – 180 secs (3 mins)

This puts revolver timings at the 25m and 50m distances back to the original 2 minute and 3 minute boundaries respectively.

The 10m timings will remain the same as they were changed to last year.

Iron Sights Pistol Events

At the Bisley GRAWS throughout the 2015 season separate iron sighted pistol matches were offered for the T&P1, Multi Target and Advancing Target events.

Although we had some moderate take-up there is not enough people to justify continuing to offer these matches as independent and standalone events.

What will happen from 2016 onwards is be a concurrent recording of  any iron sighted pistol entries which will be clearly indicated in the results listings if the competitor so wishes.

New scorecards will be issued from next season onwards to allow competitors to  indicate they are iron sighted pistol shooters. These indications will be carried through to stats to be processed accordingly.

The above for the Bisley GRAW meetings. OF course match directors and organisers elsewhere are free to offer  pistol shooting events as they see fit.