The rules governing rifle compet.i.tions, so far as they are applicable, shall be in force in all pistol compet.i.tions.
In all matches, when not otherwise mentioned, either single-shot pistols or revolvers will be permitted upon equal conditions; but if matches call for the revolver the single-shot pistol will not be admitted, unless specially mentioned.
SPECIAL RULES.
Pistols and revolvers allowed in compet.i.tions must conform to the following conditions:--
_A._--Army or navy revolver.
_B._--Any revolver.
_C._--Any pistol.
_A._--_Army or Navy Revolvers_ must be such as have been adopted by any government for the armament of its army or navy, and must conform in all respects of model, sights, and ammunition used, to the service revolver of such nation.
_B._--_Any Revolver._--Revolvers of any calibre, maximum weight, three pounds; maximum length of bore, including cylinder, ten inches.
_C._--_Single-Shot Pistols._--Any breech or muzzle loading pistol, maximum weight, three pounds; maximum length of bore, ten inches.
_Trigger-Pull._--In all matches, or in practice shooting, the minimum trigger-pull shall be three pounds.
_Sights for any Pistols or Revolvers._--The front and rear sights must be open; the notch of a rear sight, to be considered open, must be as wide at the top of the notch as at any part; no aperture or peep sights, nor any manner of covered sights, shall be permitted. Lateral sliding-bars or wind-gauge may be used on rear open sight, also any elevating front or rear open sight. The use of a notch for a front sight will not be permitted. Sights may be smoked or blackened in any desired manner. No device shall be worn on or over the eye, or on gla.s.ses, to secure the sight through an aperture.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Diagram of six consecutive shots, fired from a rest, at 50 yards, with a Colt"s Frontier Model revolver, .44 calibre, full charge,--40 grains of powder, 200 grains of lead.]
_Ammunition._--If factory ammunition is called for it shall be of any make, of any established manufacturer, generally procurable in stores, and brought to the shooting-point in unbroken boxes, with the label of the manufacturer intact.
_Cleaning._--In any match where both pistols and revolvers are allowed, compet.i.tors may clean their arms at will, provided such cleaning does not delay the firing, which shall be at the rate of one shot per minute, or oftener during the firing of each score, except in case of accident. In such case the time may be extended, in the discretion of the executive officer.
In matches confined to revolvers the cylinder must be fully charged, or a sufficient number of chambers charged to complete the score. Blowing into or cleaning the barrel in any way will not be permitted, except when the cylinder is completely discharged.
_Loading and Firing._--No arms shall be loaded except at the firing-point, the muzzle of piece being kept in the direction of the target till the arm is either discharged or unloaded.
Miss-fires shall not count; but an accidental discharge shall, in every instance, be counted.
_Position._--The position shall be as follows: Standing, free from any other artificial support; the pistol or revolver held in one hand only, with the arm extended free from the body, and unsupported in any way. The rear sight of the pistol or revolver shall not be nearer to the eye than twelve inches.
_Targets._--The Standard American target, full size, having an eight-inch bull, shall be used in matches at fifty yards" distance. The same target reduced to one-half size, having a four-inch bull, in matches at thirty yards" distance. The same target reduced to one-quarter size, having a two-inch bull, in matches at twenty yards" distance. The target reduced in the same proportion to distance, in matches of a lesser range.
_Marking and Scoring._--Unless otherwise specified, each compet.i.tor will have a separate target provided and will fire his score throughout, when the target will be examined by the scorer and the score recorded. In case of any dispute as to the value of a shot, the same may be challenged, as provided for in Rule 3, sec. 4, of shooting rules governing rifle compet.i.tions.