Western International Pistol League (WIPL) competitions:

WIPL is run with relaxed International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) rules. i.e. no gun check, no footwear check, scoring is done off line, turning targets are not necessary, officiating can be done by lights, horn or whistle, and any center fire pistol caliber is allowed for the center fire match. Reference reading: http://www.issf-shooting.org/rules/rules.asp, see Special Technical Rules for Pistol Shooting. Only the safety, Standard Pistol, and Centerfire Pistol rules will be relevant. We are not really strict regarding the rules and only enforce safety and the course of fire. You should be familiar with these rules, but don't worry too much about it as the range officer will announce the course of fire before each series starts. All you have to bring is yourself, pistols, ammunition, pen, and if handy a calculator and scoring gauge. Just listen to the RO, and follow along with the other shooters.

Each series always consists of 5 shots with exception to the Center Fire/Sport Pistol malfunction series. One series is shot on sighting targets, and two series (10 shots) per scoring target. Each shooter has one allowable malfunction per match. Malfunction series are shot after both regular series. Shooters get the lowest ten shots scored on targets with malfunction series.

At the start of a match, the range officer (RO) declares a preparation time. 10 minutes is given for shooters to setup their gear and put their pistols on the line. If all shooters are ready before prep time is up, the RO can start the match earlier. Shooters shoot one handed, starting with pistols lowered (at or below the 45 degree point). The RO identifies the series being shot (see order below), then gives the command “load”. Once the shooters make their guns ready, the RO gives the start command. This varies with the method of officiating (lights change, lights turn on, whistle or horn blows etc…). When stoppage is required, the RO gives the stop command. When the targets are ready to be changed, the RO makes the line safe, then the shooters retrieve, patch, and post their next target.

Standard Pistol match course of fire:

1 Sighting series: 5 shots in 2.5 minutes. Unlimited malfunction alibis allowed (very rare). Do not score.

4 Slow fire series: 5 shots in 2.5 minutes per series.

4 Timed fire series: 5 shots in 20 seconds per series.

4 Rapid fire series: 5 shots in 10 seconds per series.

 Center fire / Sport Pistol match course of fire:

1 Slow fire sighting series: 5 shots in 5 minutes (usually everyone is done sooner). Unlimited malfunction alibis allowed (very rare). Do not score.

6 Slow fire series: 5 shots in 5 minutes (usually everyone is done sooner) per series.

5 minutes is given to make adjustments to pistols (if required) for rapid fire.

1 rapid fire sighting series: 5 shots taken one at a time in 3 second “exposures”. Start with pistols lowered and targets facing away for 7 seconds, then the targets face you for 3 seconds in which time you raise and fire a shot. This is repeated 4 more times for one series.

6 Rapid fire series: 5 shots taken one at a time in 3 second “exposures” for each series.